US Embassy in Tel Aviv stops processing visas

Citing the 'current security situation in Tel Aviv,' the United States embassy has stopped issuing visas for Israelis who wish to travel to the United States.

Due to the current security situation in Tel Aviv, U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv remains open but is operating at reduced staffing until further notice, and has canceled routine visa application processing and American Citizen services. Emergencies involving an American citizen and visa applications will be considered on a case by case basis. If you had a scheduled visa appointment, you will receive an email  informing you of the appointment cancellation, and another email with a new scheduled appointment.  If the appointment is not convenient for you,  you may reschedule your appointment through the scheduling system.  You are not required to pay a new fee.  We will update the website and our facebook on any developments. To ask for an emergency appointment, please email NIVTelAviv@state.gov (for visas) or AMCTelAviv@state.gov (for U.S. Citizens Services) and explain the nature of your emergency. We will respond to your email quickly with additional instructions.

The Visa Section of the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv processes applications for nonimmigrant visas only.  Immigrant visas are processed at the Consulate General in Jerusalem.  Click on the links below or on the left side of the page to learn more about the Visa Section.

Curiously, the 'current security situation, has never led to the suspension of visa issuances in Kiev, Baghdad or Cairo. 

A quick check reveals that there is no such “security situation” Important Notice for the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine. There isn’t one in Baghdad, Iraq or in Cairo, Egypt, either. No visa problems at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, either. And Yemen is a go, as is Tunisia.

The only other U.S. Embassy in the entire Middle East, other than Israel, where visa services has been suspended is in Damascus, Syria. But that gives cold comfort, given the U.S. Embassy in Syria closed for all purposes on February 6, 2012. Oh, and Iran – no visas being given out there, either. There hasn’t been a U.S. Embassy in Iran since 1979.

Visa services are readily available at the U.S. Embassy in Karachi, Pakistan.  There is no such “security situation,” Important Notice, like the one in Israel, for the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.

But wait, there is a special message on the U.S. Embassy to Kabul, Afghanistan‘s website.

Never mind. This message simply states that the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is “currently experiencing technical problems with our visa system. We are operating at a significantly reduced capacity” because of the backlog. However, this problem “is not specific to any particular country, citizenship document or visa category.” And with that, the general information about obtaining a visa through the U.S. Embassy in Kabul is provided.

 Gee, do you think that this has something to do with the Obama administration's disdain for Israel?