New U.S. rule bars soldiers from visiting Israel, region on leave

Changed rules implemented in September after Israel was officially reassigned to the AOR, says unofficial travel to Israel by CENTCOM members of the armed forces, is unauthorized, claiming COVID restrictions

i24NEWS|Updated:04.27.22 | 10:43

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After Israel was reclassified to fall within the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR), the US military released updated guidelines banning service members from traveling to the region on leave.
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The change, which affects Central Command Regulation 55-2, was implemented on September 8 of last year - one week after Israel was officially reassigned to the AOR.
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U.S.  Central Command headquarters 
(Photo: AP)
The updated regulation rules that “unofficial travel into the US CENTCOM AOR is not authorized” - meaning Jewish service members looking to participate in cultural Birthright trips to Israel will be unable to travel as planned.
CENTCOM maintains that the updated guidelines were not prompted by Israel’s new designation within the AOR.
CENTCOM’s chief of media operations, Lt. Col. Karen Roxberry, informed ToI by email that the regulation was altered as part of the military’s response to Covid considerations in the region.
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Israeli and U.S. servicemen during a joint Airforce drill in 2020 
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
“The changes… to Central Command Regulation (CCR) 55-2, were implemented in direct response to heightened Covid-19 restrictions throughout our area of responsibility,” Roxberry said.
“Any correlation between the Defense Department’s announcement of Israel’s realignment to US Central Command’s responsibility in September 2021 is purely coincidental,” the official added.

First published: 13:41, 04.27.22

3Comments

1.

Good! This Birthright trip is

a blatant waste of Israeli taxpayer money: a free vacation for dubious "Jews" that do not care at all about Israel or its people. If the US soldiers of Jewish descent want to see Israel they can do it in the framework of an IDF terrain orientation training (nevutim).

t| 04.27.22

23

Ooopps...

"the friendships and affinity developed for Israel because of this program can not be understated." I think that you meant overstated?

A Jerusalemite| 04.28.22

11

I would disagree with you T.

2 of my kids attended Birthright and That was followed by a stronger affinity and support for Israel including one of which is working on making Aliya with specific intent to join the IDF. Though without a doubt, some just use it as a "free" (And it isn't that free BTW) vacation, the friendships and affinity developed for Israel because of this program can not be understated. Most of the kids that come from their Birthright trip come back with a much stronger love and understanding for Israel. That translates to support, both financial and political.

Ben| 04.27.22

22