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US ambassador to Israel jokes about staff ‘procreating’ during war | News US
The US Ambassador to Israel allegedly sent a memo to embassy staff in Tel Aviv, joking that embassy members might have new children within nine months.
Staff at the embassy have been told to shelter in place due to the war with Iran, but were sent a bizarre memo by the Ambassador.
In the memo, staff were told that if ‘extended time with your spouse’ results in ‘the birth of your next child in about 9 months, I of course expect that you will want to name the little bugger after me!’
He added: ‘If it’s a girl, Michelle is a nice name too.’
One US official told the Washington Post that the memo was ‘awkward’ and ‘odd’.
The memo was sent after the US Embassy in Israel advised Americans in the country that they ‘cannot guarantee their safety’.
Shuttles are currently being offered to transport people to a border crossing with Egypt, but the Embassy added: ‘We cannot make any recommendation (for or against) the Ministry of Tourism’s shuttle.
‘If you choose to avail yourself of this option to depart, the U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety.’
Israel has been launching airstrikes against Iranian missile launchers and a nuclear research site, as Iran struck back against Israel and others, targeting US embassies and disrupting energy supplies and travel.
The American embassy in Saudi Arabia and the US consulate in the United Arab Emirates came under drone attacks.
Iran has fired dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel, although most of the incoming fire has been intercepted.
![CORRECTION / Israeli security forces and emergency personnel gather at a site struck by a projectile in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv on March 3, 2026. The Middle East has becomed gripped by a war triggered by US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28, that killed the Islamic republic's supreme leader and other officials. (Photo by Ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images) / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Ilia YEFIMOVICH has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv] instead of [in Tel Aviv]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require."](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SEI_287669902-c747.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Eleven people in Israel have been killed since the conflict began.
US embassies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Lebanon said they were closed to the public.
The US State Department said early on Wednesday it had authorised non-emergency government personnel and family members to evacuate Saudi Arabia should they choose to do so due to the war.
The department previously ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and family in Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
US citizens were urged to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries, although many were stranded because of airspace closures.
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