Signs and Portents: Evacuation Urged in Israel Security Alert, Rubio's Visit Still Set for Monday

There are signs that things may again be about to get very spicy in the Middle East.

First, the United States Embassy in Israel has authorized the departure of all non-emergency personnel.

On February 27, 2026, the Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of U.S. government personnel from Mission Israel due to safety risks.

In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S.… pic.twitter.com/aWzX6Gk36x
— U.S. Embassy Jerusalem (@usembassyjlm) February 27, 2026

The embassy post continues:

In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S. Embassy may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank. Persons may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available.

That's a polite way of saying, "Git while the gittin's good."

Then, we have a report that Ambassador Mike Huckabee agrees with the above assessment and is urging people to leave.

BREAKING: In an email sent 1 hour ago, Ambassador Mike Huckabee urged personnel who wish to depart Israel to do so “today,” warning of likely high demand for flights from Ben Gurion Airport and prioritizing rapid exit from the country, according to a copy reviewed by The New York…
— Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 27, 2026

This makes one wonder if it's about to start raining fire and steel in Iran.

Trump-Iran Standoff: 'Commercial Bonanza' Reportedly on Table for Nuclear Pact

Even with these signs, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio intends to proceed with his plans to travel to Israel on Monday. The guy doesn't lack for guts.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to visit Israel early next week for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the State Department confirmed Friday.
Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, answered “Yes” on X when asked by a reporter if the visit was still on after the US Embassy in Jerusalem said it would allow non-essential staff and families of diplomats to leave the country as fears of war with Iran grow.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Israel from March 2-3, 2026,” department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
“The Secretary will discuss a range of regional priorities including Iran, Lebanon, and ongoing efforts to implement President Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza.”

Iran, it stands to reason, is the bulk of the reason for the trip.

Note that President Trump's earlier 10-day ultimatum to Iran is up this weekend. Note also that the Iranians have been less than forthcoming in talks, which it is becoming apparent were only attended by the United States, so that President Trump can honestly say, "Hey, we tried to talk to them." While there is little point in talking to representatives of a barbarian theocracy who we already know will renege on any agreements, it's probably the smart move.

Note, finally, that the United States has sent a considerable force to the region. The correlation of forces, now, is not entirely in Iran's favor.

Stay tuned this weekend. Things may be about to get very interesting in the Middle East, unless there is some dramatic breakthrough in negotiations - or unless the Iranian people storm every government building in the country and defenestrate the mullahs and their minions, which would be the best of all possible endings to this affair. Of course, that task will be a lot easier for the Iranian people if there is an umbrella of American steel over their heads.

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