Officials closed applications to study abroad in Israel this spring in the wake of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

University spokesperson Josh Grossman said in an email that there are no undergraduate students studying abroad in Israel this semester in any of the 10 programs previously offered in Israel. Grossman said officials closed applications for study abroad offerings in Israel for the spring semester because of the “current circumstances” in the region.

Grossman declined to comment on how officials coordinate with international programs and foreign countries if conflict breaks out.

He said students who need mental health assistance while abroad have access to 24/7 remote counseling through GeoBlue — an international health insurance provider — and can locate in-network providers if a student would like the session to be in person.

“Our host institutions and provider partners also offer additional on-campus mental health resources and services to students,” Grossman said in an email.

The University offered 10 programs in Israel in cities like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Herzliya and Haifa through Tel Aviv Universities, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Reichman University and University of Haifa, respectively. The State Department advised citizens to reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank and to not travel to Gaza because of the war.

For the past five years, GW Hillel has run a Building Bridges program, which has brought students to Israel and the Palestinian territories during spring break to discuss the nuances of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The application is listed online, but it’s unclear if the program will operate this academic year.

Officials canceled all study abroad programs during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.