Northwestern’s study abroad office will continue to allow students to study in Israel despite ongoing violence in the region.

The study abroad office sent an e-mail Wednesday to four students planning trips to Israel informing them of the decision.

Three students are currently signed up to study abroad in Israel over the summer, fall or full school year. A fourth NU student will travel to Israel next year independently of a study abroad program.

Officials reminded these students of the persistent danger around Israel and their April warning to the only NU student abroad in Israel.

They sent her a letter stating they would prefer – though not require – her to return. The letter followed a warning from the U.S. State Department about traveling to the Middle East.

Since that warning the office has debated whether NU students would be allowed to study in Israel next year.

“We decided to leave it up to the students and their families,” said Bill Anthony, NU’s study abroad director.

NU currently sponsors Israeli study abroad programs in Ben Gurion University in Be’er Sheva, University of Haifa and Hebrew University’s Rothberg International School in Jerusalem.

Though some students planning to study abroad expressed relief that the university will allow them to make their own decision, they said the Middle East violence is giving them pause.

McCormick sophomore Yoel Meranda, who is considering studying this summer and fall at Hebrew University, said he might pull out of the fall program because his family is concerned about his safety.

“If it were up to me, I would go,” he said. “I understand people who love me are afraid.”

Many universities have decided to suspend their study abroad programs to Israel due to the current violence.

Hanan Eisenman, a spokesman for the University of California schools, said though the schools are not abandoning their three study abroad programs in Israel, safety concerns prompted them to recall students abroad and temporarily suspend their Israel program.

“Until the situation gets better, it’s going to be on hold,” he said.

Anthony said he wants students to make an informed decision for themselves about whether they want to study in Israel.

“We want them to make decisions based on all the facts,” he said.

He said the family of Mara Sheftel, the Weinberg junior currently studying abroad in Israel, told him they were glad Sheftel was not forced to come home.

“The family was grateful we were not yanking her out of Israel,” Anthony said.