How safe is Israel for travelers?

The travel advisory, stated in full

The FCDO advises against all travel to:

• Gaza, and within 500 m of the border with Gaza
• Tulkarm, Jenin and Tubas Governorates in the West Bank, except Route 90
• Northern Israel and the occupied Golan Heights: areas north of Route 89 between Nahariyya and Dalton, north of a straight eastward line from Dalton to Route 91, and north of Route 91 across the Golan Heights, excluding routes 89 and 91 themselves
• Within 500 m of the Area of Separation in the occupied Golan Heights, the Alpha line
• Sheba'a Farms and Ghajja

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the West Bank, except East Jerusalem, Bethlehem Governorate, Ramallah Municipality, Jericho municipality and everything south of it including the Allenby crossing, Highway 1 between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and the areas south and west of it including Highway 3, and Route 443 and Highway 45.

Travelling against FCDO advice can invalidate your travel insurance.

Regional escalation

• The situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable. Since 8 July there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in a number of locations across the region, and the FCDO warns of the risk of more attacks and unforeseen escalation.
• Be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and travel disruption. Keep departure plans under review and travel documents current.
• Stay away from areas around security or military facilities.

Sirens and shelter

• Rocket and drone attacks remain a risk throughout Israel, and shrapnel from intercepted missiles can fall across Israel and Palestine.
• If told to take shelter, go to a residential protected space (Mamad, Mamak or Maman) or a communal shelter; failing that, a stairwell without windows or exterior walls, standing at its centre.
• Call 104 in Israel for Home Front Command guidance, and sign up for its alerts once you are in the country.

When tension rises

The FCDO names the times when demonstrations and clashes are more likely:

• Thursday and Saturday evenings, and after Friday prayers
• Jewish high holidays: Passover, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Succoth
• Ramadan, in particular Laylat Al Qadr
• Anniversaries: 7 October, Independence Day, Jerusalem Day, Land Day (30 March), Nakba Day (15 May)
• Risks increase when religious or national holidays overlap.

Places to be careful

• Be extremely cautious about visiting refugee camps. Hebron and Palestinian refugee camps have been the site of violent clashes.
• There have been recent violent incidents in settlements and outposts, including near Beit El, Homesh, Shilo and Evyatar.
• Foreign nationals may encounter suspicion or hostility at checkpoints and in areas not frequented by foreigners.
• If security operations or armed clashes are happening near you, stay inside until the authorities confirm it is calm.

Everyday law and custom

• Always carry ID, for example a copy of the passport details page and the entry card or stamp.
• Dress: in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, cover shoulders, upper arms and legs above the knee. In ultra-Orthodox neighbourhoods such as Bnei Brak, Modi'in Illit, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh and Safed, locals can react strongly to anyone, particularly women, dressed less conservatively.
• Do not drive into ultra-Orthodox areas of Jerusalem on Shabbat, sunset Friday to nightfall Saturday. Cars have been stoned.
• Theft from public beaches is common: passports, credit cards and valuables.
• Breaking the laws on import and export of wild animals brings a substantial fine and up to 2 years in prison.

Roads and desert

• Frequent accidents, erratic driving and unreliable vehicle maintenance. Police radar traps issue heavy fines.
• It is not safe to hitchhike in Israel and Palestine.
• In the desert: go with others, carry water and a phone, and leave your itinerary and expected return time with someone.
• Flash flooding is a risk, particularly in the Negev, and earthquakes are a risk across Israel and Palestine.