Foreign travel advice

Israel

! Warning FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Israel.

Warnings and insuranceSummary

Still current at:
2312 FebruaryJanuary 2024
Updated:
2312 FebruaryJanuary 2024
Latest update:
ThisUpdate travel advice has been rewritten to makeSafety it easier to read and understand.Security page
Download a more detailed map (PDF)

This travel advice covers Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).

Your

The travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where (FCDO) advises against travel

Gaza

FCDOall advisesbut againstessential all travel to Gaza.

AreasIsrael nearand Gaza

FCDOthe advisesOccupied Palestinian Territories, and against all travel to the areafollowing close to the border with Gaza that includes:

locations:
  • south-west of AshkelonGaza
  • south of route 35 and west of route 40 as far as Tlalim, not including Be’er Sheva
  • west of Be’er Sheva
  • north of route 211

The West Bank

FCDO advises against all travel to the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem and Route 1 between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Northern Israel

FCDO advises against all travel to:

    Aviv
  • within 5km of the border with LebanonLebanon. –The the Israeli military has announced that the area is a closed military zone and entry into the area is prohibited
  • the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar
  • within 500m of the border with Syria (the ‘Alpha Line’)
  • the area close to the border with Gaza that includes:
    • southwest of Ashkelon
    • south of route 35 and west of route 40 as far as Tlalim, not including Be’er Sheva
    • west of Be’er Sheva
    • north of route 211
  • recently evacuated communities in northern Israel:
    • Beit HillelHillel  
    • DanDan 
    • EilonEilon  
    • Even MenachemMenachem 
    • GorenGoren 
    • Granot Ha’GalilHa’Galil 
    • HaGoshrimHaGoshrim 
    • LimanLiman 
    • MatsuvaMatsuva 
    • Ramot NaftaliNaftali  
    • SasaSasa 
    • She’ar YeshuvYeshuv 
    • SnirSnir 
    • Tzivon

The

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advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against alltravel.

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FindOccupied outPalestinian moreTerritories, aboutincluding whyGaza, you are advised to register your presence with the FCDO. advisesWe againstcan travel.then share important updates, including information to support you to leave the country. Fill in the form for every member of your family or group who is a British national.

Conflict in Israel and the OPTs Occupied Palestinian Territories

OnThere 7 October 2023 there was a large-scalelarge scale terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel. Hamas continues to launch rockets into IsraelIsrael.

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You withshould Lebanonbe andaware of a potential increase in rocket attacks and other incidents of violence across Israel and the OPTs,OPTs, including the West Bank.

Bank, and Eilat and the Red Sea area. We recognise this a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and without warning. This could disrupt air and road links out of the country. If your reason to remain in Israel and the OPTs is not essential you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so.

If you are in an area affected by the fighting,fighting, follow follow the instructions of Israeli Home Front Command. To find these:

The Israeli government has declared a state of emergency across the whole country. International borders (air and land) in Israel and the OPTsOccupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) could close at short notice. CheckYou theshould travelcheck adviceour Travel Advice for any neighbouring country that you are planning to travel to or through.

Before travelling within IsraelIsrael/OPTs oryou  theshould OPTs, check the local measures in place, that roads are open and, where appropriate, that scheduled train and bus services are operating.operating before you travel.

Due to the security situation, some family members of staff at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv and British Consulate in Jerusalem have been temporarily withdrawn. The Embassy and Consulate continue with essential work including services to British nationals.

Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Read FCDO advice if you’re affected by a crisis abroad.

RegisterAssisted your presencedeparture

IfThe youbooking areportal afor BritishHMG nationalassisted inflights Israelfrom andBen theGurion OPTs,Airport includinghas Gaza,now youclosed.  areCommercial advisedInternational toflights registercontinue yourto presenceoperate withfrom FCDO.Ben WeGurion Airport canin thenTel shareAviv importantand updates,Ramon includingAirport information to support you to leave the country. Fill in theEilat formbut forare everylimited memberand ofmay yourbe familycancelled orat groupshort who is a British national.notice.

Travel within or out of Israel or the OPTs is at your own risk. Yourisk.  You are encouraged to follow the advice of local authorities, for example on which routes are open or when to take shelter.shelter, and monitor this Travel Advice, which is regularly updated. Register your presence to receive important updates, including information on support to leave the country.

Travelling to Egypt from GazaGaza 

The Rafah border crossing continuespartially opened on 1 November. This is primarily to facilitate the evacuation of seriously wounded Palestinians and some foreign nationals. We understand that the crossing will continue to be open for controlled and time-limited periods to allow specific groups of foreign nationals, including British nationals, to cross. It is for the Egyptian and Israeli authorities to determine who is permitted to cross, and when. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will contact embassiesEmbassies to let them know when their foreign nationals can cross. Should we receive notification from the Israeli and Egyptian authorities that individuals are permitted to cross, we will notify those people individually.

IfAny youremaining are a British nationalNationals in Gaza who wantswant to leave Gaza,Gaza you should make contact with us as soon as possible.

IfIn youaddition, are a UK visa holderholders who meetsmeet all of the following criteria,criteria you can also contact us to request support to leave Gaza:

  • you have a spouse/partner or a child aged 17 or under currently living in the UK; and
  • you hold valid permission to enter or remain in the UK for longer than 6 monthsmonths.

ContactIf you meet all of the criteria, and want to leave Gaza, you can contact the FCDO by calling:

  • +44 176 766 7600 (UK number)

  • +972 (0)3 725 1222

  • +972 (0)2 541 4100

MovementIt tois for the RafahEgyptian crossing and beyondIsraeli isauthorities atto yourdetermine ownwho risk,is andpermitted dependentto oncross, theand permissionwhen. 

Movement ofto the EgyptianRafah crossing and Israelibeyond authorities.is at your own risk. You should only travel if you judge it is safe to do so. Check the the Egypt travel advice.. If you are a British National, you should Register your presence to receive important updates, including information on support to leave the country.

Help and support in Israel and the OPTs

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Help from FCDO in Israel and the OPTs

Consular support is severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

If you need consular assistance call:

  • +44 176 766 7600 (UK number)
  • +972 (0)3 725 1222
  • +972 (0)2 541 4100

Help from other organisations organisations  

Keep up to date with local travel advice through local news outlets and international outlets like the Access Coordination Unit.

Concern for friends and family

If you are in the UK and concerned about a friend or family member who is in Israel or the OPTs call FCDO on 0176 766 7600. 7600.

BeforeAbout youFCDO travel advice  

NoThe travelForeign, canCommonwealth be& guaranteedDevelopment safe.Office Read all the advice in this guide and any specific travel advice that applies to you:

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About (FCDO) travel advice 

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

View a printable version of the whole guide