Foreign travel advice

Israel

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

Warnings and insurance

Download a more detailed map (PDF)

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

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

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Gaza

  • FCDO advisescurrently advises against all travel to Gaza

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the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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The FCDO adviseswill againstcontact travel.those who are allocated a seat on the flight directly and British Nationals should not make their way to the airport unless they are contacted.

Risks of regional escalation 

Following Israeli strikes against targets in Iran, Iran has launched multiple rounds of missile and drone attacks against Israel.Israel, Onand 23on June,22 IranJune the US launched military strikes againston aIran. US military base in Qatar. Iran aligned militia groups are also likely to continue to conduct attacks. AOn ceasefire13 beganJune betweena Israelnationwide state of emergency was declared in Israel. Israeli airspace remains closed and IranBen onGurion 24Airport June.is currently closed

This is a fragilefast-moving situation withthat poses significant risks. The situation has the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning. 

Israelwarning. hasThe liftedcurrent thesituation nationwidehas statedisrupted ofair emergencylinks andout reopenedof itsthe airspace.country Itand may takedisrupt timeroad forlinks airports to return to normal levels of operation and flightborder availability.crossings. We encourage you to read the the FCDO’s advice on if you’re affected by a crisis abroad.

Family members of staff at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv and the British Consulate in Jerusalem have been temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure.

The Embassy and Consulate continues with essential work including services to British nationals.

Any attacks could be indiscriminate, including places visited by foreign nationals such as: 

  • The Old City in Jerusalem 
  • Government, military and police installations 
  • Security personnel including military and police
  • Transport networks
  • Businesses with western interests
  • Crowded places

Check local information

You should check Home Front Command for the latest guidance (available in Israel only) and follow instructions from the Israeli government. Restrictions may be put in place at short notice.

The Israeli Ministry of Tourism has also announced plans to collect information from visitors in order to coordinate departures in due course, and have published an online coordination form.

If you are in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and do not have access to Home Front Command continue to follow local instructions including from Palestinian Civil Defence (Call 102, or see www.pcd.ps or الدفاع المدني الفلسطيني Facebook).

Recent hostilitiesThe ledinterception to fallingof missiles over Israel and the OPTs may result in falling fragments or debris. If you encounter any projectile debris or fragments you should move away from them immediately and contact local authorities.

If

International youland border crossings to Jordan and Egypt are inopen. Timings may change, or they may close, at no notice, including over the weekend. More information is available on the Israel Airport Authority website. Before you travel check the travel advice for any neighbouring country that you are planning to travel to or through. Commercial transport services to border crossings (eg taxis and bus transport) are operating, subject to safety alerts. Commercial flights continue to operate from airports in the OPTsregion to various destinations, including the UK.

Jordan-Israel border crossings (opening times are subject to change):

  • Allenby/King Hussein Bridge
  • The Northern (Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein) crossing
  • The Southern (Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba) crossing

Egypt-Israel border crossing (opening times are subject to change):

  • Taba: Open 24 hours

Conflict with Lebanese Hizballah 

IfFollowing youthe areconflict inbetween Israel and Lebanese Hizballah (LH), a ceasefire was agreed on 27 November. 

There remains a risk that hostilities could reignite, and with little warning. Check Home Front Command for the OPTs,latest guidance. Restrictions may be awareput thatin whilstplace at short notice. 

Conflict with the frequencyHouthis of(in missileYemen) 

Following the conflict between Israel and dronethe attacksHouthis has(in decreased,Yemen), there iscontinues stillto be a risk of rocketmissile and drone attacks throughout Israel. There is a risk of shrapnel from intercepted missiles falling across Israel and the OPTs, and possible disruption at Ben Gurion airportairport. 

Check Home Front Command for the latest guidance. Restrictions may be put in Telplace Aviv.at short notice. 

Conflict in Israel and the OPTs 

RegionalOn tensions7 canOctober change2023 quickly,there whichwas cana causelarge-scale internationalterrorist bordersattack (airby andHamas land)in tosouthern close.Israel. PoliticalThe frequency of attacks has significantly decreased but there is still a risk of rocket attacks throughout Israel.  

There is an increased risk of political tension which can cause demonstrations and clashes around anniversaries and significant events.

If you are in Israel and the OPTs

KeepIf you are in Israel and the OPTs, keep up to date through local media and follow the instructions of Israeli Home Front Command. To find these:

Before travelling within Israel or the OPTs, check the local measures in place, that roads are open and, where appropriate, that scheduled train and bus services are operating.

Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast.

Travel within or out of Israel or the OPTs is at your own risk. You are encouraged to follow the advice of local authorities, for example on which routes are open or when to take shelter.

Leaving Gaza

Border crossings out of Gaza have been closed to civilians and general traffic since the Israeli military took control of the Rafah crossing on 6 May 2024. Consular support is not available from within Gaza. If you are a British national in Gaza who wants to leave Gaza, you should make contact with us as soon as possible. There are currently no exit routes available for foreign nationals to depart Gaza independently. We are working with the Israeli, Palestinian and other authorities in the region to help British nationals leave via safe routes.

If you are a UK visa holder who meets all of the following criteria, you can contact us to request support to leave Gaza if:

  • 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 months

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

British nationals requiring urgent consular assistance can contact us 24/7 365 days a year by telephone or by using the online consular enquiry form

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

Send us an online enquiry

Help from other 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 020 7008 5000. 

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. 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.

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