Travel Advice Israel

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FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Israel.

Summary

Still current at: 24 October 2023

Updated: 23 October 2023

Latest update: To clarify: FCDO now advises against all travel to the West Bank excluding Jerusalem and Route 1 between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and against all travel to the following locations:

• Gaza
• the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem and Route 1 between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
• within 5km of the border with Lebanon. 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 Hillel
• Dan
• Eilon
• Even Menachem
• Goren
• Granot Ha’Galil
• HaGoshrim
• Liman
• Matsuva
• Ramot Naftali
• Sasa
• She’ar Yeshuv
• Snir
• Tzivon

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

Register your presence

If you are in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza, you are advised to register your presence with the FCDO. We can 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 Occupied Palestinian Territories

There was a large scale terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel. Hamas continues to launch rockets into Israel. There are Israeli air strikes into Gaza.

The Israeli military announced on 13 October that the entire population of Gaza north of Wadi Gaza should relocate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours.

We advise following this advice issued by the Israeli authorities. We recognise this a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks.

Events in Israel/OPTs are fast moving and 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, follow the instructions of Israeli Home Front Command. To find these:

• visit the Israeli Home Front Command website (available in Israel only)
• call 104 if you are in Israel

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

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

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