Israel
Warnings and insurance
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 advises against all travel to Gaza
Areas near Gaza
- FCDO advises against all travel within 500m of the border with Gaza
The West Bank
FCDO advises against all travel to:
- Tulkarm Governorate, Jenin Governorate, and Tubas Governorate except Route 90
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- the rest of the West Bank, except for: East Jerusalem, Bethlehem Governorate, Ramallah Municipality, Jericho municipality and all areas which lie south of it (this includes the Allenby crossing), Highway 1 that links Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and the areas that lie to the south and west of the Highway (this includes Highway 3), and Route 443 and Highway 45 which link Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Northern Israel and Occupied Golan Heights
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FCDO advises against all travel within 500m of the Area of Separation in the occupied Golan Heights (the ‘Alpha line’). Do not attempt to enter the occupied Golan Heights through Syria.
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FCDO advises against all travel to the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajja
Northern Israel and Occupied Golan Heights
- FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 500m of the border with Lebanon.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Risks of regional escalation
Following Israeli strikes against targets in Iran, Iran launched multiple rounds of missile and drone attacks against Israel. On 23 June, Iran launched military strikes against a US military base in Qatar. Iran aligned militia groups are also likely to continue to conduct attacks. A ceasefire began between Israel and Iran on 24 June. This is a fragile situation with the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning.
Israel has lifted the nationwide state of emergency and reopened its airspace. It may take time for airports to return to normal levels of operation and flight availability. We encourage you to read the FCDO’s advice on if you’re affected by a crisis abroad.
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.
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 hostilities led to falling fragments or debris. If you encounter any projectile debris or fragments you should move away from them immediately and contact local authorities.
If you are in Israel and the OPTs
If you are in Israel and the OPTs, be aware that whilst the frequency of missile and drone attacks has decreased, there is still a risk of rocket attacks throughout Israel. There is a risk of shrapnel from intercepted missiles falling across Israel and the OPTs, and possible disruption at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv.
Regional tensions can change quickly, which can cause international borders (air and land) to close. Political tension can cause demonstrations and clashes around anniversaries and significant events.
Keep up to date through local media and follow the instructions of Israeli Home Front Command. To find these:
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visit the Israeli Home Front Command website (available in Israel only)
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call 104 if you are in Israel
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:
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you have a spouse/partner or a child aged 17 or under currently living in the UK, and
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you hold valid permission to enter or remain in the UK for longer than 6 months
Help from other organisations
Keep up to date with local travel advice through local news outlets and international outlets like the Access Coordination Unit.
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:
- women travellers
- disabled travellers
- LGBT+ travellers
- solo and independent travel
- volunteering and adventure travel
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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