Travel Advice for Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers .

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Israel due to the high threat of terrorist attack. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets in Israel, including places frequented by tourists. Attacks could occur anywhere at any time.

Local and international political developments and events may prompt terrorist attacks. You should regularly check the media for news about the region and monitor the media for information about possible new safety and security risks.

In September 2011, the US Government warned of a credible threat of increased terrorist activity near the border between Israel and Egypt. The US Government warned that the area adjacent to the Gulf of Aqaba in Israel, Egypt and Jordan could be affected. Reports indicate that the Israeli security forces have increased their presence along the border.

On 18 August 2011 terrorist attacks occurred near the southern city of Eilat, resulting in seven deaths. Gunmen fired on two civilian buses and a private vehicle and a bomb was detonated under an Israeli Defence Force vehicle.

On 23 March 2011, a bomb exploded at a bus station in West Jerusalem, injuring 30 people and killing a foreign national. You should exercise a high degree of caution when using public transport in Israel. Due to safety and security concerns, Australian Government officials and dependants have been advised not to use public transport, except taxis, in Israel.

Security at checkpoints is periodically increased in response to security alerts.

In planning your activities, consider the kinds of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include commercial and public areas such as transport infrastructure (including bus stops, buses and bus stations), security personnel and checkpoints, clubs, restaurants, bars, cafes, internet cafes, fast food outlets, hotels, schools, markets, places of worship, shopping areas and malls, theatres, outdoor recreation events, pedestrian precincts and promenades, and tourist areas, including historical sites.

Planned and spontaneous protests can turn violent. You should avoid any large public demonstrations, political rallies and gatherings (including funerals), pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for updates. There are regular demonstrations in and around ultra-Orthodox neighbourhoods (including in response to vehicles being driven on the Sabbath) and in East Jerusalem, which may become violent. Israeli security forces monitor large gatherings and may intervene. International events and political developments may prompt demonstrations.

There is a high risk of civil unrest in Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and the security situation could deteriorate without warning. If you are caught up in military action or civil disorder, it is safest, in the absence of other advice, to remain indoors, monitor the media and obey the instructions of local authorities. Security-related instructions of Israeli authorities are available at the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command website .

There are ongoing tensions and violence between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Violent incidents have taken place and may occur again.
During any military operation, the IDF may declare an area a closed military zone. Any civilians found in the area in breach of these orders can be arrested, detained in prison and, where considered appropriate, deported.

The border regions with Lebanon and Syria are subject to violent incidents and there is an ongoing risk of rocket attack. There is a significant military presence in the area. The security situation could deteriorate without notice.

The security situation could deteriorate without notice in southern Israel, including areas adjacent to the Gulf of Aqaba. There is an ongoing risk of rocket attack in border areas.

Planned and spontaneous protests can turn violent. You should avoid any large public demonstrations, political rallies and gatherings (including funerals), pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for updates. There are regular demonstrations in and around ultra-Orthodox neighbourhoods (including in response to vehicles being driven on the Sabbath) and in East Jerusalem, which may become violent. Israeli security forces monitor large gatherings and may intervene. International events and political developments may prompt demonstrations.

Tensions can arise at short notice and violence occurs in areas frequented by tourists, including in and around the Old City of Jerusalem and in neighbourhoods of East Jerusalem. Rock throwing incidents occur.

You should be particularly vigilant on Jewish and Muslim holy days and during religious holidays, such as Rosh Hashana, Ramadan and Pesach

There is an increased risk of violent confrontation at checkpoints, where options to leave the area can be limited. Australian officials have been advised to avoid traffic congestion at checkpoints.

Gaza Strip and surrounding areas (including waters off Gaza) : We strongly advise you not to travel to the Gaza Strip, its coast and surrounding areas in southern Israel, because of the extremely dangerous and unpredictable security situation.

Large, sometimes violent, demonstrations and threats to Western interests have occurred in the Palestinian Territories. Foreign nationals have been injured. In the past, a significant number of foreign nationals have been kidnapped. The most recent kidnapping occurred in April 2011 in Gaza City, where a foreign national was kidnapped and killed by militants.

We strongly advise against travelling by sea to the coast of the Gaza Strip in breach of Israeli naval restrictions or participating in any attempt to break the naval blockade. The Israeli Navy routinely patrols territorial waters and a contiguous zone. In May 2010, an attempt to breach the naval blockade along the coast of Gaza was intercepted by Israeli security forces and resulted in the injury, death, arrest and deportation of foreign nationals.

See our travel bulletin on 'Flotillas to Gaza' for more information.

Israeli security operations take place in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and can include airstrikes and military incursions. Acts of terrorism in Israel may result in an increase in the level of operations.

Violence can result in death or injury of civilians. If you are in the Gaza Strip and are caught up in military action or civil disorder, you should remain in a secure location indoors and monitor the media for information. In such situations, we urge you to contact the Australian Embassy in Tel Aviv immediately.

We strongly advise you not to travel to areas around the Gaza Strip in southern Israel due to the possibility of mortar and rocket fire. A significant escalation occurred in March 2012, and a number of Israeli cities in the south, including Ashdod (30kms to the north of the Gaza Strip) and Be?er Sheva (40kms to the east of the Gaza Strip) were struck by rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.

West Bank : We strongly advise you not to travel to the West Bank (with the exception of East Jerusalem and Route Nos. 1, 90 and 443) because of the dangerous and unpredictable security situation.

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to cities of Bethlehem, Jericho and Ramallah due to the unstable security situation. Should you decide to travel to Bethlehem, Jericho and Ramallah, we recommend you only travel during daylight hours and do not stay overnight.

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in East Jerusalem and on the following routes in the West Bank: Route No. 1 (between Jerusalem and the Jordan valley), Route No. 90 (in the Jordan Valley), and Route No. 443 (between Modi?in and Jerusalem).

Violence occurs between Israelis and Palestinians, particularly around settlements, as well as between rival Palestinian factions.

Israeli security operations take place in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and can include airstrikes and military incursions. Acts of terrorism in Israel may result in an increase in the level of operations.

Strict security measures have frequently been imposed following terrorist actions, and the movement of Palestinians (including dual nationals who are Australian passport holders) has been severely impeded.

Large, sometimes violent, demonstrations and threats to Western interests have occurred in the Palestinian Territories. Foreign nationals have been injured. In the past, a significant number of foreign nationals have been kidnapped.

If you are in the West Bank and are caught up in military action or civil disorder, you should remain in a secure location indoors and monitor the media for information. In such situations, we urge you to contact the Australian Embassy in Tel Aviv immediately.

If, despite our advice not to do so, you decide to travel to the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, you should be aware that the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular services to Australians in these areas is extremely limited.

Purse snatching, pick-pocketing and petty theft can occur. Violent crime is rare.

Theft from vehicles is a growing problem, particularly in beachside areas. Australians have reported thefts from unattended vehicles near tourist sites.

Valuables, such as cash, jewellery and electronic items, should be kept out of sight and not be left unsecured in hotel rooms, visible in vehicles or unattended in public places.

Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority .

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

You should familiarise yourself with local and religious customs and take care not to offend.

The Sabbath (from sunset Friday until sunset Saturday) is closely observed in Orthodox Jewish areas in Israel. During this time of rest, driving and using electricity is restricted. In Orthodox neighbourhoods, driving of cars or use of mobile phones and digital cameras on the Sabbath is likely to cause offence. Public access to these neighbourhoods is usually restricted on the Sabbath and you should not attempt to drive into them.

Public displays of affection are frowned on at religious sites in Israel. You should also take care to observe appropriate standards of behaviour if you are visiting Orthodox Jewish neighbourhoods. In the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, public displays of affection may cause offence.

There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour at holy sites in Jerusalem and in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

In the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims during Ramadan.

Unmarried couples are not permitted to live together or share hotel accommodation in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank.

Under Israeli law, you are considered to be Israeli if one or both of your parents are Israeli. Israeli citizens are required to enter and leave Israel on an Israeli passport.

Australian/Israeli dual nationals - both men and women - may be liable for military service. Australian/Israeli dual nationals who are unsure of their military service obligation can consult the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Israel.

Australians of Palestinian background who are, or who once were, holders of a Palestinian ID card are considered by both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to be Palestinian nationals while in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip or Israel. If you are considered to be Palestinian, you may be required to obtain a Palestinian travel document. Australian/Palestinian dual nationals should also contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Israel for the most up-to-date information on entry and exit requirements.

Our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Israeli and Australian/Palestinian dual nationals who are detained or arrested may be limited.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page , Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council .

Israel and the Palestinian territories are located in an active earthquake zone. Flash floods can occur in the Judean Hills and Negev desert in winter months (November to March).

Sand and dust storms occur during the warmer months.

Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens? advice.