If I had a dollar for every friend and family member who asked me before I left “…but is Israel safe? Aren’t you scared?” I’d have about, well, fifty dollars. Truth is, for anyone who regularly reads or watches the news, Israel appears to be an awfully dangerous place, and if you’re planning on visiting Israel and the Palestinian territories right now, those questions will quite probably pop up in your mind, sooner or later.
I need to begin this article with a huge disclaimer: no one can truly predict the level of danger you will face next week or next month, let alone years from now, in Israel and the West Bank. The situation can change suddenly, and travellers must always keep up to date with the latest travel alerts.
I can, however, share with you my experience. I’ll try to answer the most commonly asked questions I received in a clear and detailed way, but if you don’t find the answers you were looking for, feel free to contact me, I’d be happy to help you.
So let’s jump to the point.
“Is It Safe To Visit Israel and The West Bank?”
To answer this question I need to point out a few obvious things:
1. The political situation is very complex
Israel’s location in the Middle East places it in a culturally fascinating part of the world but also places it in the middle of one of the world’s biggest political and religious hotspots. Few countries in the region have established diplomatic relations with Israel, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved – an issue which will one day have to be addressed somehow. Jerusalem is currently claimed as a capital by both Israel and Palestine, and in addition, Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem is not internationally recognized. The city’s status is one of the key issues of disagreement in peace negotiations.
2. The news may sometimes give a jaded perspective
The fear of visiting Israel and Palestine, like many fears, comes from a lack of knowledge, which ironically in this case is something that is directly caused by the media’s reporting – or at least partially. They tend to direct attention on a small part of the reality of life, and report focus very intensely on isolated events, to the point that conflicts that are arising in limited hot spots somehow seem widespread across the country.
Truth is, the vast majority of the State of Israel is safe. It’s not a place one needs to be afraid of harassment, and solo female travellers can feel quite comfortable walking around the main cities in the evenings, as many local women are doing the same.
Despite the headline-making violence, Israel remains a popular tourist destination (more than 4 million tourists visited in 2015 alone) and the reality is that everyday life is pretty much normal.
3. Israel Has Security As Its Main Goal
From the time you get off the plane to the time you board to head home, you’ll see how extremely committed Israel remains to safety. A couple of examples so that you can understand exactly what I mean:
- As military service is mandatory for both men and women, it is normal to come across fully uniformed soldiers with serious weaponry on the streets, but you’ll soon get used to it. It felt reassuring knowing that Israel did take its security and safety concerns seriously.
- You will find security checkpoints in most public places. You’ll go through metal detectors at every train station, mall or government building, you’ll be frequently asked to open your bags for a security check. Every eating establishment will have a security guard, and Israeli-organized trips are often accompanied by guards.
- Security on flights bound to and from Israel is extremely strict. Professionals trained to spot any danger ask each passenger several questions, and they take this very seriously. I can’t say that passing through Israel’s airports is a marvellous travel experience – to be honest it was very annoying – but they do work hard to make sure visitors and citizens alike are as safe as possible.
It’s extreme, yes. But effective. In short, unless you’re an A-list celebrity, you’ll never be this well-guarded in all your life.
“What is it like to travel to Israel?“
First of all, contrary to the stereotypes, people are warm, friendly, welcoming and open to meeting foreigners, and there is a very large English-speaking expat community living in Israel. Making friends is quite easy.
Moreover and perhaps surprisingly to most, life in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as well as most of the rest of Israel and West Bank is continuing pretty well as usual.
The streets buzz at all times of the day: in Tel Aviv, the bars and restaurants are packed until dawn, and the beaches are full of people playing matzot and beach volleyball, exercising or walking their dogs.
Though it may be ancient, Jerusalem is totally catching up to its neighbouring metropolis of Tel Aviv, and whether you prefer a relaxing evening in a cafe, a dance party or a cultural experience, there’s plenty to do after the sun goes down.
“Shouls I Visit Israel?”
I’ll be honest, I can’t answer this question for you.
Safety is a matter of individual tolerance, and I don’t think there is a universal answer to people’s tolerance to risk, as it will be defined differently by different people. You have the right to feel good when you travel so decide what level of risk would you take in the name of travel.
I’ll tell you this: I’ve been to plenty of supposedly dangerous countries and had an amazing, safe time. The truth is that whether you’re in Israel, USA, Switzerland, Japan or my backyard, you’re going to meet different types of people with different kinds of intentions.
Overall, from my experience, Israel is a place where travelers can come to learn, relax, have fun, and partake in some unforgettable experiences.