palestine travel safety

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

The Occupied Palestinian Territories

Safety and security.

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

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Israel and the OPTs .

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.    

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad .

Terrorism in Israel and the OPTs

Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in Israel and the OPTs.

There was a large-scale terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel on 7 October 2023 where over 1,200 people were killed. Hamas continues to launch rockets into Israel and the Israeli Defence Forces are conducting significant military activity in Gaza.   

Terrorist attacks in Israel and the OPTs are very likely to continue with an increased threat of attacks, including by individuals acting alone.

Any attacks could be indiscriminate, including places visited by foreigners 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

Areas where foreign nationals and tourists are known to gather may be at higher risk of attack. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Examples of recent significant attacks include:

• one person was killed and 17 injured during a ramming attack in Ra’anana
• 2 people were killed and one injured during a shooting attack in the Jordan Valley
• one person was killed and 6 people injured during a car-ramming incident in Tel Aviv
• one person was killed and 3 people injured in a shooting attack in Tel Aviv
• 7 people were killed and 3 injured during a shooting attack in Neve Yaakov, East Jerusalem

Terrorist kidnap

Terrorist kidnap is a risk in Gaza and along the border with Egypt. There is a large-scale conflict happening in areas of southern Israel close to the border with Gaza and Hamas has taken hundreds of hostages, including British nationals, across the border and into Gaza.

British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release. 

The long-standing policy of the British government is to not make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal. 

Political situation

There is currently a large-scale conflict happening in areas of southern Israel close to the border with Gaza. See Warnings and insurance for more information, including information for British nationals who are in Israel and the OPTs .

Keep up to date with local travel advice on local news outlets and international outlets like the Access Coordination Unit .

Rocket fire can affect most areas of Israel and Israeli air strikes also continue into  Gaza. Be cautious and make sure you know the safety actions that you should take if an Israeli warning siren sounds. Follow advice from local authorities and stay informed of the security situation through the media and this travel advice. No warning sirens will sound inside Gaza. See Gaza .

Regional tensions

Military activity in the red sea area.

Military activity is currently underway in response to attempts by Houthi militants to prevent movement of international shipping in the Red Sea. While the area of activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, there is a possibility that travel advice for nearby countries could change at short notice. You should continue to monitor travel advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities.

Violent incidents

In Israel and the West Bank, there is a risk of violent incidents, including:

• vehicle rammings
• stone throwing attacks on people and vehicles

Incidents have occurred:

• in Tel Aviv
• in Be’er Sheva
• Damascus Gate
• Herod’s gate
• Lion’s Gate
• in Jordan Valley
• along Route 60 (especially junctions near Nablus), Route 443 and other West Bank arterial roads used by both Palestinians and Israelis
• at Israeli checkpoints

Incidents have involved protestors (Israelis and Palestinians), Israeli security forces and civilians (including Israeli settlers). Tourists or bystanders could be caught up in incidents.

Demonstrations and armed clashes

Large political demonstrations can happen across Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Demonstrations and other forms of civil unrest can occur at short notice and often turn violent.

Entry and exit to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv can be affected by demonstrations. Check before you travel.

You should:

• check local news before travelling for information on recent clashes
• avoid large gatherings and demonstrations
• check locally before travelling to areas where there has been recent violence and follow the instructions of the local authorities

If Israeli security operations or armed clashes are happening near you, stay inside and wait for the local authorities to confirm that the situation is calm before moving to a different location.

There is increased risk of political tension (which can cause demonstrations and clashes) during events such as:

• Thursday and Saturday evenings
• after Friday prayers
• Jewish high holidays (Passover, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Succoth)
• Ramadan, in particular Laylat Al Qadr
• other religious holidays
• anniversaries including Independence Day (14 May, Hebrew calendar dates vary), Jerusalem Day (date varies), Land Day (30 March), Nakba Day (15 May)

Risks increase when religious or national holidays overlap.

Some of these protests have led to violent clashes.

Refugee camps

Be extremely cautious if visiting refugee camps. Hebron and Palestinian refugee camps have previously been the site of violent clashes.

Settlements

There have been recent violent incidents in settlements and settlement outposts, including near Beit El, Homesh, Shilo and Evyatar.   

Protecting your belongings

Keep your personal belongings in a safe place. Theft of passports, credit cards, and valuables from public beaches is common.

Laws and cultural differences

Personal id.

Carry identification with you at all times (for example a copy of the personal details and entry stamp pages of your passport).

In Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, clothing should cover your shoulders, upper arms, and legs above the knee.

Locals in ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighbourhoods such as Bnei Brak, Modi’in Illit, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh and Safed can react strongly to anyone (particularly women) dressed less conservatively. Check locations of ultra-Orthodox neighbourhoods and towns in travel guides.

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. In 2024, Ramadan is expected to begin on 11 March and last approximately 30 days. If you are in the OPTs during this time, do not:

• eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car
• play loud music or dance
• swear in public

Children under the age of 8 do not fast during Ramadan.

Be aware that access and prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan have seen restrictions and heightened security measures by Israeli authorities. This includes age and gender-based entry restrictions, and routine physical searches. There will be a heightened security environment and tense atmosphere during Ramadan in the Old City.

Since 7 October Israeli authorities have limited access to Jerusalem (and Israel in general) for residents of the West Bank, enforcing age and gender-specific restrictions for entry during Ramadan. While women aged 51 or over and men aged 56 or over with special permits have been granted entry for prayers, many potential worshippers have been turned away. Additionally, there have been routine instances of physical searches and detentions.

Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.

You should also: 

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants
• be aware that if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours, they may separate you from Islamic guests, for example with screens
• follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time
• be aware that driving may be erratic, particularly when people are trying to get home at dusk or be aware that fasting can cause tiredness, particularly during the later afternoon and early evening
• be patient and show tolerance

Buying property

There are risks in buying property in Israeli settlements on land considered to be occupied under international law in East Jerusalem, the rest of the West Bank and the Golan. Be aware that a future peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, or between Israel and Syria, could have consequences for property you buy in these settlements.

FCDO does not offer legal advice on or become involved in private property disputes.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

If you’re caught with drugs, you can expect a prison sentence.

Using cameras and binoculars

Be sensitive about taking pictures of people in Muslim and Orthodox Jewish areas. Do not take photographs of military or police officers or installations.

LGBT+ travellers

Israeli law does not criminalise same-sex sexual relations between consenting adults. In the OPTs , same-sex sexual activity is legal in the West Bank but illegal in Gaza, where it carries a 10-year prison sentence.

Attitudes towards LGBT+ issues in some parts of Palestinian and Israeli society can be hostile.

In more conservative Israeli areas in the West Bank, including in ultra-Orthodox communities, all displays of affection in public, regardless of gender or sexuality, may receive negative attention.

In Palestinian society, same-sex relationships are largely taboo. Some Palestinian groups may violently oppose cultural events and demonstrations, which they see as inconsistent with their values. This includes those seen as linked to the LGBT+ community, even if the event is not intended to promote LGBT+ rights. In these cases, the Palestinian security forces and police may not always act effectively to protect participants. Be aware of these risks. Liaise with local authorities before planning or organising any event.

Tel Aviv has a large, active LGBT+ community and a big annual Pride parade. Jerusalem also has an annual Pride parade, but there has been a heavy security presence at the event since a fatal stabbing in 2015. Be aware of your personal security if attending.

See more advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs

If you’re caught breaking local laws on import and export of wild animals, expect to receive a substantial fine and up to 2 years in prison. For more information on the regulations and laws in Israel see the Israeli Nature and Park Authority website .

Transport risks

Road travel.

If you are planning to drive in Israel and the OPTs , see information on driving abroad .   

There are frequent road accidents, due to:

• erratic driving
• unreliable vehicle maintenance

Radar speed traps operate on some roads and police issue heavy fines for speeding.

Avoid driving into ultra-Orthodox Jewish areas of Jerusalem on Shabbat. Shabbat is from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. If you attempt to drive into these areas, local residents may throw stones at your car.

Licences and permits

You need a 1968 international driving permit ( IDP )  to drive on a UK driving licence in Israel.

You need to carry a green card to prove you have the minimum insurance cover.

Hiring a car

If you want to drive across into the West Bank, check that you will be covered by insurance there. Some hire companies do not insure vehicles taken there. It may be easier to hire a fully insured car from a company in East Jerusalem.

Hitchhiking

It is not safe to hitchhike in Israel and the OPTs .

Driving in the desert

If you’re travelling to the desert, you should:

• go with others
• take a supply of water
• take a mobile phone
• let someone know your itinerary and expected return time

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards .

Roads can flood during extreme weather conditions. Flash flooding is a risk, particularly in the arid southern region of the Negev. Check risk areas locally.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are a risk in Israel and the OPTs . The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake .   

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Update April 12, 2024

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Latest Information for U.S. Citizens

Information for U.S. Citizens in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza

The Department reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness as security incidents often take place without warning. The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events. Please see the latest Israel Security Alert .

U.S. citizens should heed the  Travel Advisory  for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. The U.S. Embassy continues to closely monitor the dynamic security situation in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. There are active military operations and active rocket and mortar fire in Gaza and the Gaza periphery.  Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza without warning. If you require emergency assistance while in Israel, the West Bank or Gaza, contact the  U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem  by email ([email protected]).

Individuals seeking to depart Gaza  through the Rafah crossing into Egypt should monitor the  Palestinian General Authority for Crossings and Borders’ Facebook Page  for a list of those approved to cross. U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or immediate family (as listed below) who desire our assistance and have not already provided their information to the Department of State, please email U.S. Embassy Jerusalem at  [email protected]  with a copy of the individual’s travel document as well as an explanation or proof of relationship.

The U.S. government does not control the crossing lists nor determine who is permitted to depart Gaza or enter Egypt. Individuals must assess their own safety and risks in attempting to cross the border. Individuals permitted to enter Egypt will likely receive a 72-hour Egyptian visa; all those who cross should have a plan for onward travel from Egypt in this timeframe. U.S. citizens, LPRs and their immediate family members who successfully enter Egypt and require further consular assistance should contact the  U.S. Embassy in Cairo  via the  U.S. Citizens Services Navigator .  Individuals may apply for a U.S. visa at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate; U.S. immigration laws and regulations will apply.

If a name has appeared on a crossing list since November 1, we understand those individuals will be permitted to cross as long as the border remains open for foreign nationals. We urge U.S. citizens, LPRs, and their immediate family members who have appeared on one of these lists to cross as soon as possible – there is no guarantee the border will remain open. We continue to work in partnership with Egypt and Israel towards safe passage for U.S. citizens, LPRs, and their immediate family members.

Immediate family members of U.S. citizens include:

• unmarried children under the age of 21, and
• parents of U.S. citizens.

If the U.S. citizen is under 21, immediate family will also include any siblings who are also unmarried and under 21.

Immediate family members of LPRs include:

• unmarried children under 21 years of age.

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Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip travel advice

Latest updates: Safety and security – updated information on risk of attacks on Israeli territory

Last updated: April 22, 2024 10:10 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, israel - avoid non-essential travel.

Avoid non-essential travel to Israel due to the ongoing regional armed conflict and the unpredictable security situation..

West Bank - AVOID ALL TRAVEL

This advisory excludes the following areas where you should avoid non-essential travel:

• Route 443 between Jerusalem and Modi’in

Gaza Strip - AVOID ALL TRAVEL

Israel has expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip.

If you are in the Gaza Strip, shelter in a secure place until it’s safe for you to leave. We understand that there are connectivity problems in the Gaza Strip. If possible, try to register or update your personal information through the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive the latest information about departure options. If you are unable to do so, try to contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre .

The Government of Canada’s ability to provide consular services in the Gaza Strip is severely limited.

Jerusalem - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to Jerusalem due to the volatile security situation.

Border with Syria - Avoid all travel

This advisory excludes the following cities where you should exercise a high degree of caution:

• Buq’ata
• Majdal Shams
• Mas’ada

Border with Egypt - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to within 5 km of the border with Egypt due to the volatile security situation.

Border with Lebanon - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to to the area within 5 kilometres of the border with Lebanon due to ongoing military operations.

Border with the Gaza Strip - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the border with the Gaza Strip due to the risk of rocket and mortar fire, gunfire and military activity.

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Heightened risk of attacks on Israeli territory

Following recent developments in the region, there is a heightened risk of attacks on Israeli territory. The regional security situation remains highly volatile and could escalate escalate at any time.

Drone, rocket and missile attacks occur regularly between Israel and armed groups in neighboring countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

On April 13, 2024, Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israeli territory, contributing to a significant escalation of tensions in the region.

These attacks can lead to air transportation disruptions due to sudden and prolonged airspace closures. Military interceptions can also cause collateral damage.

If you are in Israel or the West Bank:

• monitor local and international media to stay informed of the rapidly evolving situation
• identify the location of the closest bomb shelter, if available
• if there are no bomb shelters nearby, shelter in a hardened structure away from windows when air raid warning sirens are active
• follow the advice of local authorities, including air-raid sirens and evacuation orders

Ongoing hostilities in Israel and the Gaza Strip

The security situation remains volatile and unpredictable in Israel and the Gaza Strip as hostilities persist between Israel’s military and Gaza-based terrorist groups.

Israeli ground operations and air strikes are expected to continue throughout the Gaza Strip. Missiles and rockets continue to be fired from Gaza towards central and southern Israel.

Military operations in the Gaza Strip pose a risk to civilians, even where they take shelter. Damage to infrastructure has affected communication networks in the Gaza Strip, including the internet.

Violent clashes persist along the border between Israel and Lebanon, including daily rocket and missile fire as well as air strikes. You should avoid all travel within 5 kilometres of the border with Lebanon.

Tensions and violence in the West Bank

Tensions and violence are high in the West Bank. Frequent military operations throughout the West Bank can lead to casualties, including bystanders, and can result in clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians, as well as retaliatory attacks.

Extremist Israeli settler violence occurs frequently. There are reports of civilians being attacked, forced under threat to leave their houses or evacuate specific areas. Individuals of Palestinian or Arab descent may be subject to increased scrutiny, detention, and arrest. Israeli checkpoints have increased in number throughout the West Bank. Personal electronic devices may be searched at Israeli military checkpoints, including flying checkpoints. You, your friends, and your family members could face detention, arrest, and/or the suspension or withdrawal of your official permits if you share information deemed to be inaccurate and sensitive by Israel. This includes content shared on social media. Refrain from discussing political views online and be conscious of local laws related to internet use.

If you're in or near an affected area in Israel, the West Bank, or the Gaza Strip:

• assess if you are currently in a safe location
• shelter in place if you can’t leave the area safely
• limit your movements
• remain extremely cautious
• monitor local and international media to get the latest information
• try to keep your phone charged
• follow the instructions of local authorities

Canada’s response to the crisis in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Assisted departure options

Canada continues to offer assistance to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and eligible family members in Gaza.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and their eligible family members, currently in Gaza and wishing to leave should contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre .

Canadian officials put forward names of Canadians and permanent residents, as well as their eligible family members, to the responsible authorities for approval to exit the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing. Global Affairs Canada will contact individual Canadians and permanent residents, as well as their eligible family members, when their request to leave has been approved. Global Affairs Canada does not ultimately decide who can leave Gaza.

If you are seeking to leave the Gaza Strip:

• Keep your travel documents and personal belongings with you at all times
• Be ready to travel to the border crossing on short notice

The situation at the Rafah border crossing remains unpredictable. You should assess the safety risks for you and your family members before travelling.

Due to infrastructure damage, there could be connectivity problems in the Gaza Strip. If possible, try to register or update your personal information through the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive the latest information about departure options. If you are unable to do so, try to contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre .

If you're a family member of a Canadian citizen or of a permanent resident who is currently in Gaza, the West Bank or Israel and is unable to register through the Registration of Canadians Abroad service , please contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre .

Border operations

Due to recent events in Israel, West Bank and the Gaza Strip, operations at all land borders may be affected by limited authorized daily crossings, reduced hours or closure on short notice. Israeli authorities may also unexpectedly close checkpoints in the West Bank.

You should verify the status of the border crossings before you travel, if you’re planning to cross the following borders:

• Israel/Jordan
• Israel/Egypt
• West Bank/Jordan
• Gaza Strip/Egypt

Naval blockade

The security situation along the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip remains dangerous. The Israeli Navy regularly patrols the area and the Israeli security forces continue to intercept attempts to breach Israel’s naval blockade.

These incidents have resulted in:

• deportations

In cases of deportation, local authorities are not obliged to notify the Canadian Embassy in Tel Aviv nor the Representative Office of Canada in Ramallah.  As a result, Canadian officials may not be able to provide you with consular assistance. 

• Avoid travelling to the Gaza Strip 
• Don’t attempt to break the naval blockade 

Border areas

Border areas with Israel are particularly dangerous and heavily guarded. Landmines are present in certain areas along Israel’s borders. Some minefields have not been clearly marked or fenced. 

Militant activity close to the Israeli barrier in the Golan Heights makes the area extremely dangerous and unstable.

Despite the United Nations-monitored buffer zone between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights, cross-border gunfire and rocket fires occur with little or no warning. The Israel Defence Forces also conduct military operations in the area, including air strikes.

• Don’t approach the Israeli barrier along the border with Syria in the Golan Heights
• Monitor local media for information on the latest incidents
• Don’t travel east of Highway 98 except to the following cities: 
• Buq’ata 
• Mas’ada 
• Majdal 
• Ghajar 

Egypt 

The border area with Egypt is dangerous due to military operations and smuggling activities.

The Israeli Defence Forces regularly patrols the area to intercept drug smugglers resulting in frequent armed clashes.

The security situation can also deteriorate rapidly due to instability and the risk of terrorist attacks in northern Sinai.

Don’t drive on: 

• south of the intersection of highways 10 and 12
• between Eilat and the Netafim passage

The highways are subject to closure by Israeli authorities without warning.

If you’re planning to travel near the border with Egypt despite this advisory:

• expect roadblocks and checkpoints
• be aware of your surroundings  
• monitor local media to determine where military activity is occurring  

Lebanon 

There is no official international border between Israel and Lebanon. The United Nations observe the “Blue Line,” which separates the two countries, in addition to a fence constructed by Israel on its side of the Blue line. There are sporadic clashes between Israeli and Lebanese armies patrolling along the Blue line.

Landmines are present in the area.

Terrorist groups based in southern Lebanon have fired several rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel, resulting in retaliatory air strikes by the Israel Defence Forces. Further incidents could occur without notice.

Rockets fired from Lebanon have targeted areas near several cities in northern Israel, including:

• Kiryat Shmona

There are ongoing military operations in the following areas:

• Kfar Shouba Hills
• Shebaa Farms

If you choose to travel near the border with Lebanon despite this advisory:

• remain cautious at all times
• monitor local media for any active security alerts
• follow the advice of local authorities

Confrontations and clashes can occur in areas of Jerusalem, including parts of the Old City. Jerusalem has also seen an increased number of terrorist attacks targeting civilians.

During periods of imposed movement restrictions and on religious holidays, exacerbated tensions can lead to security incidents.

There are periodic clashes near the Al-Aqsa Mosque Mosque on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, especially during Ramadan.

• Avoid travel to the Old City during periods of exacerbated tensions
• Travel in groups
• Always dress conservatively

The situation remains unpredictable in the West Bank. Tensions have increased in various areas. Violent clashes between Israeli settlers, Palestinians and Israeli defence and security forces frequently occur. Incidents of violence often occur along major roadways and intersections where passing vehicles may be subject to random stops at checkpoints or targeted with stone-throwing and other forms of vandalism.

There are multiple Israeli military checkpoints throughout the West Bank, where there is a greater threat of violent confrontations. Areas in the vicinity of the barrier separating Israel and the West Bank are particularly high-risk.

Due to recent events in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, local authorities may close or restrict access to checkpoints without notice.

Frequent Israeli security operations target individuals in cities and villages throughout the West Bank. There is risk of injury to bystanders during these operations. These incidents occur most frequently in: 

• Hebron 
• Jenin 
• Nablus 

Although violence is usually not common in the cities of Bethlehem, Jericho and Ramallah, there is an increase in violent incidents, especially clashes involving Palestinians, Israeli settlers, the Israeli Security Forces and the Palestinian Authority security forces. 

If you are travelling to the West Bank despite the advisory in effect:

• consider alternate travel arrangements in case of a rapid deterioration in the security situation
• avoid travelling at night
• monitor local and international media
• follow the advice of local authorities 
• register and maintain contact with the Representative Office of Canada in Ramallah 

Politically motivated violence

Politically motivated violence occurs regularly throughout Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  

Previous incidents resulting in injuries and deaths include: 

• stabbings  
• mob violence
• vehicle ramming  
• stone-throwing at vehicles  

During your stay:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times 
• Monitor news reports
• Follow the instructions of local authorities

Terrorism 

There is a threat of terrorism. In the past few years, there has been an increase in deadly attacks targeting civilians throughout Israel. 

Terrorist incidents causing numerous deaths and injuries have occurred in a variety of locations, including: 

• Beersheba 
• Eilat 
• Haifa 
• Jerusalem 
• Netanya 
• Tel Aviv 

Further attacks are likely. 

Targets could include: 

• government buildings, including schools 
• places of worship 
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks 
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres,markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners 

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant during:

•  sporting events
•  public celebrations
• religious holidays, such as:
• Rosh Hashanah 
• Yom Kippur 
• Pesach (Passover) 
• Ramadan 

Terrorists may use such occasions to mount attacks. 

Rocket fire

Cities across Israel may be targeted by rocket fire from the Gaza Strip or from Lebanon. 

Rockets fired from the Gaza Strip have reached Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and have also struck close to Haifa, located approximately 150 km north of the Gaza Strip border. 

The crime rate is relatively low in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Despite an important presence of security personnel in major cities, petty crime may still occur in urban and touristic areas and on beaches. There have been reports of:

• pickpocketing
• purse snatching
• theft of passports, credit cards and other valuables

There’s an increase in car thefts.

• make sure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• make sure that your wallet, money and valuables are out of sight, particularly in crowded tourist areas 
• avoid carrying large amounts of cash 
• avoid showing signs of affluence 
• don’t leave luggage or valuables in a vehicle and always park your vehicle in secure facilities 
• keep your car doors locked and windows closed at all times 

Fraud  

Credit card and ATM fraud may occur. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards: 

• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others 
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business 
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature 
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN 
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements 

Cybercrime occurs. Online scams and investment fraud against individuals are on the rise in Israel. 

• Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks 
• Avoid making purchases on unencrypted websites 
• Be wary of unsolicited emails offering enticing business 
• Never click a suspicious link in an email or text message asking for your credit card details 

Overseas fraud

Demonstrations and strikes

Planned and unplanned demonstrations occur regularly.

Demonstrators frequently gather across Israel to express opposition to the government in place. These demonstrations and strikes often result in disruptions to services and public transportation. They sometimes lead to violent incidents, such as vandalism and clashes between demonstrators and police. Security forces sometimes use tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place 
• Follow the instructions of local authorities 
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations 

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Outages 

Service outages are frequent in the Gaza Strip. This includes disruptions in: 

• telecommunications, including phones and Internet 
• power  
• water services 

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.  

Advice for women travellers

Water activities 

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Tidal changes and strong winds can cause dangerous riptides.  

• Never swim alone
• Always obey warning flags at beaches 
• Keep a safe distance from boats and restricted areas 
• Avoid visiting beaches or coastal areas during periods of severe weather warnings 
• Look out for signs warning of cliff erosion and falling rocks 
• Follow the advice of the local authorities 

Useful links

• Rules of behavior on the beach – Israeli Ministry of Interior 
• Water safety abroad

Road safety 

Road safety can vary considerably in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  

Road conditions  

Although most roads in Israel are in good condition, many roads in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are in poor condition.

During the winter months, precipitation can cause difficult driving conditions and road closures across the territory. 

Driving may also be dangerous due to:

• traffic jams and heavy traffic
• narrow, winding and mountainous roads
• flash floods in some regions

Driving habits  

There is a high rate of road accidents due to dangerous driving habits across the territory. Drivers often drive at excessive speed and don’t always respect the right of way, especially in roundabouts.

It’s mandatory to have a high visibility vest and a warning triangle kit in your car. If you must stop on the side of the road and get out of your car, you must wear the vest and use the triangles according to the safety instructions provided.

If you plan to drive: 

• always drive defensively
• plan your trip in advance, especially if you are visiting a rural area 
• always carry a cell phone and charger 
• familiarize yourself with the route before you travel  

Checkpoints 

There are security checkpoints across the territory, mainly in the West Bank.

The Israel Defence Forces control access to the West Bank through a series of security checkpoints and the Palestinian Authority police may do so within their jurisdiction. Following incidents of politically motivated violence, the government of Israel may also establish additional checkpoints without warning and increase the intensity of vehicle checks. Additional measures may include frequent and extended closures of checkpoints at the discretion of Israeli Security Forces.

Officers may ask to see your valid documents. There is no guarantee that you may pass through security checkpoints even if you have a valid visa and authorization to enter.

During periods of religious holidays, checkpoint and border-crossing hours of operation are subject to change.

If travelling by car during your stay: 

• expect multiple roadblocks and checkpoints
• be prepared to present your identification documents 
• don’t pass through checkpoints without stopping, even if they appear unattended 
• follow instructions of police or military officers if you get stopped

Public transportation

Buses .

The bus system is reliable. However, violent incidents occur occasionally in public buses and at bus stops. Attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries in the past.  

If you’re travelling by bus during your stay: 

• be aware of your surroundings at all times 
• stay behind bollards or behind the bus stop while waiting
• stand away from large groups of people 
• notify the driver of any suspicious objects or persons   

Trains 

The train network is extensive. It covers most of the territory and links major cities, such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem. The Gaza Strip and some parts of the West Bank are not covered. In order to access train stations, you will have to pass a security check.

The Light Rail in Jerusalem is considered safe from Mount Herzl station up to French Hill station. You should avoid travelling through stations further north.

Trains in Israel are generally modern, clean and frequent.

If you’re travelling by train:

• be vigilant
• avoid travelling alone at night
• allow extra time to go through security checks
• validate your ticket to avoid fines

Taxis 

Taxis are generally reliable in Israel and the West Bank.  

In the West Bank, taxis are the easiest way of moving around.

Mobile applications are also available. 

If you’re taking a taxi:

• never use shared taxis
• negotiate the fare in advance

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the authorities of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Israel, the West Bank or the Gaza Strip.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days Business visa: not required Student visa: not required Work visa: required

The Government of Israel issues an entry card on arrival.

You will need your entry card to enter the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Keep it in a secure place to avoid complications upon leaving Israel.

Land travel restrictions

The Government of Israel tightly controls checkpoint crossings within the West Bank and to the Gaza Strip.

Security-related closures can severely restrict entry to and exit from these areas, even for persons possessing valid entry and exit permits.

 Large crowds may gather due to:

• limited hours of operations
• unannounced travel restrictions
• extended closures

This may increase risks to your personal safety.

Travel to and from West Bank

The West Bank is divided into three administrative divisions, which fall under varying degrees of administrative and security control between Palestinian and Israeli authorities.

Israel sets out the entry and exit requirements for the West Bank. In some circumstances, Israeli authorities may deny you entry into the West Bank.

You are required to obtain permits with strict conditions for: 

• short-term visits
• professional, academic or volunteering purposes
• temporary residence for spouses

These new procedures apply to all foreign nationals. As a result, you may need a specific type of visa to enter the West Bank based on your purpose of travel.

If you intend to travel to the West Bank:

• contact Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the closest Israeli embassy to find out which type of permit you need to apply for
• ensure that you have the proper and up-to-date identification, travel documentation and authorization to obtain your permit
• plan your visit accordingly and apply well in advance to avoid delays.
• Foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada
• Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Travel to and from Gaza Strip

The Erez border crossing, controlled by Israel, is currently closed. There are no options other than the Rafah border crossing, controlled by Egypt, to enter or exit the Gaza Strip.

Due to the ongoing conflict, entry to and exit from the Gaza Strip is currently extremely limited.

Travel to and from Jordan

As a Canadian citizen, you may travel to and from Jordan through the following border crossings:

• Aqaba (Wadi Araba) near Eilat
• King Hussein Bridge (Allenby) near Jericho 
• Sheikh Hussein Bridge (crossing the Jordan River) near Beit She’an.

You may obtain a visa upon arrival at the following border crossings:

• Sheikh Hussein Bridge (crossing the Jordan River) between Israel and Jordan
• Aqaba (Wadi Araba)

You will need to obtain a visa online or from a Jordanian diplomatic mission prior to travelling if you’re planning on entering Jordan at the King Hussein Bridge (Allenby) border crossing. 

Dual citizenship

Israeli-canadians.

Canadians who were born outside Israel to a mother or father who is an Israeli citizen may be considered citizens of Israel.

Israeli law requires Israeli citizens to:

• enter and exit the country on an Israeli passport
• show proof of military status upon arrival

If you are unsure of your Israeli citizenship or your military status, verify it through the Embassy of Israel to Canada or an Israeli consulate before leaving Canada.

Palestinian-Canadians

As a Palestinian-Canadian citizen, you may be subject to Government of Israel travel regulations for Palestinians. Strict border control policies may prevent you from entering to and exiting from: 

• Israel 
• the West Bank 
• the Gaza Strip 

Anyone registered in the Government of Israel’s West Bank and Gaza Strip population registries, including Canadians of Palestinian descent born in the West Bank or Gaza after 1967, is prohibited from entering Israel through Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport.

Israeli authorities are currently allowing only a limited number of Palestinians to enter into the West Bank via the Allenby Crossing (King Hussein Bridge). This rule may not apply to Palestinians with dual citizenship.

You may also be subject to Government of Israel travel regulations for Palestinians if you are a Canadian born in another Arab state or if you hold dual Canadian-Arab state citizenship.

Israeli authorities may then ask you to enter and exit Israel on your Arab passport.

If the place of birth listed on the traveller’s passport does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, travellers may be subject to increased security screening at points of entry, including extensive questioning, physical searches and/or denial of entry, which can involve temporary detention before removal.

Regional travel

Some Canadians have been denied entry into Lebanon, Syria and other Arab countries because their passports bore:

• an Israeli visa
• an Israeli border stamp
•  an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel

Other entry requirement

Custom officials may ask to show a return or onward ticket as proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified this country as no longer poliovirus-infected but at high risk of an outbreak . Polio can be prevented by vaccination.

Recommendations:

• Be sure that your polio vaccinations are up to date before travelling. Polio is part of the routine vaccine schedule for children in Canada.
• One booster dose of the polio vaccine is recommended as an adult .

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Leptospirosis   is a bacterial disease that typically causes fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, skin rash and eye infection. The disease is spread through direct contact with urine from infected animals or with urine-contaminated water, soil, or food.

Leptospirosis is a risk in this country, especially when participating in freshwater activities (e.g., swimming, rafting), being in areas with poor sanitation, or having close contact with animals, especially rodents. Most travellers are at low risk. There is no vaccine available for leptospirosis.  Travellers at high risk may wish to consult a health care professional about pre-exposure antibiotics.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

The quality of medical care varies greatly throughout the destination. Very good health care is available in Israel and Jerusalem. Good health care is limited in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Medical facilities may lack of medical supplies and adequately trained professionals.

Medical treatment can be very expensive. Hospitals and doctors usually require immediate payment in cash.  

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Medication 

Some prescription medication may not be available in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  

If you take prescription medication, you’re responsible for determining their legality at destination.

• Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you 
• Always keep your medication in the original container 
• Pack your medication in your carry-on luggage 
• Carry a copy of your prescriptions 

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and Israel are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Israel to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Israeli authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs, are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Alcohol 

Although alcohol consumption in public is illegal in the Gaza Strip, you can drink alcohol in certain areas in the West Bank.   Avoid drinking alcohol outside licensed premises in the West Bank.  

Photography 

Photography of sensitive installations is prohibited. This includes: 

• military sites 
• police personnel and installations  

Seek permission before taking photos of people in Muslim or Orthodox Jewish areas.  

Both Israeli authorities and the Palestinian Authority recognize dual citizenship.

However, foreign nationals naturalized citizens of Israel must forfeit their previous citizenship.   

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Israel, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Israel.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Israel, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Israeli court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Israel to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Religious holidays

Some Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities' customs, laws and regulations adhere closely to religious practices and beliefs. 

Tensions between religious groups are higher during religious holidays and may lead to violence. 

There is a risk of assault if you travel by car in the Old City of Jerusalem and conservative neighbourhoods of Israel during Shabbat.

To avoid offending local sensitivities, especially during religious holidays:

• dress conservatively
• behave discreetly
• respect social and religious traditions
• seek permission from people and local authorities before taking photographs

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Israel’s law doesn’t criminalize sexual acts or relationships between persons of the same sex.

However, 2SLGBTQI+ travellers could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

The Gaza Strip’s law criminalizes sexual acts and relationships between persons of the same sex. 

2SLGBTQI+ travellers could be detained based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. They may also be detained and face other charges such as: 

• cross-dressing
• gross indecency
• offence to public morals

2SLGBTQI+ travellers could face up to 10 years of imprisonment. They should carefully consider the risks of travelling to the Gaza Strip.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

You may drive in Israel using your Canadian driver’s license for up to 12 months.

Vehicles with Palestinian licence plates are not permitted to enter Israel unless granted a permit by Israeli authorities in advance. If you are planning to enter the West Bank with a rented vehicle, verify your insurance coverage and permissions with your car rental agency.

You should carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

Useful links 

• More about the International Driving Permit  
• Driving in Israel – The Association of Americans & Canadians in Israel (AACI)

The currency of Israel is the Israeli Shekel (ILS).

Credit cards are not widely accepted in the Gaza Strip.

The Jordanian dinar (JOD) and the US dollar are also widely accepted throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

ATMs are available, but may not accept Canadian cards.

Earthquakes  

Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are located in an active seismic zone.

Even minor earthquakes can cause significant damage.

Earthquakes - What to Do?  

Sandstorms and dust storms  

Sandstorms and dust storms occur in spring and summer in some areas. Sand-laden winds can blow at high speeds for days, creating difficult driving conditions. These storms can also lead to respiratory problems for some individuals.

During a sandstorm: 

• stay indoors 
• keep windows closed
• be prepared to change, interrupt or cancel your trip at any time
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation

Heavy rains, particularly during winter, can cause flooding and landslides throughout the territory.

Roads may become impassable and infrastructure damaged. 

• Exercise caution, particularly in areas around major rivers 
• Stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts 
• Follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders 

Wildfires 

Wildfires may occur throughout the territory due to high temperatures and dry conditions, particularly during summer. The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke. 

In case of a significant fire: 

• stay away from affected areas, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments 
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation 

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

• police: 100
• medical assistance: 101
• firefighters: 102

Consular assistance

For emergency consular assistance, call the Representative Office of Canada in Ramallah or the Embassy of Canada to Israel, in Tel Aviv, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Search Smartraveller

Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Latest update.

Reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall due to the volatile security situation, including the threat of terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest. 

Higher levels apply in some areas.

Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (PDF 596.05 KB)

The Middle East (PDF 1.45 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies.

For criminal issues, call 100.

Advice levels

Reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall.

Reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall due to the volatile security situation, including the threat of terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest.

See Safety .

Do not travel to Gaza and areas near the border with Gaza.

Do not travel to Gaza and areas near the border with Gaza due to armed conflict. 

Do not travel to border areas with Lebanon.

Do not travel to border areas with Lebanon closed by Israeli authorities.

Do not travel to the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem).

Do not travel to the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem) due to the volatile security situation.

• Israel has a naval blockade in place along the coast of Gaza. Don't join others seeking to break the blockade. Previous attempts to break the blockade have resulted in death, injury, arrest or deportation of foreigners (see 'Full advice').
• Our overall travel advice level for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories remains at reconsider your need to travel, with higher levels applied to some areas. You should also consider whether you need to remain in country, and if not, depart when its safe to do so.
• Do not travel to Gaza, border areas with Gaza, border areas with Lebanon closed by Israeli authorities and the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem), due to the volatile security situation.
• There’s a high threat of military reprisals and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests across the region. Military attacks may result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and diversions and other travel disruptions. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport may pause operations due to heightened security concerns at any time. Australians who want to leave are encouraged to take the first available option.
• Land border crossings to Jordan are open but may close at short notice.
• In an attack or other armed conflict, you should follow the advice of local authorities. See our general advice on protecting your safety:  There’s an armed conflict , and monitor local media and public safety information updates through the  National Emergency Portal  (accessible in Israel only). 
• If you're an Australian citizen or permanent resident in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories you can register on DFAT's  registration portal . Keep your registration details up to date so we can contact you with important updates. 
• Since 7 October, Israeli Defense Forces have been conducting major operations, including in and around Gaza and areas near the northern border with Lebanon.
• Israel is a target for terrorism, rocket fire and military confrontation. Terrorist attacks could happen at any time or anywhere. Always be alert. Have an exit plan. There are tensions and security risks close to Israel's borders with Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. There are ongoing threats of rocket attacks and military activity. Authorities are monitoring security on Israel’s northern border.
• Security in the West Bank is unpredictable. This includes Nablus, Jenin, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho and Ramallah. Tensions are high. Violence occurs. Take care around West Bank checkpoints. If you're in the West Bank during military action or civil unrest, stay in a safe place indoors and away from windows. Take care when visiting the Old City in Jerusalem. Transportation and other services could be affected. Be alert to your surroundings and have an exit plan. Monitor media for the latest updates.
• Our ability to provide consular help in Gaza is extremely limited. If you're in Gaza, be aware of your surroundings and review your personal security plans. Monitor local media (including social media), UN alerts, and your own organisation's security contacts for information about changing security conditions and alerts to seek shelter. If it's possible to leave, carefully consider the safest means. 

The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt may be closed or have highly restricted access for long periods and is subject to change at short notice. It has been subject to air strikes during the current Gaza conflict.

Full travel advice: Safety  

• Infectious diseases are a risk. Drink boiled or bottled water.
• West Nile virus can occur. There's no vaccine to prevent it. Use insect repellent. Make sure your accommodation is insect-proof.
• The standard of medical facilities in Israel is reasonable. Facilities in the West Bank and Gaza are limited and if you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to seek evacuation. Make sure your travel insurance covers this.

Full travel advice: Health

• The Sabbath in Israel happens from sunset Friday until sunset Saturday. In Orthodox neighbourhoods, driving or using a mobile phone or digital camera on the Sabbath may offend people.
• Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties are severe.
• You must always carry originals or copies of your passport, visa or entry permit in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
• Palestinian law has the death penalty for some crimes including treason, helping an enemy and murder.
• Gaza has Islamic law. Drinking alcohol and homosexual acts are illegal. Take care not to offend in Gaza and the West Bank. Avoid public displays of affection. Dress conservatively.

Full travel advice: Local laws

• Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport remains open and commercial flights are available. The airport may pause operations due to heightened security concerns. This may cause flight delays or cancellations. Check with your airline for the latest updates before travelling.
• Land border crossings to Jordan are open but may close at short notice. See Full advice: Travel for more information on border crossings into Jordan. Check Israeli government websites, and the website of the country of planned travel to make sure border crossings are open before travel.
• The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt may be closed or have highly restricted access for long periods and is subject to change at short notice. It has been subject to attacks, including air strikes, during the current Gaza conflict.
• By law, you're considered Israeli if one or both of your parents are Israeli. Israeli citizens must enter and leave on an Israeli passport. Authorities will consider you a Palestinian national if you currently hold, or used to hold, a Palestinian ID card. You may need to get a Palestinian travel document. 

Full travel advice: Travel

Local contacts

• The Consular Services Charter details what we can and can't do to help you overseas.
• For consular help, contact the Australian Embassy in Tel Aviv or the Australian Representative Office in Ramallah .
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the Embassy's social media accounts.

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

Crisis registration.

If you're an Australian citizen or permanent resident in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories, you can register on DFAT's  registration portal . We'll be contacting registered Australians directly with important updates.

Keep your registration details up to date so we can contact you. If you registered by phone or e-mail, you'll need to update your details via those channels. 

You should only register if you’re in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories and are:

• an Australian citizen, or
• an Australian permanent resident, or
• an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Security situation

Waters off gaza.

Israel has a naval blockade in place. The Israeli Navy patrols territorial waters and the shared water border zone.

We advise Australians to reconsider participating in any humanitarian flotilla to deliver aid to Gaza. Don't join others seeking to break the naval blockade.

People have previously tried to break the naval blockade along the coast of Gaza. Their actions caused injury, death, arrest and deportation of foreigners, including Australians.

Overall security situation

We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall due to the volatile security situation, including the threat of terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest. Rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. There have also been other terror attacks on civilians. The Israeli government has declared a state of emergency across the whole country. Avoid all non-essential travel and reconsider your need to remain in the area.

We continue to advise do not travel to Gaza, border areas with Gaza and border areas with Lebanon closed by Israeli authorities.

We also advise do not travel to the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem) due to the volatile security situation.

Military attacks may result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and diversions and other travel disruptions. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport may pause operations due to heightened security concerns at any time, and at short notice. This may cause flight delays or cancellations. Check with your airline for the latest updates before travelling.  

If you choose not to leave or can't safely leave, be prepared for an extended stay. Ensure you maintain enough supplies including food, drinking water and medication. If you're planning to stay in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories, follow alerts to seek shelter. Monitor local media and public safety information updates through the  National Emergency Portal (accessible in Israel only).

If you need emergency consular assistance, contact the Australian Government's Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (if you're overseas) or 1300 555 135 (in Australia). Our ability to provide consular assistance in Gaza is limited.

Gaza unrest

Gaza is an active conflict zone and is extremely dangerous. There are ongoing Israeli air strikes and land based IDF operations as well as a threat of civil unrest, shooting and rocket attacks. Rockets can land in both Gaza and Israel.

Our ability to provide consular assistance in Gaza is extremely limited. If you're in Gaza, be aware of your surroundings and review your personal security plans. Monitor local media (including social media), UN alerts, and your own organisation's security contacts for information about changing security conditions and alerts to seek shelter.

If you're stuck in military action or civil unrest, stay in a safe place indoors. Monitor the media for updates.

Ordinarily, the Australian Government can't support individuals applying for entry or exit permits for Gaza. During the current crisis, our ability to support Australians and their families to leave is extremely limited. 

Military operations

During military operations, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) may declare an area a closed military zone.

If authorities find civilians in this zone, they can arrest, detain or deport them.

In Israel, local city government websites have lists of public bomb shelters and other emergency information.

The IDF Home Front Command is responsible for managing emergencies, including planning and advising on how to deal with rocket attacks. In an emergency contact the Home Front Command on 104 (the hotline has English-speaking operators, option 5). Authorities may also establish a National Emergency Portal website for specific events.

We advise do not travel to the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem) due to the volatile security situation.

The security situation in the West Bank is unpredictable, with continuing tensions and violence between Israelis and Palestinians. This includes tourist destinations such as Bethlehem, Jericho and Ramallah. There can be higher rates of violence in and around Hebron, Jenin and Nablus.

Stone-throwing and violence are common, especially around Israeli settlements and military checkpoints.

Tensions can arise at short notice. Violence can happen in tourist areas.

Don’t enter closed military zones, even where these have been in place for a long time, such as the old city of Hebron.

Large and sometimes violent demonstrations have occurred in the West Bank. Foreigners have been injured.

Israeli authorities may open temporary additional checkpoints in the West Bank or close crossings to the West Bank on local holidays or due to security incidents.

Israeli security/military operations occur in the West Bank. There has been an increase in Israeli security operations since March 2022, including intensive operations in refugee camps. If you’re in the West Bank during military action or civil unrest, stay in a safe place indoors, away from windows. Monitor the media for information.

Authorities impose strict security measures after terrorist attacks. These may severely affect the movement of Palestinians, including Australian dual nationals.

Israel's borders with neighbouring states

Cross-border political tensions and unrest create security risks for regions of Israel close to its borders with Egypt, Lebanon and Syria.

Israel and Lebanon border

We advise do not travel to border areas with Lebanon. These have been closed by Israeli authorities. Authorities are monitoring security on Israel’s northern border. Some residents have been advised to evacuate by local authorities.

There’s an ongoing threat of rocket attack, infiltration attempts, revenge fire and other activity along the border between Israel and Lebanon. This area is known as the ‘Blue Line’.

There’s a significant military presence in the area. The security situation could get worse without notice.

Tensions remain high between Hezbollah and Israel, with occasional exchanges of fire on the border between Lebanon and Israel. More conflict is possible, including missiles fired towards Israeli territory. An escalation in conflict between Israel and Hezbollah would significantly increase risks to your safety and security.

More information:

• Travel advice for Lebanon

Israel and Egypt border

There have been security incidents in the southern city of Eilat and the surrounding area near the Gulf of Aqaba. This includes the border crossing with Egypt near Eilat. There have been deaths and injuries.

• Travel advice for Egypt

Israel and Syria border

There’s been ongoing conflict on the Syrian side of the border since 2014. Clashes have occurred on the Israeli-Syrian border. This includes rockets being fired towards Israeli-controlled territory. Kidnapping has been known to happen near the border.

Parts of Route 98 have been closed in the past due to fighting on the Syrian side of the border. Artillery and small-arms fire from Syria could land in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.

The situation remains tense and further violence is possible. We recommend avoiding all parts of the Golan Heights to the east of Route 98 due to militant activities in Syria.

• Travel advice for Syria

Keeping safe during unrest

To stay safe during civil unrest, avoid demonstrations, political rallies and large public gatherings.

Check the news and other sources for information on unrest or strikes. Plan your activities to stay away from those areas.

Be extra careful during Jewish and Muslim religious holidays. These include Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Pesach and Ramadan.

Stay away from traffic congestion at checkpoints.

In each place you stay, know the emergency procedures. Know what to do when air raid sirens sound and where the closest emergency shelters are.

If you’re caught in military action or civil unrest, follow the instructions of local authorities

Unless told otherwise, stay indoors and monitor the media.

Be prepared to change your travel plans.

If civil unrest affects transport services, contact your airline, travel agent or insurer for help.

Civil unrest and political tension

Demonstrations and protests.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. Don’t go near demonstrations or large gatherings.

Check the media and other sources for information about planned and possible unrest.

Demonstrations could happen anywhere. They’re most likely in and around checkpoints, to/from the West Bank and in and around the Old City in Jerusalem.

Violence can happen at checkpoints, and there are few options to leave the area.

Avoid traffic blockages at checkpoints.

There are regular attacks on vehicles driven on the Sabbath. This happens in and around ultra-Orthodox neighbourhoods. See ‘Local laws’.

Increased tensions can occur around religious and commemoration events and following political developments, particularly in and around the Old City in Jerusalem. Tensions have resulted in demonstrations and violence in some cities. There have also been rockets fired at targets across Israel and Gaza.

There's a chance of civil unrest in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. International events and political developments may lead to protests and demonstrations, which can be unpredictable and may turn violent. Be alert, avoid demonstrations, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor the media for the latest updates.

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Israel continues to be a target of terrorist attacks.

Local and international political developments and events may lead to terrorist attacks.

Attacks could happen anywhere, at any time.

Terrorists have attacked buses, public transport hubs and tourist areas. These include in Jerusalem, Jaffa and Tel Aviv. Attacks have included shootings, stabbings, vehicle ramming and bombings.

Be alert to possible threats, especially:

• at tourist locations, religious sites and crowded public places
• near police checkpoints
• in regions bordering Egypt, Syria and Lebanon

Australian Government officials are advised not to use public transport in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. This is because of safety and security concerns. Taxis are an exception.

Militant and terror groups operate in regions of Egypt, Syria and Lebanon that are close to Israel. This makes travel close to borders with those countries dangerous.

When planning your activities reconsider going to places known to be terrorist targets. Think about the level of security provided.

Take care when travelling to a region where there are terrorists, or somewhere that terrorists could target. Have an exit plan in case there's a security incident.

To stay safe:

• consider avoiding public transport other than taxis
• report any suspicious activity or items to police
• regularly check local and international media for news about any new or emerging threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

• Egypt travel advice
• Lebanon travel advice
• Syria travel advice

Foreigners have been kidnapped in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Always be alert to your personal security and surroundings, particularly in the Gaza area.

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

Violent crime, other than terrorism and politically motivated violence, is rare.

Purse snatching, pickpocketing and petty theft can happen.

Theft from vehicles may happen, especially in beachside areas.

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

Cyber security when travelling overseas

Tours and adventure activities

Transport and tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes adventure activities.

If you plan to do a tour or adventure activity :

• check if it's covered by your travel insurance policy
• ask about, and insist on minimum safety requirements
• always use available safety gear, such as life jackets or seatbelts

If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.

Climate and natural disasters

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza are in an active earthquake zone.

Flash floods can happen in the Judean Hills and Negev desert in the winter months from November to March.

Sandstorms, dust storms and bushfires happen during the warmer months.

If there's a natural disaster or severe weather :

• secure your passport in a safe location
• stay in contact with friends and family
• monitor local media and the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

Travel Insurance

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Healthcare in Israel is not free.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you're going to high-risk areas, you'll probably need a specialised insurance policy. Check your insurance policy before you travel to high-risk areas in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and medical care are covered by your policy
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up   
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

Infectious diseases

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases can occur. These include:

• Brucellosis
• Leptospirosis
• Leishmaniasis

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid uncooked and undercooked food, such as salads

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Insect-borne diseases

Cases of  West Nile virus (WNV) cases are reported throughout Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. There's no vaccine to prevent it.

To protect yourself against illness:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Polio is a risk in Israel.  Before you travel, ensure your vaccinations are up-to-date, including booster doses.

• Polio  (World Health Organisation)

Measles can occur routinely in Israel. Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel.

• Measles immunisation service (Department of Health and Aged Care)

Medical care

Medical facilities.

The standard of medical facilities is reasonable in Israel. However, facilities in the West Bank and Gaza are below Australian standards.

If you become seriously ill or injured in the West Bank or Gaza, you may need to be evacuated. Where medical evacuation is possible, it can be very expensive.

Doctors may require up-front payment before they will treat you. Costs can be high.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Penalties for drug offences include jail terms of up to 20 years and large fines.

Carrying or using drugs

You must always carry your passport, visa or entry permit as proof of identity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. 

It's illegal to photograph police, the military, buildings or places considered 'security sensitive'. This includes military installations and some government offices. If in doubt, get local advice.

The import and use of religious material is strictly controlled. If authorities find this material, they may confiscate it.

Under Palestinian law, authorities may enforce the death penalty for treason, helping an enemy and deliberate killing.

Islamic law applies in Gaza. Drinking alcohol and homosexual acts are prohibited.

• LGBTQIA+ travellers

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

Israel doesn't recognise dual nationality. Israeli citizens must enter and leave on an Israeli passport.

Under Israeli law, you're considered Israeli if at least one of your parents is Israeli.

Men and women may need to do military service. To check, consult the nearest embassy or consulate of Israel before you travel.

Australians who currently hold, or used to hold a Palestinian ID card, are considered Palestinian nationals while in the West Bank, Gaza or Israel.

If you're considered Palestinian, you may need to get a Palestinian travel document. Contact an embassy or consulate of Israel for details about entry and exit requirements.

This law limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

• Dual nationals
• Embassy of Israel in Australia

Local customs

Get to know local and religious customs. Take care not to offend.

Public displays of affection aren't appropriate at religious sites in Israel. In Gaza and the West Bank, being affectionate in public may offend.

Observe local standards of behaviour when visiting Orthodox Jewish neighbourhoods.

Dress standards

Conservative standards of dress and behaviour apply at holy sites in Jerusalem, Orthodox Jewish areas in Israel and throughout Gaza and the West Bank.

Be respectful when photographing people in Muslim and Orthodox Jewish areas. Ask permission before taking photos of people.

The Jewish Shabbat or Sabbath happens from sunset Friday until sunset Saturday. It's closely observed in Orthodox Jewish areas in Israel.

During this time of rest in Orthodox neighbourhoods, driving and using electricity is restricted. Using a mobile phone or camera on the Sabbath is likely to offend. 

Public access to these neighbourhoods is usually restricted on the Sabbath. Don't drive in these areas.

Respect religious and cultural customs and laws during Ramadan . Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public or in front of people who are fasting.

LGBTQIA+ information

Unmarried and same-sex couples are not allowed to live together in Gaza or the West Bank. They're not allowed to share hotel accommodation either.

Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Flight and road routes out of Israel

If you choose to leave, make sure you know where your identity documents are, including your passport, and be ready to leave at short notice. Also make sure you have any medications you may need while travelling.

Australians who want to leave are strongly encouraged to take the first available commercial option.

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport remains open and commercial flights are available. However, the airport may pause operations due to heightened security concerns. This may cause flight delays or cancellations. Check with your airline for the latest updates before travelling.

Land border crossings

Land border crossings to Jordan are open but may close at short notice. Check  Israeli government websites , and and public information of the country of planned travel to make sure border crossings are open before travel.

There are 3 land border crossings between Israel and Jordan: Allenby Bridge/King Hussein near Amman, Sheikh Hussein/Jordan River near Irbid, and Wadi Araba near Aqaba.

These border crossings may open and close with little notice. There is also the possibility of queues and delays at border crossings.

Visas are required to enter Jordan. See our travel advice for Jordan .

You may find it difficult to travel by road if armed conflict escalates.

Any travel options you pursue are taken at your own risk. You're responsible for your own safety and that of your family.

For information on border crossings from Gaza, see 'Gaza' section below.

• Land border crossings (Israel Government)

The security situation in Gaza is unpredictable and dangerous.

Exiting Gaza is extremely difficult and unpredictable.

There are only 2 land crossings for pedestrians into and out of Gaza. Israel controls Erez. Egypt controls Rafah.

You may not be able to leave Gaza even if you have a valid exit permit.

The ability of the Australian Government to help is extremely limited.

Erez crossing

Israeli authorities control the Erez crossing into northern Gaza from Israel. The crossing has been closed since the current crisis began on 7 October 2023.

Rafah crossing

Egyptian authorities control the Rafah crossing into Gaza from Egypt.

You must get permission from Egyptian authorities to enter and exit Gaza using the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

Regulations and restrictions around the border between Egypt and Gaza can change.

People who enter Gaza through this border crossing must leave the same way.

The crossing may open or close at short notice. Once it has closed, you can't leave Gaza through this crossing.

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

If you travel to Israel as a tourist for less than 3 months, most Australians won't need a visa.

For longer stays, you'll need to arrange a visa before you travel.

Israel requires some Australians to apply for and secure entry permits before travelling. Australian passport holders born in certain overseas locations must apply for an entry permit through a contact in Israel. Travellers should check with the nearest Israeli embassy or consulate about whether this policy relates to their country of birth and, if so, what steps they may need to take to secure an entry permit. This process can take some time and should be done well before you travel. Failing to obtain an entry permit may result in a refusal of entry by Israeli border authorities.

On 20 October 2022, new requirements were introduced for foreign nationals entering and residing in the West Bank. Further information and contact details for enquiries can be found on the Israeli government website .

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. For details about visas, security checks, currency, customs and quarantine regulations:

• check the Israel Government Portal
• contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Israel

Border measures

Non-Israeli citizens, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Israel if all entry requirements as listed on the Israel  Ministry of Heath’s website  are met. 

Other formalities

Israeli authorities can subject you to a security and police record check if you're entering Israel, Gaza or the West Bank.

Authorities may refuse you entry or exit without a reason.

Security officials may question you at length. They may also conduct an intensive search of your bags and person when you arrive and depart.

If you're travelling to protest against Israeli policies, authorities may refuse your entry. You will be returned to the country where you boarded. This includes if you arrive by boat.

Authorities can deny you entry if you have association with, or belong to, an organisation that has called for a boycott of Israel or Israeli settlements.

We can't intervene if you don't meet entry or exit requirements.

You'll get an entry card instead of an entry stamp on arrival in Israel.

Keep this card with your passport until you leave. The card is evidence of your legal entry into Israel. Authorities may ask for it during your stay.

If you plan to travel to other countries after Israel, read the travel advice for each country. Some countries may refuse you entry if:

• your passport shows you have travelled to Israel
• your luggage or possessions show you've been to Israel

Travel restrictions

Travel restrictions may apply to some visitors in Israel and the West Bank. There's no clear information about who may be restricted.

Airport officials may ask you to sign a form that stops you entering the West Bank.

In these situations, the Australian Embassy has limited ability to step in.

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

Israel's currency is the Israeli Shekel (ILS).  The ILS is also used in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

You can change Australian dollars to shekels in major centres.

ATMs are widely available.

When arriving or leaving Israel, you must declare amounts of $US10,000 or more, or the equivalent in another currency. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

If you don't declare your currency on entry or exit from Israel, authorities could arrest or fine you.

Local travel

When deciding on travel around Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, consider the general security situation.

Also consider specific risks to your safety and security in different places.

Driving permit

You can drive in Israel for up to one year with a valid Australian driver's licence.

Road travel

Land border crossings may be closed with short notice, and for an unknown period. Check Israeli government websites, and the website of the country you are trying to travel to, to determine if border crossings are open before travel.

Security checkpoints may be set up or closed at any time. This often happens without warning throughout Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

You could face delays or trouble passing through checkpoints.

• Land border crossings  (Israel Government)

Driving can be dangerous.

Hazards include:

• Aggressive drivers who ignore road rules
• Drivers driving while distracted
• Poor road conditions in some parts of the country

Road accidents occur often.

Israeli car insurance does not usually cover travel into Palestinian-controlled areas of the West Bank. This includes Bethlehem, Jericho and Ramallah.

Separate insurance can be arranged for travel to these places.

Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check if your travel insurance policy covers you when travelling by motorbike.

Only ride a motorcycle if you're:

• properly licensed
• familiar and comfortable with local driving conditions

By law, you and your passenger must wear a helmet when riding a motorbike.

Taxis are generally safe and reliable in Israel.

Public transport

Take care when using public transport .

Due to safety and security concerns, Australian Government officials and their families are advised not to use public transport, except taxis.

This applies in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

Don't travel by sea to the coast of Gaza. See Safety

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Israel's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular assistance, contact:

Australian Embassy, Tel Aviv

Level 28 Discount Bank Tower 23 Yehuda Halevi Street (corner Herzl Street) Tel Aviv 65136, Israel

Phone: +972 3 693 5000 Fax: +972 3 693 5002 Website: israel.embassy.gov.au Facebook: Australia in Israel X: AusAmbIsrael

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

Australian Representative Office, Ramallah

7th floor, Trust Building 48 Othman Ben Affan Street El Bireh Ramallah West Bank

Phone: +972 2 242 5301 Fax: +972 2 242 8290 Website: ramallah.mission.gov.au

Check the Australian Representative Office website for opening hours.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to Israel, Gaza and the West Bank?

What to know about travel safety as the Israel-Hamas war continues

Last Thursday the State Department advised travelers from the U.S. to “exercise increased caution” worldwide because of the Israel-Hamas war , citing “the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”

The warning “means what it says,” said Jeffrey Price, an aviation security expert and professor of aviation and aerospace science at Metropolitan State University of Denver. “Don’t go to areas where they are actively capturing or killing U.S. citizens, and be careful when going to countries where you could be put in harm’s way simply by being there.” 

But what about trips to Barcelona or Singapore or even just Baton Rouge? Here’s what to consider if you’ve got travel plans on the books or are making them now, given the conflict in the Middle East.

All-purpose safety precautions

In addition to telling U.S. travelers to reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank and to avoid any travel to Gaza, federal officials also recommend staying especially alert in popular locations anywhere tourists gather globally.

They suggest following State Department accounts on social media for updates and joining the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to make it easier for the agency get in touch with American travelers abroad in case of emergencies.

The State Department has alerts of various levels in effect for many countries because of conflict and other risk factors, but “worldwide caution” advisories are less common. The last one was issued in August 2022 after a U.S. drone strike killed a high-level Al Qaeda leader .

Some national security experts regard last week’s global alert “as one of the most urgent issued in light of the extremely high tensions throughout the Middle East,” said Howard Stoffer, a professor of international affairs at the University of New Haven and a former senior official in the State Department’s Foreign Service.

“This type of alert usually lasts a relatively short time,” he said, but the current one “may last for some period of time.”

If you’re planning upcoming travel, you can monitor the State Department’s travel advisories for any destinations on your itinerary both before and during your trip. The Council on Foreign Relations, a nonpartisan think tank, also maintains an interactive Global Conflict Tracker that provides additional information for specific areas around the world.

Stay alert and listen to the news carefully when out there.

Howard Stoffer, University of New Haven

Experts warn against slipping so deeply into vacation mode that you risk losing sight of potential shifts in the political or security situation on the ground. “Be aware of your surroundings and be sure to cooperate with any increased security measures,” Price said.

Stoffer said, “Stay alert and listen to the news carefully when out there.” Otherwise, exercise the same good judgment you would under any other circumstances, like steering clear of major protests and making sure friends and family back home know where you are.

Israeli flag carrier El Al Airlines is the only airline that continues to fly between the U.S. and Israel, although its website notes that “there may be a change in the departure times of some flights.”

Major U.S.-based airlines that previously offered regular service to Tel Aviv, including American , Delta and United , have issued travel alerts for the Middle East and suspended all flights to Israel. United has also issued a travel alert for its flights to Amman, Jordan, but service there is continuing.

The suspensions include direct flights out of major hubs such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., as well as connecting flights on partner airlines, said Scott Keyes of the flight deal website Going.

In general, travelers who booked to Israel on U.S. carriers on or before Oct. 6, the day before Hamas attacked Israel, are typically being offered the option to either cancel their trips and request refunds or to rebook in the same cabin and between the same cities on different dates with no change fees or fare differences. (United is also offering to waive change fees on flights to Amman.)

“These waivers apply regardless of what fare class you’ve booked,” Keyes said. “Even otherwise restrictive basic economy tickets may be rescheduled or canceled for a full cash refund.”

Right now, the rebooking options are available through Dec. 31 on United, from Dec. 5 through Jan. 31 on American and through Sept. 6, 2024, on Delta.

Travelers can expect to see a larger law enforcement and canine presence.

TSA spokesperson Robert Langston

With Delta having already extended the dates of its rebooking provisions, Keyes said, “it’s all but certain other U.S. airlines will extend their travel waivers for at least as long as the escalated hostilities continue.”

At airports and other transportation hubs, “travelers can expect to see a larger law enforcement and canine presence,” said Robert Langston, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration.

The TSA is operating at a “heightened level of security as a result of world events and the current threat environment,” he said. Officials there and at its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, will continue to monitor the situation and adjust their security measures as needed.

Security checkpoints lines at airports could get longer because of the increased measures, Price said, but “if things are getting out of hand, TSA can also speed up lines by reducing random checks.”

A handful of cruise lines have made changes to scheduled sailings in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, said Aaron Saunders, a senior editor at Cruise Critic.

“The changes range from the cancellation of full sailing seasons to adjustments to itineraries that remove select ports,” he said. 

Windstar Cruises, Royal Caribbean and MSC are among the cruise lines that have pulled all their ships out of the region because of the conflict, Cruise Critic has reported , while Norwegian Cruise Line has informed passengers on a coming Rome-to-Athens cruise that stops in Israel will be skipped.

“Cruise lines have teams dedicated to monitoring the latest news and updates and reserve the right to adjust their plans as they see most fit,” Saunders said.

He encourages anyone with a cruise reservation to watch for emails from the operator for updates on specific sailings, as well as any compensation being offered for significantly affected ones. For those considering a cruise to the region, “we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance,” Saunders added.

Travel insurance 

Many travel insurance policies already provide cancellation and interruption benefits in the event a terrorist attack affects a trip, according to published guidelines from the travel insurance comparison platform SquareMouth.

But in most cases, those benefits kick in only for policies purchased before the date of the attack, meaning such coverage would apply for the current conflict only on insurance taken out on or before Oct. 6.

Travelers with coming trips to Israel who have cancellation and interruption benefits may be reimbursed for 100% of their trip expenses if they need to cancel, SquareMouth noted. Travelers planning to visit Israel as part of trips may also be covered if they need to cut their itineraries short.

Harriet Baskas is an NBC News contributor who writes about travel and the arts.

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Israel Tightens Restrictions on Travel to the Occupied Territories

A new 97-page directive is aimed at restricting the flow of foreigners of Palestinian descent and others who want to visit the West Bank.

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Sandra Tamari was traveling to a family wedding in the West Bank when security officers at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport pulled her aside. For hours, they questioned her about her parents, grandparents, employer, and previous travels. They ordered her to write the names and contact details of everyone she planned to visit and made her list all her email addresses. Then, a security officer turned a computer screen toward her and ordered her to log into her Gmail account.

“That’s when I said, ‘No way,’” Tamari, a U.S. citizen of Palestinian descent, told The Intercept. When she refused, she was detained overnight and then deported back to the U.S. An officer told her she was denied entry because she posed a security threat.

While the West Bank and Gaza are occupied territories and not part of Israel, Israeli officials control access to them, monitoring the movement of anyone traveling there — and regularly denying entry to foreigners who are visiting for personal, family, or professional reasons. For years, international travelers, and particularly those of Palestinian descent, have been at the whims of border officials. The process was often degrading, unpredictable, and arbitrary.

Now much of that process has been codified by the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, known as COGAT, the unit of Israel’s Defense Ministry tasked with administering civilian issues in the Palestinian territories that Israel occupies. In a 97-page document issued earlier this spring, COGAT officials introduced a slate of severe restrictions on international travel to the occupied West Bank, which they refer to as “Judea and Samaria.”

“Before this, it was kind of like Russian roulette when you got to an Israeli border crossing if you’re a Palestinian foreign passport holder: You’d just never know, are you going to get in, are you not going to get in,” Zaha Hassan, a human rights lawyer and fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told The Intercept. “Now at least you know what the rules are, and they are all in one place. But the rules are pretty egregious.”

The new rules formalize invasive questioning that has long been the reality for those traveling to the territories. Some — like a requirement that those visiting Palestinian family members disclose a series of personal details about them — have always been the norm. But the rules also include a new slate of restrictions that Palestinians in the diaspora warn will drastically curtail their ability to visit their families and homeland. They include a condition that visitors disclose details about any land they might own or expect to inherit in the territories, a limit to the number of trips one can make, and a requirement that visitors apply for a permit 45 days before traveling — a measure introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, ostensibly for public health reasons, that Israel is now seeking to make permanent.

The rules also curtail the travel of non-Palestinian visitors to the territories, including caps on the number of visiting scholars and students. But they do not apply to those seeking to travel to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law but which Israel effectively treats as an extension of its territory. The rules were slated to kick in later this month, but a legal challenge raised by an Israeli group has temporarily delayed implementation to early this summer .

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While they apply to Palestinians holding any foreign passports, as well as non-Palestinian foreigners visiting the territories from anywhere else in the world, the rules have raised particular concerns for Palestinian Americans, many of whom have long felt the U.S. government is doing far too little to address Israel’s discriminatory policies toward them. At least two draft letters are currently circulating among legislators, asking U.S. officials to address Israel’s new restrictions on travel to the West Bank.   A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department wrote in a statement to The Intercept that officials there “continue to study the new regulations and are engaging with Israeli authorities to understand their application and encourage additional consultation with stakeholders before implementation.” The spokesperson added, “We seek equal treatment and freedom to travel for all U.S. citizens regardless of national origin or ethnicity.”

A spokesperson for Israel’s Ministry of Defense deferred questions to COGAT, which did not respond to a request for comment.

U.S. critics of the rules note that they come at a time when U.S. officials can exercise particular leverage, as Israel is currently seeking to join the U.S. visa waiver program, which allows visitors from participating countries to travel to the U.S. for business or tourism without a visa. In March, the U.S. and Israel signed an information exchange agreement bringing Israel closer to approval for the program. The State Department spokesperson said that officials are “reviewing the regulations in detail in order to determine if there is any linkage to the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program.” He added, “The U.S. government continues to work with Israel towards fulfilling all program requirements, including extending reciprocal privileges to all U.S. citizens and nationals upon arrival — including Palestinian Americans.”

Participation in the visa waiver initiative is predicated on reciprocal treatment — meaning Palestinian Americans seeking to enter Israel and the West Bank should expect the same guarantees as Israeli citizens traveling to the U.S. That’s hardly the case currently: For instance, U.S. citizens who also hold Palestinian IDs are denied access to Ben Gurion Airport altogether and must travel through Jordan, while other U.S. citizens can travel through Israel.

“In the past, American citizens have complained to the State Department about discrimination, and the U.S. response has always been that Israel has sovereign right to exclude people it doesn’t want,” Hassan said. “But the problem here is that Israel is not sovereign over the West Bank. It’s occupied territory.” She added, “This is actually a moment in which the U.S. could very well help to change policies that are impacting Americans attempting to work, study, and visit in the West Bank.”

Palestinian passes through an Israeli security checkpoint from Ramallah into Jerusalem on April 29, 2022, in Ramallah, West Bank.

Surveillance Project

The new COGAT rules appear to serve multiple purposes: by discouraging travel to the West Bank, they further isolate Palestinians and seek to undercut growing global solidarity with them. They limit the ability of foreigners of Palestinian descent to maintain ties with their families and homeland. And they enable the large-scale collection of personal data on anyone traveling to the territories, feeding into a sprawling surveillance effort already underway that some have dubbed Israel’s “ Facebook for Palestinians .”

“Israel is in the process of creating this massive data project, mapping Palestinian relationships, property holdings, and all kinds of other information,” said Hassan. “This is something they have always done. But now they want you to proactively give them that information.”

“Israel is in the process of creating this massive data project, mapping Palestinian relationships, property holdings.”

The requirement that those applying for permits to visit the West Bank disclose details about land they might own or inherit has caused particular alarm, raising echoes of the “Absentee Property Law” by which Israel has justified expropriating the land of countless Palestinians who left, fled, or were forcibly expelled during its founding. The provision in the new rules is especially concerning to those owning property in “ Area C ,” a large swath of the West Bank where illegal Israeli settlements are fast growing.

“Maybe if you have property in Area C you don’t get in, and maybe under Israeli military law, if a property is abandoned, then the state can take it,” said Hassan, in reference to the new travel requirement. “The issue is that Israel is extending its sovereignty over the West Bank. And these COGAT rules are just an expression of that.”  

Palestinian Americans and others critical of Israeli policies have long denounced treatment like the one now codified by COGAT — to little avail.

A car drives past a sign for the Allenby (King Hussein) crossing point to Jordan, in the city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank, on Jan. 28, 2021.

When Tamari was detained at Ben Gurion Airport, she was allowed to call the U.S. Embassy. She recalled that the staffer who responded on the citizen services’ line immediately asked her, “Are you Jewish?” When she said that she was Palestinian, the staffer told her, “There’s really nothing we can do for you,” she says.

“The issue is that Israel is extending its sovereignty over the West Bank. And these COGAT rules are just an expression of that.”

Back in the U.S., Tamari spoke with her congressional representative, and she and her supporters delivered a petition to the State Department and met with officials involved with consular services in Israel. “None of the information we presented was surprising to them,” she told The Intercept. “I don’t think there’s any motivation on the part of the U.S. to protect Palestinians.”

The failed trip was Tamari’s last attempt to visit her family’s homeland: “I have missed out on a whole generation of cousins that I haven’t met,” she said.

Her ordeal was hardly unheard of for Palestinian holders of foreign passports who are regularly turned away by Israeli officials. “There are hundreds and hundreds of stories of Palestinians with U.S. passports who have been denied entry,” Tamari said. “The separation of families is part of the Israeli weaponry against Palestinians, and it’s unfortunately very painful and traumatic.”

So far, few U.S. legislators have been willing to criticize Israel’s treatment even of U.S. citizens.

“We know that Congress has the capacity to really influence these sorts of decisions, especially because at this point, there’s a large population of Palestinians in the United States who would be directly impacted by this,” Iman Abid-Thompson, national director of advocacy and organizing at the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, told The Intercept.

“If there’s a silver lining to be looked at upon here, it’s the fact that we are now able to see, verbatim, what it is that we have been saying,” she added. “The United States can look past it, if it so chooses, as it already does, or it can actually see what Palestinians have been saying for decades.”

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Traveling to Palestine Is Easier and Much Safer Than You Think

W hatever your interest in Palestine is — be it religious, historical, or cultural-political — there is no better way to get a clear picture of the territories than to visit them. Contrary to the images that the mere mention of Palestine conjures, traveling in the region is easy, safe, and the people are incredibly welcoming. Palestine is composed of two territories: the West Bank (located between Israel and Jordan) and the Gaza Strip (land bordering Israel and Egypt). Travelers can go to the West Bank, but the Gaza Strip is closed to tourism. Here is everything you need to know about visiting the West Bank and the Israeli side of the Gaza Strip border.

The Palestinian Territories are the areas delimited by the dotted lines. Photo: Google Maps

• Practical information about the West Bank for travelers

How to get to the West Bank from Israel

What to do in the west bank and where to start your visit, visiting the gaza strip border, the west bank, practical information about the west bank.

The currency used in the West Bank is the same as the one used in Israel: shekel (0.00 per 1 USD). The official language is Arabic although many people in the cities speak basic English. It’s recommended to dress modestly : Both men and women should cover their shoulders and legs, and even their heads and arms to enter some places such as temples and other sacred edifices. Most shops are closed on Fridays because it’s the resting day for Muslims (commercial activity also slows down during the month of Ramadan). But since there is a minority of Christians, some places are also closed on Sundays. Whatever you do, start early, because most places close around 4:00 PM. Note that summer is the hottest time of the year in Palestine, so avoid this season if you can’t handle the heat.

Safety: The West Bank is divided in three areas (A, B, and C), which are administered by Israel and the Palestinian Authority. It has lived in relative peace since the Second Intifada ended (2005), so the answer is yes, it’s safe to travel to the West Bank in general, so long as you follow local guidelines.

Where to stay: Bethlehem has the most accommodation options, which makes it perfect to use as your base. But all places have some kind of lodging. The choice is yours: Airbnb apartments or rooms, hostels, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and even homestays where you can work as a volunteer and participate in the annual olive harvest.

Transportation: We recommend the yellow mini-van shared taxis (pronounced serveece ), which cost about 10 percent of the price of a taxi. Hiring taxi drivers by the hour is an excellent option considering the cost-time benefit, especially if you are sharing the ride with a couple of travelers. Most rental cars companies don’t allow you to take the cars you rent in Israel to the West Bank.

Photo: Peace center restaurant /Facebook

Food: Palestinian cuisine has many Mediterranean influences, so you can expect plenty of fresh vegetables and olive oil. There are many Arabic fast-food places that serve falafels and shawarma, but you can also find other types of restaurants. Besides the ubiquitous hummus, try the musakhan (roasted chicken placed on a slice of bread and topped with chestnuts and tons of caramelized onions) at the Peace Center Restaurant in Bethlehem. For a treat, have a kanafeh , a delicious pastry made out of semolina dough, soaked in syrup, and layered with cheese — it can be purchased at most markets, cafes, street stands, and restaurants, and it pairs amazingly well with Arabic coffee. The West Bank also has some microbreweries worth trying; Taybeh Brewing Company is the oldest and is located in the Ramallah District.

You can get to the West Bank from Israel (through different checkpoints) and from Jordan (via Allenby Bridge about an hour from Amman). In both cases you’ll have to go through Israeli checkpoints. I’ve gone to the West Bank from Israel, and I was stopped and had my passport checked only on my way back to Israel. The process took less than 10 minutes, but the time can vary depending on the checkpoint. You’ll need to have your passport and your visa (the slip that was given to you when you entered the country since Israel doesn’t stamp passports) at all times.

Photo: gary yim /Shutterstock

Start in Bethlehem. Take a taxi (15 minutes) or the Bus 21 from Jerusalem (near Damascus Gate in the Old City, it takes 30 minutes). Once in Bethlehem, hire a taxi driver (negotiate the fixed price first) to take you around.

The best things to see and do in the West Bank depend on your interest, but here are some great spots to check out for those with a spiritual, cultural, or political pursuit.

According to the Bible, Bethlehem is the place where Jesus was born. Today, it has the biggest population of Arab Christians in the West Bank. The Old City, with its white houses and its narrow limestone streets, is a beautiful sight.

Photo: Victor Lauer /Shutterstock

The UNESCO’s World Heritage Church of the Nativity , right in the center of the Old City, is the oldest continuously operating church in the world (326 AD). The temple is administered by three different Christian denominations (Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic). Inside the Church, in the Grotto of the Nativity, is a 14-point silver star that marks the spot of Jesus’s birth. There are usually big lines of tourists waiting to enter, but if you go during lunch, you’ll have the place to yourself. You are allowed to bend over and touch the ground underneath the star, an exciting moment for Christian visitors from all over the world.

Photo: Yevgenia Gorbulsky /Shutterstock

Located 7.5 miles from Bethlehem, the Greek-Orthodox monastery of Mar Saba is one of the oldest inhabited monasteries in the world (483 AD), and it’s still functioning. Its founder, Saint Sabas, was one of the first hermit monks in the Negev desert where he worked to establish many other monasteries. The interior of the building is stunning, and one can see the remains of the saint. The setting of the monastery gives one of the most spectacular views of both Israel and Palestine. Women are not allowed to enter, but the drive through the desert to get there and the views are worth the little road trip (especially in the spring when the flowers are in bloom.)

Photo: eFesenko /Shutterstock

Many independent travelers want to visit the refugee camps in Palestine, built and still run by the United Nations and now transformed into established neighborhoods. Both Aida and Dheisheh are located near Bethlehem and are easy to visit. There, you can see the politically charged street art and talk to people, including activists about the current political situation. If you go to any refugee camp, go or stay with someone who is familiar with the security situation. Conflicts can arise quickly. Note that there are Airbnbs inside the camps .

Photo: badahos /Shutterstock

Bethlehem is also known for its street art. There are three pieces adjudicated to Banksy (who also owns a hotel there) although it is believed that only one is authentic. There are hundreds of street art pieces on the security barrier (wall) that Israel built in 2002 to stop the suicide bombers attacks that killed hundreds of civilians in the ‘90s. Although the attacks have stopped, the wall is extremely controversial and is dubbed the “Separation Wall” by Palestinians. You can go to “ The Banksy Shop ” and get some souvenirs (t-shirts, postcards, etc.) or buy spray paint and leave your personal message on the wall.

When hunger strikes, head to the little souq and buy some delicious snacks like fresh fruits, pastries, nuts and caramelized fruit, dates, etc. Hit one the street stands to enjoy a traditional pomegranate juice.

Other places of interest to visit in or near the Old City include the Chapel of the Milk Grotto , a sanctuary for women who want to increase their fertility and have a healthy breastmilk supply; Rachel’s Tomb where it’s said the biblical matriarch died in childbirth on her way to Hebron; The Mosque of Omar , the only mosque in the city; and the Old Bethlehem Museum for traditional and beautiful Palestinian embroidered clothing.

Photo: nayef hammouri /Shutterstock

Hebron is the city of Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) and the burial place of the biblical patriarchs and matriarchs (excerpt for Rachel), sacred to both Judaism and Islam. It’s not an easy city to visit because the Jewish settlements are within the city center and in the outskirts, so Hebron is geographically divided; you need to go through checkpoints to go from one side of the city to the other. Unlike the other places in the West Bank, the tension here is palpable, especially since 2014 when three Israelis teenagers were kidnapped and killed. Tension can escalate quickly, especially on Fridays.

On the other hand, if one wishes to learn more about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the visit to Hebron is essential. Take the Dual Narrative Hebron Tour led by two guides, one from Palestine and the other one from Israel, to get a very well balanced and broad perspective of this complex city.

Located only 6.2 miles north of Jerusalem, Ramallah is the administrative center of the West Bank (both Palestinians and Israelis consider Jerusalem to be their capital). The city is very cosmopolitan, full of shops, cafes and restaurants, people walking around and talking loudly. The center of Ramallah is Al-Manara Square, with its iconic four sculpted lions. Explore the Al-Muntazah neighborhood and visit the many places related to modern Palestine’s history, like Yasser Arafat’s presidential campground, and his gigantic and solemn tomb, guarded by soldiers and perpetually adorned with wreaths.

Photo: posztos /Shutterstock

The archaeological finds suggest that Jericho was built more than 10,000 years ago, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. You can visit the archeological site and then take a cable car to the Monastery of the Qurantul, built on the Mount of Temptation, where Christians believe Jesus was tempted by the Devil.

Other places to visit in the West Bank

• Qasr al-Yahud , on the Jordan River, is the place where some Christians believe Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (you can see Jordan on the other side of this very narrow river). There is another bapstimal place in the North of Israel, near Tiberias.
• Nablus is located in a beautiful valley and known for its olive oil soap factories, olive-wood carvings, and its kanafeh. The old city is beautiful. Check out Mount Gerizim and spend some time learning about one of the world’s last communities of Samaritans. Nablus is also home to many hammams , so pick one to relax at the end of a long day of exploration. Hammam Ash-Shifa is a tried and tested bathhouse that we recommend.

Photo: Val_Yankin /Shutterstock

The Gaza Strip has been closed to tourism since Israel’s blockade (2006) when Islamist party Hamas took control. But, if you really want to learn about the conflict while you are here, you can get closer to the border to visit some of the neighboring villages and kibbutzim and to see the Strip from a distance.

Photo: Laura Bernhein /Facebook

We do not advise to go to the border by yourself, without anyone who is familiar with the security situation. Hamas attacks with rockets (and even with helium balloons full of explosives) are constant in this area and, once the alarms sound, you have only 10 seconds to get to a shelter. So please take it seriously, go with a local, and stay very alert.

Gaza’s population is almost two million people (one of the most densely populated places in the world). The unemployment rate is above 50 percent (some say it’s 70 percent for younger people), and its inhabitants have electricity only four to six hours a day. How things have got so bad in this part of the world is a long, complicated story that differs depending on who you talk to. Take this dual narrative North of Gaza Border Reality Tour for a comprehensive summary on the ancient and current history of the region. For me and my children, the three highlights of the tours were:

• The Ezer Crossing (the only crossing for people between Israel and Gaza open today) where we had the chance to talk to some Gazans who were waiting for the transportation to go to both Israel and the West Bank to receive medical treatment at the local hospitals. An old man told us with a smile, “We are neighbors, all sons and daughters of Ibrahim.”

• This menorah was made with rockets in the town of Sderot. Sderot is located less than one mile from the Gaza Strip and has been the target of attacks from Hamas. For that reason, the town is full of bomb shelters, as well as artworks made with the rockets destined to damage it.

• The visit to the Moshav Netiv HaAsara (a moshav is an agricultural village), where we participated in the Path to Peace Project by leaving a ceramic piece on the first wall (there are more) that signals the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

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If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here , alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

Do not travel

Do not travel  to Israel due to the unpredictable security situation (level 4 of 4).

Do not travel  to the occupied Palestinian territory of Gaza (including the waters off Gaza) due to the unpredictable security situation, threat of kidnapping and potential for military operations (level 4 of 4). New Zealanders currently in Gaza are advised to depart as soon as it is safe to do so. The New Zealand government has an extremely limited ability to provide assistance to New Zealand nationals in Gaza.

Do not travel to Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar or within 5 kilometres of the border with Lebanon (the “Blue Line”) due to the risk of rocket fire, militant activity and military operations (level 4 of 4).

Do not travel  to all parts of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights to the east of route 98, or to the border area with Syria, due to the possibility of rocket fire, militant activity and military operations (level 4 of 4).

Do not travel  to Israel’s border with Gaza due to civil unrest, the risk of rocket fire and military operations (level 4 of 4).

Do not travel   to the occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank due to the unpredictable security situation and the potential for violent civil unrest (level 4 of 4). 

Do not travel  elsewhere in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, due to the unpredictable security situation (level 4 of 4). The ongoing armed conflict in Gaza is affecting the security situation in Israel. Monitor local media and public safety information updates through the  National Emergency Portal  (accessible in Israel only)

We are providing information about the current security situation in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Lebanon here .

Since 7 October 2023, the Israeli Defence Force has been conducting major operations, including in and around Gaza and areas near Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. There are tensions and security risks close to Israel's borders with Lebanon, Syria and Egypt, including threats of rocket attacks.

There is an increased threat of military and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests across the region. The security situation could deteriorate quickly, with little or no notice.

There is a heightened threat of terrorism throughout Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Attacks could occur at any time – the situation is highly unpredictable. New Zealanders are advised to be security-conscious at all times. We advise extra vigilance during public and religious holidays, including over Ramadan and Pesach (Passover). 

Gaza We strongly advise against any attempt to enter Gaza by sea in breach of Israeli navy restrictions or participating in any attempt to break the naval blockade, including participation in flotillas to deliver aid. The Israeli Navy conducts routine patrols of these waters and has made clear that it will prevent any vessel from breaching restrictions. Previous attempts to breach the blockade have resulted in deaths, injuries and the deportation of foreign nationals.

There is a high risk of kidnapping in Gaza and foreigners may be targeted. Maintain a high level of vigilance at all times.

Individuals who wish to travel to Gaza, against our advice, will need to secure entry/exit permits with the relevant authorities directly. Crossings into and out of Gaza are regularly closed on short notice and for extended periods of time.

New Zealanders who decide to travel and remain in Gaza against our advice should ensure that appropriate personal security protection measures are in place at all times. We strongly recommend you consult a reputable security company (with experience in Gaza) for advice on security arrangements, which should be reviewed on a regular basis. Familiarize yourself with emergency procedures and how to respond to warning sirens, including the location of the nearest emergency shelters. Such measures may mitigate the risks to your safety but cannot eliminate them entirely. 

West Bank The security situation in the West Bank remains tense and volatile. Military operations, demonstrations and unrest can occur at short notice. There is the potential for violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians and there are frequent military and security operations which can impede movement. Israeli military checkpoints exist throughout the West Bank and have in the past been flash points for violent incidents.

New Zealanders in the West Bank are advised to maintain a high degree of security awareness, keep a low profile and monitor local information sources to keep up to date with events that could affect security. Travel at night should be avoided.

Terrorism There is a heightened threat of terrorism throughout Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Attacks could occur at any time – the situation is highly unpredictable.

In the last year in Israel and the West Bank there have been numerous violent incidents, including stabbings, shootings, arson, vehicle rammings, explosions and stone throwing attacks on people and vehicles. These incidents have involved protestors (both Israelis and Palestinians), Israeli security forces, and civilians (including Israeli settlers). There is a risk that tourists or bystanders could be caught up in any of these types of incidents.

New Zealanders are advised to be security conscious at all times. We advise extra vigilance during public and religious holidays, including over Ramadan and Pesach (Passover), as well as in crowded or landmark places and when using public transport, such as the light rail, in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. We advise against using public buses in the West Bank and Israel. Possible terrorist targets include (but are not limited to) hotels, bars, restaurants, markets, shopping areas, schools, places of worship or religious significance, tourist sites, transport infrastructure, security checkpoints and areas where security forces are present. 

Increases in tension, hostilities or violence may be accompanied by rocket and other artillery fire into Israel and Gaza. Rocket fire has targeted Israel from Gaza, Lebanon, Egypt and Syria. While most rocket fire from Gaza falls in unpopulated areas, rockets have previously reached Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Hadera. Rockets from Lebanon, Egypt and Syria have also landed in northern Israel, Eilat and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Rocket fire has targeted Gaza from Israel.

Civil unrest There is a high threat of civil unrest in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the security situation is unpredictable and could deteriorate without warning. Throughout the region there have been numerous violent clashes between protesters, settlers and security forces, which have involved stabbings, shootings, arson and vehicle ramming. Unrest may occur in areas frequented by tourists, particularly in the Old City and East Jerusalem. Violent clashes have occurred previously around the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount site.

There is a risk of increased tensions during public and religious holidays and anniversaries, particularly in and around the Old City in Jerusalem. Be particularly vigilant during these times. We recommend that New Zealanders avoid travel to the Old City on Fridays due to the possibility for increased tensions. International events and political developments may also cause protests and demonstrations, which can turn violent. Entry and exit to Ben Gurion Airport has occasionally been impacted during demonstrations.

New Zealanders are advised to avoid all political gatherings, protests and demonstrations throughout Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories as they have the potential to lead to violence. If you find yourself in an area affected by demonstrations, violence or military activity, you should find a safe location, remain indoors and heed any local advice. Monitor local news reports, avoid areas which have been recently affected by violence and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Military activity Areas of military activity should be avoided at all times and we recommend you adhere to any restrictions and instructions issued by the local authorities, such as curfews and travel restrictions, which may be imposed at times of unrest in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. 

New Zealanders should be aware of the risk of military intervention in Gaza and the West Bank.

Landmines There are live landmines along the Israeli borders with Lebanon and Jordan, and in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and parts of the West Bank. Some may not be marked, or clearly indicated. We recommend you stay on well used roads and paths in these areas.

Border crossings Particular care should be exercised at border crossing points into and out of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, where tensions are particularly high. Instructions issued by the border authorities should be adhered to at all times.

Entry into and exit from the Occupied Palestinian Territories into Israel remains tightly controlled by the Israeli authorities. If you are entering Israel for the purpose of working in the OPTs, you may be refused entry. On 20 October 2022, the Government of Israel introduced new requirements for foreign nationals entering and residing in the West Bank. You can find more information on the requirements and points of contact for enquiries via the  Israeli government website.

If you are a New Zealand national of Palestinian origin (on the Palestinian Population Register or holding a Palestinian ID number), you will need a Palestinian passport/travel document in order to leave. Such New Zealand/Palestinian dual nationals are permitted to travel abroad from Gaza and the West Bank only via the Rafah or Allenby Bridge border crossings. Crossings into and out of Gaza are regularly closed on short notice and for extended periods.

The Rafah border crossing is in the North Sinai Governorate of Egypt where we advise New Zealanders do not travel due to crime and continued terrorist attacks on police and security forces. See our  Egypt travel advisory  for further information.

If you intend on entering Gaza via the Rafah border crossing there are restrictions and rules on crossing. The Rafah crossing may open or close without notice and may remain closed for extended periods of time. New Zealanders must receive permission from the Egyptian authorities to enter and exit Gaza and those that enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing must leave the same way. You also need to be prepared to delay your departure from Gaza for an extended period (possibly weeks) while waiting for approval from the Egyptian authorities to return to Egypt and for the crossing to open. The New Zealand Government cannot influence the granting of approval to use the crossing or when the border will open.  

Crime Petty crime such as bag snatching, passport theft and pickpocketing can occur, particularly at public beaches. Theft from parked vehicles also occurs. We advise New Zealanders to be alert to their surroundings at all times and take steps to safeguard and secure their personal belongings. Always lock your car doors and keep valuables out of sight.

General travel advice On 6 March 2017 Israel’s Parliament passed a law which gives authority to deny entry to foreign nationals who have publicly called for a boycott of Israel and/or its settlements, or belong to an organisation which has called for a boycott.

New Zealanders are advised to respect religious and social traditions in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to avoid offending local sensitivities. Observe local standards of behaviour and dress, particularly when visiting Orthodox Jewish neighbourhoods.

Photography of government offices, police, the military, military establishments or other buildings and places considered ‘security sensitive’ is prohibited, and could result in detention. If in doubt, don’t take a picture.

New Zealanders travelling or living in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air. You should check that your travel insurance policy covers travel to the Occupied Palestinian Territories – exclusions may well apply.

New Zealanders in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories are strongly encouraged to  register their details  with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

For consular assistance:

• The New Zealand Embassy in Ankara, Türkiye covers Israel.
• The New Zealand Embassy in Cairo, Egypt covers the Occupied Palestinian Territories. 
• The New Zealand Honorary Consulate in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Contact details for both Embassies and the Honorary Consulate are provided below.

The New Zealand Embassy Cairo, Egypt covers Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Street Address 8th floor, North Tower, Nile City building, Corniche El Nil, Ramlet Beaulac, Cairo, Egypt Telephone +202 2461 9186 Fax +202 2461 9178 Email [email protected] Web Site https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/middle-east/egypt/new-zealand-embassy-to-arab-republic-of-egypt/ Hours Sun-Wed 0900-1500 hrs, Thurs 0900-1330 hrs Note In an emergency or if you require urgent assistance, please call the Embassy on +202 2461 6000. Outside of business hours you will be redirected to an after-hours duty service.

The New Zealand Embassy Ankara, Türkiye covers Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Street Address Kizkulesi Sokak No.11, Gaziosmanpasa, Ankara , Türkiye Telephone + 90 312 446 3333 Fax +90 312 446 3317 Email [email protected] Web Site https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/middle-east/turkey/new-zealand-embassy-to-turkey/ Hours Mon - Fri 0830 - 1700

New Zealand Honorary Consulate Tel Aviv, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Street Address 114 Yigal Alon Street, Floor 11 c/o WeWork, Tel-Aviv, Israel Telephone +972 3 695 1869 Email [email protected]

See our regional advice for the Middle East

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Telephone: +202 2461 9186

Fax: +202 2461 9178

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/middle-east/egypt/new-zealand-embassy-to-arab-republic-of-egypt/

Hours: Sun-Wed 0900-1500 hrs, Thurs 0900-1330 hrs

Covered by New Zealand Embassy Türkiye

Telephone: + 90 312 446 3333

Fax: +90 312 446 3317

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/middle-east/turkey/new-zealand-embassy-to-turkey/

Hours: Mon - Fri 0830 - 1700

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• United States of America

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Travel2Palestine

Expert-led small group travel to Palestine and Israel

Is it safe to visit Palestine?

The most common question we are asked is: Is it safe to visit Palestine?

This has taken an extra dimension in a COVID19 world. More on that below.

It is understandable that people have a lot of concerns about this. The first thing to say is that there are ways to travel in the West Bank that make it a very safe destination for tourists. We’ve got sound advice and travel hacks so that you can enjoy fruitful travel to Palestine, meet the locals and find the facts. This based on our decade of travel to the region, and the expertise of our Palestinian guides.

Why do people worry if it is safe to visit Palestine?

There is no wonder people worry that Palestine is unsafe! This is because it is not only an unusual destination, but we only tend to hear about it in the news. But that is the exception rather than the norm.

One of the first things that you will notice when you arrive: Palestinian people are very warm and friendly to visitors from all over the world. They really want people to visit their areas and hear their stories. If you do go to Palestine, you have a responsibility to share what you see when you return home.

Is there street crime in Palestine?

One of the next things you will notice is that street crime is very low – often lower than our own neighbourhoods, towns and cities. There is a really strong sense of community.

What safety ranking is Palestine given?

Palestine is considered a medium safe destination (you can check out the safety profile of countries here https://www.internationalsos.com/risk-outlook ). And that is pretty amazing when you consider that it is an occupied zone. Remember that the people most at risk are Palestinians themselves, followed by Israelis, followed – at some distance –  by international visitors. You can look at the casualty data here https://www.ochaopt.org/data/casualties .

Will I be safe from COVID?

The good news is that the Palestinian Authority has been widely praised for their handling of the COVID19 pandemic. As of now – Spring 2022 – it is possible to enter Israel and subsequently the West Bank (part of occupied Palestine) as a tourist, with some form filling and tests. However, Palestine is an occupied country, and has a health system to match. Make sure you have a good travel and health insurance policy before travelling – and double-check it covers the occupied Palestinian territories. You can get more detailed health advice from the UK Government site.

Is Palestine popular with visitors?

Palestine is also becoming a more and more popular place to visit. We’ve seen a massive increase in visitors since we started our tours in 2011. But when we met with the Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Rola Maayaa, we were impressed when she told us that more than 2.8 million tourists were due to visit Palestine by the end of 2018.

Plan ahead: book your accommodation!

But what that means for you is that hotels and hostels are getting booked up! Our first tips is to make sure that you do book ahead. Otherwise, like Mary and Joseph, you may find there is no room at the inn!

Also, you should pack a few essentials that will make your trip much easier, and cover any emergencies.

How to stay safe when visiting Palestine: allow longer for journeys

The difference between travelling around the West Bank and travelling around a normal area, is because Israel occupies Palestine there are road blocks and checkpoints. This is normally just an inconvenience (mostly for Palestinians; internationals normally pass through quickly) but it does mean you should allow longer for your journeys.

How to stay safe in Palestine – avoid flashpoints

If you really want to understand the situation, no visit to Palestine would be complete without meeting displaced Palestinians at one of the many refugee camps or visiting one of the Palestinian villages affected by settlements.

The city of Hebron is also a fascinating and welcoming place to visit. But these can all be flashpoints for conflict between the Israeli Army, Palestinians and sometimes settlers. The safest way to travel is to visit with Palestinians, who will know if there is going to be a problem and what to do if there is. This is normally much easier to do in a group.

Is it safe to visit to Palestine alone?

Many people have a wonderful time travelling on their own. One of the problems you may experience is not of safety but of cost and convenience. It is harder to get to further away places because transport is limited, and it is harder to make the contacts that you need to meet the most interesting people and places if you aren’t travelling in a small group with expert leads.

Is it safe to visit East Jerusalem?

Yes, it is relatively safe but to get the most of out of East Jerusalem we would recommend a Palestinian guide, or someone from one of the organisations that organize tours, such as ICAHD or Alternative tours. If you are travelling alone or as a couple of the easiest ways to get a glimpse of the situation is to take a tour into East Jerusalem and its surrondings.

Read our guide on what to do in Jerusalem and the West Bank .

What about Hebron?

Hebron, or Alkhalil as it is known in Arabic, is one of the places that we’ve experienced most hostility from Israeli settlers, and being with someone or a group with experience will help ensure that you don’t get into hot water!

If you aren’t travelling with an expert small group like ours, then perhaps book onto one of the tours of Hebron that start out in Jerusalem. However, many of the day trips only travel if there are a minimum number of participants. So make sure that you’ve got friends or contacts who want to join you.

Is it safe to go on demonstrations or protests?

Protests and demonstrations are one of the flash points you should avoid if want to make sure you stay safe. Sure, Palestinians do want solidarity from visitors and if you may decide to participate. But it is one of the riskiest activities in the West Bank. Although Palestinian demonstrations are generally non-violent the response from soldiers is not. Tear gas canisters, rubber and metal bullets can cause serious injury and death.

If you are in an area and think a demonstration is likely to occur, consider moving away to another area.

Is it safe to visit Gaza?

It is really difficult to visit Gaza right now, unless you work for an NGO, are a medic or sometimes a journalist. That’s a shame because it is a really beautiful place right on the coast of the Mediterranean. Hopefully, soon the restrictions will be lifted and when they are we will be amongst the first to visit again!

Get the most out of your travels!

So, is it safe to visit Palestine? Overall, our experience is that Palestine is a safe, friendly and interesting place to visit. But if you want to get the most out of it whilst travelling safely there are advantages to travelling in small expert groups like ours. However, you travel, make sure you follow the Palestinian ethical code .

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written by Lizzie Porter

updated 31.08.2021

The Palestinian Territories are a beautiful, storied place of rolling olive groves, ancient cities and welcoming, diverse communities.

What has happened with Jerusalem, Israel and Donald Trump – and why does it matter?

What have the consequences been so far and how do they affect travellers, can i still visit, and why should i go, what precautions should i take.

There had been renewed hope for tourism here. Visitor numbers increased by nearly two thirds in the first six months of 2017, with foreigners attracted by the alluring landscapes, Banksy artwork, and the chance to see one of the most historically, religiously and politically important places on Earth.

But it remains to be seen how President Trump’s recognition of the contested city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will affect tourism to the region. Lizzie Porter reports from the Middle East.

Since Trump's announcement on December 6th, confirming the USA’s official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, tensions have been high. There have been mass protests held in the West Bank, and some factions have called for an intifada (uprising) against the move.

Trump’s decision provoked such outcry because Palestinians see Jerusalem’s eastern side as the capital of their future independent state, whereas Israelis believe in their right to the whole, undivided city.

Ryan Rodrick Beiler/Shutterstock

Jerusalem is so important because it has religious significance for the three Abrahamic faiths. Jews revere the city’s Temple Mount as the location of two biblical temples, while Muslims, to whom the same site is known as Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary), believe Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven from here. Christians believe that the nearby Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

Israel invaded Jerusalem’s eastern side in 1967 , in an occupation considered illegal under international law.

At present, it is constantly increasing the presence of settlements in the West Bank (a separate entity from Jerusalem), which the international community considers illegal too. Palestinians live with the reality of such harsh occupation, with many aspects of life, including security, largely controlled by Israeli authorities.

Palestinians widely believe that President Trump’s decision over Jerusalem prevents the USA from being a neutral arbiter in peace talks.

The images of burning tyres and protests broadcast since Trump’s announcement may sow doubt in travellers’ minds about whether the region is currently safe.

The international community has widely viewed the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital with caution. British Prime Minister Theresa May said it was “unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region”. Britain has no plans to follow the United States, which is relocating its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The tensions and anger stirred by Trump’s decision have spilled over into violence in recent weeks, and there will likely be repercussions on any sort of final peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians.

The UK Foreign Office currently warns against visiting Jerusalem’s Old City , the location of Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif, where confrontations have taken place between Israeli security forces and Palestinians. The security situation could quickly deteriorate, the FCO says, and advises travellers to “avoid all demonstrations across the West Bank and follow the advice of local police authorities”.

It is important to remember that Gaza, where volleys of rockets and gunfire recently killed four people, is separated from the West Bank by Israeli territory. Unless you are an aid worker or a journalist, you will unlikely venture there: most of the attractions that draw visitors are located in the West Bank. The UK Foreign Office has long advised against all travel to the coastal strip.

While the next few weeks are likely to be turbulent, there is little reason to avoid the Palestinian Territories in the long term. Despite the strife and images we see from outside, the reasons for tourists to visit are still many.

In Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity has long drawn pilgrims, but there are other attractions well worth exploring. This spring, artist Banksy opened the controversial "Walled Off" hotel next to the widely criticized Separation Wall, which was built by Israel on security grounds in the early 2000s.

Praying, Western Wall Jerusalem, Israel © journeykei/Shutterstock

Better, though, are the Old City farmers' market, and the attractive terrace café at the Visit Palestine tourist information centre, housed in a restored 200-year-old building. The Hosh al-Syrian boutique hotel is worth a one-night splurge: you will be supporting a business that trains and equips young Palestinians in catering and hospitality.

In August, the Palestinian Museum near the varied, cultured city of Ramallah, opened its first exhibition, 'Jerusalem Lives'. Next year, a new display, 'At The Seams', will explore fashion, identity and politics through the lens of Palestinian embroidery – a beautiful, intricate craft that you will see across the West Bank.

“Since 1948, embroidery in Palestine has acted as a vehicle for forms of romantic and active nationalism, militant resistance, nascent economic power and opposition to the infrastructural and cultural violence of the Israeli state”, says curator Rachel Dedman. “In unfurling the complex web of political, social and economic dynamics woven into textile, we hope to ask: how is identity – national, personal, political – constructed in Palestine?”

As such, the museum is a real draw for foreign visitors wishing to gain an insight into the Palestinian Territories and the Palestinian diaspora.

Also near Ramallah, in the Christian village of Taybeh, the Khoury family runs one of the Middle East’s best-established brewery and wine businesses ; their very own Oktoberfest defies any preconceived ideas of the region. In the spring, they began exports to the USA; closer to home, their sale of soap and za’atar – a thyme seasoning that you cannot leave without sampling – supports local women’s co-operatives.

The region should be on hikers’ radars, too. The Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil long-distance trail runs for 330km north to south across the West Bank, supporting 53 fragile rural communities by offering much-needed income and job opportunities. Foreigners walk with local guides and overnight along the way in family homes, often stopping for tasty lunches with local co-operative groups.

Such community-based trekking and touring offers a very special chance to meet the Palestinian Territories' diverse communities, from the Bedouins of the Jericho desert to middle-class families in agricultural villages.

“Visitors get the chance to connect with the locals, experience their hospitality, live their simple daily life, stay in one of the local houses and learn about their customs and traditions,” according to the organisation that runs the Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil trail. “They participate and can be a part of their occasions and events such as traditional weddings, olive harvest and Bedouin cultural nights”.

Spring is the best time of year to visit, when wild flowers spring up in the olive groves, and the sun is warm but not overpowering.

The trail has also allowed ordinary people – long hemmed in by Israeli-imposed restrictions on their movement, even in nominally Palestinian-controlled areas – to explore more of their land. The Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil is not the only hiking option available, either – see walkpalestine.com for more local paths that allow an intimate view of some of the region's least-explored reaches.

There are precautions that tourists would be wise to take when in the Palestinian Territories, particularly in the current situation.

Follow the Foreign Office’s travel advice closely – sign up for email alerts to be notified of any changes. Keep up to date with the local news: Israeli newspaper Haaretz is well-regarded, while Al Jazeera and the BBC report accurately on regional security, too. The Alternative Information Centre is a joint Israeli-Palestinian network reporting more detailed, localised incidents.

Protests can quickly turn violent, and unless you are an activist or journalist who has come prepared, it is not worth getting caught up in a worsening situation. Dress conservatively in places of worship. Don’t take photos of security personnel or checkpoints.

Most tourists come through Tel Aviv airport or overland from Jordan : all borders are controlled by Israel. Expect stern questioning if you have lots of Arab stamps in your passport or have Arab or Iranian heritage. The Foreign Office provides detailed information here .

Those who visit the Palestinian Territories will almost certainly witness the sad reality of the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank: checkpoints and armed guards are a fact of life here. Recent images have added to negative perceptions. But this is a beautiful, engaging place, too. Those who visit once often return.

“We take care of our guests’ safety and offer you legendary Palestinian hospitality”, says George S Rishmawi, executive director at the Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil organisation.

And as Rachel Dedman of the Palestinian Museum puts it: “Palestine is consistently visualised as an 'other', defined by instability and conflict, not somewhere you might go on holiday. But visitors will discover a reality defined by (literally) ancient history, beautiful landscape, welcoming people, delicious food, locally made crafts, West Bank-brewed beer, busy cities, pimped out cars and the oldest Biblical sites in the world.”

The place deserves far more than the geopolitical and religious strife its people suffer. Go and visit them for yourself, and hear their stories.

Lizzie Porter is a freelance foreign news and features journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon. She has special interests in heritage, social issues, displacement and security. She is a lifelong Arabic student and enjoys pottering around hiking trails and ruins of ancient sites in the Middle East and North Africa regions.

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How to travel to the Gaza Strip in Palestine (2024)

By Joan Torres 36 Comments Last updated on April 8, 2024

This is a guest post written by fellow traveler @log_nick

Millions of people travel to Israel every year; some of them go farther into the West Bank , but there’s a place over there which almost nobody has visited before – the Gaza Strip .

Very few have ever managed to enter it due to existing travel restrictions and because of safety concerns.

We usually see only bad things about Gaza in the media, so most people associate it with war, destruction, and extremism.

But behind the complex political and ideological issues, there is reality of life.

The reality made of everyday stories of ordinary human beings who live and struggle, cry and smile, dream and despair; of people who take their kids to school in the morning, rush to the mosque for the prayer, buy vegetables from a donkey cart, build homes and plans for the future.

What’s sad is that we know nothing about that reality and see the Strip as a mere black spot on the map.

That’s why, after having had the chance to live in Gaza for some time, I decided to write everything you need to know to travel to Gaza , to color up that black spot and show a human, dignified picture of it.

Although it’s far from being a tourist destination, I do hope that one day the situation will change and everybody will live in peace, while visitors will be able to discover this offbeat destination.  

In this travel guide to Gaza you will find:

Table of Contents

• Entry and exit formalities
• Society and culture
• Transportation
• Accommodation
• Things to do
• Northern area
• Middle area
• Southern area
• More information

Read: How to travel to Syria (visas, safety, transportation and more!)

Traveling to the Gaza Strip: a short background

Gaza Strip is a small piece of land, roughly 40 km from north to south and 6-12 km from west to east.

Despite being an administrative part of the State of Palestine, it’s geographically separated from the West Bank by Israeli territory.  

It’s inhabited by 2 million people, among whom some 1.4 million are Palestinian refugees from towns and villages destroyed or occupied by Israel during the 1948 and 1967 wars.

Many of these people today live in areas which were originally refugee camps, but then grew into big, densely populated neighborhoods with narrow alleys, chaotically built makeshift or concrete houses, inefficient or non-existent infrastructure.

The situation in the Strip has become particularly dire since the Hamas movement came into power in 2006, which led to political divisions with the Fatah government in the West Bank and a suffocating land, sea and air blockade imposed by Israel.

These developments, followed by three wars with Israel in 2008, 2012 and 2014, had a devastating impact on the population and the local economy.

Now more than half of the population is unemployed and unable to leave the Strip, there’s no clean water and electricity is provided for some 5-7 hours a day.

Read: Airbnb in a Palestinian refugee camp

🪪 How to get a visa for Gaza

Visiting Gaza is possible, but extremely difficult.

A foreigner needs to apply for a special visa or travel permit at the Israeli or the Egyptian embassy, depending on what border crossing you will use: Erez (Israel) or Rafah (Egypt) .

The whole process, however, can be as tedious and lengthy as for a Gazan citizen wishing to leave the Strip.

To have the permit or visa granted, a foreigner needs to have a specific reason for traveling to Gaza. Reasons which are considered valid are normally limited to diplomatic or humanitarian missions, journalism or important business issues.

This means that tourists can’t to travel to Gaza for tourism or private purposes.

From the Palestinian side, you are not asked for any visa or permit.

Instead, you need a “contact” in Gaza who would notify the Ministry of Interior in advance about your arrival, purpose of visit and accommodation in the Strip.

The same ”contact” person would have to meet you at your point of entry.

How to travel to Gaza: entry & exit formalities

There are two ways of visiting Gaza:

• From Israel

As for my personal experience, I think that the best way to travel to Gaza is from Israel (Erez border crossing) because it’s safer and better organized.

How to travel to Gaza from Israel

On the Israeli side, the building looks like an airport terminal where you go through passport control and get your pink exit card (the one you normally get when leaving Israel).

On the other side of the separation wall, you will find free shuttles driving you through empty land till the first checkpoint, managed by PA officials, who check your bags for prohibited items (e.g., alcohol). Behind the checkpoint, you will always find a taxi ready to drop you at the next checkpoint some 300 meters ahead.

There, some PA officers may ask you some questions about the purpose of your visit in Gaza before letting you through the gate to the Hamas side.

You will find yourself at an intersection full of cars, people and donkey carts.

Hamas officers will take you across the street to their checkpoint hidden behind the military-painted concrete blocks.

They will ask additional questions, check your passport and bags and register your entry into the Strip.

How to travel to Israel from Gaza

When leaving the Strip, you don’t normally face difficulties at the Palestinian checkpoints.

You may have to wait a little bit (from 15 minutes to 2 hours) at the PA checkpoint until the officers coordinate your crossing with the Israeli side.

There’s free wifi and a small shop with drinks and snacks. The officer will call your name as soon as he receives the green light for you to cross.

Once inside the Israeli terminal, you and your luggage will undergo a thorough X-ray and physical checks, then passport control where you’ll receive the blue entry card.

Nota Bene!! To leave the Gaza Strip, you have to use the same border crossing you used for entry. This is the reason why I recommend going through Erez. The Rafah crossing is mainly used by Palestinians as the only gateway to the outside world and is known for being overcrowded and chaotic, with unpredictable delays, closures, and denials to cross.

📚 Best books for traveling to Gaza

Palestine travel guide by bradt.

The guide I bought when I traveled in the West Bank also has a full episode dedicated to the Gaza Strip.

The 51-day war: Ruin and resistance in Gaza, Max Blumenthal

This book narrates the struggle of the Palestinian families during the 2014 war against Israel.

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Gaza?

Due to its sensitive and volatile context, a trip to Gaza certainly implies certain potential dangers.

Based on personal experience, I can say that the major risk a foreigner can face there is military escalation .

Gazans have gone through several wars and numerous periods of tension in recent years and, today they continue to live in constant fear of new clashes.

If the situation “erupts” while you are there, try to leave the Strip as soon as possible. If the borders are closed, the best option would be to stay at your hotel/accommodation and ask the staff for safety instructions.

IMPORTANT! Remember that there are no sirens or bomb shelters in Gaza.

During normal times, the situation is pretty safe.

Crime in Gaza

As a foreigner, you can freely walk in the streets unescorted. Locals are super friendly and criminality rates, like pickpocketing, robberies or aggression, are very rare. If you face any problem or difficulty, passers-by would be happy to help you.

Scams in Gaza

When you visit the Gaza Strip, it’s also unlikely that you face any serious scams like in some other Middle East countries .

In a shop or at the market, you may try to haggle a bit – which is a sort of tradition – but prices are normally fair from the beginning. Sellers are never pushy and are often willing to give you something for free because it’s an honour for them to see a foreigner in Gaza.

Be careful, however, in the port area where some street vendors may feel tempted to overcharge you (once I was asked to pay 20 ILS for a bottle of juice which actually costs 2-3 ILS).

Read: Visiting Aleppo during the post-war

Taking photos

Also, be extremely cautious with taking pictures. If you’re photographing random people, be polite and ask permission in advance.

Don’t take pictures of government buildings or military facilities and note that some of them can be unmarked and located in normal residential buildings.

In this case, a good precaution is to ask passers-by or a police officer if you can take a picture of something.

🕌 Society and culture: the Gazans

People in the Strip are simple, friendly and warmhearted.

Most of them are devoted Muslims and religion plays a fundamental role in every aspect of their daily lives.

There is also a small Christian community of some 1000 people who live in good relations with the rest of the population.

There’s an incredible level of solidarity among families and random people.

It’s common for a person to share his salary with unemployed relatives to help them feed their big families, besides providing for his own wife and 5-6 children. Or if two strangers start arguing in the street, passers-by will immediately intervene to calm the situation down.

As a rare foreigner in Gaza, get ready to be an attraction for everybody, especially the kids. People will just approach in the street to say hi and ask where you’re from and what you’re doing traveling in Gaza.

Most of them will do everything to make you feel welcome. Learn some phrases in Arabic or, better, get an Arabic-speaking companion because their level of English is very limited.

Since most Gazans have very little contact with the outside, they are curious to learn what life is like in your country and know your opinion on the situation in Gaza.

Their own views in this regard vary from person to person, but for sure everybody is very tired of the blockade, the economic crisis, and unemployment.

Whatever your position is on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it’s good to empathize with the locals, but not go further into political discussions with random people.

Also, guests must dress and behave appropriately, as they would do in a city like Nablus or Cairo. Women are not obliged to wear a headscarf, but this could be a useful option if you visit rural areas and the refugee camps, where people are more conservative.

In this way, you will avoid unnecessary attention and comments.

🍲 The food in Gaza

There are plenty of options for every wallet: from street food and cafés to posh restaurants.

From personal experience, eating in high-end restaurants on the seafront doesn’t necessarily mean better food quality or more variety of dishes.

Almost all places serve the same Palestinian food; others also have some international dishes like pasta and steaks.

Fast food like pizzas and burgers are also popular.

Alcohol is illegal in the Gaza Strip, so forget about it while you are there.

Average prices per person:

• Street food (falafel, shawarma): 1-4 ILS
• Shawarma/kebab plate: 12-15 ILS
• Burger: 15-20 ILS
• Pizza (depending on the size): 20-35 ILS
• Full meal with drinks in a mid-level restaurant: 25-40 ILS
• Full meal with drinks in a posh restaurant: 80-100 ILS

Also, I think it’s a must for everybody whoever visits Gaza to try one of the local fish and seafood restaurants.

Popular dishes are “ zibdiya ” (a traditional clay bowl with shrimps stewed in tomato sauce with peppers and spices), grilled seabream called “ denis ” and roasted crabs – “ salta’onat ”.

Best restaurants in Gaza

• Mounir – located in Abu Hasira street; owners are a well-known family of fishermen. Everything from fishes to calamari and crabs is fresh and displayed at the entrance. Here you can also try the best fish soup (a little spicy). The ambiance is cozy and the average bill is around 50 ILS per person.
• Matoug – located in Omar al-Mukhtar street, in front of the Unknown Soldier Park. An excellent place to try local specialties like maqluba , fatta , msakhkhan and even zaghalil (stuffed pigeons). It has an English menu.
• Beit Sitti – located in a narrow alley in Old Gaza. The name means “My Grandma’s House” in Arabic and, actually, the restaurant is inside a big Palestinian house with authentic furniture, traditional tools and decorations. It has an English menu and English-speaking staff who are also happy to offer you a tour of the premises.
• Level Up – a panoramic restaurant on the 11 th floor of an office building in Jalaa street, near Saraya square.

You may also want to read: where in the Middle East is safe?

💰 Money in Gaza

The main currency in the Gaza Strip is the Israeli shekel (ILS) .

Agoras are not used and the price is normally rounded up / down to 1 ILS.

Dollars and euros can be easily exchanged in numerous currency shops at a fair rate.

There are also many banks with ATMs, however, I don’t recommend this option as your card may end up being blocked for attempts to withdraw from such a controversial place. Better bring enough cash.

🛺 How to travel around Gaza: transportation

There is no regular public transport in Gaza, except for some private buses that the government and universities hire to transport commuting employees and students for a small fee.

Locals normally move around in shared taxis and by hitchhiking random cars going in the same direction. The system is super easy: you just stand by the road and every third car will beep you to offer a lift. Just tell the driver where you are going and agree on the price.

In the streets, you can spot out old 6-door Mercedes taxis called “ limousines ” by locals. They are absolutely fascinating and typical only of the Gaza Strip. You will not find such cars in Israel or the West Bank anymore.

To move between cities, you may take a shared minivan. Departure is usually from a specific spot in each city. In Gaza city, for example, you can find them near Shifa hospital or in Jalaa street in front of Saraya square.

You can also use Careem app to order a car – it works exactly like Uber and is very popular here.

An example of prices:

• Shared ride within Gaza city: 2-4 ILS
• Shared ride between cities: 5-10 ILS
• Private taxi / Careem within Gaza: 10-15 ILS
• Private taxi / Careem between cities: 30-70 ILS

🏨 Accommodation: where to stay in Gaza

Finding a place to stay in the Strip is easy.

Average accommodation, however, is not as cheap as one may imagine compared to local living standards.

There are quite a few hotels in Gaza City:

Marna House, Al-Deira, Roots, Commodore Gaza, Gloria, Grand Palace, City Star, Palestine .

Most of them are located in Al-Rasheed street which runs along the sea.

Prices range between 60 and 120 dollars per night.

Do expect inconveniences like power cuts and water issues.

To book a room, you need to contact the hotel directly by phone or email – contacts can be found on their Facebook pages.

You can also just show up without booking – chances are high that you will be the only guest .

Today these hotels survive mainly as restaurants and wedding halls.

Also, there are two high-level hotels in Sudaniya district, north of Gaza City:

ArcMed Mashtal and Al-Mathaf .

The latter means “museum” in Arabic and is a private boutique hotel with stylish rooms and authentic Palestinian vibes. The owner is a history and archeology lover – his rich collection of antiquities is displayed for free in the foyer of the hotel.

Only 2 options are available in the whole Strip, but I’m not sure how reliable these listings are.

Couchsurfing and homestays

There seem to be quite a lot of hosts on Couchsurfing offering hospitality throughout the Strip.

My advice here is to select carefully and remember that, under local laws and customs, you are not allowed to live with people of the opposite sex unless they are your relatives.

The situation is different if you are invited to stay with a Palestinian family.

If you are a solo female traveler, it’s not impossible to find a homestay, which could be an authentic and emotionally enriching experience, as well as a good way to offer a small economic contribution to the impoverished local population.

However, this is hardly an option for male travelers because their presence in the house, at a certain point, would become embarrassing and burdening for the female members of the family, obliged to wear headscarves all the time.

Plenty of houses and villas can be found in the countryside which owners offer for short-term rent. Locals call them “ chalets ”.

These houses are normally fenced and furnished, have a courtyard with a swimming pool, a volleyball pitch or just a lawn.

Middle-class Gazans split the cost between relatives and friends and rent them during the weekend to relax, swim and spend time together – a good alternative to overcrowded beaches and polluted sea water.

Chalets can be found on Facebook. Average costs are 100-150 dollars per house per day .

💻 Internet and connectivity

Your Israeli SIM card will not work in Gaza, so you may want to buy a local one.

There are two options: Jawwal and Oooredoo .

Both are good for calls and SMS, though the internet is slow.

You’ll need your passport to buy a SIM card.

Good wifi is available in mid- and high-level restaurants and hotels.

Things to do in the Gaza Strip

Before actually planning to get around the Strip, I recommend three things.

• First, arrange to have an Arabic-speaking companion with you. Although you can move around freely on your own, you’re still likely to face a situation when you need language assistance. A lot of people will stop you in the street out of curiosity, as well as the police may check your documents. Many find it difficult to understand why a foreigner might want to come to Gaza and some individuals may even get suspicious of you. That’s why a local friend may be helpful.
• Second, if you eventually decide to go around alone, use Maps.me – their offline map is the most precise. Google Maps is useless in the Strip since most places and street names are unmarked.
• Third, you will still need a tour guide from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to visit specific sites. You should contact them in advance and they will be happy to assign you an English-speaking guide.

Here are the different options of how you can spend your time traveling in Gaza:

Things to do in Gaza city

Gaza is the main city, busy and lively, divided into 20 administrative districts.

The overall atmosphere feels like Hebron or Nablus, but with more population density and less infrastructure.

Old Gaza City

The main historical sites are concentrated in Daraj , Tuffah and Zeitun districts and are all easily walkable.

Go towards Omari mosque – The oldest and biggest in the Strip. Built by the Mamluks in the 14 th century, it incorporated elements and features of the religious buildings that had stood here in the previous epochs, e.g. St. John’s basilica. Ask for sheikh Tareq – a very welcoming man who works as a guide of the mosque – for a short tour in English.

Qaysariya and Zawiya markets – Adjacent to the mosque you find two markets.

The first is a narrow alley with a vaulted roof and shiny windows of jewelry shops, known as the Gold Market. Well-off Gazans come here to buy dowry for the bride before a wedding. Interestingly, most of these shops belong to local Christian families.

Zawiya market, instead, is an open-air souq in Gaza where you can find any kind of stuff: from vegetables and household items to antiquities and cattle.

Sayed Hashim mosque – Walk through Zawiya market towards Palestine square and turn right. Continue towards Wahda street and in 15 minutes you will reach Sayed Hashim mosque.

This ancient and beautiful mosque hosts the tomb of, allegedly, the great-grandfather of Prophet Mohammad – Hashim ibn Abd Manaf.

I read somewhere on the internet that only Muslims can go inside – this is not true! Dress properly, take off your shoes as in any mosque and ask someone working there to show you around.

Al-Basha Palace – Then, go back to Wahda street and walk eastwards until you reach Al-Basha Palace . This elegant manor used to be the residence of local Mamluk and Ottoman governors.

Under the British mandate, it was transformed into a police station, whose cells and execution chamber can be visited today. The main building now hosts a public archeological museum with artifacts from all over the Strip.

You need an official guide from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to access the Palace.

St. Porphyry church and the Holy Family church – In the opposite part of Old Gaza, you can’t miss the only two churches functioning in the Strip today.

The first is the oldest church in Gaza, dedicated to St. Porphyry, bishop of Gaza in the 5 th century.

The church is impressive from the inside, with frescos, old icons, and an amazing iconostasis.

The church compound with the adjacent Christian cemetery today officially belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church.

The neighborhood is a quiet and pleasant place to walk around and discover some hidden treasures like old buildings, mosques, and distinctive corners.

Not far away, slightly hidden from the street by a tall fence, is the Holy Family church . It serves the local Catholic community of not more than 200-250 people.

Bath and relax in the Samaritan hammam

The only Turkish baths in the Strip. Owned by the ancient Jewish community of Samaritans till the 16 th century, today it’s an excellent place to relax and socialize with ordinary Gazans. The baths have preserved their original structure and heating system.

Entrance to the baths is 20 ILS, plus 18 ILS if you want a body scrub and a massage.

Bring your swimming shorts, flip flops and a towel. Very crowded on Friday and Saturday.

Visit the British war cemetery

Located north of Shujaiya district, it’s a wide green field with over 1700 graves of soldiers most of whom died in this area during World War I.

The majority of them were British, but there are also graves of Australians, Canadians, Indians and Poles.

Today a local family, employed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, takes care of the cemetery. Entrance to the area is free (if the main gate from Saladin street is closed, you can still access the cemetery through the residential area south of it).

Take a boat tour

Inside the port area, you are likely to be approached by touts and teenagers offering boat tours. The boats leave from the dock near the lighthouse and the cost is around 5 ILS for a shared and 20-30 ILS for a private tour.

The tour normally takes place around the port and, obviously, never close to the limit zone patrolled by the Israeli navy. After the tour, you can walk along the pier to take nice photos of the colorful fishing boats with the city in the background.

When exiting the port, turn right and 100 meters after Hassaina mosque you will reach the fish market . Fishermen and their catch are there in the morning.

The amount and variety of the catch depends on the extension of the fishing zone: limits are set and changed by the Israeli authorities based on the political situation.

Go to the beach

All beaches are public and very crowded in the summer. However, finding a chair and an umbrella is never a problem.

You can see Gazans swim and have fun despite the sea being polluted with sewage water, but you’d better not to challenge your immune system. From time to time, street vendors will pass by selling sweet potatoes, biscuits and other snacks.

In the evening, you can enjoy a magical sunset from one of the seafront cafés.

What to visit in the northern area of Gaza

This area comprises everything that is north of Gaza city, in particular, the towns of Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanun.

Visit the archeological area of the Byzantine church

Not much can be seen, however, besides an old 5 th -century mosaic with scenes of the Last Supper, images of local flora and fauna and 16 inscriptions in Greek.

The church was completely destroyed in the 9 th century during the Iconoclastic period.

The site is currently undergoing restoration, while the mosaic has been covered with a layer of sand to protect it from damage.

The entrance is from Saladin street, with prior arrangement through the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

Go for a strawberry tasting in a farm in Beit Lahia

This green hilly area is particularly renowned for its citrus fruits and big juicy strawberries, which in better times were largely exported abroad. Contacts of these farms can be found on Facebook. One of them is Al-Shafi’i Farm .

Things to do in the middle area of Gaza

This administrative area comprises the towns and villages situated between Gaza city and Khan Yunis.

Visit St. Hilarion’s monastery

Known locally as Tell Umm Al-‘Amer, this is considered to be the oldest monastery in Palestine, founded in the 4 th century by Hilarion the Great.

As time passed by, the monastery grew into a big compound with chapels, cells for monks and pilgrims, refectory and baths… until its destruction by an earthquake in the 8 th.

Today, not much is left: only some walls, pavements, columns and mosaics. The site is located west of Nuseirat.

You will need to arrange your visit with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in advance, otherwise, the site may be closed.

Pass by the second British cemetery

Located near the eastern entrance to the town of Zawayda.

This one is smaller than the Gaza cemetery, but not less interesting, picturesque and peaceful.

Here you can even notice several Jewish tombs, which for me was something really unexpected.

Attend the harvesting of dates in Deir al-Balah.

The town’s name is literally translated as “the monastery of dates” and, in fact, the countryside between Nuseirat and Deir Al-Balah is dotted with many tall date palms.

During the harvesting season in autumn, farmers climb to the top of the palms with a rope and cut down bunches of ripe dates.

Things to do in the Southern area of Gaza

This administrative area comprises the provinces of Khan Yunis and Rafah.

Go sightseeing in Khan Yunis

The second-largest city in the Gaza Strip. It may appear grey and unattractive at first glance, but it’s definitely worth taking a stroll in the downtown area full of shops, market stalls and warm smiles of locals.

Barquq castle  – The city doesn’t have an old part as such, but you can’t miss the iconic Barquq castle overlooking the central square and the main mosque.

What was once part of a big caravanserai – “ khan ” in Arabic – now is only a façade with the former city gate, the minaret and several empty rooms used for storing goods in the past.

Old railway – Not far away is Sikka street, where the Haifa-Cairo railway used to pass before 1967. Some elderly Gazans still remember the times when they could take the train and reach Cairo in one night, without any borders, permits and security concerns.

Part of the railway – “ Sikka ” in Arabic – has been preserved as a monument. Also, the building of the old train station still exists, but is now used as a storage facility by the municipality.

Wednesday market  – By the way, today the city is well-known for its Wednesday market which takes place in the central streets and draws people from all over the Strip.

An interesting experience could also be a visit to the cattle market held weekly on a sandy road along a big compound of greenhouses north of the city.

Mosque of the Dome – Also north of Khan Yunis, an unusual mosque called Mosque of the Dome is worth a visit. Head towards Al-Mawasi village and you will see a big golden dome from the distance. It’s simple from the inside, but has impressive natural acoustics.

Visit a Bedouin camp

There’s a number of Bedouin communities in Khan Yunis and Rafah countryside – you can often notice their camel paddocks from the road.

Remember that Bedouins are conservative, sensitive and, unlike in Israel or the West Ban k , are not used to visitors.

That’s why behave with utmost empathy and respect. A good idea is to bring food or something useful as a gift.

Have fun in Asdaa resort.

This big park is located just west of Khan Yunis, on the land where the Israeli settlement of Gush Katif used to be till 2005.

Take a dose of adrenaline on locally constructed rides and the panoramic wheel, splash in the water park, visit “Palestine in Miniature” and the zoo.

The latter risks to become a truly traumatic experience because poor animals and birds are kept in small and dirty cages.

Explore the ruins of Gaza international airport.

A symbol of hope and a better future upon its opening in 1998, the airport was almost completely destroyed by Israeli aviation 2-3 years later and has never been operational ever since.

You will need prior coordination with the Ministry of Interior to access this area, which is close to the Israeli and Egyptian borders.

You will not be allowed to take pictures. To reach the airport, go east of Rafah through Al-Bayuk village.

There’re several other places around Rafah which could be interesting to see, like the archeological area of Tell Rafah and the so-called Swedish village located on the coast some 50 meters from the border with Egypt. But I didn’t get the chance to go there.

Rafah itself has not much to show you, apart from the central square – Sahat Al-Nejma . It’s a roundabout with an “arch of triumph”, a Qassam rocket and a banner with pictures of local martyrs. On the other side of the street is Louvre Café on the top floor of the glass building.

❗ More information for visiting the Gaza Strip

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Palestine .

As well as all our Palestine articles:

• Travel Guide to Hebron
• A Guide to Kuffiya Factory in Hebron
• Palestinian Refugee Camp in Bethlehem
• Things to know about Palestine

@log_nick is a fellow traveler who loves to explore off the beaten track countries and had the opportunity to spend a fair amount of time traveling in the Gaza Strip. You can follow his trips on Instagram

36 comments

Hi, Thank you for this very rare insight into Gazan life! Can I ask how you got a permit to enter? I assume you got it for being a journalist, yet I can’t see the Israeli authorities getting all excited about a travel piece on Gaza so I am curious how you managed it.

Hi Maria, I got a special work visa that allowed entry / exit through the Erez crossing. Obviosly, I didn’t go there for tourism or journalism, but during weekends and days-off I took the opportunity to explore the Strip. I don’t see why Israel should be unhappy about this article. It’s just facts and personal impressions of my stay in Gaza 😉

How does one get a journalist visa? I am an independent/freelance filmmaker and would like to make a small documentary about life there (showing the misconceptions of the West)

Hello, Thank you for you advice. I have a question regarding the travel insurance. I am a Belgian citizen and Gaza is listed as a “strongly discouraged area” to travel to, by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. For that reasons many insurance companies refuse to cover my travel, or it is a business trip that I need to do. What did you do to be covered by an insurance? Thank you a lot for your answers. Camille

Hi Camille, honestly I didn’t face the problem of insurance because I was covered by my employer. But I guess it can be the same insurance as for other “specific” countries, like Iran or Syria, but I’m not sure.

Where exactely in Israel did you obtain visa to Ghaza? Police station?

Normally, COGAT is responsible for the permits, but from abroad you should do it through the embassy.

could you give an example of humanitarian ong

examples of humanitarian NGOs in the Gaza Strip

Is it possible to get through erez crossing as a tourist, Im british btw

I am an American citizen born and raised in the Gaza Strip and I would like to go and visit family half of them in the Gaza Strip and the other half in Israel how can I get a permit to enter to the Gaza Strip from Israel any information will help. the way you described the people and the life in Gaza Strip Is the normal Thing for us as a Palestinian. thank you for your honesty and the rare posting

This is very well written and easy to follow and covers virtually all of Palestine. I sort of comments on here stating that Israel had complained about it, I don’t see how they can possibly complain about it at all as it has been not just let off lightly, and even but been given land which is not theirs. Primarily as within the former part of this essay description – there are more places which stste State they are in Israel when they which are actually Palestine, and mentions “conflict“ rather than a brief description of the True reasons for this disruption – if he is well government, I’m going to be making prawn and sweetcorn confirmed as the biggest terrorist organisation on the planet now and for many decades. Israel are causing a ginormous genocidal WAR conflict via their continual murdering of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and theft of Palestinian land, the Palestinians are obviously retaliating just like any British person would if 10 people moved into their garden to live there, with ammunition, destroying their garden and taking their house to peices having just flattened their children’s school with bombs whilst over children still inside it. Just one single example.

Having spent 16 wonderful months in Gaza, I can vouch for the accuracy of your wonderful guide. It is extraordinarily difficult to get into Gaza at this time due to Israeli and Egyptian entry restrictions (and the realities of the Coronavirus pandemic), but it will not always be so, and the effort to secure entry permits will be rewarded once you cross the border and are welcomed by the good people of Gaza. My life in Gaza was life changing in so many ways. At the moment it is impossible to enter Gaza as a tourist, but there are a number of organizations that will welcome you as a volunteer if you can spend some weeks working with them. Those organizations can help you to secure the necessary entry permits and serve as guides while you are there. My recommendation to anyone who is considering a visit as a volunteer is to connect with Palestinians in Gaza well in advance of your travels by using social media – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are great places to explore for friendship opportunities. You can meet some extraordinary people through interactions with a number of groups, including the young writers of We Are Not Numbers, for example. And, if you have a serious interest in spending some weeks in Gaza, I would be pleased to offer any guidance to you that may be helpful in planning your visit.

hi, seen your atricle, is it still possible to visit gaza ? please let me know i have no family there and am not journalist, or NGO. WOULD it be possible?

All I can do just patiently wait all I can do is just patiently wait until things change I waited for 25 years I can wait some more thank you for your comment I wish anybody can help but I guess there’s no help I guess I have to wait wait wait and wait some more

Hi Denny, I have a genuine interest in visiting here, it looks like a beautiful and fascinating place. Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Hi denny, I have made contact with a small charity of which I working with but the orgainiser will not let me use his name or organisation for fear of retribution from the Israeli military. Not that we are doing anything wrong by helping homeless children. Could you please give a list of organisations that would be happy for me to volunteer? I am a community artist and I would love to volunteer in order to be able to work and live in Gaza for a time.

I want to go to Gaza for relief work and I am read to work with any organisation of there , but I am so confused about getting Permit for entry. Please help me

Hi Denny, Thanks for your note. I would like to send some money to a Gaza family which has survived the latest war but who, like so many others, has been left completely destitute. Could please advise me on the most secure way to do so? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Thank you for your informative and enjoyable article on Gaza Strip. Your article is a refreshing eye-opener. Through Facebook, I have befriended a lovely family in Rafah, and hope to travel there to attend the son’s wedding in one of the wedding halls, as soon as COVID -19 permits. I agree with you, the people are friendly and very kind. Even via cyberspace, their character shines through. Having friends there has heightened my awareness of the trauma and disorientation families experience due to the nightly Israeli post-midnight bombings. I pray the situation be solved soon, in favor of the Palestinian people.

hello I am a palestinian-american from Gaza Strip migrated to the US in 1983 pursuing higher education I have went back to Palestine in1995 I have spent the most beautiful and joyful three months of my life when I came back to the United States they have stopped me from leaving the country recently I got this restriction taken off and then David 19 hit the world I did not care about quarantine I can live with that but the sad thing is I cannot get into Gaza Strip my family are in Jerusalem Nazareth and Gaza Strip it’s not fair to visit half of the family and not the other half is there anybody can tell me how can I get into Gaza Strip from Israel

Anybody anywhere in a nationalities any politician any human thank you

and by the way I still have my mother side of the family some of them in Rapha they all doctors and Engineers we are well educated we are not dumb but we just been taking over buy denial for the right to exist

Thanks for the interesting information. You should know that when Israelis lived in villages in the Gaza strip (until the 2005 evacuation), people in Gaza enjoyed lots of job opportunities and most of them, oppressed by Hamas, would not let the Israelis leave. Also, I hope people ask themselves why does the Palestinians rely completely on Israeli currency and the Israeli economy? The answer is the their leaders never aimed at developing a successful economy, and used all the money it could to fight and terrorize Israel. Israel is trying for many years to help the Palestinians as much as they can while fight terrorism. As an Israeli I would be glad to visit Gaza, I hope the day is near…

Shlomo, my name is Paul, I welcome the opportunity of writing to you. Please consider, do you truly think that the people of Gaza could develop a buoyant economy when the Zionist state is intent on their elimination. Consider the many children in prison, with no charge, and the way they are treated, also thousands of adults also many with no charge. Consider the erratic and malicious bombing of civilian targets in Gaza, the attacks on working fishing boats, the never ending destruction of palestinian homes and businesses all over West bank and beyond, by so called (JEWISH settlers, many are not they are just opportunists from Eastern Europe looking for gold). the never ending attacks on people by the settler colonialists, backed by or condoned by the Israeli Military. Shlomo please consider the checkpoints, the walls, consider the destruction by the IOF of essential infrastructure all over Gaza and West bank, and indeed all of Palestine. When the European jews were set upon by the Hitler youth and the Nazi criminals they did not try to maintain their economies, rather they tried to survive. These people today try to survive and do do with a smile on their face while the new NAZIS make their lives a hell. Shlomo this is not the Israel of Moshe Dayan, no sir this is now a land of greed, hate and genocide backed by the very dangerous Zionist movements of USA and the world. That the people of Gaza keep smiling and surviving in spite of the consistent attacks they have had to suffer, and the thousands of small children that have been wantonly slain, is in itself a miracle.. thank you for you patience Paul OGarra PS This evil will come to an end as it did with the holocaust years.

There is no point of discussion when you base your claims on misinformation, compare us to nazis and wish for our failure. Luckily, I know better than you what happened in the holocaust (my grandparents’ family was murdered there) and what kind of people have done it (very different than us). Luckily, the Jews are not the poor people they were before 1948, and we will soon, g-d willing, get our chance to teach the world what is justice and how it is done. We are not anyone’s punching bag anymore. Not yours, not the Palestinians (who prove again and again that it’s not their land, the way they treat it or the people on it). We will keep our hand open for peace and help for anyone who accepts us, and will not hesitate to stop anyone who doesn’t.

Its unfortunate you mention the Holocaust. As the occupation of Israeli’s and their oppression of the palestinians bear striking resemblances to how the Jews were treated under the cruel regime of Nazi Germany. (ie the curfews, the changing border controls & ID without warning, the slow reduction of palestinian rights and their ability to move around their own land). There is a strong argument that the Jews learnt from their oppressors and took the systems they were persecuted under and inflicted them on another race & religion. Also every Israeli i have met has a one-sided view that they can just take more land without any consequences and a cruel disregard of the families and communities that live there.

I am a Palestinian migrated to USA in 1965 as student. I graduated from Oklahoma state with master degree in Architectural engineering. I had lost my relatives, all my age family members. I visited Israel three times thru Egypt. I was harassed by the Egyptians always they ask for money. This tome I want to go to Gaza thru Israel, I want to build my mother grave before I die. Any advise.

Hi i am Nabeel khan from India and i want to visit gaza strip through rafah crossing.please let me know the whole procedure

This is the first time that I have read such an in-depth blog on traveling to Gaza. This could be because not many choose this destination for a holiday due to civil unrest. Your courage is appreciative.

Great article, thanks! When you next update it, can you please add “Egypt” to the Background paragraph where you say…” a suffocating land, sea and air blockade imposed by Israel”. I’m living in Sinai, Egypt, and security is a huge concern here. People are quick to blame only Israel for creating security barriers to Gaza and I think it should be clear that ALL surrounding countries are concerned about terrorism.

Thanks for this great article, I am from Gaza and I am very happy that someone is visiting Gaza to convey the truth.

I am ready to help anyone who wishes to visit Gaza for free, and you are all welcome in my humble home.

So is this place still good to travel ?

Probably not, at this point of time… the borders are closed and the war is at it’s highest risk in years, IIRC.

Yes.. it is still a good place to visit regardless of the massacres that are happening there.. From the land to the sea, Palestine will be free.. I really hope everyone with good intentions to visit Palestine will get the chance to do so and meet all our beloved brothers and sisters there.. Aamiin

Until Hamas can get more than 80% of their rockets to actually leave the country and not land within Palestine, I would not recommend coming.

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Palestine: Comprehensive Travel Guide 2024 & 11-day Itinerary

• On Oct 8, 2023

This ultimate travel guide to Palestine (West Bank) is everything you need to know for an independent trip to the most interesting places in Palestine. Read our 11 days Palestine itinerary with detailed descriptions of transportation, including the exact shared taxi locations, prices, where to stay, including refugee camps, how to cross the checkpoints, safety in Palestine and many other valuable tips.

I wrote this post to include everything you need to know before you travel to Palestine with confidence and knowledge of what to expect. Consider this as your best travel guide to Palestine.

We always wanted to visit Palestine but were hesitant to go through Israel with a passport full of stamps from other Middle Eastern countries. However, after travelling through Egypt and wondering where to go next, we decided to  cross the Taba border from Egypt to Israel  and continue to Palestine. 

Since, at that time, we were travelling more than a year in a row, we couldn’t swap our passports. We had to use the ones with stamps from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and other interesting countries, and that’s why we ended up being detained and questioned at the Taba border by Israeli officers for 5 hours. However, since you’re reading this Palestine travel guide, it is clear we successfully made it, so now it’s time to show you that Palestine is a land worth visiting.

WARNING! October 2023: The ongoing war between Israel and the Gaza Strip is currently taking place, and before you travel to the West Bank, it is necessary to seek the most updated information. The conflict does not hit West Bank, but high tension is expected.

WHY VISIT PALESTINE

Where there is a conflict, there might be hope and soon a solution. However, this is not the case in the long-lasting Israeli-Palestine conflict. To understand better the situation in Palestine, you need to get off the trail. You need to stay with people in refugee camps. Listen to their stories. Have coffee with strangers and talk. Listen. Only after that we realised how hopeless the situation in the occupied land of Palestine is. It is an emotionally draining, eye-opening journey that we recommend you embark on. 

We rate visiting Palestine high on our list of favourite countries, as it left a big impact on our hearts. And apart from the bad things happening there, Palestine deserves attention because of its rich history, delicious cousin, breathtaking monasteries and because of the people who are amongst the most hospitable people on earth.

We recommend you check our  stories on our Instagram Brokennavigation_  where we documented our journey through Palestine in detail.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Religion:  Palestine is a Muslim country with a majority of Sunni Muslims. As in other countries of the Middle East, people are very welcoming and hospitable. They really want to talk about life in Palestine and are very happy to meet foreigners and invite you for tea. Even though I just said that the majority of people in Palestine are Sunni Muslims, Christianity here plays a significant role. Especially in Bethlehem and also in Ramallah and Jericho. Would you expect to find a local brewery here?
• Language:  official language in Palestine is Arabic. We found it very pleasant to travel around Palestine as most people we met spoke at least basic English; therefore, it was very easy to communicate. 
• Currency : The currency in Palestine is the Israeli Shekel. 1$ = 3.58 ILS.
• Visa: You don’t need a visa to visit Palestine; however, you must show your passport and the Israeli immigration slip you got once you entered Israel.

Interested in the Middle East? Read our guides from Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and more.

SAFETY AND SITUATION IN PALESTINE

Israel has occupied Palestine since 1967, and the situation is only getting worse with Israel building more and more Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory. Basically, Palestinians have no way to fight back because as soon as they try, the Israeli army attacks back with much more power. Does this fact affect your travel? Yes and no. Yes, because the land is very sensitive, and riots are happening on a daily basis, especially if you decide to  stay in a refugee camp  with local families. All the army attacks on Palestinian people occur at night and early in the morning. Therefore, try to avoid being outside at that time.

During our time in Palestine, we were informed by local people that there is daily shooting in refugee camps and dangerous situations for Palestinians happening. We personally did not see anything dangerous, and we did not go out at night & very early morning. We felt very safe and welcomed.

Palestine territory is divided into the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Gaza Strip is absolutely off-limits to tourists; therefore, all travel guides we wrote about Palestine refer solely to the West Bank territory.

Essential reading: Is it safe to visit Palestine? Our experience. (Coming soon)

Israel also limits the water supply for Palestine since the reservoir is on Israeli territory. They open the water for Palestinians only two days per month. That’s why you will see many water tanks on the rooftops of houses. Because they have to collect rainwater and in those two days when they have the water they collect as much as possible.

Electricity & Internet works well everywhere we have been in Palestine. Use VPN for accessibility to certain sites.

SNIPERS AT BUS STOPS

When travelling in Palestine, get used to seeing snipers behind the barriers, either made of sandbags or bulletproof glass. They are usually located close to where the Israeli settlers live, next to the bus stations. They point their huge gun directly at incoming cars. Sitting in a car and seeing the soldier pointing a gun at you is a super weird feeling. They are protecting the settlers from potential attacks from Palestinians. Notice the huge red signs close to the Jewish settlements that state: ,,This road leads to Area A Under the Palestinian Authority. The entrance for Israeli citizens is forbidden, dangerous to your lives and against Israeli law” . So even if Israelis would like to go and see Palestine themselves. They can not, as they are told it is dangerous for their lives.

Travel Insurance for palestine

Have proper travel insurance for Palestine covering various activities such as IATI Insurance does. They have fantastic customer service and provide different kinds of insurance packages. As a reader of Broken Navigation, you get an exclusive 5% discount.

Get your exclusive 5% discount for your travel insurance with IATI here.

CHECKPOINTS

Going through checkpoints is very easy for foreigners. Basically, in most checkpoints between Israel and Palestine, when going in the direction of Palestine, you just freely walk through without any special check. If you want to go from Palestine to Israel, that’s a different story, though. 

Overall, there are more than 100 checkpoints across Palestine and roadblocks to separate new roads, which only Israeli cars can use, from the old and not repaired roads only for Palestinian cars. You will also see the separation wall in Bethlehem, that most likely will leave you emotional with all the powerful graffiti on it. Palestinians say it is to segregate them from the rest of Israel and limit their free movement. Israel claims it is for the safety and preventing the terrorist attack. Come and see yourself. We travelled around Palestine independently to see with our own eyes what was happening. We talked with people to learn their points of view.

CHECKPOINT 300 – JERUSALEM TO BETHLEHEM

The first checkpoint we crossed was between Jerusalem into Bethlehem. Checkpoint 300. Located South of Jerusalem by the entrance to Rachel’s tomb. This checkpoint is used for Palestinians who are permitted to cross into Jerusalem. If going in the direction from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, it is very easy. You go through the concrete tunnel with multiple one-way gates. There are no officers to check anything as you are going into Palestine, and no one care. If you go in the opposite direction, then officers will check your documents. And for Palestinians, they check their permit. From what we heard, frequent harassment towards Palestinians is happening on these borders. They let them wait for hours.

After we got out into Palestine, there were many taxi drivers. Some of them immediately started chatting with us. Even though they are not used to many tourists coming independently through this checkpoint, they tried to rip us off by asking for crazy amounts of money. That surprised us a bit. Don’t get me wrong. Palestinians are lovely and hospitable people; however, but as elsewhere, be careful about the taxi drivers as they will try to rip you off in many places in Palestine. You don’t need a taxi if you want to explore the separation wall and reach The Walled Off Hotel. You can easily walk as it is an easy 800 m walk from Checkpoint 300. This checkpoint is open 24/7.

JALAMEK/ EMEK HAROD CHECKPOINT – JENIN TO NAZARETH

Another checkpoint in Palestine we crossed was Jalamek Checkpoint from Jenin to Nazareth. We used this checkpoint on our last day in Palestine to cross into Israel (Nazareth). I have to say; the Jalamek checkpoint was the worst border crossing / Checkpoint we have ever experienced. The way Israeli officers act here is unthinkable. They are rude, humiliate people and make you feel like nothing. Here, the checkpoint is open only at certain times. We arrived here at 2pm, and it was closed. We and other Palestinians waited an hour, and at 3pm, they finally opened the gate. Be careful; it is open only for some time and then closed again. The best way to find out is to ask locals. We were told the checkpoint is open from 2pm, but as you see, they did not open till 3pm. Then the queue was already quite long; we were between the first ones who got through the gate. We recommend you have your bag carefully packed and prepared and have documents handy. As soon as the gate opens, people start rushing and pushing you from behind. Everything goes very fast and hectic. First, you have to send your luggage through the x-ray check, your jacket as well, belt etc. It is a similar procedure to the security check at the airport. We did not expect that. And there was very little space, people were rushing, and we had to pick up our bags quickly & forgot our bag with food there as it was super hectic. Then we continued through the designated path until we reached the officer in a stall behind bulletproof glass. From the second floor, there was an officer with a gun pointing at people. Super weird situation. They checked our passports and took them.

We were asked to go aside, and after a few minutes, the officer & armed guard came to question us. What we did in Jenin was their biggest concern. We said we did not go to Jenin but to Nablus. This was partially true as we slept in Nablus and Jenin we visited when we went through on the way to the border. Why do you go to Israel? What you’re going to do? We showed our itinerary for Israel, explained we were travellers, and they let us go through after a few minutes. Overall, this checkpoint with waiting for opening took 2 hours. Even though the experience here was awful, I recommend anyone to cross this border to see with their own eyes how the officers act towards others. 

CHECKPOINTS IN HEBRON

When visiting Hebron, you will go through multiple checkpoints. Hebron is divided into two areas known as Area H1, which is under the control of Palestinians and Area H2, which is Israeli controlled area. Both crossings are in the Middle of the city. The tension between those two areas is huge as the checkpoints separate the Al-Ibrahimi Mosque (Holy site for Muslims) from the Cave of Patriarchs (holy site for Jews). One building. Two checkpoints. 

CHECKPOINT TO AL IBRAHIMI MOSQUE

Basically, to enter the Al Ibrahimi Mosque, you go through 2 checkpoints. In both of them, they ask where you are from, why you are here and if you have any weapon. The officers let people go through a one-way gate only one by one. So when the light is green, you can go. Otherwise, you wait in a queue. 

CHECKPOINT TO CAVE OF PATRIARCH

To enter the Cave of Patriarch, you return to the main street (in front of the first checkpoint you crossed) and make your way toward the checkpoint that leads into the Cave of Patriarchs. Here you have to answer the same questions, and you also will be asked about your religion. We said we are Christians. Entry for Muslims is forbidden here.

CHECKPOINTS IN H2 AREA – ISRAELI TERRITORY

After visiting the synagogue, we walked around the area H2, which is under Israeli control. It is basically a dead city with a huge military presence. No Palestinians can set foot on those streets. There were multiple barriers with soldiers who always stopped us, asking what we were doing there, where we were from and where we were going. They checked our passports, made a few phone calls – I guess to the soldiers on the other barrier and let us go. When we wanted to go and visit  the archeological site up the hill,  the Israeli soldiers told us that area was not safe for us to go alone and would not let us go through without an armed escort. We accepted. Otherwise, we would have to return to area H1, where we had a hotel. After visiting the site, we crossed another checkpoint that brought us back to the H1 area.

WHEN TO VISIT PALESTINE

When is the best time to visit Palestine? Avoid the summer in Palestine if possible, as the temperatures get way too hot. We visited Palestine in January, and it was a perfect time as we still managed to see a lot of Christmas decorations, and it was not too cold. In Jericho was the warmest weather from the whole trip.

THE BEST TOURS TO PALESTINE

Independent travelling in Palestine is not a big thing. To be more precise, we barely met any travellers during our travels, and the first hint that Palestine’s destination is not among the most typical is the fact there only exist a few up-to-date travel guides. 

In our eyes, it is very easy to get around independently, and obviously, that way, you experience a whole different point of view than if you take a tour. On the other hand, I understand that many people maybe don’t want to travel alone or want a guide to listen to their opinions on the situation. There are many tours you can take comfortably from Jerusalem. If that’s what interests you, base yourself in  Abraham hostel  in Jerusalem and check our top tour picks:

HOW TO GET TO PALESTINE

There is no international airport in Palestine; no matter what direction you’re coming from, you must go through Israel.

To get to Israel, you can  cross overland borders  from Jordan, or like we did  from Egypt.  However, the most common way to reach Israel is by flight and airports in Tel Aviv or Eilat have frequent flights from Europe with the low-cost airline Wizzair, and you can find flights for as little as $25.

Find cheap flights to Israel here.

Border Crossing Report: How to cross the Taba Border between Egypt and Israel.

HOW TO GET AROUND PALESTINE

Getting around Palestine is very easy as the shared taxi system works very well. Don’t bother using Google Maps, as it always shows you a non-sense, much longer way. Instead, use Maps.me app that shows the correct way. Travelling around Palestine by shared taxis or buses is easy, convenient and safe.

SHARED TAXIS & PRICES OF TRANSPORT

Here you can see the summary of buses & shared taxis we used in Palestine and how much they cost. Bear in mind, when travelling around Palestine, to start your day early as there is much more traffic going to places and also coming back from sights is much easier in the early afternoon rather than in the evening as there are lower chances of catching the shared taxi or you will wait a long time for them to fill up. Usually, the shared taxis run till 6pm, but make sure you ask drivers or locals before. In our experience, we woke up every day early and started exploring no later than 8-9am. We never had any problems with waiting for shared taxis to fill up. It usually took up to 10 minutes only.

• Jerusalem – Bethlehem:  bus #234 to Checkpoint 300 5.5 ILS ($1.5)
• Bethlehem – Mar Saba:  Shared taxi to Ubediya 5 ILS ($1.4)
• Shared taxi in Bethlehem:  From the centre to Dheisha refugee camp 3 ILS ($0.8)
• Bethlehem – Hebron:  Shared taxi from Dheisha refugee camp 10 ILS ($2.8)
• Hebron – Jericho:  Direct shared taxi 30 ILS ($8.3) or Shared taxi to Al Azariyah 20 ILS ($5.6) and change to shared taxi to Jericho 10 ILS ($2.8)
• Shared taxis in Jericho:  From the centre to Hisham Palace 10 ILS ($2.8) to Mount Temptation 20 ILS ($5.6), to St. George Monastery 15 ILS ($4.2)
• Jericho – Ramallah:  Shared taxi 18 ILS ($5)
• Ramallah – Nablus:  Shared taxi 17 ILS ($4.8)
• Nablus – Jenin:  Shared taxi 16 ILS ($4.5)
• Jenin – Emek Harod Checkpoint / Jamaleh:  Shared taxi 4 ILS ($1.1)

You can expect to spend a total of around 180 ILS ($50) for transportation in Palestine.

DO YOU HAVE A TROUBLE STAMP ON YOUR PASSPORT?

When we travelled to Palestine, we had two passports with us, and the one we used had stamps from Syria and Iraq and multiple stamps from Lebanon and other Muslim countries. We decided to cross the overland Taba border between Egypt and Israel with that passport as we thought it might be even more suspicious if we used the clean ,,backup” passport, and they found the other one with stamps from those countries. We have been detained and questioned for 5 hours, including a body search and a very detailed bag search. After 5 hours, we successfully made it to Israel. You can read a full report on  crossing the Taba border into Israel here.

After we made it to Israel, we no longer had any issues, even though multiple officers in both Israel and Palestine checked our passports.

The currency in Palestine is the Israeli Shekel. $1 = 3.58 ILS. Regarding ATMs money withdrawal, you don’t have to worry about anything as ATMs are widely spread and easy to find. We withdraw money in Palestine many times and never faced any issues. However, there is always a transaction fee of around 11 ILS ($3). In the Bank of Palestine, the withdrawal fee was even 40 ILS, so don’t even bother. We usually used the ATM of the Arab Bank . We used cash everywhere in Palestine; they are not used to card payments. But it is possible in some places.

INTERNET & SIM CARD

The Internet in Palestine is very good. In every accommodation we stayed wifi was very fast and reliable. Regarding Sim cards, you have two options. Either buy it in Palestine or Israel. SIM cards in Palestine are cheaper. However, their coverage is not great, and it’s only 2G, sometimes 3G. We recommend getting a SIM card in Israel. We bought ours in Jerusalem. It is not the cheapest, but it worked well in most places. However, we had some outages in Bethlehem and Hebron. Anyway, from what we heard from others, Pelephone is still the best option for Palestine. To access some sites, you will need a VPN. We paid 100 ILS ($28) for a Pelephone SIM card with 100 GB, unlimited use of apps such as Instagram and Facebook, and they provide 5G. Even Palestinians use Israeli sim cards. Don’t buy a sim card at the airport; they are overpriced.

VPN FOR PALESTINE

To access many sites in Palestine, it is necessary to use a reliable VPN app . Don’t use the free VPN apps, as they are unreliable, and there is always a safety risk as they can steal your data. We always use NordVPN everywhere we travel. They have excellent services and very fast support, which is important when you need to access the internet quickly. In some countries we visited, VPN can be blocked, but after we contacted the helpdesk of NordVPN, they quickly navigated us how to connect. Check the link below for the discount option – sometimes you can get up to 65% discount for a 2-year plan.

Check the best prices for NordVPN here.

PRICES IN PALESTINE

• Entrance fees: usually around 5-10 ILS ($1.4 – 2.8)
• Accommodation: $17-$35 for both of us per night
• Transportation: For 11 days in Palestine and using Shared taxis, we spent around $50 per person; you can see more details in How to get around Palestine section.
• Falafel sandwich: 5 ILS ($1.4)
• Ice cream: 5 ILS ($1.4)
• Palestinian Pizza: 7-10 ILS ($2-2.8)

In 11 days in Palestine, we spend around $750 for both of us ($375 per person) , so I’d say Palestine is a very affordable destination. In that budget, I don’t count the flight ticket from Tel Aviv to Europe, which costs an additional $50 per person. 

WHERE TO STAY IN PALESTINE

You can find accommodation on Booking.com and also Airbnb. However, during our visit, the hotels started to disappear from Booking.com due to some new laws and hotel owners told us that the issue is they can not receive money through booking into their bank account due to them being from Palestine. Just another example of unfair play Palestinians have to go through. Anyway, you can also try to contact the hotels directly by searching their number through Google. The majority of people use WhatsApp, and Couchsurfing is also popular. We got in touch with a few incredible people who have been willing to show us around. The sleepover never worked, though, but at least for meeting local friends, it is incredible. See below all the accommodations we used in Palestine. We describe each accommodation in greater detail in our 11 days itinerary below.

The following prices are per night for two people:

• Jerusalem I Abraham hostel ($52, dorms)
• Bethlehem I Staying with Ibrahim’s family in Dheisha Refugee Camp ($33)
• Hebron I Friends Hostel Area B ($32)
• Ramallah I Eco Hostel Ramallah ($40, dorms)
• Jericho I Aqabat Jabr Refugee Camp Sami hostel ($33)
• Nablus I Turquoise Guest House ($36, dorms)
• Jenin I Jenin Creative Cultural Center ($55)

STAYING IN REFUGEE CAMPS

If you truly want to understand Palestine, there is no better way than staying overnight in one of many refugee camps in Palestine. We absolutely loved staying with locals in camps, listening to their stories, and seeing the reality with our own eyes. Read our detailed travel guide on how and where you can stay in refugee camps in Palestine and how to book it, including contacts and exact locations in Bethlehem, Hebron and Jericho.

Read more: How to stay in Refugee Camps in Palestine & Things to know.

QUICK SUMMARY OF OUR 11 DAYS ITINERARY: 

• DAY 1 JERUSALEM (1 NIGHT)
• DAY 2 – 3 BETHLEHEM (2 NIGHTS) – Checkpoint 300 to get in West Bank
• DAY 4 – 5 HEBRON (2 NIGHTS)
• DAY 6 RAMALLAH (1 NIGHT)
• DAY 7 – 8 JERICHO (2 NIGHTS)
• DAY 9 – 10 NABLUS (2 NIGHTS)
• DAY 11 JENIN – Emek Harod Checkpoint to get out West Bank

Map of the 11-day itinerary for Palestine

11 DAYS ITINERARY FOR PALESTINE

Day 1: jerusalem.

The first minute we stepped out from a bus in Jerusalem, we found ourselves immersed in a culture we haven’t seen before. We felt like we showed up in an old movie with all the fashion people in Jerusalem wear. Jerusalem is today part of Israel. However, East Jerusalem is inhabited by Palestinians.

Not every day you see a city that welcomes more religions, and Jerusalem is the holy place, sacred for Jews, Muslims and Christians. 

Essential reading: How to visit top places in Jerusalem in one day.

BEST THINGS TO SEE IN JERUSALEM

Temple mount/ al haram ash sharif.

The biggest landmark in Jerusalem, especially the  Dome of the Rock , is the most holy and famous site. There are nine gates for Muslims to enter; however, as a non-muslim, you can only enter through the Gate of Moors (Bab Al Maghrib). It is recommended to line up early, as many tours are coming and you should expect huge queues. When we visited in January, there was a small queue, and it took just 10 minutes to get inside. You will go through the security check and then follow the wooden bridge that gives you a perfect view of the Western Wall.

The Dome of the Rock is where you find the foundation stone Jews believe is the centre of the earth. For Muslims, it is a place where Mohammed made his ascent. Non-muslims can’t enter the Dome of the Rock or Al Aqsa Mosque. But even from outside, we had a great time wandering around its plaza and admiring the architecture, which is simply stunning. 

• Sites inside Temple Mount Areal:  Dome of the Rock, Al Aqsa Mosque, Dome of the Chain, Sabil of Qaitbay, Scales of Souls, Bab Al Qattanin
• Opening hours for Temple Mount for non-muslims:  7 – 10:30am and 12:30 – 1:30 pm in winter and 7 – 11am and 1:30 – 2:30 pm in summer. Fridays and Saturdays are closed.
• Entrance fee:  Free
• Security:  They take security seriously in Temple Mount, and they will thoroughly search your bag while entering by the Gate of Moors. The military presence here is huge.

Western Wall

Western Wall is the holiest site in the world where Jews pray by the wall. We already mentioned above you get a perfect view of the Western Wall from above when walking on the wooden bridge when visiting Mount Temple. Stop there for a few minutes and just watch how Jews pray here. Western Wall is open 24 hours a day, but it makes the most sense if you come here after visiting Mount Temple as it is very close. 

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

After seeing the holiest site for Jews, it’s time to move to the Christian Quarter, where the main pilgrimage site for Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is to be found. Christians come and pray here by the empty tomb of Jesus. It is the place where Jesus was crucified. You find here the Stone of Unction, which is apparently where Jesus’ body was laid and prepared for burial. 

• Opening hours of Church of the Holy Sepulchre:  5am – 8pm from April to September and 5am – 7pm from October to March.
• Entrance fee:  Free

Via Dolorosa

Via Dolorosa is the holy walk through the Jerusalems’ holiest sites. It takes roughly one hour to walk this 600m paths; that is the one believed that Jesus took carrying the cross. We took a whole walk and did not expect such a spiritual experience. Having a map from Lonely Planet and reading the description of places as you go is worth it. The walk starts by St. Stephen (Lion’s) Gate, and it ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Mount of Olives

To end the day and watch the sunset with an unbeatable view over Jerusalem, head to the top of the Mount of Olives. We decided to walk from the old city, but you can also take bus number #83, which runs between Jaffa Gate and the top of the Mount of Olives. The viewpoint lies over the slopes of the cemetery where more than 150 000 Jews are buried. It is worth it to come here for epic views of Jerusalem with the shining golden Dome of the Rock.

Mahane Yehuda Market

We enjoyed strolling through this vibrant market after sunset. You can expect many halva, bakeries, cool food stalls and eateries. If you want to buy some locally grown products such as dates, oils and much more, this is the place to be. This market stood here since the Ottoman period and is located on Yehuda St., which is an open market, especially for veggies and butchers, and Etz Chayim St., where all the eateries, bakeries and halva makers are. We ended our day in Jerusalem here. 

• Opening hours for Mahane Yehuda Market: 8am – 7pm and 9am – 3pm on Fridays.

We managed to  visit all these top sites in Jerusalem  during a 1-day visit. We started exploring early in the morning, and we had plenty of time to see most places. However, you can easily spend more days here as there are many historical and religious sites to visit.

HOT TO GET AROUND JERUSALEM

Use Rav Kav Card and travel with trams and buses all around Jerusalem. You find the correct timetables in Moovit App. However, if you base yourself in the old town or close, you can basically visit all places by just walking around.

HOW TO GET TO JERUSALEM FROM EILAT

In Eilat, we took bus #444, which goes from Eilat Central Station. We got our tickets for 63 ILS and waited for an hour for the next bus as it was Shabbat, and the bus went every hour from 3pm. The bus wasn’t full, so I believe it was enough to get the bus ticket on the spot. We also bought here the Rav Kav card for public transport in Israel.

WHERE TO STAY IN JERUSALEM

The budget I Abraham Hostel – we highly recommend you stay here, as Jerusalem is pretty expensive, but staying in Abraham Hostel gives you a lot of advantages. They serve a huge, healthy local breakfast buffet that will make you full for most of the day. And if you pay for your stay in advance, you also get a free ticket for a beer in their bar. It is also located close to the centre, with a tram station right in front of them. It is one of the best hostels we have ever stayed in.

DAY 2-3: BETHLEHEM

Bethlehem is a synonym for religious travel in West Bank. Many pilgrims come to see the main sight, which is the Church of the Nativity. Many tours are coming here, but is there more to see from Bethlehem? Oh, yes, but you have to go behind the tourist trail. Many tourists come with a guide as they’re worried about crossing the checkpoints independently into Palestine. What a shame because the true understanding of what is happening in Palestine does not lie in the Church of the Nativity. But far behind the line when you experience  staying with a local family in the Dheisha refugee camp  in Bethlehem. Read our recommendation of places that you can visit in two days in Bethlehem.

BEST THINGS TO SEE IN BETHLEHEM

Israeli separation wall.

As soon as you cross Checkpoint 300 to Palestine, you will see the huge separation wall that is known as Israeli Separation Wall. It is a concrete wall up to 8m high that separates Israel from West Bank. The first feeling of this wall is pretty depressing. Follow the path along the wall and walk towards Walled Off Hotel. It is where you will see the most powerful graffiti. Basically, the whole wall is covered with graffiti, and each of them has a powerful message. Take your time to read it, to carefully watch all the art that helps Palestinians express how they feel. Truly powerful. Before we turned to the street that led to the Walled Off Hotel, there was a petrol station where we left our backpacks. The friend of Ibrahim, our host in Bethlehem, arranged it for us so we didn’t have to carry it the whole day before he picked us up later in the evening. Take your time and make a loop from Checkpoint 300. Go straight until the turn left that takes you to the Walled Off Hotel. Then turn left again, follow the wall until you can turn left, and follow the path down the hill, check the graffitis along the way. This loop is the most common to walk, as you will see most graffiti on the wall.

From the point of Israel, they built this wall for the safety of Israelis as frequent bomb attacks were taking place in the past, killing many Israelis. From the Palestinian point of view, this wall is to separate Palestinians, humiliate them, control their movement and show who has the power.

Walled-off Hotel + museum

If there is only one place you should see in Bethlehem, you need to visit the museum inside the Walled Off Hotel. Hands down, this museum was the best we have ever seen, as it’s a good start to understanding the problem between Israel and Palestine. 

You can’t take photos inside the museum. But there was (not only) one powerful moment when you walk through the museum and suddenly the phone rings. I came closer and saw the sign: ,,Please, answer the phone” . When I answered the phone, I heard: ,,This is Israeli Defence Forces; you have 5 minutes to leave your house until we blow it away” . I felt sick in my stomach. Is this the life people face here?

Besides the museum, the hotel is stylish inside, with a piano bar, interesting decorations, and occasional live music on Saturdays. If you don’t want to spend the night in a refugee camp, you can stay here. Who would not like to stay in a hotel that claims to have the worst view in the world?

• Opening times of the museum: 11am – 7:30pm
• Entry fee: 20 ILS ($5.5)

Want to stay in the Walled-Off Hotel?  Book it here .

Church of the Nativity

The most important religious site in Bethlehem. This Church is believed to be built on the spot where Jesus was born. To enter the Church, you must bow your head through the tiny Door of Humility built in the Ottoman Era. Once you admire the detailed decoration in the main hall, descend the stairs into the Grotto of the Nativity. It is the place where Jesus was born. When we visited, we even saw a priest walking around the Church. However, expect lots of people to visit this site.

• Opening Hours:  6:30am to 7:30 pm and 6:30am to 6pm in winter.

St. Catherine Church

Right next to the Church of the Nativity, there is St. Catherine Church. Visit the underground praying hall and the outside little garden. We liked this Church; very peaceful and atmospheric.

Milk Grotto Chapel

Visitors often overlook this Chapel, but once in the centre, it is just a short walk to visit this beautiful place. It is believed that it is where Mary and Joseph fed their baby, and after the milk dropped on the floor, it turned the red rock into white. 

Green Market

The main souq in Bethlehem, you can visit after the Church as it is right in the centre. Here, you will meet very friendly people, have a chat with them, buy some fresh fruit or a small snack and absorb the atmosphere. 

Refugee camps in Bethlehem

Another must and very important thing to experience not only in Bethlehem but the whole of Palestine is to visit refugee camps. There are two camps in Bethlehem. Dheisha and Aida. We visited both independently and spent a night in Dheisha with Ibrahim’s family. It was an unforgettable experience; you got to learn so much and hear the stories that you would never hear in media. 

We visited the Aida refugee camp on our second day after we returned from Mar Saba Monastery. We walked through the camp, took some photos and did not experience any issues. People there are very friendly and welcoming, happy to see foreigners coming on their own. Right by the entrance, we were invited into the Car Mechanic shop because as soon as they saw us, they almost yelled with excitement. It was such a warm welcome; we had a nice conversation with a cup of coffee. 

Essential reading: How to spend a night in a refugee camp in Palestine.

Mar Saba Monastery (Half-day trip)

Mar Saba is a dramatic cliff-clinging monastery half an hour from Bethlehem. It is our favourite place we visited as the monastery, and the surroundings are breathtaking. Women are not permitted inside, but let’s make it clear. It is the outside look over the monastery from the opposite slope that is the main goal of this trip. Men can enter inside and take a tour with one of the monks. When we visited in January, it was open between 9am to 2pm. Once you arrive at the monastery, follow the stairs and trail that leads down the valley. Once there, cross the small bridge over the river and follow the trail that takes you all the way up the slope opposite the monastery. From there, find a spot and the best viewpoints to view the Mar Saba Monastery. When we visited, we were the only ones who hiked on the opposite slope, but surely it is worth it; otherwise, you miss out on the main beauty. It takes only half an hour to get to the other side of the slope. Ensure you have water with you; it is quite warm when the sun shines. On both sides, there is a stall where two brothers sell some small snacks, tea, coffee and water.

How to get to Mar Saba from Betlehem

Take a shared taxi (yellow minivan) from the central bus station located in the basement of the Bethlehem city mall, where KFC is. You’ll see a lot of yellow minivans waiting there. Search for one that goes to Ubediya. Be aware that some taxi drivers might want to cheat you; they told us that it is dangerous to go alone and that we should go with them, a private taxi for 150 – 200 ILS. We did our research and talked with locals, and we found it very safe and cheap to go independently. Shared taxi costs 5 ILS ($1.4), and the ride takes around 30 minutes, it is 12 km. The shared taxi stop is at the end of the village, by the brown sign pointing the way to Mar Saba. 

From there, hike down the hill on the road, 4.5 km, until you reach the monastery. In the middle of the way, there is a nice viewpoint. Many taxis and buses with tourists or locals go there every day. You can also hitchhike. We were hiking, and after just a few metres from the shared taxi stop, a taxi with a French tourist stopped and offered us a lift to the monastery for free and we gladly accepted. We stopped at the viewpoint on the way down. 

To go back, it’s the same process. Ask someone to take you up the hill, where the shared taxi dropped you. Or hike, but note this part is only uphill four and a half km. It will take around one and a half hours to hike, and it is a safe area. There is a local guy selling tea & snacks, and he offered to take us uphill for 19 ILS ($5.3). Since there were no more cars at the monastery when we finished exploring, we accepted his offer, as simply it was a faster and easier solution than hiking 4.5 km uphill. After 10 minutes ride, we arrived exactly when the shared taxi arrived, and we made our way back to Bethlehem from the same spot where they had dropped us off earlier (5 ILS). 

Is it safe to go alone?  Yes. We felt perfectly safe and comfortable. You basically just walk down the hill from Ubediya town; you have almost all the way the monastery in sight. There is traffic daily, either tour buses, many taxis and local people coming. Chances are that someone will offer you a lift, or if you feel like you can ask them & hitchhike.

• Opening times:  9am – 2pm
• Entry fee:  Free 
• Total time  from leaving Bethlehem and being back to Bethlehem: 3 hours (9-noon)

HOW TO GET TO BETHLEHEM

From Jerusalem, we took bus #234 (5.5 ILS, 30 minutes) from HaNevi’im Terminal from Damascus Gate, which takes you to Checkpoint 300, which we crossed on foot. There is no control if you’re crossing in the direction from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, so it is very fast and easy to get into Palestine. 

Another option is to take bus #231, which actually crosses into Bethlehem, but it takes 1 hour, and we felt like it is better to experience and cross Checkpoint 300 ourselves.

TIP:  As soon as you get to Israel, get a Rav-Kav card for public transport. You can top it up in kiosks or online through the Rav-Kav Online app and then use it for buses in Jerusalem.

HOW TO GET AROUND BETHLEHEM

Taxi or shared taxi is the common way of transportation, and it is quite cheap. Yellow taxi with black sides is a shared taxi , and you can expect to pay 3 ILS for the ride in the city or to Dheisha and Aida refugee camps. If the taxi is only yellow, it means it is private, and the charge will be higher. You can expect to pay around 15 – 20 ILS for a private ride.

WHERE TO EAT IN BETHLEHEM

Afteem restaurant .

This restaurant is located on the corner opposite the Church of the Nativity. They serve delicious Masabacha, which is a warm hummus with whole chickpeas. It was also our go-to restaurant for falafel sandwiches. Very tasty.

Stars Bucks

Located across Manger Sq, this cafe serves delicious coffee and snacks. Not talking about its name. 

Coffee stalls on the square

You will see some coffee stalls on the square in front of the Church of the Nativity. Getting coffee, sitting on the bench and enjoying the atmosphere is worth it. Coffee costs only 1 ILS ($ 0.3) you won’t find cheaper.

WHERE TO STAY IN BETHLEHEM

Dheisha Refugee Camp I Stay with a family in Dheisha refugee camp.

Walled Off Hotel I Stay here for the worst view in the world. This hotel is located right next to the Israeli’s separation wall.

DAY 4-5: HEBRON

Despite the fact that Hebron is the most problematic city in Palestine, it is a rich cultural and handicraft centre, and it is one of the most interesting places to visit in Palestine. What is the problem in Hebron? The city is divided into two areas H1: the area under Palestinian control, and H2: the area under Israeli control. And as if this is not enough, Jewish settlements are built within the old city. The city is divided by many checkpoints, and Palestinians can not walk on certain streets. The tension in this city is high, to say at least. You won’t meet many independent travellers here; we met only two other independent travellers; others came with a tour. The best thing to see in Hebron is visiting the Mosque and Cave of the Patriarchs, a holy place for Muslims and Jews and inside, it is separated by bulletproof glass. 

Expect going through many checkpoints in Hebron, have your ID ready and be prepared for questions such as your nationality, why you are coming, and your religion. I already described it in the Checkpoints section.

BEST THINGS TO SEE IN HEBRON

Area h1: palestine territory: market.

The main place to visit is the market that used to be bustling with life once upon a time. Today, some shops are open, but it is just a short part. The market has a fence from above to protect people from Jewish settlers who throw trash and worse at Palestinians. You can still see lots of garbage, church and different items thrown at people and stuck in the fence. 

Actually, the Friends hostel, where we stayed, is located inside this market and to get inside you go through one of the shops. You can buy clothes, fruit and vegetables in the market, especially lots of colourful pickled veggies and olives. Some art shops are open, and it was a pleasure to talk with some shop owners about the situation and their opinion about the future of Palestinians. You will see many barriers on sidewalks that Israelis have placed. 

Tomb of the Patriarchs and Ibrahimi Mosque 

An important holy place for both Muslims and Jews who believe here is the final resting place of Ibrahim. One building. Two separate entrances. Two checkpoints from each side to enter. The security and amount of military is insane. This must be one of the most controlled places in Palestine. We entered both sides and seeing two completely opposite worlds was interesting. In the middle of the building is placed the tomb, which is protected with bulletproof glass, as you literally see from the mosque to the synagogue.

Area H2: Israeli Territory

From the Ibrahimi mosque, you can continue your way to Area H2, which is hugely protected by the Israeli military. We walked through the deserted city, and in a 1 km walk, we were stopped at least six times. They checked our ID and then let us go. You can see lots of military presence here, and deserted streets with tens of shops closed down.

Herbawi Kuffiya factory

Everybody knows the Palestinian scarf; this factory is the first Kuffiya factory in Palestine. The entry is free; you can see how the scarf is made. There is also a little shop where you can buy a scarf. We bought ours there.

Glass Factory

Another souvenir we brought from Palestine is a Christmas decoration made in the Glass Factory. You can watch here how the glass is made, and there is a shop with hundreds of different glass products.

Sidr family

You can visit the Sidr family, one of many families living in the old town who was offered millions of $ to leave their house to make space for Jewish settlers. They refused. They welcome people from outside to come and talk about the situation. Read more in our separate  post about Hebron.

Essential reading: The ultimate guide to visiting Hebron. The troubled city in Palestine. (Coming soon)

HOW TO GET TO HEBRON FROM BETHLEHEM

If you stayed with Ibrahim in the Dheisha Refugee camp in Bethlehem, just walk back to the main street and wait for the shared taxi van that goes directly to Hebron. It cost 10 ILS ($2.7); this is what we did. Otherwise, take a shared yellow and black taxi for 3 ILS, which takes you close to the Shepherd Hotel, which is the station for shared taxis. There, find the one that goes to Hebron.

HOW TO GET AROUND HEBRON

You can easily walk everywhere. Or catch a taxi. 

WHERE TO EAT IN HEBRON

Who would guess that Hebron is the ultimate foodie destination? Everywhere you go, there is delicious food. A falafel sandwich typically costs around 4 ILS. Try also Palestinian chocolate; many stores in Hebron sell many kinds of small chocolate.

WHERE TO STAY IN HEBRON

Friends Hostel Area B I The best and most welcoming place to stay in Palestine. Akram really makes sure you feel well; his place is full of useful maps and recommendations on what to visit. He made sure he sat down for tea with us, let us ask as many questions about the situation in Hebron and Palestine as we wanted, and explained everything passionately. This hostel is located right in the centre so you can walk from here everywhere.

You can also stay in  the refugee camp at Hebron   Hope Guesthouse.

DAY 6-7: JERICHO

Jericho is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and the hottest area in Palestine. Jericho doesn’t have the old historical centre. Still, it is the monasteries carved into mountains, archaeological sights and close proximity to the Dead Sea that make it an attractive destination for foreign and local tourists. Two days are sufficient for the places below; if you want to visit the Dead Sea, you need to add one more day. On day 1, we started exploring late at 1pm by visiting Hisham’s Palace, Mount of Temptation and Jericho City Centre. On day 2, we hiked to St. George Monastery and explored the Jericho city and refugee camp where we stayed. I can not forget to mention the people of Jericho, who are amongst the friendliest we have met in Palestine. Many times we were invited for a coffee and friendly chat.

BEST THINGS TO SEE IN JERICHO

Hisham palace  .

We arrived in Jericho around 1pm, and the first thing we visited was Hisham’s Palace. We took a taxi for 10 ILS from the city centre. But you can walk, it would take around 40 minutes. After you get inside the area, watch the 10 minutes documentary explaining the history of Hisham Palace. It is an Islamic ruin with one of the most well-preserved mosaics. Search for the Tree of Life, the most famous mosaic in the palace.

• Opening times for Hisham Palace:  8am – 6pm
• Entry fee:  10 ILS
• Time:  45 minutes

How to get to Hishams palace

You can easily walk from the city centre to Hisham’s palace. It is roughly 3 km and 40 minutes on flat terrain through the city. Or take a taxi for 10 ILS ($2.7).

Mount of Temptation (Deir al Krntl)

This Monastery is carved high in the mountain into the cliff, which is totally impressive. I’d say one of the most beautiful sights in Palestine. Unfortunately, when we came, it was closed. It means they lock the gate, and you can not get inside. However, you can still have a nice view from the area around you and take a small hike that takes you under the Monastery, where you can see a lot of caves and the Monastery from below. The Monastery is built on the spot where Jesus resisted Satan after 40 days of fasting. You get amazing views over the Dead Sea and the agricultural area of Jericho.

How to get to Mount of Temptation

From Hisham’s Palace, it makes sense to head to the Mount of Temptation, as it’s in the same area, only 4.5 km away. It’s the Monastery carved into the rock on the opposite hill. We took a taxi for 15 ILS to reach the bottom of the Mount of Temptation. It takes 15 minutes to hike on the gravel path to reach the top. It’s a pretty easy short hike; you see the Monastery right above you all the time. If you go from the city centre, just take a taxi for the same price.

After we were done exploring, we hiked down the mountain back to the road and saw a shared taxi coming. We asked the driver if he went into the centre and he pointed that we can jump in. So we did. We showed him where we wanted to go – to the Jericho centre, and he dropped us off there for 3 ILS. Otherwise, you can walk back to the main road and catch any shared or private taxis passing by. 

Another option to reach the Mount of Temptation is to go by cable car, which costs 60 ILS. A big restaurant is on the top where the cable car stops, just a few metres from the entrance.

• Opening times:  Mo, Tu, We, Th, Sat: 9-15:30, Sun: 10-15, Friday: Closed
• Entry fee:  free

St. George Monastery 

Another monastery carved into the cliff. You get a fantastic view from the upper viewpoint. Be prepared for many locals pushing you to take a donkey ride down to the Monastery. Apparently, beautiful paintings are inside the chapel, and you can see parts of the original mosaic floors.

How to get to St. George Monastery from Jericho 

Reaching the Monastery is straightforward. From Jericho city centre, it’s 6 km to reach the Monastery. You should open Maps.me while reading this description, as it will be easier to understand. From the city centre (Mount 41 hostel), walk or take a taxi to Wadi Al Qelt hostel – it’s 2,5 km through the city and along the road. 

When we walked this way, after the roundabout towards the Wadi Al Qelt Hostel, the car with two friendly locals stopped and offered us a ride for free to the Monastery. Which was super nice, so you can also try to hitchhike; locals in Jericho are very friendly. 

Ok, if this won’t be your case, the way is following. There are two ways from Wadi Al Qelt Hostel. The first one is to follow the road for cars, which will take you to the Monastery. It’s a steep uphill road. This way, you turn up at the Monastery’s viewpoint (the most beautiful one). You can also take a taxi from Jericho centre to this viewpoint; when we asked around, the lowest price was 10 ILS per person. To reach the Monastery, you just walk from the viewpoint down the steep road; it takes maybe 10-15 minutes. 

Second option: Little bit before Wadi Al Qelt hostel, there is a brown sign on your right that says ,,Herod’s Palace”. Turn right. After you cross the bridge, turn left and follow blue or red signs that will take you through the valley, through the beautiful scenery to the Monastery. It takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes through this hiking trail. The first part is uphill, and the rest is more or less flat. This way, you will appear directly by the Monastery. To get to the viewpoint, it’s a very steep hill. 

Therefore we recommend you go the other way around (like we did). Walk along the road for cars to get to the top viewpoint (or take a taxi), then check the viewpoint and hike down to the Monastery to explore. After you’re done, walk back to the city through the hiking trail. Btw, the hike through the valley was wonderful; we enjoyed the scenery very much and met many marmots. Bear in mind that this hike goes through the valley, and we were the only people on the trail. It’s a hiking trail, and only a few people actually do it. However, we enjoyed the views, and the valley was stunning. After the hike, we returned to the road close to Wadi Al Qelt hostel by the brown sign described above. From here, it is roughly 2,5km back to the centre. We took a taxi for 15 ILS.

• Opening times of St. George Monastery:  9-13, but when we arrived at 12:20, they had already closed
• Entry fee:  Free

HOW TO GET TO JERICHO FROM HEBRON

Take a shared taxi from this location. You can also find shared taxis to Ramallah and other locations from here.

We took a direct shared taxi to Jericho for 30 ILS. The ride took 1 hour and a half. Be careful; some taxi drivers are very sneaky and wanted us to go to the wrong location just to get money from us. Luckily other taxi drivers teamed up and took us to the right car to Jericho. The second option is to take a shared taxi to Al-Eizariya (20 ILS) and change there for another shared taxi to Jericho (10 ILS). 

HOW TO GET AROUND JERICHO

If you stay in Jericho refugee camp, like us, reaching the city centre is around 3 km. The good thing is a shared taxi stops in front of the Sami Hostel , where we stayed and for 3 ILS goes to Jericho centre. This shared taxi runs very often, so it is not a problem. Once in the centre, you can easily walk almost everywhere.

Prices of shared taxis in Jericho

• Jericho Centre – Hisham Palace: 10 ILS
• Jericho Centre – Mount Temptation: 20 ILS
• Jericho Centre – St. George Monastery: 15 ILS

WHERE TO EAT IN JERICHO 

Restaurants in the city centre (roundabout by Mount 41 hostel) are very overpriced and cheat customers by serving small portions. If you go a bit further away, you’ll find good local eateries.

Abu Feras restaurant  – our favourite place to go. Falafel or hummus 5 ILS. They also have shawarma, Palestinian food (rice, small dishes and chicken) and more. It’s across the Bank of Palestine in this location.

مخبزومعجناتالشام – if you want a change from all the typical Middle Eastern food, head to this bakery , as this bustling place serves the best pastries we had in a while. Pizzas, different kinds of filled pastries. Super yummy. Prices range from 3-10 ILS.

WHERE TO STAY IN JERICHO 

Jericho has not many budget options. However, depending on your preferences and budget, you can easily find a place to stay. You can stay in the city centre or a refugee camp. We recommend you stay in the camps as they are a big part of Palestine, and everyone should experience the reality.

Budget I Sami hostel – the backpacker’s option in Jericho; this hostel is located in a refugee camp, that’s why we decided to stay there. The owner is friendly and helpful. It’s located 3 km away from the city centre however there are restaurants and stores right in front of the hostel. A shared taxi (3 ILS, 15 min) runs all the time between the centre and Sami, and they stop right in front of the hostel, which is super convenient. You can see life in the Palestinian camp, which was the first one built in Palestine. The area is safe to walk even after dark. You can book dorms online, but double rooms are available too, and the owner will most likely upgrade you. Also, it is a great option to talk to people about life in a refugee camp, the current situation and their opinions. A private double room costs 120 ILS ($33).

Want to stay in refugee camps in Palestine? Read our experience here.

Mid-Range I Mount 41 – if you don’t want to stay away from the centre, the best option is to stay in hostel Mount 41, which has the best central location in the city. However, there are only dorms. 

Mid-Range I Auberg-Inn Guesthouse – another popular option amongst travellers. It’s close to the Mount of Temptation, the rooms are big, and the place is clean. 

DAY 8: RAMALLAH 

Honestly, Ramallah was a bit disappointing as we felt like not much was going on here. We enjoyed the Christmas decorations around the cosmopolitan city and the good Palestinian pizza in local bakeries. But also the famous local ice cream you can taste at Rukab’s Ice Cream.

BEST THINGS TO SEE IN RAMALLAH

Yasser arafat museum.

As the name suggests, this museum is dedicated to the life of Yasser Arafat. In my opinion, the museum is made in quite a chaotic way, and if you’re not familiar with Yasser Arafat’s actions, it might be a bit confusing. A whole section in the museum shows the life of Yasser under the Israeli Siege during the years 2001 and 2004. The first thing you see when entering the area is the Mausoleum. However, these days, it is not guarded by soldiers anymore.

• Opening times of Yasser Arafat Museum:  10am – 6pm
• Entry fee:  5 ILS ($1.4)

Taybeh Beer Brewery

We wanted to visit the beer brewery in Taybeh, so we went to parking lot where buses to Taybeh goes. We entered the bus and waited half an hour for the bus to fill up, but no one showed up. We used Google Translate, and the driver said it could sometimes take even a few hours. We searched for a shared taxi instead, which was right on the road next to this parking lot . We were the first ones in the taxi, another two ladies joined, and then we waited another half an hour, and no one showed up. We gave up as we thought getting back might be even more problematic.

HOW TO GET TO RAMALLAH FROM JERICHO

Take a shared taxi that has a station in the centre opposite the Mount 41 hostel in Jericho. They charge 18 ILS. 

How to get around Ramallah or to other cities

Ramallah is very confusing with the shared taxis system as there are many stations from where the shared taxis or buses leave, The best is always to talk to local people, and they will show you where to go.

WHERE TO STAY IN RAMALLAH

Eco Hostel Ramallah is a place where travellers meet in Ramallah and also volunteer. The German guy checked us into the hostel earlier than check-in time, which we appreciated. We stayed in shared dorms for 75 ILS ($20) per person, which is quite a lot in our opinion; it was the most expensive accommodation we had in Palestine. The place is very clean; you can use the kitchen, fast Wi-Fi, free water and a coffee & tea station.

DAY 9-10: NABLUS

Nablus surprised us with its beautiful atmosphere and old city, where we felt like being back in  Tripoli in Lebanon . It is a conservative and authentic city that does not attract many foreigners. At the time of our visit, a new terrorist group was forming with the aim of fighting the Israeli forces. The area from Nablus towards the north is quite sensitive, and during our stay, we were informed by our hotel not to go outside after sunset. The whole old city and market shut down before 5pm, which is when we should go back to the hotel. One evening, around 5pm, we were already chilling when we heard gunshots right in front of our window. Hundreds of people of this Nablus group with guns went into the streets and shot into the air. That day, we saw a small boy holding a huge gun and casually walking around the market. Even though it sounds dangerous place to be, this group aim to protect Palestinians, and you, as a tourist, have nothing to fear about. However, if the bullets are in the air, they must also go down; so it is better to be inside your hostel in the evenings.

That night, there were big riots close to Jacob’s Tomb as Jews, and the Israeli army, which protected them, came to pray at this holy site. There was shooting, fire on the streets and fights until late that night. In the hostel, we met US journalists who were preparing to go there to film and make a report on this.

People in Nablus are suspicious of foreigners at first, so they checked on us many times, asking where we are from, if we are journalists, and why we came. After we explained we were just tourists, they relaxed and were very nice to us. Actually, Nablus is a place where we would like to return one day.

BEST THINGS TO SEE IN NABLUS

Traditional souq.

This souq had many shops with traditional products and crafts, where the recipe is passed from generation to generation: Halva, sweets, honey. There is even a store with a crocodile and snake skin that the owner brought from India. The whole market and old city are covered with posters and flags of the activist group, showing martyrs killed in fights with Israel.

The old city and watch tower

The old city has an authentic vibe, narrow streets and charismatic stone houses. Come to the square with the watch tower, have a coffee from one of the stalls and enjoy the place. It has identical Ottoman Era architecture as we saw when we visited Damascus during our trip to Syria.

Try the best Kunafeh in Palestine in Al Aqsa Kunafeh , the famous Kunafeh place in Palestine. Their Kunafeh tastes like heaven, and there is no wonder why this place is bustling with locals every day. You can also see the whole process of making kunafeh which is a cool experience. 

The next sweet thing you must try is Tamriyah , a fried pastry filled with semolina pudding that costs only 1 ILS. Zalabye Pumpkin is to die for. It is something like a crepe filled with sweet pumpkin filling and then fried. It costs 7 ILS and is totally delicious. Halva . Oh, halva. We visited two traditional places where they make halva, the owners took us inside, showed us around, and gave us a taste of their delicious halva, and we bought a few boxes to bring back home with us. The food in Nablus is fresh and so good.

You can get local Palestinian food, falafel sandwiches or hummus in many places. We didn’t make a mistake in any of the eateries we visited in the old town.

Soap factory 

There are numerous soap factories in Nablus. Visit one, check out the colourful soaps and lovely smell and learn about the soap-making process.

As you can guess, Nablus is our favourite city in Palestine, and that’s why we dedicated a whole separate post about Nablus and the best things to do and eat there, but you can also read about the safety situation. 

Read more in our post: How to visit Nablus, Palestine, in 2023 & Is it safe? (Coming soon)

HOW TO GET TO NABLUS FROM RAMALLAH

We asked the local man where the shared taxi have a station, and luckily he took us to the building, where we took a lift and after we saw the place where many share taxis stand. We paid 17 ILS. The location of the multi-floor building from where the shared taxis leave is here .

HOW TO GET AROUND NABLUS

Stay in the centre of Nablus, and you can easily walk everywhere. If you want to go further, take a taxi for 5-10 ILS.

WHERE TO STAY IN NABLUS

Turquoise Guest House I without a doubt, is the best place to stay in Nablus and maybe the whole of Palestine. It is right in the old town, located on the second floor of the stone house. There are some private rooms and also separate dorms for men and women; that’s where we stayed. We met interesting people here, travellers and volunteers who helped at Turquoise Guest House. The owner and family took the time to discuss things about Nablus; they have generally been very helpful. The guest house has an amazing rooftop from where you can see the whole of Nablus. After sunset, it’s a show of lights.

DAY 11: JENIN

Jenin is not your typical holiday destination as it is a place of frequent riots and a place where the Palestinian journalist Abu Akleh was killed when reporting for Al Jazeera. Her face is a symbol of Palestinian activism. You will see graffiti with her face and posters all around Palestine.

When you cross the Emek Harod checkpoint to Nazareth, expect you will be suspicious as only activists and journalists usually go to Jenin. We decided not to spend a night there and only go for a day trip. Jenin is a traditional Palestinian city with similar vibes to Nablus. We felt there very well, safe and welcomed. People stopped us on the street and wanted to practice English. 

The market in the centre, together with the one in Nablus, is the best market we visited in Palestine. We wandered around its streets for a couple of hours. We used our time, especially for walking around the centre of Jenin, talking with people, and tasting some food and pomegranate juice. And then, we took a shared taxi towards the border as the plan that day was to make our way to Nazareth, Israel.

HOW TO GET TO JENIN FROM NABLUS

In Nablus, take a shared taxi to Jenin from this location . It costs 16 ILS.

WHERE TO STAY IN JENIN

Jenin Creative Cultural Center – I got in touch with Yousef through Facebook messages . He runs this place and is a director of an NGO in Jenin. They charge quite a higher price for accommodation, but since there are not many hotel options, this is the place to be. We spent a half day in Jenin on the way to the border, so we didn’t stay overnight. 

HOW TO GET TO NAZARETH FROM JENIN

Take a shared taxi from Jenin to Jalamah, the city right by the Emek Harod Checkpoint, where you cross to Nazareth in Israel. We asked locals, and they brought us to the shared taxi location. We paid 4 ILS for a ride. 

We already described the Emek Harod Checkpoint above in the Checkpoint section .

After you cross the checkpoint, you find yourself back in Israel. Follow people and go outside of the building. Then continue your way to the bus stop by the main road. On google maps, you find the bus stop as Jalamah Checkpoint and wait for the bus to Nazareth. Check the Moovit App to find the bus that is going there. We took bus #52 and then changed to bus #354. More buses are going as well as taxis. It is only 25 km from Nazareth.

Read more: Visiting Israel on budget: Tips & Perfect 5 days itinerary. (Coming soon)

More from the Middle East

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Visit & Stay in refugee camps in the West Bank.

Taba Border Crossing: Dahab (Egypt) to Eilat (Israel) with Troubled Stamps in Passport

How to travel to Lebanon & Ultimate 11 days itinerary

The best things to do in Beirut, Lebanon

Is it safe to travel to Lebanon? Our experience

How to travel to Syria & Is it safe to visit?

How to travel to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Travel off the beaten path in Cyprus

Epic road trip: The King’s Highway in Jordan

Wadi Rum: Overnight in the desert & Know before you go

How to travel to Aqaba, Jordan & Ultimate beach guide

How to visit Petra and Little Petra in Jordan

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On Booking.com we always find the best deals for accommodation. Another great option for cheap accommodation is Hostelworld .

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Travelling for years now, she found the passion in unique and off the beaten path places. Romana is a food lover, but it doesn’t stop her from hiking the mountains for several days. By sharing her experiences, she wants to help you experience the same.

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I’m Palestinian. This Is What International Travel Looks Like for Me.

Why i disagree with my jewish family about israel's politics, israeli police demolished a palestinian family’s home at 3am, egypt’s dystopia is a lesson for the world, this graffiti artist was arrested for his viral ‘we are palestine’ mural, one email. one story. every week. sign up for the vice newsletter..

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Mass arrests, officers in riot gear: Pro-Palestinian protesters face police crackdowns

CHICAGO – Summer Pappachen and 200 other activist students at Northwestern University had just set up more than two dozen tents and tarps on the picturesque university lawn. The mood in the morning was calm. Students brought Palestinian flags and drums to play for passing cars honking support.

Then the cops showed up to shut them down.

“We thought it’s Northwestern University, they have a liberal reputation to uphold, but they came within minutes,” Pappachen said of Thursday's confrontation. Campus police began removing tents, but left after about 100 protesters linked arms and formed a barricade.

Papachen and thousands of other student protesters around the nation have seen an unexpected side of their colleges: what they consider a militarized response to basic civil rights and free speech.

From California to New York, from Texas to Illinois, hundreds of students have been arrested after college presidents called police - some in riot gear and some carrying tear gas - to remove their own students from encampments on campus quads. Some question whether authorities are over-reacting; others question the priorities of academic leaders who sic the police on them.

At Northwestern, Pappachen, a 25-year-old grad student, said organizers quickly conferred with protesters at Columbia University in New York, an epicenter of growing student dissent against the Israel-Hamas war , on how to handle police if they returned.

“We’ll see if they’re interested in arresting their own students and employees,” Pappachen said. By nightfall, more than 500 protesters had gathered on the lawn, and she was telling students through a bullhorn about what to do if they were arrested.

Polarizing question of free speech vs. safety

The student-made tent cities that have been at the heart of the Israel-Hamas protest conflicts have sprouted up at several universities, most notably Columbia. For college presidents, the encampments are often seen as an intimidating presence and interruption of life on campus.

"I fully support the importance of free speech, respect the right to demonstrate, and recognize that many of the protestors have gathered peacefully," Columbia University President Minouche Shafik said in an email sent this week to all students and faculty that was obtained by USA TODAY. "However, the encampment raises serious safety concerns, disrupts campus life, and has created a tense and at times hostile environment for many members of our community. It is essential that we move forward with a plan to dismantle it."

Map: From Harvard to UT Austin to USC, college protests over Gaza are spreading.

At UCLA, Students for Justice in Palestine set up an encampment Thursday on Royce Quad. "We are not leaving until our demands are met," the group said in an Instagram post. Also in Los Angeles, the University of Southern California declared its campus closed and asked the L.A. Police Department to clear a demonstration after it arrested 94 people linked to a protest Wednesday.

Protest organizers say the police responses across the nation are overzealous. At the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday, state troopers in riot gear and police on horseback broke up a protest at the school hosted by the student group Palestine Solidarity Committee. Nearly 60 people were booked into the Travis County Jail in connection to the protest, Travis County sheriff's office spokesperson Kristen Dark said.

In a statement, the group Concerned UT Austin Faculty decried what it called a decision by administrative leaders to invite city and state police "on horses, motorcycles and bicycles, in riot gear and armed with batons, pepper spray, tear gas and guns to our campus today" to interrupt a peaceful student event.

"The event was to have included teach-ins, study sessions, pizza and an art workshop," the statement said. "There was no threat of violence, no plan to disrupt classes, no intimidation of the campus community. Instead of allowing our students to go ahead with their peaceful planned action, our leaders turned our campus into a militarized zone."

Campus 'no longer a safe and welcoming place'

Some faculty members and students are calling for the removal of University of Texas President Jay Hartzell, saying the police response - and invitation to bring them to campus - went too far.

Polly Strong, the president of the UT chapter of the American Association of University Professors, called on faculty to sign a petition of no confidence in Hartzell.

"The President has shown himself to be unresponsive to urgent faculty, staff, and student concerns. He has violated our trust," the petition said. "The University is no longer a safe and welcoming place for the diverse community of students and scholars who until now have called this campus home."

Will Creeley, legal director of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said the nonpartisan civil liberties group has received requests for assistance since UT Austin's response to student demonstrators. Since joining FIRE in 2006, Creeley told USA TODAY he has never seen such a stark law enforcement response to student expression.

“Adding a lot of law enforcement officers to a peaceful protest – it's easy to imagine how that goes south. It's harder to imagine how that goes right," Creeley said.

Some conservative commentators disagreed and applauded the Texas police response.

“The protest Wednesday at the University of Texas-Austin was a prime example illustrating the difference between how red states and blue states handle respect for the rule of law. Red states meet such challenges with strength, as seen in the cases of Texas Governor Greg Abbott and UT-Austin’s President Jay Hartzell,” blogger Laura Wellington wrote in a commentary for the Western Journal, a conservative news site.

“Blue states take quite the opposite approach. They’ve taught young people to disrespect the rule of law by ensuring there are zero consequences, so now the young militants are running roughshod over Columbia University, New York University and Yale University, among many others," Wellington wrote.

First Amendment issues - public vs private

Columbia University's private school status leaves little room for legal recourse from groups that object to the administration’s response, First Amendment experts say. Students and faculty at most private schools don't have the same protections as those at public schools.

"Columbia can restrict First Amendment rights. They can restrict what students say and what they protest," said Kevin Goldberg, an expert in First Amendment rights at the Freedom Forum, a national group that advocates for First Amendment protections.

Still, Columbia’s decision to suspend students, send in state police officers to shutter demonstrations and arrest protesters was “a pretty dramatic escalation” of common practice at campuses across the nation, said Angus Johnston, an adjunct assistant professor at Hostos Community College of the City University of New York and a historian of student activism.

The Columbia Spectator, a student newspaper, reported the response to its encampments last week marked the first time that mass arrests were made on campus since 1968, when NYPD arrested hundreds of students protesting the Vietnam War.

"The shift that’s happened is not a shift in student tactics, but a shift in administration response," he said. “After Kent State and Jackson State in 1970, there was a period of about 30 years or so where it tended to be fairly unlikely that campuses would respond with mass arrests even in the case of admin building occupations."

“College students today, including Jewish students, are not at the level of support for the government of Israel that we see in their parents or grandparents. And a large group of college politicians and administrators and donors are all lined up on the other side."

This is creating a situation in which students feel justified in their protest and administrators feel justified in their response, Johnston said.

There was a wave of mass arrests in response to the Occupy movement in the early 2000s. But when university police pepper-sprayed demonstrators on the University of California, Davis campus and the incident made national headlines, the trend bucked, Johnston noted.

“It caused a lot of colleges to dial back their tactics again,” he said. “In recent years, it’s not unheard of to have arrests, but to do so so quickly with mass suspensions and arrests of so many students at one time felt like very precipitous escalation.”

'I don't think the cops need to be here at all'

At Northwestern University, undergraduate student Mayán Alvarado Goldberg said she was present when cops first came to take encampment tents down Thursday morning.

“To be honest, it was a little scary,” said the 22-year-old, whose sister is planning to camp out at a California student protest.

“I don’t think the cops need to be here at all,” she said, pointing to nearby people eating carryout kebab.

But given the confrontation in the morning, she had one comment if police returned, and arrests were made: “I guess it shows even peaceful protest will be met with violence.”

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Australia tells citizens to depart Israel, Palestinian territories

"We urge Australians in both Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories to depart if it's safe to do so," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a travel advisory update.

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ustralia on Friday told its citizens to leave Israel if possible, citing a "high threat of military reprisals and terrorist attacks", issuing a similar warning for the Palestinian territories.

Australia's government had previously told citizens to avoid travel to both areas if possible and, if concerned, to leave.

This more urgent warning came as Israel and Iran traded direct aerial barrages, dramatically escalating animosities after years of indirect and covert clashes.

"Military attacks may result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and diversions and other travel disruptions," Australia's diplomats said.

"Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport may pause operations due to heightened security concerns at any time, and at short notice."

On Friday, Israel attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter said, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.

One source told Reuters the US was not involved but was notified by Israel before the attack. 

Iran's Fars news agency reported three explosions were heard near an army base in the central city of Isfahan. An Iranian official told Reuters there was no missile attack and the explosions were the result of the activation of Iran's air defense systems. 

Iranian state TV said that shortly after midnight "three drones were observed in the sky over Isfahan. The air defense system became active and destroyed these drones in the sky."

The broadcaster later said the situation in Isfahan was normal and no ground explosions had occurred.

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Middle East crisis — explained

The conflict between Israel and Palestinians — and other groups in the Middle East — goes back decades. These stories provide context for current developments and the history that led up to them.

Columbia to continue talks with student protesters after deadline to clear out passes

Rachel Treisman

Ayana Archie

Hundreds of people rallied on the University of Minnesota campus on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, to protest Israel's war with Hamas. Earlier in the day, nine antiwar protesters were arrested as police took down an encampment organizers said was set up to show solidarity with the people of Gaza. Mark Vancleave/AP hide caption

Hundreds of people rallied on the University of Minnesota campus on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, to protest Israel's war with Hamas. Earlier in the day, nine antiwar protesters were arrested as police took down an encampment organizers said was set up to show solidarity with the people of Gaza.

Columbia University officials said early Wednesday they will continue to negotiate with student pro-Palestinian protesters after setting a midnight deadline for them to disperse.

Columbia President Minouche Shafik said in setting the deadline that the university had been in talks with demonstrators but would have to "consider alternative options" for clearing the encampments protesters had set up.

But a Columbia spokesperson said in a statement to NPR later that the university was making progress with representatives of the student encampments and "In light of this constructive dialogue, the university will continue conversations for the next 48 hours.

The pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have rocked New York-area schools in recent days — and the ensuing arrests of participants — have spread from coast to coast.

Students have launched protests and encampments at more than a dozen schools across the country, from Massachusetts to Michigan to California. They are calling for an end both to the Israel-Hamas war and their universities' investment in companies that profit from it or, more broadly, do business with Israel.

It's the latest wave of protests to sweep college campuses since the Oct. 7 attack Hamas-led attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and roughly 240 others taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities, who say more than 130 remain captive in Gaza. Israel's ensuing military response in Gaza has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, some two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Columbia University shifts classes to remote-only after a wave of protests on campus

College-age Americans are more likely to sympathize with Palestinians than Israelis, according to recent polling by the Pew Research Center .

And the Israel-Hamas war has become a major flashpoint at institutions of higher education, many of which are now grappling with how to balance free speech protections with student safety at a moment of rising antisemitism and Islamophobia .

Police break up protests from New York to California

NYPD officers face pro-Palestinian protesters on Monday night after clearing an encampment on NYU's campus. Alex Kent/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

NYPD officers face pro-Palestinian protesters on Monday night after clearing an encampment on NYU's campus.

On Monday, police arrested nearly 50 protesters at Yale University while Columbia, which has seen rising tensions since more than 100 demonstrators were arrested last week, shifted classes online — a move it has since extended through the end of the semester. (Classes end on April 29 and finals end on May 10, according to the school's academic calendar .)

New York police on Monday cleared an encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters outside New York University's Gould Plaza, taking an unspecified number of them into custody after they refused to leave.

Concerns over antisemitism rise as Jews begin observing Passover

An NYU faculty group tweeted that the school had authorized police to "arrest its own students, faculty, staff and anyone who dares to stand in solidarity with Palestine."

NYU spokesperson John Beckman said in a statement that after some 50 demonstrators assembled that morning, the university closed the plaza to prevent additional people from joining.

He said more protesters — "many of whom we believe were not affiliated with NYU" — breached the barriers in the afternoon, changing the dynamic with their "disorderly, disruptive, and antagonizing behavior," and noted reports of "intimidating chants and several antisemitic incidents."

"Given the foregoing and the safety issues raised by the breach, we asked for assistance from the NYPD," he added. "The police urged those on the plaza to leave peacefully, but ultimately made a number of arrests."

Columbia cancels in-person classes after some students say they don't feel safe

Negotiations continue at columbia.

The Columbia spokesperson said the school had reached agreement with protest representatives that they would remove a "significant" number of the tents they had set up on the campus' West Lawn and that those in the encampment would comply with fire department safety requirements.

They agreed to ensure that those not affiliated with the university would leave the encampment and only Columbia students would participate in the protests and that they had agreed to prohibit harassing and discriminatory language, the spokesperson said.

Shafik said in her statement late Tuesday that "We are working to identify protestors who violated our policies against discrimination and harassment, and they will be put through appropriate disciplinary processes."

'A dangerous and volatile situation'

Across the country at California State Polytechnic University, a group of students waving Palestinian flags and signs occupied Siemens Hall, an academic and administrative building on the Humboldt campus.

They barricaded the front entrance with chairs, desks, trash cans and other pieces of furniture, according to reports from ABC affiliate KRCR and an image posted to social media by the organization National Students for Justice in Palestine.

Barricades at the Cal Poly Humboldt occupation, where riot police have recently arrived on the scene pic.twitter.com/FHT0WLnH72 — National Students for Justice in Palestine (@NationalSJP) April 23, 2024

Around 8:30 p.m. local time, school officials urged people to stay away from the building, calling it "a dangerous and volatile situation." They said they were concerned about the safety of the protesters barricaded inside and called on them to heed law enforcement's directive to leave peacefully.

Several hours later, they said campus will remain closed through Wednesday for the safety of the community.

"Buildings are locked down and key cards will not work," they said, adding that "In-person classes and activities are transitioning to remote where possible."

Solidarity encampments emerge at over a dozen schools

Pro-Palestinian students protest at a tent encampment in front of Sproul Hall on the UC Berkeley campus on Monday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

Pro-Palestinian students protest at a tent encampment in front of Sproul Hall on the UC Berkeley campus on Monday.

Pro-Palestinian students at colleges in multiple states are now launching movements of their own, many as a direct response to the recent events at Columbia.

Students at Northwestern University, Ohio State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Temple University, Princeton University, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and others held walkouts and rallies in support of Columbia students last week after their arrest.

And others have followed suit this week.

A Pro-Palestinian student group at the University of Minnesota tweeted that they were joining with Columbia students by setting up an encampment on their own campus lawn at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, in solidarity "with the people of Palestine and with students standing up for Palestine across the country."

Students at the University of Pittsburgh also set up tents on Tuesday morning outside its central Cathedral of Learning, which they said in a news release was done in solidarity with students at a list of other schools.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators shut down airport highways and bridges in major cities

Some 300 students staged a "solidarity walkout" at Stanford University on Monday to show support for Palestinians in Gaza and their pro-Palestinian peers at other colleges, according to the Stanford Daily .

Students have also put up encampments at several Boston-area schools , including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Emerson College and Tufts University. Harvard University has closed Harvard Yard to the public through Friday, in apparent anticipation of potential protests.

At the University of Michigan, student groups erected some two dozen tents in the middle of campus on Monday. Michigan Public reports that some 100 people gathered for a rally that afternoon, chanting "Disclose! Divest! We will not stop, we will not rest!" as police looked on.

Students at the University of California, Berkeley also set up a " Gaza Solidarity Encampment " on Monday. Organizers told ABC7 that they want school leaders to end what they're calling their "silence" over the situation in Gaza and to provide better protection for Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students.

Questions loom about protections for students and speech

Protestors occupy an encampment on the grounds of Columbia University in New York City on Monday. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images hide caption

Protestors occupy an encampment on the grounds of Columbia University in New York City on Monday.

The recent turmoil has raised even more questions about the responsibility of universities when it comes to balancing student safety with freedom of expression.

Some pro-Palestinian activists have publicly said they are protesting Israel, not Jews, and noted that their ranks include many Jewish students. At Columbia and Yale, some came together for Passover seders mid-protest .

Debbie Becher, a sociology professor at Barnard College (which is part of Columbia), told Morning Edition Tuesday that campus feels relatively safe and peaceful, unlike the portrayals of it on social media. She described the pro-Palestinian encampment as a "place of sharing and community building."

"Students have watched movies there, they hold teach-ins, they study, they eat together," she said.

But the demonstrations have left other Jewish students feeling unsafe, particularly due to reports of antisemitic rhetoric and harassment on several campuses.

The Anti-Defamation League has tracked several instances of protesters expressing support for Hamas and the Oct. 7 attack. A protester at Columbia, for example, held up a sign reading "Al-Qasam's next targets" with an arrow pointing towards nearby pro-Israel counter-protesters (referring to Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas).

The war in Gaza is a big story on campus. These student reporters aren't shying away

It says students at various schools have also waved signs glorifying figures associated with U.S.-designated terror groups, used pro-Intifada slogans and called for destroying Zionism and either hounding or getting rid of Zionists altogether.

Tensions reached such a boiling point at Columbia that a university-affiliated rabbi urged Jewish students over the weekend to return home for their own safety.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams spoke out against antisemitic incidents and hate speech at Columbia in a statement that referenced specific incidents, including a woman yelling "We are Hamas" and student groups chanting "We don't want no Zionists here."

The White House also released a statement on Sunday condemning the "calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students," saying they have "have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America."

NYPD officers detain a person as pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside of Columbia University on Thursday. Kena Bentacur/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

NYPD officers detain a person as pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside of Columbia University on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Shafik is facing criticism for her response to the protests at Columbia.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is leading New York Republicans' charge to get her to resign, a seeming repeat of the situation in December, when the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania resigned after widely panned Congressional testimony.

Shafik testified before Congress about the school's response to antisemitism last Wednesday, the day students set up the encampment. In her testimony, Shafik told lawmakers that antisemitism "is not tolerated and it is not acceptable."

The next day, she called in the NYPD to break up the demonstration, which she said violated university policies and posed a "clear and present danger" to its functioning.

Lawmakers grill the presidents of Harvard, MIT and Penn over antisemitism on campus

Her decision has been widely criticized by groups including the university's own Knight First Amendment Institute and the American Association of University Professors . Its Columbia and Barnard chapter plans to submit a "resolution of censure" against her and other administration officials, the Columbia Spectator reported Tuesday.

"President Shafik's violation of the fundamental requirements of academic freedom and shared governance, and her unprecedented assault on students' rights, warrants unequivocal and emphatic condemnation," it reads.

In a Monday note to the Columbia community , Shafik said administrators, deans and faculty were working to resolve the situation, including by discussing with protesters what actions the community can take to "peacefully complete the term and return to respectful engagement with each other."

She added that she is aware of the debate around "whether or not we should use the police on campus" and happy to participate in those discussions.

"But I do know that better adherence to our rules and effective enforcement mechanisms would obviate the need for relying on anyone else to keep our community safe," she said. "We should be able to do this ourselves."

Becher, the Barnard professor, said "the actual crisis here is the university leadership's failure to stand up to right-wing actors."

"Our president has, over the past six months and at Congress last week, abandoned our institutions of academic freedom, freedom of expression and turned our campus into a police state," she added. "And now other campuses around the country are following suit."

In a Monday statement , the civil liberties group Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) called on universities to protect peaceful protest but "ensure the swift arrest" of anyone engaging in violence on campus. But it acknowledged the extra challenges posed by this "extraordinarily difficult" moment.

"Tensions are high and nerves are raw," it said. "The charity and grace necessary for productive dialogue are in vanishingly short supply, and it can be difficult to separate protected expression from its opposite. Amidst this intense pressure, our nation's institutions of higher education must lead the way."

• encampments
• campus protests
• Israel-Hamas war
• college campuses

Israeli war cabinet resumes hostage deal discussions, official says

A delegation from Egypt traveled to Israel on Friday in a bid to avert a planned Israeli offensive in Rafah , where much of Gaza’s population has been displaced, according to an Israeli official who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the matter’s sensitivity. The trip, which follows an Israeli war cabinet meeting Thursday to discuss hostage deal negotiations, signals a resumption of efforts to broker a deal after months of failed talks . National security adviser Jake Sullivan told MSNBC on Friday that there was “new momentum, new life,” to the hostage and cease-fire talks.

• No U.S. decision yet on withholding assistance from key Israeli military unit, say sources
• Mortar attack on Gaza coast spotlights risk to U.S. pier mission
• More arrests and a canceled commencement as college antiwar rallies spread

Here's what to know:

Here's what to know, live coverage contributors 21.

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• After Israeli strike in Iran, both sides appear to downplay incident April 19, 2024 After Israeli strike in Iran, both sides appear to downplay incident April 19, 2024
• Homes burned, animals killed: Palestinians describe Israeli settler rampage April 16, 2024 Homes burned, animals killed: Palestinians describe Israeli settler rampage April 16, 2024
• Six months of the Israel-Gaza war: A timeline of key moments April 7, 2024 Six months of the Israel-Gaza war: A timeline of key moments April 7, 2024

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Israel-Gaza war

The Israel-Gaza war has gone on for six months, and tensions have spilled into the surrounding region .

The war: On Oct. 7, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel that included the taking of civilian hostages at a music festival . (See photos and videos of how the deadly assault unfolded ). Israel declared war on Hamas in response, launching a ground invasion that fueled the biggest displacement in the region since Israel’s creation in 1948 .

Gaza crisis: In the Gaza Strip, Israel has waged one of this century’s most destructive wars , killing tens of thousands and plunging at least half of the population into “ famine-like conditions. ” For months, Israel has resisted pressure from Western allies to allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave .

U.S. involvement: Despite tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some U.S. politicians , including President Biden, the United States supports Israel with weapons , funds aid packages , and has vetoed or abstained from the United Nations’ cease-fire resolutions.

History: The roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and mistrust are deep and complex, predating the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 . Read more on the history of the Gaza Strip .