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The form must be filled out within 10 days before the flight to Israel.

The form must be filled out within 10 days before the cruise to Israel.

The form must be filled out within 10 days before entering Israel.

The Ministry of Health advises PCR testing for everyone returning from abroad (at any age) who are not feeling well during the first 10 days after returning to Israel.

In contrast to antigen testing, PCR allows detection of new variants that might have been brought into Israel from abroad.

Israel Entry Form

Currently, it is no longer required to fill out the Israel Entry Form

travel form to israel

Personal Information

You can also fill out this form on behalf of your spouse or children who have visited the same countries as you have in the last 7 days before entering Israel

travel form to israel

Arrival in Israel

Select your travel option

Personal information

Enter the details exactly as on your passport. You can add your spouse or children who have stayed abroad with you in the end

Fields marked with an asterisk are required *

Information on vaccination and recovery - Foreign workers

This section is intended to be filled out by foreign workers with a B/1 visa who are entering Israel to work. You can enter vaccine or recovery details here. If you do not wish to provide the information, you can choose "Skip".

Add a dose of the vaccine

Add date of recovery

A vaccination certificate must be attached

Upload a PDF file of the certificate, or photograph the QR code and upload the photo as a Jpeg file, or scan the QR code.

This form does not constitute a permit to enter Israel . The decision regarding entry into Israel is in accordance with the discretion and procedures of the Population and Immigration Authority.

I understand that to be allowed to go into isolation at home requires my consent to be electronically tracked as specified in the Terms of Use listed here .

I have read the Terms of Use provided, and I acknowledge that, if I do not accept the Terms of Use, I will be required to undergo isolation in a state managed facility .

I give my consent to be electronically tracked during my isolation.

My consent applies to my children over 14 years of age reported herein, who are required to undergo isolation with technological supervision.

Overview and adding travelers

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Itinerary overview

travel form to israel

Passengers information overview

Add traveler.

You can add family members (spouse and children) who are staying with you abroad in the same locations and on the same dates.

travel form to israel

You're all set

travel form to israel

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Upload the certificate in a PDF file or take a photo of the QR code and upload the photo in a JPEG file.

QR scan failed

Scanning is only available on mobile phones. Press the arrow to upload a PDF file

Only PDF files can be uploaded

Please attach the required document

No vaccination certificate attached

Upload a documentation of the vaccine you received

No recovery certificate attached

In order to receive Israeli recognition in your recovery, a recovery certificate must be attached

You filled the details for one vaccine dose only

If the vaccination details are not filled, you will not be recognized as vaccinated.

Update January 10, 2024

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Latest Information for U.S. Citizens

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

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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travel form to israel

To learn more about the guidelines about travel to Israel - click here

travel form to israel

All the information you need to know before traveling to Israel

Dear friends.

Out of an abundance of caution over the new Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, as of November 28th, 2021, Israel has closed its borders to all tourists until December 13th, 2021. Only citizens of Israel and specific visa holders are allowed entry to Israel. If you had a trip scheduled during that time, even if you or your group had been granted a permit, you are no longer allowed to go as a tourist regardless of your circumstances. 

During this two week stop, the Ministries of Health and Tourism will work tirelessly to evaluate the current situation judiciously and make policies that reflect the best course forward given all available data.

For the most up-to-date information on tourist entry requirements, please go to the Israel Ministry of Health's Covid-19 website : corona.health.gov.il .

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Israel Opens to Vaccinated International Travelers

In a bid to revive a struggling tourism industry, israel is finally welcoming (fully vaccinated) travelers back, just in time for the holidays..

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Israel Opens to Vaccinated International Travelers

Winter holidays in Tel Aviv? It could be possible this season.

Photograph by Aline Fortuna/Shutterstock

For the first time in 18 months, vaccinated travelers from the United States can travel to Israel without being part of an approved tour group.

Back in May, Israel tentatively opened its doors to a select number of smaller tour groups through a pilot reopening program, but now any vaccinated foreigner, including those traveling from the U.S., is allowed to enter the country given they follow a few guidelines.

To enter Israel, travelers must have been fully vaccinated within the past six months with either two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or with one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine—and they should be prepared to present a physical or digital version of their vaccination certificate. Those who have recently recovered from COVID-19 and those who have recovered and received at least one dose of WHO-approved vaccines will also be allowed to travel to Israel.

Additionally, travelers must take a COVID-19 PCR test no more than 72 hours before their outbound flight to Israel, fill out a passenger declaration form , and take another PCR test upon arrival. Visitors will be asked to quarantine in a hotel until their results return or until 24 hours pass—whichever comes first. It should also be noted that anyone who presents falsified documents or bucks Israel’s COVID isolation policies will be banned from the country for a period of five years, according to Israel’s Ministry of Health .

Authorities hope opening the country’s gates to a larger swath of travelers will breathe new life into the struggling tourism industry. Before the pandemic, the holiday season in a typical year would bring hundreds of thousands to Bethlehem, considered the biblical birthplace of Jesus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israel had hoped to reopen to tourists last spring but delayed the move amid a spike in cases driven by the highly contagious Delta variant. Israel has since rolled out a booster campaign in which nearly half the population has received a third vaccine dose.

Israel has just emerged from its third COVID surge and reported nearly 42,000 COVID cases in the past month, well below the country’s peak of 220,000 cases, which it experienced in January 2021, according to Johns Hopkins University .

“We have been awaiting this moment, to bring back international travelers into our country, for a very long time now,” said Yoel Razvozov, Israel’s Minister of Tourism. “We’re ecstatic to share our country with everyone once again.”

International travel requirements and restrictions continue to evolve throughout the pandemic. Check the U.S. State Department’s detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories , which are updated regularly.

Additionally, all international passengers age two and older flying into the U.S., including returning U.S. citizens and permanent residents, must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flight to the United States.

The CDC also has detailed recommendations for travel during the pandemic, both for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

>> Next: AFAR’s Ultimate Guide to Israel Travel

The Temple of Hephestus

Before You Go: What to Know About Entering and Exiting Israel

Lori Zaino

After a recent TPG trip to Israel , many readers messaged us with questions about visiting the country. There were, of course, questions about hotels, flights, attractions and food. But a majority of the queries had to do with the logistics of flying into and out of the nation.

Many travelers aren't sure if they're even able to enter Israel, and are concerned about passport stamps, visas and airport security. Here, we'll detail some of the most important things you need to know about entering and exiting Israel.

While these tips are specifically for US passport holders, most of the information can be applied to travelers holding Canadian, British or other European passports. And of course, it's important to remember that, just because something is supposed to happen when entering and exiting Israel, personal experiences can vary, and regulations often change without notice. Feel free to share your own tips for traveling to Israel or sound off on your personal experiences in the comments below.

Have a Passport Valid for at Least Six Months

While US passport holders technically have no minimum validity requirement when entering Israel, your passport must be valid for the entirety of your stay. It's highly recommended, though, to have a passport that's valid for six months or more , or your airline may deny you boarding even though the nation of Israel may not deny your entry. If you're concerned, or are cutting it close, the best thing to do is renew your passport. If it's too late for that, call the airline you're flying to confirm if you'll be allowed to board.

Keep Track of Your Entry Card

US passport holders are allowed to stay in Israel for 90 days with a free tourist visa, and it's possible, in some circumstances, to extend this. Although it's technically a tourist visa, visitors from the US don't have to worry about obtaining or showing any paperwork, or making any payment, either beforehand or upon arrival to obtain the visa. (Nowadays, it's largely referred to as the entry card.) The entry card — a small piece of paper in lieu of a stamp — shows information such as the date you arrived, a small photo of yourself and the date when your 90 days in Israel are up.

Don't lose or misplace your entry card . While you may or may not be asked to present it when exiting the country, showing the card at hotels and car rental companies is important, because it will exclude you from paying the VAT tax of 17%. I was personally also asked to show it at a random road border checkpoint near the Dead Sea, so it's a good idea to always have it (and your passport) on hand. You will also get another small slip of paper when you leave, your exit card.

travel form to israel

Don't Worry About the Stamp

When you arrive at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv (TLV), your passport should not be stamped. Israel has stopped stamping passports in almost all cases. But, some TPG readers have had their passports stamped during land crossings. Entering both Jordan and Egypt from Israel is permitted and you can do so by land crossing directly from Israel. (For more information on land crossings and possible stamps there, read the land-crossing section below.)

travel form to israel

If you already have an Israeli stamp in your passport (the country stopped stamping fairly recently), don't panic. You can try to get a second passport , or just be careful about which countries you enter. Lebanon is one of the strictest countries, denying entrance to anyone with an Israeli stamp in their passport.

Other countries you should avoid entering if you have an Israeli stamp are Syria, Sudan, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Although you will be allowed to enter Muslim-majority countries such as Morocco, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates or Indonesia with the stamp, still be careful. Any interactions with police in a Muslim-majority country, in cases where you have to show your passport with Israeli stamp, could subject you to additional questioning.

Of course, this isn't a science, and some travelers may experience more (or less) questioning or similar issues at border checks when entering and exiting these countries.

It's important to know that when entering Israel, it's OK if you have stamps from Middle Eastern countries. While this may trigger a lot of security questions (see the section on security below), you'll still be allowed to enter and exit the country. Holders of Iranian visas in their passports should expect a lot of added questioning and thorough security checks, but should still ultimately be granted entry.

Get Standard Vaccines

US travelers aren't required to have any specific vaccines when visiting Israel, though having the measles and Hepatitis A vaccines is, as usual, recommended before travel.

Navigating the Land Crossings

It is possible to cross the Israeli border into either Jordan or Egypt — but not to Syria or Lebanon. While an Israeli officer shouldn't stamp your passport upon exiting or entering, we have heard reports of select TPG readers having their documents stamped at land crossings. So, you can simply ask the Israeli border control officer not to stamp your passport and, hopefully, they won't.

You must be careful, however, because the border control agents in Jordan or Egypt will stamp your passport upon entry and exit. The stamp is slightly different than the one you'd get by flying to the Amman (AMM) or Cairo International (CAI) airports, usually showing the name of the land crossing.

Extra scrutiny from a border agent in another country such as Lebanon may notice these entry or exit stamps from Egypt or Jordan and realize you entered by land -- making it clear you'd been to Israel. An easy way around this is to simply ask the land agents in Jordan or Egypt not to stamp your passport when entering or exiting. As I mentioned above, if you do end up with an Israeli (or Jordanian or Egyptian land crossing) stamp, all is not lost. You can apply for a second passport if you then later plan to visit a country such as Lebanon.

If you plan to visit Jordan or Egypt by way of land crossing, you may need a visa, or to pay an entry or exit fee -- and this may be different than the requirements for arriving by air. Fees also depend on the specific border crossing. We have heard reports from a few TPG readers that they were able to pay with a credit card at some of the border crossings. You can always attempt to pay with credit card first, but have cash on hand just in case (and in various currencies, if possible). Some land crossings do have money exchanges nearby in case you're stuck.

You can get a visa upon arrival at two (Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba crossing in the south, near Eilat; and the Jordan River crossing/Sheikh Hussein Bridge in the north, near Beit She'an) out of the three border crossings into Jordan from Israel (except the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge), according to the Jordan International Border Crossing information page. Visa fees (often subject to change) are 40 Jordanian dinars (a little over $56) for a single entry, valid for one month. When departing Jordan, expect to pay 8 dinars ($11) at any border crossings except the airports. The US Department of State explains that, "US passport holders must obtain Jordanian visas in advance to enter Jordan via the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge near Jericho. For US passport holders entering Israel via Jordan at Allenby/King Hussein Bridge [the third international crossing point between Israel and Jordan], Israeli authorities issue visas on arrival. Procedures for all three crossings into Jordan are subject to frequent changes. "

Visitors heading to Egypt by way of Israel at the Taba Border Crossing must obtain a visa in advance from the Egyptian Embassy in their home country or at the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in Tel Aviv. The exception is if you're only planning to visit Sinai, in which case "Sinai Only" visas are issued in the moment at the Taba Crossing.

Visiting Bethlehem

US citizens with a valid 90-day tourist entry card (the small blue piece of paper I previously encouraged you not to lose) can visit Bethlehem, which is just a few miles from Jerusalem. Bring your passport along with the small entry card, though you may or may not have to show it at the border. It's best to have at least six months or more validity on your passport if you plan to go to Bethlehem, too.

Airlines Flying to Israel

Not all airlines fly to Israel. Many countries don't even recognize the country, so don't expect to fly to Tel Aviv on airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, Royal Air Maroc, Saudia or Qatar. And the following countries have banned nonstop flights to Israel : Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

You can, however, fly Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian and Royal Jordanian Airlines nonstop to and from Israel.

But there are a few interesting exceptions. For example, Egypt Air doesn't fly to Israel — at lest, not exactly. They use a special airline, Air Sinai, which is actually owned by Egypt Air to operate any flights between the two countries. In fact, Air Sinai was established in 1982 for the sole purpose of operating flights between Egypt and Israel. In order to buy an Air Sinai ticket, you'll have to do so through a tour agency or a travel agent, as they aren't available online.

Also, both Saudi Arabia and Libya allow certain airlines (such as Air India and Ethiopian) to use their airspace when flying to Tel Aviv, while the Israeli national carrier, El Al, is not allowed .

If you fly El Al to Israel, expect extra questioning and intense security measures.

Security Before Flying to Israel

You may encounter heavy security and questioning before even checking in for your flight when flying Israeli carrier El Al, regardless of your departure airport. The airline has much heavier security measures than other airlines for entering Israel. Most other airlines won't do any added security questioning before departure.

Some TPG staff members flying El Al noted some serious questioning about their Jewish heritage and customs. TPG travel editor Melanie Lieberman specifically remembers getting asked about her Hebrew name (which she doesn't have) and both Wallace Cotton, TPG 's community manager, and Becca Denenberg, TPG 's director of marketing and communications, were asked which Jewish holidays they celebrated. Non-Jewish flyers can expect routine questions pertaining to why they are visiting Israel and about any stamps in their passport from Muslim countries.

Getting questioned when flying El Al isn't limited to travelers departing from US airports. You'll be questioned, regardless of departure city, if you're flying El Al. TPG UK's director of content, Nicky Kelvin, has experienced extremely long questioning by El Al security agents before arriving at check-in, as well as occasional follow-up question pre-boarding when flying out of London. (He's flown El Al out of London to Tel Aviv more than 10 times.)

Declaration at Customs

You must declare if you are carrying 50,000 shekels (just shy of $14,000) or more when entering or exiting Israel by air and, if entering or exiting by land, you must declare if you are carrying 12,000 shekels ($3,350) or more.

Security Upon Departure From Israel

Upon departure from the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, all passengers are questioned before check-in.

In theory, the questioning should not be hostile: just very thorough and possibly invasive. During my exit from Israel a few weeks ago, I was questioned exhaustively about several stamps in my passport from destinations such as the UAE, Morocco, Malaysia and Indonesia. I was asked if I knew people in any of those countries, where I had stayed and what my purpose was for traveling there.

Megan Robertson, a video editor and producer at TPG, remembers being questioned about her visit to Turkey, as well as her reasons for visiting Israel. She told TPG she, "got a lot of questions about who I was visiting in Israel, especially since I'm not Jewish and have no family ties there." It's best to be prepared for rigorous questioning, and to "stay calm," Megan said. "Just answer truthfully to the best of your ability."

Depending on your answers, you'll get a sticker on the back of your passport. The first number on the sticker is your flag as a perceived security threat. The numbers range from one, the lowest, to six, the highest. And I got a five. (Apparently, this is normal if you're not Jewish or are traveling alone. ) The extra security was definitely a pain, but I've had worse during a brief period of time when I was marked with the dreaded SSSS in the US .

travel form to israel

After check-in, I was sent to a special security line, where every single one of the belongings in my carry-on was taken out, examined and tested for explosives. I walked through the metal detectors and was patted down despite not setting the alarm off.

It was annoying and, frankly, a little embarrassing, but not a huge deal. I originally blanched when the staff at my hotel suggested I arrive at the airport three to four hours in advance of my flight departure time, but they were right, and it's worth giving yourself the extra time in case you end up with extra security screening.

However, those with a sticker with the first number as six should be ready for an even more intense search. If you feel you've been unfairly flagged or treated disrespectfully in any way, you can report it. The US State Department warns that, "some US citizens of Arab or Muslim heritage (including Palestinian-Americans) have experienced significant difficulties and unequal and hostile treatment at Israel's borders and checkpoints. US citizens who have traveled to Muslim countries or who are of Arab, Middle Eastern or Muslim origin may face additional questioning by immigration and border authorities. US citizens should immediately report treatment by border officials that they believe is discriminatory or hostile to the ACS unit of the US Embassy in Jerusalem ( [email protected] ) or the ACS unit of the Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv ( [email protected] )."

If you are concerned about being flagged or expect to be in a rush upon either arrival or departure, you should consider prebooking a VIP departure or arrival , which varies in price (usually around $300 to $400 per person, depending on the package) but can include everything from pickup at the jetway to VIP security , luggage pickup and check-in, as well as access to a VIP arrival or departure lounge. (Read Brian Kelly's full review of the service.)

After my intense security screening, I headed to immigration, where I was given a pink exit paper — a replacement for my exit stamp. You may also go through an e-gate for immigration, which issues you this pink paper. I was able to keep both the blue entry card and the pink exit one, and faced no additional questioning at immigration or during the boarding process.

If you ever plan to visit one of the aforementioned Middle Eastern countries that may have a problem with the fact that you've visited Israel, make sure to peel off the sticker from your passport to avoid any issues. And leave the blue and pink papers (those Israeli entry and exit cards) at home, too.

Be Prepared When Traveling on Shabbat

Judaism specifies that Shabbat — from Friday at sundown to sundown on Saturday — should be kept as a holy day. For this reason, all public offices and many businesses are closed on Shabbat. As a result, your travel may be affected. While most airlines operate flights in and out of Israel during these hours, El Al normally does not. Security may take longer, too. Public transportation such as trains and buses may not be operating at all or be operating with a restricted schedule, so plan accordingly to arrive at the airport in time.

WATCH: How to Avoid TLV's Long Lines With NEW VIP Terminal

Amudim

PRE-FLIGHT TRAVELER ENTRY DECLARATION FORM​

Pre-flight traveler entry declaration form.

All travelers, regardless of age, nationality, or citizenship, must fill out this form!

Click Here for form

Click Here for Video tutorial

Click Here for step-by-step instructions

Watch our video tutorial by clicking the box below, and read our step by step instructions on how to properly fill out the entry declaration form.

On bottom of page click “Okay. Let’s start.”

Select your travel option

Click the first box that says “By Air”

  • Type your name as it appears on your valid passport that you are traveling with. Middle name/initials are not required.
  • This field automatically says yes. 
  • If you are an Israeli citizen keep it as “Yes.”  
  • If you are not an Israeli citizen, click the button to switch it to “No.”
  • If you are Israeli the next question will ask you for Your ID Number: This refers to your Mispar Zehut which can be found on either your Israeli passport or your Teudat Zehut
  • Israeli Citizens: Enter your Israeli passport number.
  • All other travelers: E nter the passport number of the foreign passport you will be using to travel
  • Enter the name of the country your passport was issued by – i,e, United States of America
  • This must be entered as day, month, year (opposite style of the   typical American date structure) Example:. May 1st 2021 would be 01/05/2021
  • Type in the name of the country in which that phone number is registered from – i.e. United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, etc…
  • Enter the 10 digit number starting with area code. Do not use spaces or characters. 
  • Example: 9175551212
  • This is not required
  • Make sure to spell this  correctly, as this email address is where all approvals and communications, and required documents will be sent to.
  • Fill in the first name, last name and phone number of an emergency contact of your choosing.
  • At bottom of page click “Confirm and Continue”

Page 4: Itinerary

  • This will automatically say Ben Gurion Airport – do not change.
  • Enter the name of the airline you will be using. i.e. El Al, United, etc…..
  • On your flight reservation it will state your flight number to Israel
  • This is not your reservation or confirmation number – i.e. 008 , 90,  232, etc….
  • Enter the original destination you are traveling from – if you have a layover, this will be the 1st country you depart from and not the country the layover takes place in 
  • We strongly advise to only take direct/nonstop flights
  • Enter the date your flight is scheduled to take off.
  • If you have a layover, this refers to your first flight.
  • Note: sometimes late night flights are scheduled after midnight which is the next day
  • Enter the date you land in Israel.
  • Note: This is often the day after you departed.
  • This information is found on your flight itinerary.
  • Note –  You must enter this time in military time.  I.E. 5:00 PM IS 17:00
  • This is automatically left blank. 
  • If you have a direct flight (recommended) do not click the box and simply move on. 
  • If you do have a connecting flight , and your layover is scheduled to be for more than 12 hours , click the box and fill out the flight information asked. 
  • This question refers to other countries (not cities or states in the country you are departing from) .
  • This box is automatically empty – do not click this box if it does not apply to you
  • At the bottom of the page, click “ confirm and continue ”

Page 5: Health Declaration

Please read this section carefully before filling out the form. 

There are 3 options to choose from, they are:

  • Vaccinated/Recovered in Israel
  • Vaccinated/Recovered Outside Israel

We strongly recommend that all travelers, regardless of age, citizenship, vaccination status or recovery status, choose Option 3: “Other”

  • Scroll down and read all the decorations.
  • For some reason, some people see 2 boxes, and some see 3 – check all of them.
  • Click “ Confirm and Continue ”

Page 6: Overview & additional travelers

  • Please proceed to step 4.
  • You may click “ Passenger information overview ” to view and/or edit the all the previous information you filled in.
  • Click “add traveler” and repeat some (not all) of the previous steps listed above that are unique to the additional travelers.
  • Once you have added all travelers, and have confirmed your information is accurate, Scroll to the bottom of the page and Click “ Confirm and Continue ”

You have now completed and submitted this mandatory traveler entry declaration form

You should receive an email within 15 minutes with your clearance to board the flight.  That email will come from [email protected]   –    If you do not receive that email within 30 minutes, please check your spam/junk mail folders.  If after 1 hour that email has not yet arrived – please fill out the form again.

Attached to that email should an attachment called “incoming statement.”

Click here to see a sample of what the Incoming Statement Document looks like.

This approval document/documents must be brought with you to the airport and presented during check in – along with all other required documentation that is needed to be brought to the airport. Click here for further details.

Eligibility and Requirements

Quarantine guidance, relief for american citizens abroad with an expired passports, frequently asked questions, legal disclaimer.

Due to the continuously ongoing changes, that often happen without advance warning – Amudim attempts to keep this information up to date. Amudim assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided, as changes in Israeli government policy occur frequently. Amudim also does not guarantee results and can not be held responsible for the outcome of an application request.

Amudim’s No Fee Policy

Consistent with Amudim’s mission and values, the organization maintains a strict no-fee policy. We neither charge for our myriad services nor solicit donations in exchange for results. Should anyone hear of an incident where monies were requested by Amudim personnel or affiliates in exchange for services, whether as a charge or by donation, please report the incident to us immediately by email to [email protected]. We take such allegations very seriously and will swiftly and efficiently investigate and address all such reports.

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travel form to israel

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Warnings and insurance

travel form to israel

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

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

FCDO advises against all travel to Gaza.

Areas near Gaza

FCDO advises against all travel to the area close to the border with Gaza that includes:

  • south-west of Ashkelon
  • south of route 35 and west of route 40 as far as Tlalim, not including Be’er Sheva
  • west of Be’er Sheva
  • north of route 211

The West Bank

FCDO advises against all travel to the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem and Route 1 between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Northern Israel

FCDO advises against all travel to:

  • within 5km of the border with Lebanon – the Israeli military has announced that the area is a closed military zone and entry into the area is prohibited
  • the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar
  • within 500m of the border with Syria (the ‘Alpha Line’)
  • Beit Hillel
  • Even Menachem
  • Granot Ha’Galil
  • Ramot Naftali
  • She’ar Yeshuv

The rest of Israel and the OPTs

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Israel and the OPTs .

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel .

Conflict in Israel and the OPTs

On 7 October 2023 there was a large-scale terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel. Hamas continues to launch rockets into Israel and the Israeli Defence Forces are conducting significant military activity in Gaza.

There is also increased military activity by the Israeli Defence Forces around Gaza, within the West Bank and on Israel’s northern border.

There are continued exchanges of rocket and small arms fire over Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and a potential increase in rocket attacks and other incidents of violence across Israel and the OPTs , including the West Bank.

We recognise this a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and without warning. This could disrupt air and road links out of the country. If your reason to remain in Israel and the OPTs is not essential you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so.

If you are in an area affected by the fighting, follow the instructions of Israeli Home Front Command. To find these:

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

The Israeli government has declared a state of emergency across the whole country. International borders (air and land) in Israel and the OPTs could close at short notice. Check the travel advice for any neighbouring country that you are planning to travel to or through.

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

Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Read FCDO advice if you’re affected by a crisis abroad .

Register your presence

If you are a British national in Israel and the OPTs , including Gaza, you are advised to register your presence with FCDO . We can then share important updates, including information to support you to leave the country. Fill in the form for every member of your family or group who is a British national.

Travel within or out of Israel or the OPTs is at your own risk. You are encouraged to follow the advice of local authorities, for example on which routes are open or when to take shelter.

Travelling to Egypt from Gaza

The Rafah border crossing continues to be open for controlled and time-limited periods to allow specific groups of foreign nationals, including British nationals, to cross. It is for the Egyptian and Israeli authorities to determine who is permitted to cross, and when. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will contact embassies to let them know when their foreign nationals can cross. Should we receive notification from the Israeli and Egyptian authorities that individuals are permitted to cross, we will notify those people individually.

If you are a British national in Gaza who wants to leave Gaza, you should make contact with us as soon as possible.

If you are a UK visa holder who meets all of the following criteria, you can contact us to request support to leave Gaza:

  • you have a spouse/partner or a child aged 17 or under currently living in the UK; and
  • you hold valid permission to enter or remain in the UK for longer than 6 months

Contact FCDO by calling:

  • +44 176 766 7600 (UK number)
  • +972 (0)3 725 1222
  • +972 (0)2 541 4100

Movement to the Rafah crossing and beyond is at your own risk, and dependent on the permission of the Egyptian and Israeli authorities. You should only travel if you judge it is safe to do so. Check the Egypt travel advice .

Help and support in Israel and the OPTs

Contact your travel provider and insurer.

Contact your travel provider and your insurer. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Help from FCDO in Israel and the OPTs

Consular support is severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

If you need consular assistance call:

Help from other organisations 

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

Concern for friends and family

If you are in the UK and concerned about a friend or family member who is in Israel or the OPTs call FCDO on 0176 766 7600. 

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and any specific travel advice that applies to you:

  • women travellers
  • disabled travellers
  • LGBT+ travellers
  • solo and independent travel
  • volunteering and adventure travel

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice 

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

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Travel tips for Israel

How to Visit to Israel Like a Pro: 20 Essential Travel Tips

Last Modified: September 6, 2023 //  by  Anda //   30 Comments

Israel is a very controversial country, guaranteed to raise tensions and emotions, regardless of your political views or religious convictions. War and political turmoil have been the norm here for thousands of years, so traveling to Israel can be a little intimidating. But if you know what to expect, you’ll have a great experience when visiting Israel. In this post I will give you some travel tips that will help you better understand Israel and make the most of your visit here.

Table of Contents

1. Getting acquainted with Israel’s history really helps

2. food is really good, 3. everything in israel is expensive, 4. prices are negotiable, 5. renting a car vs. using public transportation, 6. tipping is not mandatory, but is expected, 7. english is spoken almost everywhere, 8. israel is really small, 9. everything closes down on shabbath, 10. religious holidays are very strictly observed, 11. jerusalem is dead on weekends, 12. there is an obvious military presence, 13. getting in and out of israel is a lengthy process, 14. what’s the best time to travel to israel, 15. what to pack for israel, 16. is it safe to travel to israel, 17. what plugs to pack for israel, 18. is wifi widely available in israel.

  • 19. Are drones allowed in Israel?

20. What time zone is Israel on?

Essential travel tips for israel.

If this is your first time in Israel you probably have many questions on your mind. So did I when I started planning our trip. And although I tried to inform myself the best that I could, there were still a few things that caught me by surprise when I arrived. Therefore I decided to put together a list of tips and useful information for traveling to Israel.

Planning to visit Jordan while you are in Israel? Read these useful travel tips for traveling to Jordan .

This guide will cover some of the most common questions asked before traveling to Israel. Like what to expect, when is the best time to go, or what costs are involved. So here is what every visitor should know before going to Israel.

Tourists walking through Jerusalem

One of the biggest travel mistakes people make when visiting other countries is not getting themselves acquainted with the local history. Of all the travel tips that I’m about to give you, this is perhaps the most important one: learn a little about Israel’s history!

The archeological sights in Israel are not particularly impressive, unless of course you know what you are looking at. Unlike the pyramids of Egypt that will impress regardless of how much you know about them, in Israel you’ll encounter places infused with religious and historical meaning that will make no sense to you unless you know their history.

The walls of Jericho

Israel’s history goes back to ancient times and much of what we know about it comes from the Hebrew Bible. According to it, Israel’s origin starts with Abraham, who is considered the father of both Judaism (through his son Isaac) and Islam (through his son, Ishmael).

Although the Land of Israel was occupied by many nations over the centuries, the Jewish people have always been a physical, cultural, and religious presence here.

Food in Israel is extremely diverse and generally very good. A well known favorite is falafel – small fried balls of mashed chickpeas, usually served with pita bread and humus.

There are many other Middle Eastern and Arabic dishes whose names I can’t even pronounce, but they are good. Kosher refers to the food that complies with the standards of the Jewish law (for instance, pork and shellfish are not kosher).

Food in Israel

Do try all the food in Israel! The worse that can happen is that you won’t like it. For those less adventurous, there is also regular Western style food available. Alcohol is available at many hotels and restaurants, but is rather expensive.

Street food is safe to eat in Israel, but I would stat away from fresh fruit and produce that I didn’t wash and prepare myself. Exercise caution even with cooked food. If it doesn’t look or smell right, don’t assume that’s how it’s supposed to be. Just don’t eat it.

Israel is an expensive country to visit. Almost everything here costs a lot: hotels, food, entrance fees, clothes, electronics, etc. Basically you pay more for the same commodity than you would pay in other parts of the world. Besides that, they have a huge sale tax of 17% that is applied to most goods and services. A trip to Israel will cost you a lot, so be prepared for that.

One thing I noticed is that speaking English will make prices go a little higher that they actually are.

Market in Israel

You can exchange money almost everywhere in Israel. The exchange rate for the US Dollar is currently around 3.5 – 3.7 Israeli Shekel, but of course this will vary according to the time of your travel.

Bartering I one of the most important tips for people who travel to Israel. Learning to bargain will save you not only money, but also a lot of frustration. Exactly like in Istanbul , where you don’t walk into the Grand Bazaar and pay the first price you are asked to pay, in Israel almost everything is negotiable.

The Muslim quarter in Jerusalem

Israeli people expect to get a discount on all major purchases, so the listed price is calculated accordingly. Except for cars, almost everything else is open to negotiation. That’s counterintuitive if you are coming from the USA, where you can only negotiate the car or the real estate prices.

If you are not an expert driver with nerves of steel, don’t drive in Israel. Although roads are in good condition, getting in and out of any city is a nightmare! Leave alone driving in places like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Haifa! Road signs are bad and traffic if always heavy.

Using planning public transportation on the other hand works really well. Bus schedules are set up very conveniently and the train system is simple and easy to use. It’s hard to get lost.

You’ll most like have to use Taxis in some situations, so be prepared to negotiate the price before you hop on the cab.

Hitchhiking is definitely not recommended in Israel, especially in the current political situation.

Tipping in Israel is discretionary but expected, similar to most of the Western world. Unlike in the USA, where you are expected to tip between 15% – 20%, in Israel the tip is between 10 -15%. The minimum is at least 10%, the average is 12% and maximum is 15% (for exceptional service).

Waiters and bartenders get a relatively low salary, so the majority of their earnings coming from tips. Tips are usually left in cash not on card, so it is useful to carry some small change with you.

Tip money

Tipping the taxi drivers, hotel personnel and other people in the travel industry is not usually expected. However, they will not mind a tip if you decide to be generous.

Unlike in Morocco , where English is rarely spoken, in Israel is widely spoken. The country’s official language is Hebrew, but you’ll also hear Arabic, English, Russian and some other languages.

Although English doesn’t have an official status, most Israelis can speak it fairly well as it’s a required second language in schools. As such, you’ll be able to communicate in English almost anywhere you go. However, learning a few Hebrew words will put you ahead of the game in Israel.

  • Shalom  – is used as a salutation, but it actually means peace
  • Bevakasha  – please
  • Slicha  – sorry/excuse me
  • Boker Tov – good morning
  • Erev Tov – good evening
  • Mazel Tove – congratulations/good luck
  • Toda/Toda Raba  – thank you/thank you very much
  • Lehitra’ot – good bye/see you later

It’s surprising to discover how small Israel really is. The total area of the State of Israel is 22,145 square kilometers (8,630 square miles), just slightly bigger than the state of New Jersey. Getting from one end of the country to the other doesn’t take long, which means it’s very easy to take day trips. You can use either Jerusalem or Tel Aviv as a base for exploring the important sights in Israel.

If you are not completely ignorant about the Jewish religion, you’ve probably heard about Shabbath before. Sabbath (or Shabbath ) is Judaism’s most distinctive practice – a 25-hour celebration that starts at sundown on Friday and ends after sundown on Saturday.

In Israel Shabbat is more than just a day off from labor. It’s a unique and special time of physical respite meant to be spent with family and loved ones or for worship, if you are a religious person.

Tips for raveling to Israel

Wherever you go when you travel in Israel, make sure you get there before 4 o’clock on Friday. On Shabbat all public services are closed (except for emergency ones). There are no train and no busses working.

Traveling in Israel during any of the Jewish holidays can be a very frustrating experience for a tourist. Especially for those of us living in America, who became so accustomed to 24 hour open stores!

Tips for Traveling to Israel

In Israel religious holidays are very strictly observed. Most places close down, including restaurants, cafés and public transportation. On Yom Kippur (the Hebrew Day of Atonement) everything closes down. Even Ben Gurion International Airport! No one drives on that day, and the roads are completely empty. So be prepared to do nothing on this day if you are in Israel.

If you are not religious and you are a tourist for which every single day counts, don’t stay (or travel to) Jerusalem on weekends. From Friday night to Saturday night everything closes down in Jerusalem, so there is not much you can do here.

Jerusalem street on a weekend

Instead, plan to go to a more secular place like Tel Aviv or to Haifa, where everything stays open on weekends.

You are going to be seeing a lot of armed soldiers while visiting Israel, so don’t be alarmed. The presence of barbed wire and armed soldiers is nothing new in this country that has been in political turmoil for so long.

Despite the many frictions in the region, Israel is a pretty safe country to visit and the weapons you see are there for defensive purposes.

Israeli soldiers in Jerusalem

Not all the soldiers you’ll come across are on active duty however. Some are young people doing their military service. Army service is mandatory in Israel. Both girls and boys are drafted at 18 and serve a minimum of two years.

Border control is way lengthier and more thorough in Israel than in any other countries we visited so far. You’ll need to get an Israeli passport stamp , so the best advice I can give you is to arm yourself with patience when traveling to Israel.

When entering Israel you have to answer a series of routine questions (why are you there, how long will you stay, etc. etc. If you don’t look suspicious the process will be very smooth. But if you have passport stamps from certain Muslim countries (such as Iran, Lebanon, or Pakistan), you’ll have to go through a special interrogation process that will take quite a while.

Airport - Tips for traveling to Israel

Israel no longer stamps your passport on arrival, which is good news if you plan to visit other countries in the Middle East for which an Israeli visa may be a problem. Instead, you’ll get your visa on a piece of paper which you need to keep this safe, as you’ll need it for your departure.

You may expect an even lengthier process as you are leaving Israel, so plan to be at the airport at least 3 hours before departure. At the Security Check they will ask you to open your bag of electronics and they will check each and every one of them.

Practical Travel Tips for Israel

Deciding when to go to Israel depends in large part to what you are interested in doing while you are there. While there is no wright or wrong time to go, there are however a couple of things that you need to consider when planning your trip: climate and Jewish holidays .

There are basically two seasons in Israel: summer (April to late October) and winter (November to March). Summers are hot and humid in Israel, bur rain free. Winter starts when it gets from cool to cold and it begins raining). Generally it doesn’t snow in Israel, except for the mountain areas in the Golan Heights.

Negev desert - tips for traveling to Israel

Another important tip to consider when you travel to Israel are the Jewish holidays. In Israel there are two calendars: the Gregorian calendar and the Jewish calendar, but most religious holidays are based on the Jewish calendar.

Even though it’s interesting to be in Israel during some of these holidays, you’ll have to remember everything closes down during that time: public transportation, banks, stores, etc. Also, hotel prices will be much higher.

When traveling to Israel it’s important to be conscious of what you wear. While places like Tel Aviv, Jaffa, or Haifa are more open-minded and fashion-forward, in cities like Jerusalem modest clothing is recommended. Don’t bring tank tops, shorts or anything above the knees.

What to wear in Israel

With very few exceptions, just about everything you would pack for Europe you can pack for Israel as well. As a general rule however, think convenience before fashion. Here are a few tips on what to pack when you travel to Israel:

  • A scarf and a long-sleeve top, if you are a woman and plan on visiting the religious sites. Some sites may provide a cover up, but it’s better to have your own.
  • Light-weight clothing is the best for summer months. We traveled here in mid October and the temperatures were above 30ºC and very humid.
  • A light jacket and some sweaters for colder months.
  • Comfortable shoes are a must in Israel, especially in Jerusalem.
  • Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion. You won’t be able to get by without them in this torrid sun.
  • Wet wipes, small roll of toilet paper, hand sanitizer. Carry some in your pockets at all times. Many times the public toilets will not have toilet paper or soap.
  • A small umbrella. Rain may come totally unexpected in Israel, but it usually stops just as sudden as it started.

Israel is overall a pretty safe country. However, considering its fast changing security situation, it’s important to exercise a some caution when traveling to certain areas, like East Jerusalem, or the West Bank cities of Bethlehem, Jericho and Ramallah.

If you want to visit the West Bank, I would advice hiring a cab from the Muslim quarter in Jerusalem, or booking an organized tour. Many cab drivers in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem will offer to take you to the West Bank, but I’m not sure how safe that is. If you are not in an organized group, you may have issues at the border.

West Bank barrier wall

One thing to be mindful in Israel is that authorities are always on high alert. So don’t leave your purse, camera, or anything else unattended. People will assume it’s a bomb and the bomb squad will come and search your purse and interrogate you.

The standard voltage in Israel is 220 volts and 50 Hz. The primary socket is type H (plugs with three pins in a triangular shape), so you’ll need a Power Adaptor Type H . In many hotels you will probably also find the C type sockets (two pins, like in Europe).

Type H plug for Israel

If you are coming from the U.S. you’ll need both a plug adaptor AND a voltage converter. Coming from Europe or other countries that have 220-230 voltage systems, you’ll only need a plug converter . Most modern devices such as mobile phones and laptops have a built-in converter, but it’s safer if you bring a voltage converter as well.

WiFi is widely available throughout Israel and is usually offered free of charge in most hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars. Some small hotels may charge for Internet though.

19. Are drones allowed in Israel ?

Technically, yes. However, there are very many restrictions and you’ll need a permit for using it. Also, like everywhere else in the world, you won’t be able to use your drone in places that are of interest.

If you want to bring your drone to Israel, my advice is to register with the Aero Club of Israel and get a permit. They will provide you with a map of the places where you can fly, and also give you with up to date information about their rules and regulations.

Israel is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime (GMT). Daylight Saving time starts on the Friday before the 02 April. The move back to standard time can take place in late September/early October according to the Jewish calendar (between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.)

NOTE : As of June 30, 2023, NO Covid-19 test or proof of vaccination is required for tourists entering Israel.

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Tips for traveling to Israel

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Lecso, a Hungarian Dishes

Reader Interactions

Santhosh Raghavan

November 2, 2023 at 7:54 am

Dear friend Superb guide you covered almost everything a traveler should look into. I’ve been thinking lately that I would love to visit I am glad to read your blog about your travel experience very interesting thanks. Your personal experiences and vivid descriptions truly bring the city to life, making me feel like I’m right there with you on this incredible journey. Your blog is a wonderful source of inspiration for fellow adventurers looking to explore the magic of. Keep sharing your stories and insights – they’re a delight to read!

November 4, 2023 at 2:15 pm

Thank you for your kind words.

July 16, 2023 at 7:39 pm

You should really educate yourself. Lebanon is NOT a Muslim country per se. There are probably more Muslims in Israel! Further, there are 18 officially recognized religions in Lebanon, Judaism being one of them. Please alter your article to reflect correct information. kind regards Joe.

July 17, 2023 at 8:48 am

What else would you call a country where the great majority of the population is Muslim, Joe? According to the U.S. Department of State, 67.6 percent of Lebanon’s population is Muslim (31.9 percent Sunni, 31 percent Shia, and small percentages of Alawites and Ismailis). Also, Lebanon estimates that only 32.4 percent of the country’s population is Christian. It seems to me that I’m not the one who needs to be educated here, lol!

Michael Guide

April 12, 2023 at 4:49 am

I appreciate you providing this important travel advice for going to Israel. Israel is a contentious nation that has the potential to cause unrest and arouses strong feelings, but I concur that knowing its background is essential to getting the most out of your trip there. Israel is a nation with a long political history and a rich cultural and religious heritage.

I like how you stressed the significance of researching Israel’s history before traveling there. It’s an excellent approach to understanding the significance of the numerous historical and religious places you’ll see while traveling. Keep in mind that Israel is a nation that is ever-evolving and that its history is still being written.

Anyone organizing a first-time trip to Israel will find your guide to be a valuable resource. I appreciate that you addressed often-asked issues like what to anticipate when to go, and the associated expenditures. Before travelling, it’s always beneficial to have a thorough understanding of these concepts.

Overall, I believe that your guide is an excellent place for anyone thinking about visiting Israel to start. It offers useful information that will enable tourists to more fully comprehend and value the rich history and culture of the nation. I appreciate you sharing these helpful travel suggestions!

April 12, 2023 at 9:44 am

Thank you for your thorough review of my article, Michael. I hope to revisit Israel sometime next fall.

April 11, 2023 at 3:17 am

Superb, very useful information. Keep sharing

March 24, 2023 at 10:19 am

Beautiful write and I am fascinated by your blog as much as anyone else. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and ideas here with others. I want to come here again. Thanks kindly visit my Kerala tourism blog, please

July 24, 2022 at 12:30 pm

Ana Hernandez Well , it’s a petty you didn’t enjoy of such an exiting country. Israel semmed to me the extraordinary convergence between history and modernity. Vibrant. and modern Tel Aviv vs traditional fascinating Jerusalem, beautifull beaches beside amazing desserts. Good bargains in “zoco” vs most famous fashion brands and jewelry. Tasty. and delicious food from almost alll around the world. I’m really sorry you didn´t get all that . Hope next time you will be able to discover the real country.

July 24, 2022 at 2:57 pm

I have to confess that your comment left me wondering whether you read one post but commented on another. I can’t figure out what part of this guide made you think that I didn’t enjoy visiting Israel. I absolutely loved this country and tried to give some tips to those who didn’t see it yet. You seem quite confused about what you read.

Patrick Morgan

February 17, 2022 at 8:02 am

Do you have an Amazon link to the power adaptor and voltage regulator?

February 17, 2022 at 11:21 am

I sure do, Patrick. Here it is: Power Adaptor Type H .

Pranita Purohit

September 16, 2020 at 10:05 am

Like me, there are many who want to travel to Israel, but fear due to the political conditions and tussle with the neighboring states. However, after reading your post, the notion that all have about this country will be put to rest forever. You have presented a useful guide in the form of this post. Thank you very much.

September 16, 2020 at 11:33 am

I’m glad to hear that. Hopefully you’ll be able to visit Israel sometimes soon.

August 24, 2020 at 11:40 pm

This is the right guide for those who want to visit Israel. You certainly put a new spin on a subject that has been written about for decades. Great stuff, just excellent!

August 25, 2020 at 2:45 pm

Thanks, Melanie.

July 29, 2020 at 8:06 am

Thank you so much for your the tips.! We are going at the end of the summer, found a good flight deal! I know it will be hot, but I am from the Caribbean so that’s not a problem! can not wait to visit beautiful Israel and experience the culture. Your insights are super helpful to thank you! Have a question! What about at the airport at entering the country is no issue with the drone that I have to register? Do u know anything about it? Thanks

July 29, 2020 at 8:50 am

Hi John, The end of the summer will be hot indeed, but you’ll have a blast in Israel anyway. In regards to the drone, you won’t be able to use it much. My husband is a drone enthusiast too and did a lot of research for that before we traveled to the Middle East. He even registered with aeroclub.org.il, but still didn’t help much. Like everywhere else in the world, the places where it would be interesting to use it, you can’t. He used it secretly a couple of times (once in Acra and once in Tel Aviv) while I was keeping watch, but it’s stressful to use it like this. At any rate, my advice would be to check their website and register anyway. They will provide you with a map of the places where you can use it.

November 6, 2019 at 10:50 am

This is a comprehensive post , I wished I had before visiting Jerusalem. I found the prices to be really expensive , much to my surprise. I was also nervous when seeing so many armed guards around. It is still worth a visit and I would recommend anyone going to read this post!

November 5, 2019 at 8:46 am

Totally agree with you that these are really good to know. My parents are planning to go to Israel and I just shared this post with them.

Thank you for the heads up regarding the prices. I will ask them to adjust their budget accordingly. 🙂

Vanessa Ball

November 5, 2019 at 5:15 am

I’d love to visit Israel and had no idea that it was this small or that things were expensive to buy. The food looks super tasty, I love Arabic dishes. It’s handy to know about the religious holidays and weekends when planning your trip too. This is a really useful article to read before going to Israel.

November 5, 2019 at 3:28 am

I traveled to Israel when I was 15 years old as part of a school trip. We spent 2 months in the country and experienced many facets of it. Many people asked me if I felt safe and I personally never felt safer. Like you mentioned the entire population goes to the army they are all trained and the military is always around. This provided me with a sense of security. Love the tips to learn about history so you understand what you are looking at. And to use public transport – it is very organized and easy to use. The food as you mentioned is great although pricy and I personally loved everything I ate. Wonderful post. Israel is a beautiful country and despite the turbulent history and current political climate it is a great place to visit.

Anda Galffy

November 5, 2019 at 8:24 am

It must have been a great experience for you as a teenager to see how other people live. Thanks for your comment.

Blair villanueva

November 4, 2019 at 9:17 pm

I truly enjoyed readinv your Israel travel guide. As a Philippine passport holder, we got privilege for free travel visa access. It would be great to visit Israel for faith tourism.

E. J Requina

November 4, 2019 at 7:37 pm

Well you pretty much covered everything about Israel. Israel is part of my top places to visit and getting a deep dive of the country helps a lot. Its a bummer when you mentioned that the place is dead on weekends but hey im pretty sure there a lot of things to do the rest of the week.

Linda (LD Holland)

November 3, 2019 at 3:47 pm

We visited Israel for a few days with a cruise ship. So we were probably prepared for some things. But not others. I was certainly surprised to find that it was the religious centre for so many different religions. It was a bit disconcerting to find so many marketing messages on religious souvenirs. We ate in markets when we were out during the day. Even if I am a very bad haggler. We found armed guards in Israel, Jordon and Egypt. So I guess we sort of got used to them. This was a very helpful post. We would like to return on our own to Israel. So I will keep this post for reference.

November 4, 2019 at 12:54 pm

Thank you, Linda.

Laura Axtman

November 3, 2019 at 3:19 pm

What an amazing adventure. I hope to one day be able to travel to Isreal. Your description of the city helped me to understand the current climate and how to navigate the area with the history of war as a consistent reminder. Your photos are great and made me want to visit the region even more.

November 3, 2019 at 1:00 pm

I loved reading all your tips for traveling to Israel. It is at the very top of my bucket list right now, and I’ve heard such wonderful things about traveling there recently. As a Christian, there is so much Religious history that I want to experience. I appreciate the tips you’ve included on tipping, transportation, and electric plugs. Those are things I always research in detail before leaving on a trip!

November 4, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Hope you’ll manage to visit Israel someday, Leah.

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Find cheap flights to Israel from $247

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from the united states to israel departing on 4/8. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to israel.

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Best Israel Flight Deals

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Good to know

Faqs - booking israel flights, which other cities are accessible to travelers arriving at the israel airport's etm from the us.

Nonstop flights are available from the US to Israel, which allows you to visit a few extra locations near to ETM Airport. Eilat, Aqaba, Wadi Musa, and Ma'an are nearby cities that may be reached from the ETM Airport by taxis, rental cars, or public transportation. The distance between the heart of each of the mentioned cities and ETM is less than 116 miles.

Which airport should I consider using as my point of arrival if I want to be nearer to sports activities in Israel?

Sports fans from the US should consider traveling through Ben Gurion Airport when vacationing in Israel. Stadiums near Ben Gurion Airport are Winter Stadium, Ramat Gan Stadium, and Haberfeld Stadium, which host both national and international athletic events, especially on weekends.

Are there any particular amenities or special policies for pets on the trip from USO to IL0?

Yes. Passengers don't need to be concerned about their dogs' safety when taking the USO-IL0 route to Israel. Most US airports offering international flights to Israel, including Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), JFK, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), allow customers to enter the airport in the company of their dogs.

Which airport in the United States' Northwestern region sees the most travelers heading to Israel?

Most Americans who come to Israel from the North West of the country prefer to fly via Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Unfortunately, there aren't any flights going directly from SEA to IL0 right now. Only indirect flights are available to passengers.

Can US citizens enter Israel without a visa?

Yes, US citizens do not need to apply for a visa to enter Israel and while the country’s immigration policy is lenient, it is recommended that US permanent residents check with their consular office or online before making travel plans to fly from the US to Israel.

Which airlines offer nonstop flights to Israel?

There are two US airlines that currently offer nonstop flights from the US to Israel. El Al, the national carrier of Israel offers nonstop service from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, while United Airlines flies direct from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Tel Aviv.

How do I get from Tel Aviv Airport to Jerusalem?

Your flight from the US to Israel will arrive at Terminal 3 and from there, you can go to Ben Gurion Airport Train Station and ride Israel Railways, which provides fast service from the airport to Yitzchak Navon train station in Jerusalem. Also, Afikim offers hourly bus service to Jerusalem, or you can rent a car or take a taxi.

Where can I purchase Israeli shekels?

Upon arrival at Tel Aviv Airport, you can stop by Bank Hapoalim, which operates a full-service, 24-hr branch at three locations: one is near carousels 6 and 7 of the Baggage Reclaim area for incoming passengers; another is in the Eastern Hall of the main building and the other is near the check-in counters. There are also ATMs you can use if preferred.

How long is the flight to Israel?

An average nonstop flight from the United States to Israel takes 17h 29m, covering a distance of 6511 miles. The most popular route is New York - Tel Aviv with an average flight time of 10h 20m.

What is the cheapest flight to Israel?

The cheapest ticket to Israel from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $500 one-way, and $623 round-trip. The most popular route is New York John F Kennedy Intl to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Intl and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $623.

Which airlines fly to Israel?

JetBlue, Delta & EL AL fly the most frequently from the United States to Israel.

What are the most popular destinations in Israel?

The next most popular destination is Eilat (0.1%).

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Israel

  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Israel flight deals.
  • Most Americans who travel to Israel frequently opt to fly out of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Because it acts as a gateway for so many respectable airlines that travel overseas from the United States, this airport is very well-liked. Passengers flying out of this airport to Israel are probably going to get travel deals because of competitive price.
  • If you're traveling on JFK-Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) route and your flight from the US is scheduled to touchdown in Israel at night, you might want to consider booking a hotel close to the TLV Airport. TLV Airport neighbors several hotels where you can spent the rest of your night in case you touch down in Israel at night. Some of these hotels offer complimentary airport shuttle.
  • For US parents who want to bring their children on vacation to Israel, flying on El Al 2, El Al 8, or American 146 through JFK to Ben Gurion Airport may be the best alternative. These airports offer non-stop year-round air travel to Israel from the USA. Because direct flights allow travelers to reach Israel in the shortest amount of time, there is less chance that your children will be worn out when they arrive in Israel from the USA.
  • Airport lounges are the greatest place for visitors to unwind while they wait for a trip to their desired destinations. Most budget travelers from the United States who wish to relax at an airport lounge while headed to Israel prefer to fly out of Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). Budget-conscious travelers can unwind at the Delta Sky Club at SLC Airport, which offers premium amenities for an affordable price.
  • When traveling to Israel, passengers with disabilities should consider using JFK Airport as their departure airport and land at Ilan and Asaf Ramon (Timna) International Airport (ETM). At JFK Airport, visitors with special needs and mobility concerns can ask for assistance with their bags, medical care, and wheelchair transportation from a cab to an airplane without a surcharge.
  • Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), otherwise known as Tel Aviv Airport, is the main international gateway to the country and is the destination for all flights from the US to Israel. Centrally located, it is a great launching platform to discover the northern, central and southern regions of Israel.
  • The northern region of Israel comprises the upper, lower and western portions of The Galilee geographical area and includes the coastal port of Haifa, the town of Nazareth as well as the Sea of Galilee, or Lake Tiberias as it sometimes referenced. If you prefer, you can fly from Tel Aviv to Haifa Airport (HFA) to save travel time.
  • The long stretch of coast along the Mediterranean Sea is the dominant feature of central Israel, marked by the towns of Hadera, Netanya and Ashdod and home to many of the country’s resorts and popular beaches. The major cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are also right on the doorstep of Tel Aviv Airport.
  • The southern region of Israel includes the historical city of Beersheba as well as the Negev desert and the popular resort city of Eilat, which is located at the southernmost tip of the country. Eilat is served by two airports: Ramon Airport (ETM) and Ovda Airport (VDA). You can catch a connecting flight from Tel Aviv if you prefer.
  • The West Bank and the famous Dead Sea mark the eastern boundaries of Israel along the River Jordan and include the biblical cities of Jericho, Bethlehem and Hebron. If you wish to visit, you’ll have to fly into Tel Aviv Airport and then arrange public transportation or drive to the area.

Top 5 airlines flying to Israel

It wasn't really their fault it was the horrible winds and we just got unlucky.

Great experience overall. Check in at Austin was congested as they only have about 6 check in kiosks, one was broken, and there was a lot of Spring Break travelers.

The main person that was coordinating everything was a short white/light skin Spanish man and he was very rude. It honestly made me feel like it was everyone’s First day at work. His announcements were very not reasonable and they did not make sense. The stewardess on the flight that made the announcements she didn’t even know what she was talking about she sounded inebriated. There were no snacks or drinks on our flight there wasn’t even much turbulence. This flight was not enjoyable nor was it what a Delta flight should be and just this past week I flew with Delta 3 times.

The landing was bad and the hostess came two times and i was sleeping but when she served the person that nexts to me I woke up and she didn’t even asked me if I need any drink or snacks two times!!!!

The helpful attitude of the staff, and being a wheelchair passenger everyone was helpful and understanding. The trip was made comfortable by the upgraded seat which was given without my request, that was a great surprise. Thank you Delta.

I had a great travel experience as there weren't any delays and I was able to get to Mexico City on time for conference.

Mario was great. Made a night flight on a small aircraft pleasant and memorable.

It was great I love flying Delta and have never had a bad experience with them

They were 2 hours late departing with no explanation. I missed my connection, was rebooked not in correct seating that I paid for. Over all of was horrible. I now know why I've not flown Delta since 2018

I love the free wifi and headrest screens. I would consider Delta even more because of this but the seats aren't so great. The snacks aren't very good in my opinion. I bought a Bloody Mary and that was great! So just be comfortable with better snacks and the airline world will be yours.

El al is the best choice for flights to Israel.

The crew was great, the seats were comfortable, food was a sandwich , but very tasty and the ElAl new on board through WIFI was good. Thank you EL AL for improving

Amazing airport security, and the time of war. Keeping up the excellent service in adverse time

Best responsive crew ever Miri has been amazing to take care of my special unfortunate needs with efficiency and kindness Her and El Al team are 👍👍👏 And all the young persons in the El Al team were top notch and with everybody Great experience , no hesitation to book a El Al flight and the Dreamliner is really a dream of comfort and modernity

the airplane was new and nice. the crew and the food was so so

It’s the last time I would use this airline

The crew, the flight boarding perfect. It was a nn EL AL plane, but it was OK but inside it was a zoo.

Passengers would not take their assigned seats. Discussed with the crew, which led to 30 minutes delay before take off. During the flight many people were standing in the aisle, chatting to each other, shouting through the airplane. It was such an unpleasant flight!

The pre flight service was incompetent unknowledgeable regarding COVID 19 Canadian laws . As well the level of communication was very poor while the language used by ElAl personnel was inadequate and offensive. All in all was a bad experience for all the members of my family and therefore I will do whatever it takes to make public my bad experience on all media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, official El Al website and other.

Quality of service on board was very inconsistent. FA service primarily seemed robotic and they barely engaged with passengers

I’m unclear why I had to pay extra for assigned seats as Turkish airlines did not honor the seating. We were placed across the aisle from each other on TK 34, and were seated behind one another on TK 694. Because my name was misspelled on e-ticket (Klawiter, instead of Klawitter) I could not log onto website to get the connection gate number in Istanbul. The monitors in the airport were a jumbled mess 1/2 Arabic and 1/2 English.

On line check in needs a lot of improvement. I tried and gave up.

Food not good, flight attendants not the best, not accommodating very ruff

the female flight attendant was racist towards me. I could tell she treated the two other passengers next to me with more softness.

Oh my god! For an13 hour flight they serve you food just one time. Also don’t be thirsty they give you a little small cup of soda to drink. They seem like their goal is to feed you one so they don’t have to be bothered with you. It quite surprise for such a long flight there are several times to eat at least three and the food was well lackluster. The food and lack of offering drinks which were always hot no ice provided.

We were traveling first class. Checkin counter lady and her manager, both were in bad mood and did not treat us well about checking in the handbag. The gate agent took care of it right away. I travel Turkish twice a year in first class. No one has ever refused to check in the hand bag. Not sure, why this agent and her manager refused. Everything else was excellent.

The 787 economy was a disaster for long haul. The space was too little compared to 777 or 747. Also the extremely low tray table behind the seat made any dining effort a nightmare. However, the movies were up to date, and the food taste was good, despite of terrible serving process caused by small space.

A little bit more comfort. It’s tight space around the seats. But all else is great and a smooth flight!

0ur assigned seats were given to other individuals when we boarded the plane. We were given new boarding passes with new seats all the way at the back of the plane. The reason given to us was that there were issues with the seats. We found out that there were no issues, and someone else's were seated on those.

No snacks served! Seating in the kast row in uncomfortable.

Over two hours wait to get wheelchair assistance from arrival to the departure gate for LA was unreasonable even though there appreared to be heavy demand.

Everything was very good. Boarding and takeoff were on time and organized. Had a good flight

Wouldn’t let me check in said couldn’t find a ticket had to wait very long Time

Awful…flight was delayed more than 12hrs, missed all connections to Fort Wayne, IN, had to get flight to another city 2 hours from my destination, flight was again delayed by 40 mins because they did not have enough fuel, again missed a connection, finally arrived in Indiana at 11pm…but before my 2 hour drive home, ay, no Five That Our Luggage Never Made On The plane and Still In Chicago

Other than the two hour delay, it was fine. Of course they were very professional and kept us informed throughout the whole delay..

Wheelchair assistance was not complete. The person left me at the departure gate without informing the groundstaff of my requirements. I had to walk to the departure counter to ask for help to reach the plane door. The crew informed me that in future they were not allowed to help passengers like me, senior citizen and Wheelchair passenger with placing their carry on bags in the overhead compartments!

Crew is way too many times on the intercom re explaining the same thing

Airline did not explain reasons why flight was delayed two hours. Explanations were badly needed and rarely provided. Problem seemed to clearly be the airline’s fault and not the fault of the weather or airport.

The seats were uncomfortable. The flight was almost 9 hours and they didn’t serve lunch

Everything was on time; the flight attendants and the gate personnel were very pleasant and helpful.

I had trouble finding a boarding pass because I had an hour between Flights and American did not see my flight I believe because I was ticketed through KAYAK. I did not have enough time to go to the desk before boarding so I went to the desk and told them while I was boarding and they had a boarding pass for me within three minutes. Nice. I paid extra to have more legroom and it is definitely worth it for a six hour flight. I would’ve paid for a decent dinner, but they didn’t offer anything but a snack box —not good for six hours.

I have not found it to be easy to set up on Wi-Fi with American Airlines. I don’t know if it is me or poor instructions.

You cancelled my flight by email then made it very difficult to get in contact with you. Then put me in a flight with a long layover in Mexico returning to the wrong airport in uk. Mind blowing my stressful. I missed see my grand dad because of you.

My previous flight was late and did not connect properly. The gate was closed and I missed this flight.

This flight was late and did not meet the connecting flight.

5 hour flight - full flight - not enough room to use my computer - slightly delayed - Admirals club was excellent quality food, drink made up for flight seating. No food offerred on flight, you ahd to prebook.

Apart from the delay due to unforeseen circumstances. The leg from sjc to dfw was fine. It was the leg from dfw to orf that we encountered issues mainly due to the flight attendant crew not being friendly. We had two small children and we needed some assistance to warm up milk so the baby would sleep. The crew just didn’t get it and made things very difficult. One made a remark that the baby’s dirty diaper smell was a “gift” to the plane in a rude way. Normally I’d brush that off as a funny comment if the rest of the trip the attendants were helpful or understanding of the difficulty we faced. But that wasn’t the case. We were met with rudeness on the second leg. Whereas on the first leg the crew were so nice and helpful.

This was not the BA business class it used to be. Mediocre food, attendants seemed stretched thin. All the little luxuries that used to make BA business fun were missing. Flight delayed and the explanation given was they forgot to pick up crew - I hope I misheard! Transfer in LHR “sticky” - we thought we had way too much time at 3hours but it was needed. Next time will try different route.

Terrible. I hate flying with AA. There is always a high level of stress felt when I fly with them.

Book Cheap Israel Plane Tickets

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Are airlines returning to Israel, despite the war on Gaza?

The number of airlines flying into the country has crawled back up to 45, from a low of just seven in December.

El Al Israel Airlines planes are seen on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International airport in Lod, near Tel Aviv

Almost as soon as Israel’s war on Gaza broke out on October 7, many airlines suspended or cancelled their flights to Israel.

Last week, Yossi Fattal, director general of Israel’s Chamber of Inbound Tourism Organisers, complained that Israel had become isolated – “like North Korea” – as dozens of airlines remained reluctant to fly there.

Keep reading

Which airlines paused or cancelled flights to israel after hamas attacks, iran says israel behind attacks on gas pipelines, gaza journalists flee from israeli fire, what’s troubling brazil-israel ties unpacking a love-hate relationship.

The war has significantly affected Israeli tourism and flights. Yet, things are beginning to change.

Ben Gurion airport

Which airlines have resumed flights to Israel?

United Airlines announced on Wednesday last week that it will begin flights to Israel again from March, becoming the first United States carrier to resume flights after suspensions at the start of the war.

United plans initial flights to Tel Aviv from New York and New Jersey in the US on March 2 and 4, with a goal of having daily non-stop service restored from March 6. The carrier said in a news release that it had undertaken a detailed safety analysis before making this decision.

British Airways, which used to operate two flights between the United Kingdom and Israel daily, will resume operations on April 1, operating one flight daily for four days a week.

German airline Lufthansa, Switzerland’s flag carrier Swiss and Austrian flag carrier Austrian Airlines resumed flights to Tel Aviv on January 8. Meanwhile, Spanish airline Air Europa resumed flights to Tel Aviv on February 19. The Greek and French flag carriers, Aegean and Air France, both restarted flights to Tel Aviv in January.

Italy’s ITA Airways will resume flights between Tel Aviv and Rome from March 1, starting with three return trips weekly.

Brussels Airlines, the Belgian carrier, also announced on Wednesday last week that it will resume flights from March 24, with three flights per week from Brussels to Tel Aviv.

The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) also announced that the US-based Delta Air Lines will resume flights to Israel in May. Delta has not officially confirmed this yet, but the last update from the carrier said that flights will be suspended between New York and Israel until April 30.

Still, that’s only a fraction of the flights Israel used to attract before the war.

El Al

Which airlines do not plan to resume flights to Israel any time soon?

American Airlines has halted flights until October 28. Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines have also suspended flights to Israel until further notice.

TAP Air Portugal has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv indefinitely, while Finland’s flag carrier, Finnair, announced it had cancelled its flights to Tel Aviv until October 29. Icelandair has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, without any further update on its website.

Bulgaria Air cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv, also without providing details about a timeline to restart operations.

How has the war affected air travel in Israel?

The number of international travellers arriving in Israel by air rose from 19.2 million in 2022 to 21.1 million in 2023, the IAA reported on January 21.

In November 2023, however, the number of aircraft arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport was 68 percent lower than the same month the year before.

INTERACTIVE-ben_gurion

Fattal said that while 250 airlines had been operating in and out of Israel before October 7, the number dipped to just seven last December. It has since crawled back up to 45.

In the three-month period from October 7, 900,000 tourists had been expected to visit Israel. However, the Israeli daily Calcalist reported that only 190,000 people had actually visited.

Prior to October 7, more than 300,000 people visited Israel every month. In November 2023, that figure reportedly dropped to 39,000.

The number of travellers using Ben Gurion airport in November 2023 was 78 percent lower than in November 2022.

INTERACTIVE-ben_gurion-passengers

The tourism industry in Israel accounted for 2.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, before falling to 1.1 percent in 2021. Both foreign and domestic tourism in Israel have flatlined since the start of the war.

Which airlines have continued to fly to Israel throughout the war?

In December, when only seven carriers were flying to Israel, around 80 percent of passengers were carried by Israel’s national carrier, El Al, followed by smaller Israeli carrier Israir at 10 percent and FlyDubai at 3.2 percent.

With almost all airlines suspending and cancelling flights after October 7, El Al saw a 32.5 percent rise in passenger numbers to 5.5 million for 2023 at Ben Gurion airport, which has continued to operate throughout the war.

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In a lemon orchard in southern Israel, the volunteers provide extra hands for farmers struggling to harvest crops. Since the Israel-Hamas war began five months ago, evangelicals have been visiting Israel in growing numbers to volunteer and support the war effort. (AP Video: Alon Bernstein, Ami Bentov)

Evangelicals travel to Israel as war-time volunteers

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The biggest moments from Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address

President Biden delivered an aggressive State of the Union speech Thursday night in which he drew sharp contrasts with former president Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.

Biden made reference to “my predecessor” more than a dozen times and challenged GOP lawmakers over their resistance to his first-term agenda. As the speech went on, he increasingly engaged with angry outbursts from the audience .

It was a speech befitting the political moment, as Biden faces an expected rematch against Trump and tries to push his agenda through a polarized Congress.

While Republicans found multiple occasions to jeer, Democrats broke out in chants of “Four more years!” more than once.

Here were six highlights:

‘My predecessor’

Within the first few minutes of the speech, Biden swiped at Trump — and did not let up.

Biden knocked Trump over topics including his coziness with Russia, the Jan. 6 , 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.

After describing the economic and societal anguish brought by the pandemic, Biden said his predecessor “failed the most basic” presidential duty: “the duty to care.”

That drew an angry outburst from the audience as someone yelled out, “Liar!” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) shook his head.

Abortion rights

Biden wasted little time addressing a top issue for Democrats in the November election: abortion rights.

Biden criticized Trump for bragging about appointing the Supreme Court justices who in 2022 helped overturn Roe v. Wade and end the constitutional right to an abortion. And with some of the justices in the audience, Biden warned that the decision has unleashed a political storm.

“With all due respect, justices, women are not without electoral or political power,” Biden said. “You’re about to realize just how much.”

Biden also seized on the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children , which has disrupted fertility care in the state. Democrats have called it the latest consequence of Republicans’ long campaign against abortion rights and reproductive care. Biden challenged the GOP to “guarantee” IVF protections “nationwide.”

Looking to November, Biden also accused Trump of wanting a national abortion ban, a topic the former president has ducked as he prepares for the general election. “My god, what other freedoms would you take away?” Biden said.

Mixing it up with congressional Republicans

While Biden repeatedly criticized Trump, he also did not hesitate to mix it up with the Republican lawmakers in the room.

Discussing Jan. 6 early in the speech, Biden said Trump “and some of you here seek to bury the truth” about what happened that day.

As the speech went on, though, Republicans in the audience became more willing to respond — and Biden obliged them. One of those moments arrived when Biden charged Republicans with wanting to cut Social Security and cut taxes for the wealthy.

“Oh, no? You guys don’t want another $2 trillion tax cut?” Biden said. “I kind of thought that’s what your plan was. Well, that’s good to hear.”

Biden also appeared happy to highlight the unanimous Republican opposition some of his signature proposals have faced in Congress. Referencing the Inflation Reduction Act — a sweeping measure to combat climate change, lower health-care costs and reduce the federal deficit — that Biden signed in 2022, he said Thursday that it sought to lower prescription drug prices and noted that “not one of you Republican buddies voted for it.”

Border battle

Addressing one of the biggest vulnerabilities in his reelection campaign — the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border — Biden again called on Republicans to drop their resistance to the Senate bipartisan security deal that the GOP recently scuttled at the behest of Trump.

“We can fight about fixing the border,” Biden said, “or we can fix it.”

The border deal would overhaul the asylum system and give the president new power to effectively shut down the border if illegal crossings reach a certain threshold. But Trump lobbied Republican lawmakers to oppose the deal, calling it a political gift for Biden.

Biden touted the proposal’s toughness in his speech, which led to objections from Republicans in the audience. Biden also used the moment to engage with GOP lawmakers, credulously asking why they did not like a bill “that conservatives got together and said was a good bill.”

Going into the speech, Republicans had challenged Biden to “say her name” and mention Laken Riley, the slain Georgia nursing student whose alleged killer, immigration authorities say, illegally entered the country .

They got their way — sort of — while Biden discussed the bipartisan border security deal. Responding to an outburst from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Biden paused and addressed the matter, though he appeared to initially mispronounce Riley’s first name as “Lincoln.”

“An innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal, that’s right,” Biden said.

Tough on Russia

The first moments of Biden’s speech were striking not just for the direct criticism of Trump but also for the context in which it came. Calling for increased Ukraine aid, Biden deployed the kind of tough-on-Russia rhetoric that has become less common in the GOP under Trump.

“My message to President Putin … is simple,” Biden said. “We will not walk away. We will not bow down. I will not bow down.”

Ukraine aid has become tied up in Congress, in part because some Trump-aligned Republicans believe the United States should focus more on domestic issues than the overseas conflict.

Biden also did not spare Trump on Russia, hammering him over his recent comments that he would encourage Russia to do whatever they want to a NATO country if that country was not paying enough for defense.

“Bowing down to a Russian leader,” Biden said. “I think it’s outrageous, it’s dangerous and it’s unacceptable.”

The age matter

With polls showing many voters concerned about his age, Biden, 81, did not shy away from the topic.

“I know I may not look like it, but I’ve been around a while,” Biden said jokingly. “And when you get to my age certain things become clearer than ever before.”

He then referenced his age to contrast his optimism for America with Trump’s view, nodding at the fact that Trump is just four years younger than he is.

“Now other people my age see it differently — an American story of resentment, revenge and retribution,” Biden said. “That’s not me.”

Election 2024

Get the latest news on the 2024 election from our reporters on the campaign trail and in Washington.

Who is running? President Biden and Donald Trump both secured their parties’ nominations for the presidency , formalizing a general-election rematch.

Key issues: Compare where the candidates stand on such issues as abortion, climate and the economy.

Key dates and events: From January to June, voters in all states and U.S. territories will pick their party’s nominee for president ahead of the summer conventions. Here are key dates and events on the 2024 election calendar .

  • Election 2024 latest news: Biden returns to campaign trail after he and Trump clinch nominations 19 minutes ago Election 2024 latest news: Biden returns to campaign trail after he and Trump clinch nominations 19 minutes ago
  • Biden and Trump secure their parties’ presidential nominations Earlier today Biden and Trump secure their parties’ presidential nominations Earlier today
  • Trump, Biden clinch nominations for president Earlier today Trump, Biden clinch nominations for president Earlier today

travel form to israel

travel form to israel

Countries US Department of State travel advisories say NOT to go to as Haiti explodes in violence

A s tensions remain fraught in Haiti, with violent gangs joining forces in a bid to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the US State Department has issued a travel advisory warning Americans not to travel to the Caribbean country.

In mid-October 2023, the U.S. Department of State 's Bureau of Consular Affairs issued a "Worldwide Caution," citing "increased tensions in various locations around the world." The warning included "the potential for terrorist attacks" and "demonstrations or violent actions against U.S citizens and interests" and told citizens to "exercise increased caution."

Violence remains rampant in Haiti , leading to near all-out war, with the violent gang boss 'Barbecue' threatening to take the country to civil war, saying he and other gang members will fight until the last drop of blood to remove Prime Minister Henry from office. Amidst the violence, the number of travel advisories issued by the US has increased, and the level of some has become more severe, in Haiti and elsewhere.

READ MORE: White House says 'too many innocent civilians have died in Gaza' amid Israel-Hamas war

Haiti has been on a Level 4 Travel Advisory — the highest, which is designated "Do not travel" — since July 2023, with the State Department writing in its advisory: "Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure."

The State Department ordered the departure of all family members of U.S. government employees in the country in late July and also all non-emergency personnel, with all other U.S. citizens in the country implored to depart as soon as possible by any means necessary. Of Haiti, the State Department wrote: "Kidnapping is widespread, and victims regularly include U.S. citizens.

"Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unplanned opportunities, and even convoys have been attacked. Kidnapping cases often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings. Victim’s families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members."

It added that violent crime is rampant in the country, with mob killings being on the rise since April 2023, and that hospitals are often out of supplies or are unequipped to care for patients, with police in the same boat. Haiti's prime minister recently fled to Puerto Rico , a U.S. territory, after the violence wrought by Barbecue and the 4,000 prisoners he released to incite a rebellion and take the country back. The U.S. Embassy in the country has been on lockdown a few times, too.

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In addition to Haiti, here are the countries or regions at a Level 4 Threat Advisory (in alphabetical order):

  • Afghanistan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burma (Myanmar)
  • Central African Republic
  • Some Mexican states
  • North Korea
  • South Sudan

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On a Level 3 Threat Advisory, or the second highest, which states "Reconsider travel," the following countries are on the list:

  • Most Chinese territories
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
  • El Salvador
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Israel (and the West Bank)
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Trinidad and Tobago

Most of the advisories cite crime or terrorism as the reason for the advisory, with violent crime dominating certain areas or excessive risk of terrorism, against Americans specifically, warranting advisories.

In any case, the State Department recommends staying clear of the above-mentioned countries and regions, but if travel becomes a necessity, it warns first that help in emergency situations is likely impossible.

Travelers should, according to the State Department:

  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
  • Set up communication with loved ones while also sharing location
  • Share important documents, logins or contacts with loved ones
  • Draft a will and name insurance beneficiaries and a power of attorney that states what will happen if you die
  • Make a personal security plan with your employer or host
  • Identify the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, FBI or State Department's Office of American Services
  • Appoint a family member or loved one to serve as the point of contact if you are taken hostage or detained. That person should also have a proof of life protocol to follow
  • Leave DNA samples with your medical provider for identification purposes, if necessary
  • Erase any sensitive photos, comments or material from social media that could be controversial in your host country
  • Leave expensive or sentimental belongings behind

In short, no matter where you're headed, the State Department recommends exercising as much caution as possible when traveling outside the country due to heightened levels of terrorism and threats worldwide. More information can be found on the department's website.

Haitian police officers deploy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

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