Visa Requirements
Visitors to Israel and/or the Occupied Territories holding passports with less than six months validity may be turned away, and can be refused entry by the Israeli border authorities.

You should expect lengthy personal questioning and baggage searches by security officials on arrival and departure from Israel. Electrical items may be taken from departing passengers for security inspection. Damage may occur.

You should ensure that you comply with customs regulations. If you arrive with valuable personal items (computers, camcorders etc), you may be required to pay a deposit that is refundable on or after departure. Tax may be levied on items sent to visitors already in Israel.

Entry to the Occupied Territories is controlled by the Israeli authorities and you may be detained on your arrival, and subsequently deported, if you are intending to go there. You will be questioned upon departure.

If you do plan to travel to the Occupied Territories you should obtain further information from your Consulate in Jerusalem before you travel. Due to restriction on travel, consular assistance in the Occupied Territories is limited. Passports and immigration slips must be produced crossing between Israel and the Occupied Territories.

If you are of Palestinian origin (on the Palestinian Population Register or holding Palestinian ID number), you will need a Palestinian passport/travel document in order to leave.

As well as full insurance cover for medical treatment and accidents, you should have cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash, credit cards, passport or luggage.

Driving (Left/Right)
Right

Road Safety
Driving in Israel and the Occupied Territories is erratic and there are frequent accidents. If you are travelling to the desert, go with others, take a supply of water and a mobile phone and let someone know your itinerary and expected time of return.

Air Safety
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm

Local Travel
Israel
There is a high threat from Palestinian terrorism in Israel. Since the start of the second Intifada (Palestinian uprising) in September 2000, there have been numerous and frequent terrorist attacks for which Palestinian terrorist organisations have claimed responsibility. Suicide bombings and other attacks have targeted crowded public areas and public transport, resulting in over 1000 deaths and many serious injuries.

In the most recent incident in Israel on 17 April 2006, a suicide bomber killed nine and injured around 65 in an attack in the Old Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv. On 19 January 2006, a suicide bomber attacked the Old Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv injuring 14 people. On 5 December 2005, an explosion in a shopping centre in Netanya killed five people and injured 30. On 26 October 2005, an explosion in a marketplace in Hadera killed six people and injured at least 55 injured. On 28 August 2005, a suicide bomber attacked at a bus station in Beersheba, injuring ten. On 4 August 2005, four Israeli Arabs were shot dead on a bus in Shfaram and on 12 July 2005, a suicide bomber killed himself and four Israelis and injured 90 in an attack on a shopping centre in Netanya. On 25 February 2005, a suicide bomber killed five Israelis and injured 50 in an attack on a nightclub in Tel Aviv.

Border Areas
You should avoid all travel near Israel’s border fence with Lebanon (the "Blue Line") following the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers there on 12 July 2006, and the firing of rockets and mortars and the exchange of fire. Local residents have been advised to stay in their bomb shelters. There are heavy cross-border exchanges of fire between the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Hizbollah militia. There is also danger of anti-aircraft fire in this area, including the risk of falling shrapnel; and there has been at least one fatal attack on civilian vehicles there. The Sheba Farms area is currently closed to civilians because of an increased likelihood of attacks.

You should take care at the border and crossing points between Jordan and Israel. On 19 August 2005, a rocket fired from Jordan landed on Eilat, in Israel, coinciding with a rocket attack on the Port of Aqaba in Jordan.

Jerusalem
There are frequent demonstrations in the Old City of Jerusalem, with specific threats against the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif. Terrorist attacks have taken place in a variety of locations around the city and in areas frequented by tourists. Foreign nationals have not been targeted, but many have been killed and injured. On 21 September 2005, an Israeli national was kidnapped and later executed. On 24 August 2005, a British national was stabbed and killed in the Old City in East Jerusalem. On 27 March 2006, demonstrations are expected in the Old City of Jerusalem, and specifically in and around the Haram-ash-Sharif/Temple Mount area. You should avoid the Old City on this day.

We strongly advise you to maintain a high level of vigilance when travelling anywhere in Jerusalem, and to follow local advice.

Occupied Territories (including West Bank)
You should avoid all but essential travel to the Occupied Territories. Since 14 March 2006, there have been a number of demonstrations, and buildings associated with British and European interests have been attacked. Some westerners were kidnapped, though all were later released. There are a large number of demonstrations planned in Ramallah and elsewhere in the immediate future. You should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations which may turn violent.

On 30 March 2006, a suicide bomber killed four Israelis outside Kedumim in the West Bank.

Gaza
You should avoid all travel to Gaza. On 14 March 2006 several Westerners were kidnapped but all were later released.

Foreigners who do not have adequate and continuous professional close security arrangements should leave the Gaza strip. If you decide to stay against this advice, you should review your security arrangements and seek professional security advice on whether they are adequate.

On 9 February 2006, an Egyptian diplomat was kidnapped. On 28 December 2005 in Gaza, three British nationals were kidnapped and were released two days later. On 21 December 2005, an Australian national and a Dutch national were kidnapped and released later that day. On 12 October 2005, a British and an American national were kidnapped near Khan Yunis; they were released later that day. Other incidents of kidnapping involving British nationals occurred in July and August 2005; these were quickly and peacefully resolved. Israel completed the evacuation of Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank (a process referred to as "disengagement") on 24 August 2005 and the Israeli Defence Force left Gaza on 12 September 2005. Entry into and exit from Gaza through the Erez crossing into Israel is still tightly controlled by the IDF.

Entry into and exit from Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt is controlled by the Palestinian Authority for those holding valid Palestinian ID cards, advance permission may be granted to other categories of travellers. There have been multiple incidents of rocket fire from the Gaza strip into Israel since disengagement.

West Bank
You should limit all travel to the West Bank. In Ramallah, on 13 and 14 June 2006, there were demonstrations following the death of a local man, and a number of restaurants attacked. Buildings associated with political parties and activities have also been targetted. On 14 March 2006, British Council offices in Ramalla and Gaza were attacked. West Bank’s main towns have been subject to periodic military closure or to curfew by the IDF, often at short notice and for extended periods. In the event of closures or curfews there is no guarantee we can evacuate you if you are stranded. In areas of heightened tension anyone in the vicinity, including unarmed civilians, is at a greatly increased risk of being killed or injured.

Travel within the West Bank is not possible without passing through multiple Israeli military checkpoints. These checkpoints are flash points for violent incidents and have been the scene of several fatal attacks. Israeli settlements throughout the West Bank have also been the scene of violent clashes and attacks.

Health

We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance is obtained before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Avian Influenza
On 25 March 2006, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed evidence of Bird Flu in Gaza. On 19 March 2006, Israel’s agriculture ministry confirmed evidence of Bird Flu in a number of towns in southern Israel and in Bekaot in the Jordan Valley. No human infections or deaths have been reported in Israel or the Occupied Territories.

As a precaution, you should avoid live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure that poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

Medical supplies and facilities
Healthcare in Israel is not free and any form of medical treatment can be expensive.

Hospitals will insist on payment and may take legal action to delay departure until bills are met.

Landmines

The Palestinian Territories are contaminated with explosive remnants of war (ERW), in the form of landmines dating from World War II, and mines, abandoned explosive ordnance (AXO) and unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, including Israeli munitions such as unexploded missiles, grenades and cartridges, as well as booby-traps. A further hazard arises from Palestinian IEDs, including homemade mortars, rockets, mines and roadside bombs. The placement of these devices varies but would appear to be mostly in the vicinity of Israeli settlements. There are also ERW left behind in populated areas from Israeli military incursions into urban areas of the Palestinian Territories, as well as from Israeli military training. Owing to air and ground attacks in many areas, the landmine and ERW problem has expanded to include virtually all of the Palestinian Territories.

The Jordanian-West Bank border and the Jordan Valley area contain most of the declared minefields. Minefields left from the time of the British mandate and the Six Day War in 1967 are, in general, neither fenced nor well-marked. It is also believed that landmines have been laid on the border between Egypt and Gaza, and throughout the Gaza Strip.

Armed Palestinian groups have used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and, allegedly, landmines. Some groups are believed to have access to both antipersonnel and antivehicle mines, and have reportedly used the high explosives from mines to make other kinds of explosive devices.