In any type of crisis, the most important thing to do is stay calm. Your country’s embassy abroad is usually your best resource in an emergency; registering with that embassy upon arrival is a good idea. The government offices listed in the Travel Advisories box can provide information on the services they offer their citizens in case of emergencies abroad.
Israel is a country with an array of passionately practiced religions and cultures. Visitors should be aware of this at all times. For example, it is not wise to go into very orthodox Jewish areas of Jerusalem on Shabbat (Saturday). Also, during the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims (except children under the age of eight) fast, refusing food, drink, or smokes between sunrise and sunset. As a courtesy, visitors may wish to avoid drinking, eating and smoking in public places during Ramadan, though it is not required.
Israel has a well-respected and competent police force whose task it is to ensure order throughout the country. Along these lines, during periods of unrest, the Israeli Government sometimes closes off access to the West Bank and Gaza, which may be placed under curfew.
In Israel, a meek “I didn’t know it was illegal” will not suffice. Remember that you are subject to the laws of the country in which you travel, not to those of your home country; it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these laws before leaving. If you carry prescription drugs while you travel, it is vital to have a copy of the prescriptions themselves when you cross borders.
Israeli drug laws are not lenient. Cannabis is widely smoked and widely prosecuted. Sentences range from heavy fines to imprisonment, though foreigners are most likely to get deported. Police periodically sweep the hostels, especially in Eilat and some areas of Tel Aviv. Carrying quantities of cannabis of more than 15g or smuggling drugs across Israeli borders will land you in prison. The thorough security searches are meant to prevent terrorism, but there isn’t much that slips through.
The drinking age in Israel is 18 and bars and discotheques are beginning to enforce it. Eilat in particular has begun to card stringently; a foreign driver’s license usually serves as adequate identification. Avoid public drunkenness—it can jeopardize your safety and earn the disdain of locals.
The situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories is extremely volatile. Ongoing violence has caused considerable civilian death and injury, and tourists have been affected as well. At press time, the US State Department warns all US citizens to avoid travel to the Gaza Strip. If you do choose to visit, you should stay on top of current events so that you know where and when the risks are highest. Several web pages have up-to-date information, including the pages of the US Embassy in Israel (http://usembassy-israel.org.il) and the US State Department (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1064.html).
Earthquakes. Israel experiences regular earthquakes, especially near the Jordan Rift Valley, most of which are too small to be felt. If a strong earthquake does occur, it will probably last only one or two minutes. Open a door to provide an escape route and move underneath a sturdy doorway, table, or desk.
Sandstorms. These phenomena of airborne dust and sand are fueled by gusts of wind and sometimes occur during the spring and summer in Israel’s desert south. If you find yourself caught in a sandstorm, cover your face with any sturdy fabric and run for the nearest shelter.
Flash Floods. In Israel, flash floods are unpredictable in timing and intensity. Safety measures during a flash flood include getting to higher ground immediately, keeping an eye on rising water, and staying away from drainage systems and particularly low terrain most susceptible to flooding.
In the West Bank and Gaza, demonstrations are frequent and can occur without warning, always with the potential of evolving into more violent altercations. If such disturbances occur, visitors should leave the area immediately; if in Jerusalem’s Old City, where exits are limited, seek refuge inside a shop or restaurant until the incident is over. Demonstrations are particularly dangerous in checkpoint areas, settlements, military areas, and major thoroughfares where protesters are likely to encounter Israeli security forces.
Tourists are particularly vulnerable because they often carry large amounts of cash and are not as street savvy as locals. Luckily, Israel has a very large immigrant population and many foreign (predominantly English-speaking) students, so not speaking Hebrew doesn’t automatically scream “tourist.” To avoid unwanted attention, try to blend in as much as possible. Visitors to Jerusalem should be extra cautious at religious sites on holy days (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) and dress appropriately when visiting the Old City and ultra-orthodox Jewish neighborhoods. Most roads into these neighborhoods are blocked off on Friday nights, Saturdays, and Jewish holidays. Assaults on secular visitors, often for being “immodestly dressed,” have been known to occur in these areas.
Cities covered in this book fall into three major categories of dress code: modest and religious (Jerusalem, Tzfat, the West Bank); immodest, secular, and down-right sexy (Tel Aviv, Eilat), where baggy jeans and a t-shirt might attract more attention than a mini-skirt and mesh tank top; and somewhere in between (Haifa, Be’er Sheva, and the rest of the country).
More than most everywhere else, terrorism is a threat in Israel. Since its founding, Israel has been a target for many Palestinian nationalists and Islamic radicals. Travelers need not feel like powerless bystanders, however. The chances of becoming a victim of terrorism are relatively low and can be lowered further by taking certain precautions; you should be aware of the possibility of danger without letting it paralyze you.
Avoid crowded areas and visiting the West Bank or the Gaza Strip, especially in the days following the announcement of a new building project or on the anniversary of previous attacks. Traveling in the Palestinian territories can be dangerous, especially in a car with the yellow license plates that identify the vehicle as Israeli. Jewish travelers should avoid identifying themselves as such in certain areas. Simply placing a baseball cap over a kippah can prevent stares and hostility. Be aware of potential unrest in the West Bank by staying up to date with the news and contacting the consular division of the US Consulate General. Public transportation has been the target of several terrorist bombings, particularly local buses in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Most bus bombings have occurred in the early morning rush hour; if your plans are flexible, avoid bus travel at this time.
Despite these problems, travelers in Israel are more likely to be affected by anti-terrorist measures than by terrorism itself. The Israeli soldiers on every corner are there for your protection, but the prevalence of gun-toting 20-year-olds can be a little shocking. Do not leave bags unattended in public places; they will be dealt with in a serious manner. In the past, bombs have been left in trash cans (which now have only small receptacles) or on street corners. They will generally be destroyed within minutes. Finally, expect stringent security measures, including bag searches or metal detectors, at museums, bus stations, shopping malls, and public events.
In times of emergency, the Israeli government has had the responsibility to supply the entire population with gas masks. The ministry of tourism has declared that there are enough masks for all tourists; those residing in hotels will receive them directly from these hotels, while others can obtain them from designated department stores.
The Gaza War was fought between Israeli and Palestinian forces (mostly Hamas) and lasted from late December 2008 to January 18, 2009. As of the time of printing, the cease-fire remains fragile between the two parties and tensions are still relatively high. Travel to Gaza, the West Bank, and nearby areas is highly discouraged due to the risk of a re-escalation of violence and the ever-present threat of kidnapping raids by terrorist groups.
The box below lists offices to contact and websites to visit for the most updated list of your government’s advisories about travel.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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