This travel advice covers Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:

Gaza
the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar along the border with Lebanon (the ‘Blue Line’)
east of Route 98 along the Syrian border
areas of Israel within 40km of the border with Gaza (including Sderot, Netivot, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Be’er Sheva, and Kiryat HaMalachi) due to the escalation and risk of conflict in the area

Gaza The British Information and Services Office in Gaza is closed until further notice. The FCO can no longer offer any consular assistance in Gaza. The FCO arranged assisted departures of British nationals and their dependants from Gaza on 13 July, 20 July and 7 August. There are no plans for further assisted departures for British nationals or their dependants from Gaza. From 7 July there have been intensive rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel and Israeli air strikes on Gaza as well as subsequent Israeli ground operations from 17 July. Thousands of rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza, landing in cities including Tel Aviv, Eilat, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beer Sheva, Haifa, and Nahariya. Shrapnel from missiles reportedly hit civilian maritime traffic off the Israeli coast. Israel carried out multiple air strikes and shelling on Gaza. There has been widespread damage to infrastructure, including electricity, water, health and sanitation services. Over 2000 Gazans have been killed and thousands injured. At least 67 Israelis have been killed. Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza on 5 August. A 72 hour ceasefire was in place from 6am BST on 5 August until 6am BST on 8 August. Rocket attacks from Gaza and Israeli air strikes on Gaza resumed on 8 August. A new 72 hour ceasefire came into place at 10pm BST on 10 August. A five day extension to the ceasefire was announced on 14 August and extended for 24 hours from 10pm BST on 18 August. This ended on 19 August, when rockets were fired from Gaza. The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) responded with airstrikes which in turn led to further rocket fire into Israel. A new ‘open ended’ ceasefire began at 5pm BST on 26 August. Don’t attempt to enter Gaza by sea, breaching the restrictions imposed by the Israeli navy. The FCO advise against participating in flotillas or overland convoys to Gaza because of the risks involved. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt is reportedly open to Egyptian passport holders, foreign passport holders and those requiring urgent medical attention. If you are in Gaza and leave via this route, please inform the FCO by calling +44 207008 1500. Check the Egypt travel advice before you consider entering Egypt at Rafah. Israel If you’re currently in Israel you should follow directives from the Israel Defence Force’s Home Front Command (website currently only accessible in Israel), avoid protests and large gatherings, pay attention to local alerts and seek shelter quickly if the siren sounds. The FCO is aware of at least 1 rocket fired at Ben Gurion airport which was intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome defence system. On 22 July the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instructed US carriers to suspend flights to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv for 24 hours. This was extended for a further 24 hours on 23 July, but subsequently cancelled later the same day. Airport operations returned to normal shortly afterwards. If you are planning to fly into or out of Ben Gurion Airport, check with your airline to confirm the flight status before you travel to the airport. Violent protests have broken out in a number of Arab towns in Israel (including Qalansawe, Taybeh, Tira, Baqa al-Garbiyye in the Triangle, Ar’ara in Wadi Ara, and Nazareth) following recent events. You should exercise caution around protests and follow guidance from the local authorities. West Bank The situation in East Jerusalem and the West Bank remains tense and the security situation is volatile. A heavy Israeli security presence is likely. Be extra vigilant and take great care when travelling anywhere in the West Bank, particularly in areas close to refugee camps, in and around Israeli settlements and in the cities of Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah and Hebron. You should be especially vigilant after Friday prayers and on religious holidays. Avoid moving around after dark in the West Bank. Demonstrations and other forms of civil unrest can occur at short notice and often turn violent. Events in Gaza may lead to increased violence. There are frequent demonstrations at the Qalandiya checkpoint between East Jerusalem and Ramallah. You should monitor local media and avoid all demonstrations or large gatherings. Stay alert in and around the Old City in Jerusalem, especially after Friday prayers and on religious holidays. Isolated protests and demonstrations can occur both in the Old City, and in East Jerusalem. Leave the area immediately if there is evidence of tension or unrest. Road blocks are in place which may affect access to the Old City. Occupied Golan Heights Rocket attacks and sporadic gunfire have occurred without warning since 2012. On 27 August 2014, the Israeli authorities closed parts of Route 98 (from Bar’on intersection to Alonei Habashan) due to an increase in fighting on the Syrian side of the border, especially by the Quneitra border crossing, which has reportedly been seized by Al-Nusra Front and other Syrian rebel groups. Entry Requirements Visa and other entry requirements are complex. Make sure you are aware of Israeli immigration policies before you travel. Allow additional time for increased security measures and checks at airports during Israeli holidays and during the peak summer tourist season. Terrorism There is a high threat from terrorism. Overseas Business Risk The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks. Travel Insurance

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