Hi there, Tourists in Israel feel perfectly safe eating in restaurants, using public transportation and shopping in the mall due to the heavy security presence. Israel police is spread all around the center of the towns and Israeli police personal are well trained in preventing danger. For what I can gather on the net, most people suggest that Middle Eastern countries are on average safer than Western nations and as long as you use common sense whilst traveling and dress modestly all should be fine. Hope this helps Vacationbuddy
Well i have not gone there but still i would like to say that this time its not safe to visit Israel. As we have heard in news etc that the peoples living there is suffering from a great crisis and millitery forces are highly active and there is always condition like war so its not safe to visit Israel at this time.
hi, you don't have to worry about your safety, I mean security is obviously an important issue in Israel. So the number of police that are around the city is actually kind of reassuring.
I have been to Israel three times and I never had any problems. The only place I saw some troubles was in Hebron, and Rachel's Tomb near Bethlehem where there were some kids throwing stones at soldiers. Both are in the Westbank, so not really Israel, and it's not common for most tourists to go to those places. You can most likely go to Bethlehem, just double check that there are no problems before you go. Hebron...well, go at your own risk. Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Dead Sea, Masada, Tiberias and Sea of Galilee, Eilat, etc. no problem. Terrorism is very unlikely to affect you at all. Only the precautions (security checks etc.) will affect you.
Sure, there's troubles like in any conflictive area. There's risks everywhere, as if you go to South America. But the vast majority of the people are kind everywhere.
I lived in Israel for 15 years. I always felt safe. The difference between perception and reality for a tourist is staggering.You see kids roaming around everywhere without grown ups. Regarding Arab ((West bank, East Jerusalem), it's better to use a guide.
Hello. Not sure if this is an old thread. Anyway, in answer to your question: from my experience if you are in Tel Aviv you are fine. Its a buzzing, thriving city and in my experience some of it is quite western or europen style with it's clubs and cafes and nightlife. Tel Aviv is great and as others have said - the police prescence is reassuring. When it comes to jerusalem I stick to western jerusalem although it is very traditional so cover up and dont dress or act as though you are at some beach resort! Eastern jerusalem can get dangerous or so im told ... I tend to stick to touristy places and Tel Aviv so do your research and happy travels
Nothing wrong with updating old posts, Jasmine. The questions are still out there. I've heard that Tel Aviv is a great place to visit for first-timers. It does make a lot of sense to stick to more touristy areas and it's always good advice to cover up. If you have any doubts about visits to Tel Aviv, you might want to travel with a tour group.
Any great places (must see places) in Israel? When you say modest clothing, are shorts/flip flops not allowed if you're a woman?