Reconsider Travel - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
“Reissued Statement There were no changes to the Travel Advisory Level. The health risk indicator was added for Gaza.”
Updated Wed, 26 Aug 2026
Full advisory →Is Israel safe? 🇮🇱
Asia · Updated
As of October 2026, Israel scores 44/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index — verdict: caution advised. The U.S. State Department rates Israel Level 3: Reconsider Travel - Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Of the 5 Israel destinations assessed, Jerusalem scores highest (44/100), while Haifa scores lowest (44/100).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Israel 🇮🇱
Israel · Assessed 26 September 2026
44
/ 100
Caution advised
Safer than ~32% of countries
Score capped at 44 — Level 3 advisory — reconsider travel. No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime77/100GoodHomicide 1.6 / 100k
Sentiment80/100GoodMixed but cautiously optimistic
Advisories30Elevated
Stability61Fair
Health92Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Gaza FCDO advises against all travel to Gaza Areas near Gaza FCDO advises against all travel within 500m of the border with Gaza The West Bank FCDO advises against all travel to: Tulkarm Governorate, Jenin Governorate, and Tubas Governorate except Route 90 Northern Israel and Occupied Golan Heights FCDO advises against all travel to: Areas north of Route 89 between Nahariyya and Dalton; north of a straight eastward line from Dalton to Route 91; and north of Route 91 across the Golan Heights, excluding routes 89 and 91 themselves Within 500m of the Area of Separation in the occupied Golan Heights (the ‘Alpha line’).”
Updated 2026-07-22T12:45:00Z
Full advisory →Avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Israel and Palestine: avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:34.319929-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
65 / 100 (Mixed but cautiously optimistic)
65
City SignalCity Web Research
Homicide rate
1.6 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Israel1.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
89
Robbery / mugging
LowArmed robbery is rare in tourist areas but can occur in isolated incidents; avoid poorly lit areas at night in cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded tourist sites, markets, and public transport, especially in Jerusalem’s Old City and Tel Aviv’s central bus station area.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed but cautiously optimistic
80/100
Reported feel65Mixed but cautiously optimistic
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate that while many feel safe in cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem due to visible security and normal daily life, anxiety persists over sudden escalations and rocket threats, leading to mixed but generally cautious sentiment among visitors.
No — Israel is not safe for general travel due to ongoing conflict and terrorism risks, though major tourist cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem remain relatively calm with heightened security.
The country faces a Level 3 'Reconsider Travel' advisory from the U.S. and similar warnings from the UK and Canada due to terrorism, civil unrest, and military conflict, particularly near Gaza and border areas. While crime rates in tourist zones are low and comparable to European cities, the security environment can deteriorate rapidly without warning. Visitors should expect routine security checks, rocket alert systems, and avoid all non-essential travel to Gaza, the West Bank, and northern border regions.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026National Security Council warned of terror organizations’ sharp motivation to target Israelis and Jews abroad— i24NEWS
- Sep 2026More than 100 arrested as New Yorkers protested Netanyahu’s UN visit amid rising international demonstrations— Al Jazeera
- Aug 2026U.S. State Department maintained Level 3 'Reconsider Travel' advisory for Israel, citing terrorism and civil unrest— U.S. Department of State
- Aug 2026UK FCDO advised against all travel to Gaza, areas near borders, and specific West Bank governorates due to military operations— UK Foreign Office
Common scams
- Mount of Olives vendor crowd pickpocket and distraction scams
- Western Wall approach 'red-string blessing' scams involving demands for money
- Fake charity collectors near religious sites in Jerusalem
Full briefing
Israel is currently under a Level 3 'Reconsider Travel' advisory from the U.S. State Department, with matching warnings from the UK and Canadian governments due to ongoing terrorism risks, civil unrest, and military conflict. While the composite safety index reflects significant concerns — particularly from conflict and terrorism — everyday hazards like crime, health, and environmental risks remain low. Homicide rates are low at 1.6 per 100,000, and visitor-reported crime in major cities is comparable to European urban centers. However, the security situation can escalate rapidly without notice, especially due to rocket fire or regional spillover from Gaza and the West Bank.
On the ground, life in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, and Galilee appears normal: cafes are open, beaches are full, and public transit operates. Yet visitors encounter heightened security — bag checks at malls, visible police and military presence, and mandatory rocket alert protocols. The Home Front Command app provides real-time warnings for incoming attacks and locates nearby shelters. Pickpocketing is a moderate concern in crowded areas like Jerusalem’s Old City, the Western Wall, and Tel Aviv’s central bus station, where scams such as fake charity collections and distraction tactics are reported. Armed robbery is rare but not absent, particularly after dark in less frequented neighborhoods.
Recent developments underscore the volatility: in September 2026, Israel’s National Security Council warned of increased terror motives targeting Israelis and Jews internationally, while global protests over the Gaza conflict led to arrests outside the UN in New York. Despite these tensions, no active disaster alerts were recorded within 500 km of Israel, and air quality remains good. Travelers should avoid all non-essential travel to Gaza and areas within 500m of its border, reconsider travel to the West Bank (especially Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas), and steer clear of northern border zones near Lebanon and Syria per FCDO guidance. Staying registered with your embassy, monitoring official alerts, and sticking to main tourist zones with a knowledgeable guide are the most effective ways to mitigate risk.
06 · Destinations
Israel destinations by safety score
#1🇮🇱JerusalemUse Caution · updated 2 October 202644#2🇮🇱Tel AvivUse Caution · updated 24 September 202644#3🇮🇱NazarethUse Caution · updated 29 July 202644#4🇮🇱EilatUse Caution · updated 29 July 202644#5🇮🇱HaifaUse Caution · updated 29 July 202644
Missing a place? Generate its report in about a minute.
07 · Questions
Israel safety FAQ
Is Israel safe to visit right now?
The U.S. State Department currently rates Israel Level 3 of 4 — Reconsider Travel - Level 3: Reconsider Travel. On our composite index Israel scores 44/100. See the destination reports above for city-level detail. (Updated 2 October 2026.)
What is the safest place to visit in Israel?
Of the destinations we've assessed, Jerusalem currently scores highest at 44/100 (Use Caution). Haifa scores lowest at 44/100.
Where does this Israel safety data come from?
Directly from public sources: US, UK and Canadian government advisories, World Bank and UNODC crime statistics, WHO health data, live air-quality, disaster and earthquake feeds — plus AI field research over current local reporting. Read the full methodology.