Traveling to Israel: Yes, It's Safe!

Many people are afraid to travel to Israel because of what they perceive as a dangerous political situation. The truth is that Israel is an extremely safe place to be. If you actually travel to Israel, you will feel safe knowing the reality of the situation. Here are three facts that tell of the actual safety of the land of Israel:

1. Israel Has Less Crime than the USA

Israel’s crime index score is 30.40, giving it a ranking of number 122 out of 147. That means that it is safer than 83% of the world. The United States, in comparison, comes in at number 54 with a crime index score of 50.01. The crimes that are most reported in Israel are vehicle thefts, petty larcenies, and residential burglaries. These types of crimes usually don’t affect tourists.

2. Israel Has Less Violence than Where You Live

The United States has 4.7 murders per 100,000 citizens, whereas Israel has just 1.8 murders per 100,000 citizens. These figures take into account the murders associated with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The truth is that terrorism and violent crime are not the major causes of death of Americans overseas. Car accidents are the leading cause of death. Fortunately, you can improve the safety of driving by observing the speed limit and using a safety belt.

3. Israel has Stricter Firearm Policies than the United States

The ownership of firearms is highly controlled in Israel. Before a person can buy a gun, they are required to have no criminal record, be in good health, pass a weapons training course, and live in a specific area. Also, you are limited to owning a single handgun.

The United States is number one in the world for guns owned per capita. 90 guns are owned per 100 people. In Israel, only 7.3 guns are owned per 100 people. This ranks Israel at number 79.

A Safe Place to Be

The State Department of the United States notes that the safety of visitors to Israel in the major metropolitan areas such as Tel Aviv and Haifa is similar to that of other major international cities. Also, because of the ongoing conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities have made considerable efforts to police the area’s main tourist attractions and hubs.

The Ministry of Tourism in Israel has confirmed that tourism and life in general has continued in spite of trouble occurring in isolated areas. At any particular time, there can be found over 70,000 foreign visitors on vacation in Israel with no reports of any issues involving tourists.

The Ministry says that, if there were any real problems that make travel to Israel unsafe, it would put out an advisory against travel there temporarily.

Areas to Avoid

The Department of State advises United States citizens to avoid travel to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The Gaza Strip is controlled by the terrorist organization Hamas and is not considered safe for travelers. Visitors to the West Bank can get caught in violent disturbances and demonstrations that can happen without warning.

Do Travelers Feel Safe in Israel?

A big consideration for travelers to Israel is whether or not they’ll actually feel safe in the country. All of the statistics in the world don’t make a difference if you don’t actually feel safe. The truth is that surveys show that tourists rank their personal safety in Israel very high. Any fears of visiting Israel stem from a lack of knowledge. Why does the media give Israel so much coverage? This is because places in the holy land are a part of the West’s cultural heritage. That is why every little incident in Israel becomes magnified in a way that it wouldn’t in a country like China or Africa. What has been noticed by people is that safety concerns are mostly felt among people who actually haven’t visited Israel. Once you visit there for yourself, your fears will be allayed.

Will You See Soldiers?

When you visit Israel, you will notice a lot of armed army personnel on the streets. This shouldn’t give you the wrong impression, though. In Israel, the military serves alongside of the local police. The presence of armed soldiers, though at first unsettling to a visitor, actually keeps everyone safer. As a result of security, Israel is a safe place to visit and tour. It is known that even women feel safe walking the streets after midnight in Israel.

Things to Watch for

As with touring in any country, you should always be on the lookout for pickpockets and unethical street vendors. As with any tourist area, there are people who try to take advantage of unknowing tourists. You should be mindful of your belongings, no matter where you are going. You should lock your passport in the safe at your hotel and leave most of your belongings there when you are out for the day.

Guided Tours

One way to avoid potentially dangerous locations is to take a guided tour from one of the companies in Israel. The tour companies know the spots to avoid and will help you with any customs that the local religious groups may be sensitive to. At the same time, you will be treated to a professional tour by an experienced tour guide.

Use Common Sense

You should be careful about using crowded public transportation or shopping in public markets. These are sometimes the target of terrorism. You should also be careful about being in the general area of demonstrations. Many times these can turn violent, and you wouldn’t want to get caught up in the middle of things. Avoid visiting religious sites such as the Temple Mount that are subject to disputes between different groups. Do not hang around military areas. Bus stops near military areas where soldiers may be present you should stay away from because they have been subject to terrorist activities before.

In conclusion, if you travel to Israel, you will not only be safe but also will feel safe. A little common sense goes a long way, and many times you’ll sense the danger of a situation that you should avoid.