travel to israel with lebanese stamp

Before You Go: What to Know About Entering and Exiting Israel

After a recent TPG trip to Israel , many readers messaged us with questions about visiting the country. There were, of course, questions about hotels, flights, attractions and food. But a majority of the queries had to do with the logistics of flying into and out of the nation.

Many travelers aren't sure if they're even able to enter Israel, and are concerned about passport stamps, visas and airport security. Here, we'll detail some of the most important things you need to know about entering and exiting Israel.

While these tips are specifically for US passport holders, most of the information can be applied to travelers holding Canadian, British or other European passports. And of course, it's important to remember that, just because something is supposed to happen when entering and exiting Israel, personal experiences can vary, and regulations often change without notice. Feel free to share your own tips for traveling to Israel or sound off on your personal experiences in the comments below.

Have a Passport Valid for at Least Six Months

While US passport holders technically have no minimum validity requirement when entering Israel, your passport must be valid for the entirety of your stay. It's highly recommended, though, to have a passport that's valid for six months or more , or your airline may deny you boarding even though the nation of Israel may not deny your entry. If you're concerned, or are cutting it close, the best thing to do is renew your passport. If it's too late for that, call the airline you're flying to confirm if you'll be allowed to board.

Keep Track of Your Entry Card

US passport holders are allowed to stay in Israel for 90 days with a free tourist visa, and it's possible, in some circumstances, to extend this. Although it's technically a tourist visa, visitors from the US don't have to worry about obtaining or showing any paperwork, or making any payment, either beforehand or upon arrival to obtain the visa. (Nowadays, it's largely referred to as the entry card.) The entry card — a small piece of paper in lieu of a stamp — shows information such as the date you arrived, a small photo of yourself and the date when your 90 days in Israel are up.

Don't lose or misplace your entry card . While you may or may not be asked to present it when exiting the country, showing the card at hotels and car rental companies is important, because it will exclude you from paying the VAT tax of 17%. I was personally also asked to show it at a random road border checkpoint near the Dead Sea, so it's a good idea to always have it (and your passport) on hand. You will also get another small slip of paper when you leave, your exit card.

Don't Worry About the Stamp

When you arrive at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv (TLV), your passport should not be stamped. Israel has stopped stamping passports in almost all cases. But, some TPG readers have had their passports stamped during land crossings. Entering both Jordan and Egypt from Israel is permitted and you can do so by land crossing directly from Israel. (For more information on land crossings and possible stamps there, read the land-crossing section below.)

If you already have an Israeli stamp in your passport (the country stopped stamping fairly recently), don't panic. You can try to get a second passport , or just be careful about which countries you enter. Lebanon is one of the strictest countries, denying entrance to anyone with an Israeli stamp in their passport.

Other countries you should avoid entering if you have an Israeli stamp are Syria, Sudan, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Although you will be allowed to enter Muslim-majority countries such as Morocco, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates or Indonesia with the stamp, still be careful. Any interactions with police in a Muslim-majority country, in cases where you have to show your passport with Israeli stamp, could subject you to additional questioning.

Of course, this isn't a science, and some travelers may experience more (or less) questioning or similar issues at border checks when entering and exiting these countries.

It's important to know that when entering Israel, it's OK if you have stamps from Middle Eastern countries. While this may trigger a lot of security questions (see the section on security below), you'll still be allowed to enter and exit the country. Holders of Iranian visas in their passports should expect a lot of added questioning and thorough security checks, but should still ultimately be granted entry.

Get Standard Vaccines

US travelers aren't required to have any specific vaccines when visiting Israel, though having the measles and Hepatitis A vaccines is, as usual, recommended before travel.

Navigating the Land Crossings

It is possible to cross the Israeli border into either Jordan or Egypt — but not to Syria or Lebanon. While an Israeli officer shouldn't stamp your passport upon exiting or entering, we have heard reports of select TPG readers having their documents stamped at land crossings. So, you can simply ask the Israeli border control officer not to stamp your passport and, hopefully, they won't.

You must be careful, however, because the border control agents in Jordan or Egypt will stamp your passport upon entry and exit. The stamp is slightly different than the one you'd get by flying to the Amman (AMM) or Cairo International (CAI) airports, usually showing the name of the land crossing.

Extra scrutiny from a border agent in another country such as Lebanon may notice these entry or exit stamps from Egypt or Jordan and realize you entered by land -- making it clear you'd been to Israel. An easy way around this is to simply ask the land agents in Jordan or Egypt not to stamp your passport when entering or exiting. As I mentioned above, if you do end up with an Israeli (or Jordanian or Egyptian land crossing) stamp, all is not lost. You can apply for a second passport if you then later plan to visit a country such as Lebanon.

If you plan to visit Jordan or Egypt by way of land crossing, you may need a visa, or to pay an entry or exit fee -- and this may be different than the requirements for arriving by air. Fees also depend on the specific border crossing. We have heard reports from a few TPG readers that they were able to pay with a credit card at some of the border crossings. You can always attempt to pay with credit card first, but have cash on hand just in case (and in various currencies, if possible). Some land crossings do have money exchanges nearby in case you're stuck.

You can get a visa upon arrival at two (Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba crossing in the south, near Eilat; and the Jordan River crossing/Sheikh Hussein Bridge in the north, near Beit She'an) out of the three border crossings into Jordan from Israel (except the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge), according to the Jordan International Border Crossing information page. Visa fees (often subject to change) are 40 Jordanian dinars (a little over $56) for a single entry, valid for one month. When departing Jordan, expect to pay 8 dinars ($11) at any border crossings except the airports. The US Department of State explains that, "US passport holders must obtain Jordanian visas in advance to enter Jordan via the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge near Jericho. For US passport holders entering Israel via Jordan at Allenby/King Hussein Bridge [the third international crossing point between Israel and Jordan], Israeli authorities issue visas on arrival. Procedures for all three crossings into Jordan are subject to frequent changes. "

Visitors heading to Egypt by way of Israel at the Taba Border Crossing must obtain a visa in advance from the Egyptian Embassy in their home country or at the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in Tel Aviv. The exception is if you're only planning to visit Sinai, in which case "Sinai Only" visas are issued in the moment at the Taba Crossing.

Visiting Bethlehem

US citizens with a valid 90-day tourist entry card (the small blue piece of paper I previously encouraged you not to lose) can visit Bethlehem, which is just a few miles from Jerusalem. Bring your passport along with the small entry card, though you may or may not have to show it at the border. It's best to have at least six months or more validity on your passport if you plan to go to Bethlehem, too.

Airlines Flying to Israel

Not all airlines fly to Israel. Many countries don't even recognize the country, so don't expect to fly to Tel Aviv on airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, Royal Air Maroc, Saudia or Qatar. And the following countries have banned nonstop flights to Israel : Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

You can, however, fly Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian and Royal Jordanian Airlines nonstop to and from Israel.

But there are a few interesting exceptions. For example, Egypt Air doesn't fly to Israel — at lest, not exactly. They use a special airline, Air Sinai, which is actually owned by Egypt Air to operate any flights between the two countries. In fact, Air Sinai was established in 1982 for the sole purpose of operating flights between Egypt and Israel. In order to buy an Air Sinai ticket, you'll have to do so through a tour agency or a travel agent, as they aren't available online.

Also, both Saudi Arabia and Libya allow certain airlines (such as Air India and Ethiopian) to use their airspace when flying to Tel Aviv, while the Israeli national carrier, El Al, is not allowed .

If you fly El Al to Israel, expect extra questioning and intense security measures.

Security Before Flying to Israel

You may encounter heavy security and questioning before even checking in for your flight when flying Israeli carrier El Al, regardless of your departure airport. The airline has much heavier security measures than other airlines for entering Israel. Most other airlines won't do any added security questioning before departure.

Some TPG staff members flying El Al noted some serious questioning about their Jewish heritage and customs. TPG travel editor Melanie Lieberman specifically remembers getting asked about her Hebrew name (which she doesn't have) and both Wallace Cotton, TPG 's community manager, and Becca Denenberg, TPG 's director of marketing and communications, were asked which Jewish holidays they celebrated. Non-Jewish flyers can expect routine questions pertaining to why they are visiting Israel and about any stamps in their passport from Muslim countries.

Getting questioned when flying El Al isn't limited to travelers departing from US airports. You'll be questioned, regardless of departure city, if you're flying El Al. TPG UK's director of content, Nicky Kelvin, has experienced extremely long questioning by El Al security agents before arriving at check-in, as well as occasional follow-up question pre-boarding when flying out of London. (He's flown El Al out of London to Tel Aviv more than 10 times.)

Declaration at Customs

You must declare if you are carrying 50,000 shekels (just shy of $14,000) or more when entering or exiting Israel by air and, if entering or exiting by land, you must declare if you are carrying 12,000 shekels ($3,350) or more.

Security Upon Departure From Israel

Upon departure from the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, all passengers are questioned before check-in.

In theory, the questioning should not be hostile: just very thorough and possibly invasive. During my exit from Israel a few weeks ago, I was questioned exhaustively about several stamps in my passport from destinations such as the UAE, Morocco, Malaysia and Indonesia. I was asked if I knew people in any of those countries, where I had stayed and what my purpose was for traveling there.

Megan Robertson, a video editor and producer at TPG, remembers being questioned about her visit to Turkey, as well as her reasons for visiting Israel. She told TPG she, "got a lot of questions about who I was visiting in Israel, especially since I'm not Jewish and have no family ties there." It's best to be prepared for rigorous questioning, and to "stay calm," Megan said. "Just answer truthfully to the best of your ability."

Depending on your answers, you'll get a sticker on the back of your passport. The first number on the sticker is your flag as a perceived security threat. The numbers range from one, the lowest, to six, the highest. And I got a five. (Apparently, this is normal if you're not Jewish or are traveling alone. ) The extra security was definitely a pain, but I've had worse during a brief period of time when I was marked with the dreaded SSSS in the US .

After check-in, I was sent to a special security line, where every single one of the belongings in my carry-on was taken out, examined and tested for explosives. I walked through the metal detectors and was patted down despite not setting the alarm off.

It was annoying and, frankly, a little embarrassing, but not a huge deal. I originally blanched when the staff at my hotel suggested I arrive at the airport three to four hours in advance of my flight departure time, but they were right, and it's worth giving yourself the extra time in case you end up with extra security screening.

However, those with a sticker with the first number as six should be ready for an even more intense search. If you feel you've been unfairly flagged or treated disrespectfully in any way, you can report it. The US State Department warns that, "some US citizens of Arab or Muslim heritage (including Palestinian-Americans) have experienced significant difficulties and unequal and hostile treatment at Israel's borders and checkpoints. US citizens who have traveled to Muslim countries or who are of Arab, Middle Eastern or Muslim origin may face additional questioning by immigration and border authorities. US citizens should immediately report treatment by border officials that they believe is discriminatory or hostile to the ACS unit of the US Embassy in Jerusalem ( [email protected] ) or the ACS unit of the Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv ( [email protected] )."

If you are concerned about being flagged or expect to be in a rush upon either arrival or departure, you should consider prebooking a VIP departure or arrival , which varies in price (usually around $300 to $400 per person, depending on the package) but can include everything from pickup at the jetway to VIP security , luggage pickup and check-in, as well as access to a VIP arrival or departure lounge. (Read Brian Kelly's full review of the service.)

After my intense security screening, I headed to immigration, where I was given a pink exit paper — a replacement for my exit stamp. You may also go through an e-gate for immigration, which issues you this pink paper. I was able to keep both the blue entry card and the pink exit one, and faced no additional questioning at immigration or during the boarding process.

If you ever plan to visit one of the aforementioned Middle Eastern countries that may have a problem with the fact that you've visited Israel, make sure to peel off the sticker from your passport to avoid any issues. And leave the blue and pink papers (those Israeli entry and exit cards) at home, too.

Be Prepared When Traveling on Shabbat

Judaism specifies that Shabbat — from Friday at sundown to sundown on Saturday — should be kept as a holy day. For this reason, all public offices and many businesses are closed on Shabbat. As a result, your travel may be affected. While most airlines operate flights in and out of Israel during these hours, El Al normally does not. Security may take longer, too. Public transportation such as trains and buses may not be operating at all or be operating with a restricted schedule, so plan accordingly to arrive at the airport in time.

WATCH: How to Avoid TLV's Long Lines With NEW VIP Terminal

Can I visit Israel after visiting Arab countries?

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Continuing on from our post of which Arab countries you can visit with an Israeli stamp in your passport , it’s time for a trek in the opposite direction. You’ve been to an Arab country and now want to visit the Holy Land. Is it even possible?

The answer is yes, but a cautious yes.

If you’re a genuine tourist with no real political reasons behind your visit, you should be OK at any of the immigration points upon entering Israel. Be prepared for a barrage of questioning, but if you answer all those probing questions honestly, you should be fine. And if you have a Muslim-like name, or have various stamps from frequent trips to Syria or Lebanon, you can expect that questioning to be just a wee bit more intense…

If you’re looking to visit the West Bank, things might get tricky. Bethlehem is, of course, an obvious tourist attraction that many visitors to Israel stop at, but if you start talking about other locations in the West Bank , such as politically sensitive towns like Nablus or Jenin, you could be given a visa that will provide you with access to the Palestinian Authority area only, and not Israel proper. That means no Tel Aviv, no Jerusalem, no Dead Sea…

If you’re looking for the easiest border crossing into Israel, you probably want to head to the crossing in the south (Aqaba-Eilat). The border at the Allenby crossing (between Jordan and Israel) is notoriously stringent. But again, if you’re visiting Israel for genuine tourist reasons, you’ll be OK at any crossing.

So yes, Israel will let any genuine tourist in, regardless of the stamps in their passport. Contrast that with the list of Arab countries that won’t let you in if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport . Hmmmm.

Some hot tips on how to visit Israel when coming from an Arab country

Our hot tip for avoiding any future issues when visiting Israel from an Arab country: get a second passport. Americans should find this is easy to do: you will have to answer a questionnaire as to why you need it, but then you’ll get a passport valid for two years. So use this passport for visiting Israel and your regular passport for anywhere else in the world.

Another hot tip: use Cyprus as your route to Israel from Arab countries. Of course, immigration will know from which country (Cyprus) the plane has come from, but the plane before? Though, of course, if your passport is full of Arab countries stamps, you will face some tricky questioning.

One last tip: always answer honestly the questions thrown at you by Israeli immigration . If you’re purpose is purely vacation, you’ll be fine. If your intentions are less innocent, well…

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Security Alert May 17, 2024

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Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Travel Advisory April 11, 2024

See individual summaries.

Updated with information on travel restrictions for U.S. government employees under Chief of Mission security responsibility. 

Do Not Travel To :

• Gaza due to  terrorism and  armed conflict

Reconsider Travel To :

• Israel due to  terrorism  and  civil unrest
• West Bank due to  terrorism  and  civil unrest

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza without warning.

Some areas have increased risk. Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Israel and the West Bank, and Gaza. 

Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

If you decide to travel to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Check the most recent Alerts at the  Embassy  website for the latest information on travel in all of these areas.  
• Maintain a high degree of situational awareness and exercise caution at all times, especially at checkpoints and other areas with a significant presence of security forces. 
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds. 
• Follow the instructions of security and emergency response officials. 
• Beware of and report suspicious activities, including unattended items, to local police. 
• Learn the location of the nearest bomb shelter or other hardened shelter. Download the Home Front Command Red Alert application for mobile devices (available on devices within Israel) to receive real time alerts for rocket attacks. 
• Obtain comprehensive travel medical insurance that includes medical evacuation prior to travel. Most travel insurance packages do not cover mental health related illnesses/care.  
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.  
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Gaza – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to  terrorism and  armed conflict .

The U.S. government is unable to provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Gaza as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling there. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are conducting large-scale military operations in Gaza against Hamas, a U.S. government-designated foreign terrorist organization, which was responsible for the October 7 attack on Israel. As a result of the armed conflict, the security environment within Gaza and on its borders is extremely dangerous and volatile. The pedestrian crossing between Gaza and Israel was damaged on October 7 and remains closed, and the pedestrian crossing between Egypt and Gaza may close without advance notice depending on the security situation. There are sporadic telecommunication and internet outages within Gaza further inhibiting the ability of residents to obtain information. 

Visit our website for  Travel to High Risk Areas .  

If you decide to travel to Gaza:

• Be prepared for an indefinite stay as the crossings between Gaza with Israel and Egypt can close without advance notice and for long periods during times of unrest and armed conflict.
• Have a plan for entering and departing Gaza that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Households with infants and young children should plan for food and supplies, such as diapers and wipes, formula or baby food, and a change of clothing.
• If you take medication, make sure to have at least five days’ worth at any given time – if you can, we encourage enough for two weeks beyond your scheduled trip and have a copy of your prescriptions handy.
• If you use assistive or medical devices that require a power supply, be sure to find backup power or other ways that will sustain your device or equipment during a power outage.
• Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
• Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them.

Please be sure to visit our website for How to Prepare for a Crisis for information that may be helpful. 

Israel – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to  terrorism and civil unrest .

The security situation remains unpredictable, and U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire, often take place without warning.

U.S. government employees in Israel under Chief of Mission security responsibility are currently restricted from personal travel to the following locations:

• Within seven miles of the Gaza demarcation line, as well as the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon;
• Within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders; and
• Within 1.5 miles of the Israel-Egypt border.

Additional travel restrictions may be imposed on U.S. government employees under Chief of Mission security responsibility, with little to no notice due to increased security issues or threats.

West Bank – Reconsider Travel

U.S. government employees in Israel under Chief of Mission security responsibility are currently restricted from all personal travel to the West Bank, except:

• U.S. government employees can use Routes 1, 90, and 443 at any time. 
• U.S. government employees are permitted personal travel to Jericho. 
• U.S. government employees are permitted daylight travel to: Inn of the Good Samaritan, An-Nabi Musa, Wadi Qelt Nature Preserve, and St. George’s Monastery along Route 1; and Qumran, Kalia Beach, St. Gerasimos/Khogla Monastery, Al Auju, and Qasr al-Yaud baptismal site along Route 90. 

Over the past few months, there has been an increase in settler violence, Israeli military operations, and terrorist attacks.

Additional travel restrictions may be imposed on U.S. government employees under Chief of Mission security responsibility with little to no notice due to increased security issues or threats.

Visit our website for  Travel to High Risk Areas .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

No minimum requirement, but your authorized stay will not exceed the validity remaining on your passport and airlines may decline boarding if a traveler has fewer than six months validity on his or her passport.

1 page (although passports are normally not stamped upon entry).

Not required for stays of 90 days or fewer. Please see below for detailed information about entry, exit and visa requirements.

You must declare if you are carrying 50,000 shekels or more when entering or exiting Israel by air and 12,000 shekels if entering or exiting by land.

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Jerusalem   14 David Flusser Street   Jerusalem 93392   Telephone:  + (972) (2) 630-4000  Emergency After-Hours Telephone : + (972) (2) 622-7230  Email:   [email protected]

Contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem for information and assistance in Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza (including the Erez Crossing), and the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge border crossing between Jordan and the West Bank.

U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs 18 Agron Road Jerusalem 9419003 Telephone: + (972) (2) 630-4000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone : + (972) (2) 622-7230 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Branch Office Tel Aviv   71 HaYarkon Street   Tel Aviv Israel 63903   Telephone:  + (972) (3) 519-7575  Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  + (972) (3) 519-7551  Email:   [email protected]

Contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv for information and assistance in Israel outside of Jerusalem, and the northern (Sheikh Hussein) and southern (Yitzhak Rabin) border crossings connecting Israel and Jordan, and the border crossings between Israel and Egypt.

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.  Please read the  Israel, West Bank, and Gaza Travel Advisory  for additional information.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

The Government of Israel administers immigration and security controls at its international land crossings with Jordan (into both the West Bank and Israel), Egypt (at the Taba crossing near Eilat), and at Israel’s airports and seaports. A separate network of security checkpoints and crossings operated by Israeli authorities regulates the movement of people and goods between Israel and the West Bank, and between Israel and Gaza.

The U.S. government seeks equal treatment and freedom of travel for all U.S. citizens regardless of national origin, religion, or ethnicity . All persons seeking to enter or depart Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza are subject to  immigration and security screening , possibly including prolonged questioning and physical searches, and  may be denied entry or exit  consistent with the uniform application of Israeli law. Persons who are denied entry have the right to an immigration court hearing to contest the denial, but they will be detained for the duration of the proceedings. Specific questions about your individual circumstances should be directed to your closest Israeli Embassy or Consulate.

When traveling into Israel,  please make sure you have proper  travel  documentation – including a full validity U.S. passport – before arrival in Israel. Israel may deny entry to an individual using a limited-validity, or emergency U.S. passport. 

1. Do I need a visa to enter Israel if I normally live in the United States?

U.S. citizens may use their U.S. passport to enter Israel for business or tourism purposes for stays of up to 90 days without a visa, including U.S. citizens transiting Israel to and from the West Bank. For more information, please contact your nearest Israeli Embassy or consulate and consult this webpage:  Entry-Exit into Israel .

2. Do I need a visa to enter the West Bank if I am visiting the West Bank and normally live in the United States?

U.S. citizens who are not West Bank residents can use their U.S. passport to enter the West Bank for business or tourism purposes for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. For more information, visit the Government of Israel’s webpage:  Entry-Exit Information: Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

U.S. citizens who are not PA ID/passport holders and who wish to study, teach, research, work, or volunteer in the West Bank should consult the Government of Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT)  regulations  on entry into the West Bank. U.S. citizens who are engaged or are married to West Bank residents and wish to remain in the West Bank should also consult these regulations. Questions regarding these regulations can be directed to COGAT by email at  [email protected]  or by phone at +972-3-697-7577.

3. Do I need a visa to enter Israel if I normally live in the West Bank?

U.S. citizens who are also residents of the West Bank can either apply for a permit to enter Israel from the Government of Israel’s COGAT or apply for a visa to enter Israel at Allenby Bridge in order to transit through the West Bank to Israel for up to 90 days. For more information, visit the Government of Israel’s webpage:  Entry-Exit Information: Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

4. Do I need a visa to enter Gaza through Israel if I normally live in the United States?

Please see the  Travel Advisory  before traveling to Gaza. Gaza is Level 4 – Do Not Travel. We remind all U.S. citizens seeking to travel to Gaza that the U.S. government is unable to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Gaza. U.S. citizens seeking entry into Israel from Gaza (or entry into Gaza from Israel) should follow the instructions provided on the COGAT website to request permission to enter. For more information, visit the Government of Israel’s webpage:  Entry-Exit Information: Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

5. Can U.S. citizens registered as residents of Gaza enter or transit Israel?

A U.S. citizen who is also listed on the Palestinian Population registry for Gaza and has a center of life in the Gaza – someone who has spent more than 50 percent of the last five years in Gaza (or more than 912 days) as confirmed by the Israeli government – can apply while they are in Gaza for a permit to enter Israel via the Erez Crossing from the Government of Israel’s COGAT. When outside of Gaza, they may apply for admission to enter Israel through any international port of entry.

A U.S. citizen who is also listed on the Palestinian Population registry for Gaza and has a center of life outside the Gaza Strip – someone who has spent more than 50 percent of the last five years outside of Gaza (or more than 912 days) as confirmed by the Israeli government – may use their U.S. passport to enter Israel for business or tourism purposes for stays of up to 90 days without a visa, including transiting Israel to and from the West Bank.  Such U.S. citizens cannot enter on their U.S. passport for the purpose of transiting Israel to Gaza.

For more information, visit the Government of Israel’s webpage:  Entry-Exit Information: Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

6. What if I am denied entry?

U.S. citizens should immediately report any denial of entry or harassment or discriminatory treatment by border officials to the American Citizens Services (ACS) unit of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem or the Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv.

• U.S. citizens can use the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem and Branch Office Tel Aviv  online reporting form .
• U.S. citizens can call the Embassy at the phone numbers on our website (denials of entry only):  U.S. Citizen Services - U.S. Embassy in Israel (usembassy.gov)

Please note that the decision to admit or deny a traveler admission to Israel is entirely made by the State of Israel, and the U.S. Embassy cannot intervene on an individual’s behalf. U.S. citizens who are denied entry into Israel or the West Bank should receive a written explanation from Israeli authorities.

The Israeli Ministry of Interior has continued to deny entry into Israel and the West Bank of some foreign nationals (including U.S. citizens) affiliated with certain political and non-governmental organizations that the Government of Israel views as anti-Israel. Participation in Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS)-related activities is one of the considerations Israeli authorities consider when deciding whether to refuse entry to individuals into Israel and the West Bank.

In addition to contacting the U.S. Embassy, if you were the subject of mistreatment or harassment by Israeli authorities upon entry to or at exit from Israel, you may also email  [email protected]  to file a complaint with the Israeli authorities. If the mistreatment or harassment occurred at a check point to the West Bank you may email  [email protected]  to file a complaint.

7. What if I’m an Israeli citizen?

Individuals with Israeli citizenship, regardless of other nationality, including U.S. citizenship, must enter and depart Israel using their Israeli passports in accordance with Israeli law. Due to a passport backlog, Israeli citizens are temporarily allowed to enter and depart Israel on non-Israeli passports until December 31, 2023. Israeli citizens are prohibited from using the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing. They are also prohibited from entering Gaza and are generally prohibited from traveling to parts of the West Bank under PA control (Area A), to include Bethlehem and Jericho.

Further information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction,  and  customs regulations  can be found on our website at travel.state.gov.

Safety and Security

Terrorism:  Please view the current  Travel Advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza for detailed information regarding the terrorism threat in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. For more information, see our  Terrorism  page.

Jerusalem:   See the  Travel Advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza  for additional information.

The West Bank:   See the  Travel Advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza  for additional information.

The Gaza Strip:   See the  Travel Advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza  for additional information.

Mortar and Rocket Fire:  In the event of mortar or rocket fire, a “red alert” siren may be activated. Treat all such alerts as real. Follow the instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately. Know the location of your closest shelter or protected space. U.S. government personnel and their family members may be restricted from traveling to areas affected by rocket activity, sirens, and/or the opening of bomb shelters. For additional information on appropriate action to take upon hearing a siren or explosion, see  the Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command website  (available on devices within Israel) or view the  Preparedness Information. U.S. citizens may also wish to download the free Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command application on  Android  or  Apple  devices to receive real-time security and safety alerts. Free commercial applications, such as Red Alert: Israel, are also available.

Crime:  The crime rate is moderate in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Parked vehicle break-ins are common at public beach areas, national parks, and other tourist sites. Vehicle theft also remains a problem. U.S. citizens should not leave their valuables (including passports) unattended in parked vehicles, on the beach, or unsecured in hotels. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings in tourist areas and watch for crimes of opportunity, such as pickpockets.

For additional information, read the most recent Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)  Crime and Safety Report for Israel .

Demonstrations  occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. 

• Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. 
• Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.

International Financial Scams:  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Victims of Crime:  Report crimes to the local police. The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Israel and the West Bank is 100 for police, 101 for an ambulance, and 102 for the fire department.

U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. You can reach the U.S. Embassy at the contact information provided above. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States
• Israel National Police
• Ministry of Justice 
• Ministry of Public Security
• Provide information on Government of Israel assistance to victims of terrorist acts (contact the  National Insurance Institute  for more information)
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should contact local police but may also contact the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem or Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv to report it.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws and legal systems, which can be vastly different from those in the United States. If you violate Israeli or Palestinian Authority laws, even unknowingly, being a U.S. citizen will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking illegal drugs in Israel and PA-administered areas are severe and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Individuals expressing views, including on social media, which the Government of Israel considers incitement to violence or hate speech may face criminal penalties. Palestinian Authority security officials have also arrested Palestinians who posted criticism of the PA and PA leadership online. In Gaza, individuals publicly criticizing authorities have risked reprisal by Hamas, including arrest, interrogation, seizure of property, and harassment.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrests and Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to immediately notify the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem or the U.S. Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv immediately. See our  website  for further information. While the U.S. Embassy may not recommend a particular foreign attorney, the embassy website has the names of several attorneys who have identified themselves as willing to assist U.S. citizen clients. Please note that inclusion on this list in no way represents an endorsement of services by the Department or the U.S. government. 

Arrests and Arrest Notification by Israel: 

• The Government of Israel is required by a bilateral treaty and customary international law to promptly notify the U.S. Embassy when a U.S. citizen is arrested IF the citizen identifies themself as a U.S. citizen AND requests that the U.S. Embassy be notified. In case of arrest or detention, U.S. citizens should promptly identify themselves as such to the arresting authorities and request that the authorities notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. There are credible reports that U.S. citizens have been mistreated by Israeli security forces during their arrest and interrogation.
• Some youths over the age of 14 have been detained and tried as adults. 
• Arrestees have also reported pressure to sign documents in Hebrew that they do not understand.
• U.S. citizens arrested in Israel for criminal or security offenses are entitled to legal representation provided by the Government of Israel. U.S. citizens arrested by Israeli authorities for security offenses may be prevented from communicating with lawyers, family members, or consular officers for lengthy periods. Even after notification, consular access to the arrested individual may be delayed for days to several weeks. Under Israeli law, individuals detained for security offenses may be held for up to six months without charges.

Arrests and Arrest Notification by the Palestinian Authority (PA):

• Individuals arrested by PA security forces in the West Bank for security offenses may be prohibited from communicating with lawyers, family members, or consular officers for lengthy periods. In addition, they may be held in custody for long periods without formal charges or before being brought before a judge for an arrest extension. The PA often does not notify the U.S. Embassy of such arrests, and consular access to arrestees is often delayed or denied. There are credible reports that arrested individuals, including U.S. citizens, have been mistreated by PA security forces during their arrest and interrogation. In case of arrest or detention, U.S. citizens should promptly identify themselves as such to the arresting authorities and should request that the U.S. Embassy be notified immediately.

Gaza:  Since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, they have dominated security matters in Gaza. The U.S. government has no contact with Hamas and cannot assist those arrested in Gaza.

Israeli Court Jurisdiction:  Civil and religious courts in Israel actively exercise their authority to bar certain individuals, including nonresidents, from leaving the country until debts or other legal claims against them are resolved. Israel's religious courts exercise jurisdiction over all citizens and residents of Israel in cases of marriage, divorce, child custody, and child support. U.S. citizens, including those without Israeli citizenship, may be subject to involuntary and prolonged stays (and even imprisonment) in Israel if a case is filed against them in a religious court, even if their marriage took place in the United States, and regardless of whether their spouse is present in Israel. The U.S. Embassy is unable to cancel the debt of a U.S. citizen or guarantee their departure from Israel when they face a bar from leaving the country until debts are resolved.    Purchases of Property:  U.S. citizens should always seek legal advice before buying or leasing property in the West Bank and Gaza. Please see the most recent  Investment Climate Statement for the West Bank and Gaza  for additional information on property rights.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods:  Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or be forced to forfeit them if you bring them back to the United States. See the  U.S. Department of Justice website  for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers:  See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Rights:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) events in Israel. Israeli anti-discrimination laws protect LGBTQI+ individuals. Acceptance and tolerance of LGBQTI+ people vary throughout the country and from neighborhood to neighborhood. As of August 2014, the Law of Return allows that same-sex spouses of Jews immigrating to Israel – known as “making Aliyah” – are eligible to make Aliyah with their spouses and receive Israeli citizenship.    The legal systems in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are based on the 1960 Jordanian penal code which prohibits consensual same-sex sexual activity. However, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has not prosecuted individuals suspected of such activity. Societal discrimination, including from families, based on cultural and religious traditions is commonplace, making the West Bank and Gaza challenging environments for LGBTQI+ persons. PA security officers have harassed, abused, and sometimes arrested LGBTQI+ individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. NGOs have reported that Hamas also harassed and detained persons in Gaza due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.    LGBTQI+ travelers are encouraged to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings, especially when entering religious or socially conservative areas.

Israel’s  Aguda  organization provides useful information on LGBTQI+ issues in Israel.    See   our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of the  Department of State's Human Rights report  for further details.

Persons with Mobility Issues:  Individuals with mobility issues may find accessibility and accommodation in Israel very different from in the United States. Legislation mandates access to buildings and transportation, as well as accommodations for persons with disabilities in services and the workplace. However, the government enforces the laws with only limited success. Societal discrimination and lack of accessibility persist in employment and housing. The law mandates accessibility to urban public transportation but not to intercity buses. Most train stations maintain access for persons with disabilities; however, many buses still do not have such access. Television stations include subtitles or sign language, and the courts accommodate testimony from persons with intellectual disabilities or mental illness. Tourists will find restaurants, foot paths, and public transportation less accessible than in the United States.

Palestinian Authority law prohibits discrimination based on disability. The Palestinian Disability Law was ratified in 1999, but implementation has been slow. It does not mandate access to buildings, information, or communications. Palestinians with disabilities continue to receive uneven and poor-quality services and care. Familial and societal discrimination against persons with disabilities exists in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Modern medical care and medicines are available in Israel. Some hospitals in Israel and most hospitals in the West Bank and Gaza, however, fall below Western standards. Travelers can find information in English about emergency medical facilities and after-hours pharmacies in the  Jerusalem Post  and the English-language edition of the  Ha'aretz  newspaper, or refer to the  U.S. Embassy’s medical information list .

Ambulance services are widely available in Israel. Ambulance services in the West Bank are available but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. The U.S. government does not have knowledge of ambulance services in Gaza. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) operates in the West Bank and Gaza.

We do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas, including for COVID-19. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See  our webpage  for more information on insurance coverage overseas. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Israel  Ministry of Health  to ensure the medication is legal in Israel. Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For further health information, go to :

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Air Quality:  Visit  AirNow Department of State  for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a  list  of doctors and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Health facilities in general:

• Adequate health facilities are available throughout Israel but health care in the West Bank and Gaza may be below U.S. standards.
• Medical staff may speak little or no English.
• Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery

• Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. People seeking health care overseas should understand that medical systems operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations. Anyone interested in traveling for medical purposes should consult with their local physician before traveling and visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  website for more information on medical tourism, the risks of medical tourism, and what you can do to prepare before traveling.
• We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.

Pharmaceuticals

• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication may only be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the  U.S. Customs and Border Protection  and the  Food and Drug Administration  websites for more information.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy

• If you are considering traveling to Israel to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our  ART and Surrogacy Abroad page .
• Surrogacy is subject to complex local regulation. For additional information, visit the Israel Ministry of Health  website  for information on surrogacy.

Water Quality

• In many areas of the West Bank and Gaza, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

Adventure Travel

• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Adventure Travel .

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  While in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

• Israel:   Israeli roads and highways tend to be crowded, especially in urban areas. The Government of Israel requires that all occupants of passenger cars always wear seat belts. Passenger cars must use headlights during all intercity travel, both day and night, and during winter. All drivers are required to carry fluorescent vests and safety triangles in the car with them at all times, and they are required to wear the vests whenever they get out of their cars to make repairs or change tires. If a vehicle is stopped for a traffic violation and it does not contain a fluorescent vest, the driver will be fined. These vests can be purchased for a nominal price in all local gas stations. While mobile phone use is prohibited while driving, hands-free units are authorized. The acceptable limit for blood alcohol content is lower in Israel than in the United States.
• West Bank and Gaza:  Crowded roads are common in the West Bank and Gaza. During periods of heightened tension in the West Bank, protestors have targeted cars and buses with stone throwing, improvised incendiary devices, small arms fire, barricades, and burning tires. Emergency services may be delayed by the need for Palestinian authorities to coordinate with Israeli officials. Seat belt use is required, and drivers may not drink alcohol. Individuals involved in accidents resulting in death or injury may be detained by police pending an investigation.

Traffic Laws:  Aggressive driving is commonplace, and many drivers fail to maintain safe following distances or signal before changing lanes or making turns. Overtaking at high-speed on undivided two-lane roads is common and may result in accidents. Drivers are also prone to stop suddenly on roads without warning, especially in the right lane. Drivers should use caution, as Israel has a high rate of fatalities from automobile accidents.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. We suggest that you visit the website of the country’s national tourist office and Israel's Ministry of Transport and Road Safety  for additional information on road safety.    Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed that the Government of Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority is in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Israel’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Need to know about Israeli passport stamps in 2024

By Joan Torres 226 Comments Last updated on April 25, 2024

This post is being regularly updated thanks to the input from some awesome travelers; if you have more up-to-date information, kindly let me know in the comments section

The Israeli passport stamp issue is one of the most discussed topics among people traveling or living  in the Middle East . Across all forums and Facebook groups, people keep on asking all sorts of questions related to this subject, over and over again: 

Will the Israeli authorities stamp my passport?

Am I eligible to enter Dubai or Lebanon with an Israeli stamp?

The fact is that I followed some of these conversations and I was very surprised by the large amount of misleading information that you may find on the internet.

That’s why I have compiled a list that contains the most common FAQ addressing the Israeli passport stamp issue.

And why should you trust me as a source of information?

Well, I’ve been to Israel twice, entering and exiting both by plane and overland, and I have been traveling across the Middle East since 2016.

We always get updates from travelers (check the comments section of this blog) and we organize group expeditions to the Middle East all the time, including to Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Against the Compass is your source.

Of course, I might be wrong because things can change overnight in the Middle East, but the information that you’ll find in this article is verified.

In this Israeli passport stamps guide you will find:

Table of Contents

Does Israel stamp passports?

• Entering Israel via Jordan – Problems and how to avoid them
• Can I visit Israel with an Arab stamp?

Can you visit Israel after Iran?

• Which countries ban Israeli passport stamps?
• I have been Israel but I have a new passport
• Which Muslim countries can you travel with an Israeli passport stamp?
• More Information

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The answer is NO .

Several years ago, Israel stopped stamping passports.

Instead, they give you a card containing all your personal information.

This rule applies to tourists who enter either overland or by air.

Please note that, if you travel to Israel for work purposes, however, you’ll definitely get a visa in your passport.

This is what the immigration card looks like:

Update! Ovda Airport is the secondary international airport in Israel (located in the south). Until very recently, if you flew into Ovda Airport, the Israeli authorities used to stamp your passport but now, since this airport is gaining popularity, especially because budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air are flying in, the authorities no longer stamp foreign passports.

Do you need to keep the Israeli immigration card and show it at your exit?

Yes and no.

The Israeli authorities won’t ask you for this card when you leave Israel.

However, if you enter the West Bank (Palestine)   the soldiers might ask you for this tiny piece of paper.

Please note that if you lose this card, you might not be allowed to enter the West Bank.

Furthermore, some fancier hotels may ask you for this card, as well as some car rental firms. Keep it just in case.

Read: A travel guide to Palestine A travel guide to the Gaza Strip

Entering/exiting Israel via Jordan – Problems and how to avoid them

If you enter/exit overland from/to Jordan, does the Jordanian stamp give evidence that you’ve been to Israel?

Yes, unfortunately, if you enter/exit Jordan overland, the Jordanian stamp says, very loudly, that you spent your holidays in Israel because the stamp would mention the name of that border. 

If you get one of these stamps, your passport is truly f***ed.

Read: Jordan-Israel border crossing: Ultimate guide

Can you avoid a Jordanian overland stamp?

The good news is that the Jordanian authorities are pretty cool and they are all completely aware of the Israeli stamp issue.

There are three Jordanian border crossings : King Hussein Bridge, Wadi Araba and Sheikh Hussein.

At King Hussein bridge, they automatically stamp on a separate piece of paper. However, make sure they do it, just to be on the safe side.

At the two other borders, you must ask for it before giving them your passport.

They will give you an exit form, which you need to fill out, and then you’ll get a stamp on it. 

You should also read: where in the Middle East is safe?

The problem of avoiding the Jordanian stamp

If you avoid your Jordanian entry stamp, it means that, in your passport, you will have just your exit stamp. The question is:

Will the Lebanese authorities notice it or ask any questions?

If you go to Lebanon

It is definitely a problem. The Lebanese authorities tend to check passports thoroughly, to they make sure that you have haven’t been to Israel, and, if they see that you have only one exit stamp for Jordan, they will know the reasons very well, so be careful.

Solution: Travel to Lebanon first and then to Jordan and Israel.

You go to another country

When I was in Tajikistan , I went to the Iranian Embassy in Dushanbe to apply for an Iranian visa .

On my passport, there was clearly only the exit stamp for Jordan, so I was actually a little bit worried that they may ask some questions. However, nothing happened and I just got my visa within the normal timing. 

It may be risky but the truth is that, besides Lebanon, other countries may not look that closely. 

Read: A travel guide to Syria

Can I visit Israel with passport stamps from Arab countries like Dubai or Lebanon, for example?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions.

When I traveled to Israel for the first time, I had visas and stamps from Lebanon , Iraq ,  UAE , Pakistan , and Oman .

These are some of Israel’s worse enemies. Did I have any problem? Not at all. At my arrival, they didn’t even check inside my passport.

When I left, before heading to the boarding gate, they just interrogated me for 20-30 minutes, like everyone else. That’s it.

However, this may be not the case for everyone, especially if you enter Israel overland from Jordan, as they are much stricter. Actually, a traveler reported that he was denied his entry into Israel because of his Lebanese visa. Nevertheless, he had been living in Lebanon for several months, working with the Syrian refugees, so his case was sort of special. 

If you have been in Lebanon just for a short holiday, there shouldn’t be any problem but again, reports are very welcome.

Read: How to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan

In the last year, the Iranian visa seems to be the most problematic one for entering Israel. 

A traveler reported that, back in 2016, on arrival at Tel Aviv airport, the Israeli authorities interrogated him for 3 hours for having one.

Then, he entered Jordan and, when he went back to Israel, he had to wait for almost 2 hours due to the same Iranian stamp issue.

As if they wanted to punish him, they then stamped his passport with an Israeli stamp, something very unusual.

Just to let you know that I (and most people) had a completely different experience but, at least, he was allowed to get into the country. 

Moreover, another traveler (EU citizen) reported (March 2018) that he was held for questioning for almost 4 hours at Tel Aviv International airport where, along with other travelers who had an Iranian visa , the authorities checked their social media accounts and posts but, since they didn’t see any problematic content, they let them go. In the end, it was just a waste of time.

Read: 80 Useful tips for visiting to Iran

Which Muslim countries are you not allowed to enter with an Israeli stamp?

Israel has quite a big bunch of enemies and, if you show them any evidence that you’ve been to Israel, either if it’s a stamp, the Lonely Planet or an Israeli Shekel, you’ll be banned from entering this country for the rest of your life. Luckily, you already know how not to get stamped.

Moreover, before traveling to Lebanon or Iran, make sure you get rid of all Israeli evidence. Which Muslim countries are we talking about?

*Iran: According to the MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), you can enter Iran with an Israeli stamp (or Jordanian overland stamp) if your last visit was more than 6 months ago. Please note that I have personally verified this.

**Iraq: Not Iraqi Kurdistan

***Sudan: A traveler reported ( January 2020 ) that she had an Israeli visa occupying a full page and still, she managed to get her Sudan visa in Aswan , Egypt.

I have been to Israel but I have a new passport:

Does israel exchange information about travelers with its muslim enemies.

You’ll be surprised, but I get asked this question all the time.

Occasionally, after finding my articles about Lebanon, some people ask me:

Hey, I just left Israel and I’m flying to Beirut through Istanbul. Will the Lebanese authorities know that I’ve been to Israel?  

The answer is very simple: Lebanon and Israel are the worst enemies.

Therefore, how could they possibly exchange any sort of information, especially tourism information?

In which Muslim countries are you eligible to travel even if you have an Israeli stamp?

There are some Arab/Muslim countries where you are allowed to travel, despite having an Israeli stamp:

• Iraqi Kurdistan
• Saudi Arabia *
• United Arab Emirates (Dubai) **

* Saudi Arabia : With the introduction of the e-visa in September 2019, Saudi Arabia’s official e-visa site says: There are no restrictions on the places you have visited prior to coming to Saudi Arabia. You can read it here .

**United Arab Emirates (Dubai): For some years already, the Israeli passport stamp has not been an issue on arrival in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

More useful information for traveling in the region

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Travel guides to other countries in the Middle East

• Iran Travel Guide
• Palestine Travel Guide
• Syria Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Lebanon
• Iraq Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Saudi Arabia
• Travel Guide to Oman

You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? and The most beautiful places in the Middle East .

I think that this is all that you need to know regarding Israeli stamps. Please note that bureaucratic matters are continuously changing. I will try to keep this article updated as soon as I am aware of any country’s new policy. If you have any further questions, please leave a comment below. Safe travels!

226 comments

Do you need to keep this card and show it at your exit? YES! The card is actually your visa – it replaces the stamp in your passport (which constitutes a visa in countries that stamp you!) Whenever you would need to prove your legality of stay in Israel, you would need to show a passport and a visa. This goes even when you rent a car, stopped by the police or just go to/from the West Bank. Israel will not need it back, but you need to save the visa paper slip until you are exiting Israel (save it until you get to border control – they don’t need it because they have it on their computers).

thanks, I didn’t know they asked for it when renting a car. I will update the post.

I just gave out a few examples. There are many more: when checking-in to a hotel (usually the larger ones) they might ask to see your visa, to see that you are entitled not to pay VAT (as tourists are exempted. If you don’t have it – you will have to pay extra 17% (VAT) of the price you originally reserved). If you buy in a VAT-refund shop, they will have to see your valid visa to be able to return the VAT., and more…

The main reason why places of businesses such as hotels and rental cars companies is that in Israel, if you are a non-Israeli citizen, you will be exempted of paying VAT (sales tax) on hotels and car rentals. I recommend you take at least a photo of it to show it in case you don’t find it on you.

Also you should know that Israeli citizens entering israel also get this document. Over 1 million Israeli citizens (that is more than 10% of the country population) do not actually live in Israel, and still come as « tourists » but their card will identify them as Israeli citizens S and they will not be given a tax deduction like you were.

The rental places and hotels also ask for it because that is the only way to avoid paying tax. I misplaced mine once and even though I was a foreigner I still had to pay the very hefty local tax. Do not lose it!

Monica there are many Israeli citizens also holding a dual citizenship with a European country, the US, Canada, Argentina, Brazil etc… they still visit israel as tourists but their Israeli citizenship will restrict them from the tax exemption. They are given the same Visa card as you when entering israel except that theirs included the information that they are Israeli citizens with their Israeli citizen identification number (sort of social insurance number) unlike you.

Because the Law of Return allows anyone who has at least a proven Jewish grandparent in the world to claim for Israeli citizenship, that means one could be an Asian-American, an afro-American, or a Hasidic Jew and all could become Israeli citizens with or without speaking Hebrew, so one can not assume you are not Israeli in these conditions.

Yes it’s good to have it to present on exit, but if you lose it you’ll just face a (relatively) minor delay while they look up your entry details. Happened to my colleague (Australian) when leaving Israel last month. It was a minor hassle, but no real drama.

thank you so much. this is golden

Hello you guys,

I wanted to ask if anybody knows how it works to travel to Palestine & Israel with a One-Entry Visa. At the moment I am in Jordan and I would cross the border at King Hussein Bridge. But I am worried that I gonna have issues with coming back to Jordan with my on entry visa. Maybe you guys can help me with your experiences 🙂 thank you

Hi Cindy, most nationalities can just get another visa on arrival.

If you are crossing from Israel to Jordan in the South (Yitzchak Rabin/Wadi Arava crossing) you cannot get a visa on arrival. You need to arrange for it in advance to get into Jordan. Since Jordan and Israel have diplomatic relations that is not an issue. There is an exception is going on a tour.My suggestion is call a Jordanian travel agent. This is what a hotel advised and my husband had no problem calling the day before to arrange it. I think it is quicker than arranging for a visa if you haven’t already done so.

Israelis still stamped my passport at Ovda airport on December 2016.

WOW. I really didn’t know about that. You are actually the first person I’ve ever met who has been to this airport. May I ask why did you land at that airport? Where did you come from? thanks

European low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizzair use this airport to get people to Israels southernmost city Eilat as Eilat airport can only operate smaller aircrafts. The airport is expected to cease civilian flights once Eilat’s new international airport in Timna opens. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovda_Airport

Yes, many of people I have met have entered Israel via Ovda and they still do stamp. At least that’s what they told me.

Hi! I have a question, do you mean that if I have the border card and I enter overland from Jordan (let say, King Hussein Bridge), then there is no need to apply for Israeli visa?? And I’m Malaysian (not allowed to enter Israel unless we join pilgrimage tour) residing in Jordan.

Hi Katelyn, I never talked about the Israeli visa but anyways, I don’t know what would be the situation for Malaysians, as most nationalities don’t need a visa for Israel

Do you know if you can travel to the UAE with a pasport in which it says that they’re born in Israel and they currently live there too? I know several Israelis who’ve had a layover there (but didn’t leave the airport – something they aren’t allowed to do in Lebanon and Iran) and everything went fine. I’m just wondering if they can actually enter the country…

Hello Crissy, yes, I also know a few Israeli people who did a layover in Dubai, without any problem. However, I also don’t know if they can enter the country… In Lebanon and Iran you could not, for sure… But Dubai… Sorry, I am not 100% sure, so I can’t give you an answer

Hi! What about a short, 1-2 days long trip to Petra, from Eilat? Do you think, that when I ask on a border, Jordanians will not stamp my passport both on entry and exit crossing?

Hi Marcin. No. If you ask for it, they won’t stamp it, definitely 🙂

– I was interrogated by border police during 3+ hours upon my arrival at Tel Aviv airport due to an Iranian stamp in my passport. Unlike your experience they DID check every page of my passport (I am an EU citizen). – When entering Israel from Aqaba, Jordan, we had to wait again for another 1-2h due to the same Iranian stamp. They stamped our passport without asking us if we preferred the extra card (and we did not really have the opportunity to tell them either as they kept our passport in their office during the time we waited at the border control). Both events occurred in 2016.

Hi Martin, sorry to hear that! I am actually very surprised to hear it! But thank you for the info, I will add it in the post as extra measure

Hi I want to travel to eilat i am muslim but i have EU passport will they stamp my passport,

Hi, in Israel there’s a huuge Muslim community living, so they are used to deal with Muslim people. I am sure you will be subjected to many questions but I don’t think they would stamp your passport just because you are Muslim or have a Muslim name. However, you should better ask this to other Muslims who have been there, to see if they had a different treatment. Cheers,

Ahssi, if you come through the airport you won’t get stamped, regardless of your religion. You MAY be subjected to a lot of questions, and you just as well may be not. If you would be asked a lot of questions, just answer them politely – they are for your and everyone safety.

I travelled from Israel to Jordan, back to Israel then on to Egypt then back to Israel just this week on a tour. You cross to Jordan through Wadi Araba crossing, they stamped my passport. I didn’t know you could ask them not to. You go through Taba border crossing to Egypt. They definitely stamp your passport both ways. So any immigration official will know you came from Israel. I don’t think you can ask them not to stamp your passport as they seem very officious. I have a photo of the stamp but can’t see how to upload it to your feed.

Hi Heather, thanks for the heads-up. Yeah, you should ask beforehand but I just was informed by a traveler that, even at Wadi Arabia, they stamped it on the way back to Israel. Perhaps things have changed now?

Hi. I am having a clinical clerkship in a hospital in Beirut for a month during summer. I’m a medical student with a passport from a Scandinavian country. After my clerkship I want to go to Jordan and then Israel. Do you think I will have problems with entering Israel due to staying in Beirut for a month for non-tourism reasons?

Thank you in advance.

First, which kind of visa do you have? Do you just have a stamp? Most people can get a tourist visa free for 30 days. If you just have a stamp, there’s nothing to worry about. If you do have a different stamp or sticker, I also entered Israel with a residence visa for the United Arab Emirates. They asked me many questions but I didn’t get into any trouble

Hi Joan I will arrive in Jordan through the airport. As you know the Jordanian visa is for a month. Then I will leave and cross the Allenby Bridge and stay for 2 months. Then I will go back to Jordan and exit through the airport. My point is I want to go to Syria and maybe Iraq. Won’t Syria get suspicious if they see a Jordanian exit stamp 2 or 3 months later even if I escape Israeli stamps?

Israel does not deny entry for people based on where they were. You can expect to be asked a lot of questions, and you must answer them all truthfully and politely, no matter how silly they seem. The questions are designed to find out whether you are telling the truth, and as long as your purpose in visiting Israel is tourism and not any other activity, you should have no problems at all.

I entered Israel with an Iranian visa in my passport in March 2018. I was held for questioning at Tel Aviv airport for 4 hours. The actual interview only took 15 minutes, the rest of the time was just waiting (luckily with free wifi!). I had to explain why I went to Iran, if I’m still in contact with people there, how I met them etc. Some other people waiting in room for the same kind of reasons had to unlock their phones and show their social media accounts. I guess the waiting time is completely random, depending on the amount of people they have to interview. On my way out I got the same kind of questions, just not the 4 hour waiting time. There I also had to explain why I went to Malaysia and if I still have contacts there etc.

FYI, EU citizen and passport.

Hi there, thanks for the heads up. It’s really a mix of different stories and experiences and I believe it all depends on the current political/diplomatic situation between both countries. In March, there was some tension between both countries on Syrian territory, so that might explain why. I don’t know, I just guessing 🙂 but what is true is that, if you have the Iranian stamp, you need to be aware that this might happen!

hello i have a qwestion . if my wife she is a korean but living in israel with israeli visas on he korean pasport. is there can be a problem for her to go to malesya or indonesia with that pasport? thank you

Hi Eli, I am not sure about visas… This post is more aimed at people who travel to Israel, hence they may get a stamp. I don’t know about the full page working visa because I have never lived or worked there 🙂

Hi, I was wondering if you knew whether it is possible to travel to Egypt after visiting Israel, and vice versa?

Yes, it is possible, no problem

If after means straight after and crossing by land be careful : if you enter through the Taba land border you won’t be able to go beyond Sinai. If you want to visit the rest of Egypt (e.g. Cairo) you need to either fly to Egypt or to go to Aquaba and take a boat to Nuweiba – which can be quite an adventure but also fun.

thanks for confirming, it starts to get confusing after a while! looks like I may start my journey in Tel Aviv then!! thanks for all the advice on this site by the way, super useful!

Hello, I have been traveling to Israel two years ago from Berlin for work (visiting customers, mainly universities) with a German passport and I DID have a complete check and got a very bad “evaluation” ( I mean, the yellow sticker starting with 5, I think) because I was a single women traveling to Israel. My passport had a stamp from UAE at that time. That and a single women is an obvious sign for danger :-). I had the same problem on the way back. The first check in Berlin has not been a 15 minutes check only, they even took my backback in Berlin and have checked it behind a closed curtain! I was not able to see it what they were doing. Next time I´m going to ask a German policeman if they are really allowed to do this. I mean check bags behind curtains. There is an existing bias agains single women traveling to Israel, which has been confirmed by other travellers at the airport too. Do you have any advise on this? In June I have to travel again the same way. Now I have an additional stamp from Egypt. I will see what has been changed. I have asked for an invitation letter from our customers now to make it more simple. I was wondering if I should travel maybe with my Hungarian passport becasue that only has my US entries included mainly, but decided to keep to the German, maybe that would be confusing for the Israelis, if they somehow see I have several passports. Well I must say, I´m worried what will happen the next time

You cannot really avoid this when leaving Israel. I’m living here for 5 years and every time get a 5. When going to Israel: Don’t fly El Al. Ever. They’re the only ones who humiliate single travelers at the airport for hours. If you fly any other carrier, there may or may not be special checks which are usually much faster.

hey! thank you for this awesome article! I found it extremely helpful. I have a question that might sound extremely stupid, but others can be in my situation. I have no israeli stamps in my passport, but I have the stickers from tel aviv airport and anotherone from allenby bridge on the back cover of my passport, does those count as stamps? Would those two stickers create problem if I go to Tunisia for work? Or is Tunisia still allowing people with Israeli stamps?

Do you know if I will have any consequences if I take the stickers away from my passport and then go to Israel again?

Hi Dan, I don’t really know what stickers are you talking about. How did you get them? Do you mind sending to a pic to my private email? Or just tell me what kind of sticker is it. That would be very helpful so I can update the post accordingly, thanks!

Hey, I have several friends who have crossed the border to Israel multiple times and removed the sticker afterwards. They haven’t had any problems with it. Like Balerina said below: it seems to be just for security at the airport so they know how seriously to question you.

thanks for the clarification!

If I cross from Jordan directly into the West Bank to visit Ramallah, and then cross back to Jordan on my way home – this way there’s no incriminating stamp, right? I only want to visit the West Bank during a longer stay in Amman, will not put a foot in Israel. This would be okay, right, in terms of later being able to visit Lebanon?

Hi Kate, you’ll have the border crossing stamp, which says you used to Israeli-Jordanian border

Hi Dan, i have just removed my sticker from the cover of my passport 🙂 , i was lucky because it was actually not on the passport. I do not think it is something official, probably it just helps the guys working at the security at the airport to cathegorize you and treat you accordingly

Hello , im planning to travel to Israel, from Cairo to Tel Aviv by Air, will the immigration stamp my passport? Or tell them not to do so. by the way im working in Saudi Arabia.

no, they don’t stamp it

I emailed you, but just saw that I could post here. I need advice regarding travel from Saudia Arabia to Israel via Jordan and back again. My husband works for a large company in Riyadh and I live in Israel. Husband has several passports including one with a Saudi work visa. I know he will get an entry stamp from Jordan when he arrives at the airport, and he will need when when he leaves from the airport to return to Riyadh. The question is, how does he safely exit and re-enter Jordan at the Sheikh Hussein crossing? BTW – he will be entering and exit Israel on his Israeli passport.

Thank you for your assistance. This trip will be in a couple of weeks!

Hi Cathy, sorry but I don’t understand. What do you mean by re-entering to Jordan safely? What do you understand by safely? thanks

Without jeopardizing his return to Saudi Arabia. That is the main concern.

If he uses his U.S. Passport with the Saudi Work Visa to enter Jordan, he will get a stamp in it. (Or should he use his other U.S. passport?). Then he will be getting a taxi to Sheikh Hussein where he will get an exit stamp (?). He will then enter and exit Israel with his Israeli passport. He will return to Saudi Arabia via Jordan, and he will need to buy a second visa at the border. He will also need to get an exit stamp in or on something (which passport?) from Jordan. He can only get back into Saudi with his Saudi visa.

I am thinking that he only uses the Passport with Saudi Visa to leave Saudi, to check onto the Queen Aliyah passport for his flight back and when entering Saudi again. It would then only have an exit and entry mark from Saudi and nothing else in it. Would that work or will Jordan require a passport with an exit stamp when HEB first flies into Jordan?

I realize this is a very unusual situation!

Hola, acabo de encontrar tu página y me está resultando de mucha utilidad.En septiembre viajo con mi hija de 22 años a Jordania, 10 días por nuestra cuenta. Estamos barajando la posibilidad de visitar Jerusalem, ya que estamos muy cerca. Alquilaremos un coche para nuestro recorrido por Jordania. Mi pregunta es, dejar el coche aparcado en la frontera jordana, pasar a Jerusalem, visitarla y regresar a Jordania el mismo día. Es verdad que es un poco precipitado, pero no tenemos más tiempo, y supongo que en un día podriamos ver lo mas importante de Jerusalem. Lo ves posible? o es demasiado precipitado. Muchas gracias por tu información. Saludos

Hola Pedro, es un poco precipitado, pero podría ser factible si es que llegáis a primera hora de la mañana y al cruzar vais a Jerusalén en taxi, aunque puede que el taxi sea un poco caro. También ten en cuenta que la frontera cierra sobre las 7-9, más o menos, aunque no sé a qué hora exactamente

I just want to give a general follow-up comment to my original post regarding travel between Jordan and Israel when Passport Holder needs to return to Saudi Arabia for work.

I spoke with an official at the Jordanian Embassy in Israel and he advised that when exiting Jordan at Sheikh Hussein Border, tell him NOT to put an exit stamp on the passport and show him your return ticket to Saudi Arabia. There should be no problem. I know that Israel will not stamp either.

My husband will be using his U.S. passport with Saudi Visa for all entries and exits except for entering and exiting Israel, when he is required legally to use his Israeli passport.

thanks for the follow-up! So does this mean that you will only have one entry stamp for Jordan? Won’t this be suspicious at Saudi Arabia’s eyes? Or are you planning to come back to Jordan through the same border and exit through Saudi overland?

The only thing that will be in U.S Passport with Saudi Visa will be an exit and an entry from Saudi, and an exit and entry from Jordan at Queen Alia Airport.

The other alternative is to only use that passport to enter and exit Saudi Arabia; the same way we use our Israeli passport, and our U.S. Passport.

Yesterday though we were looking at our U.S. passports and noticed that neither of them had any U.S. entry or exit stamps in it. I have read there are a number of countries which don’t stamp anymore. I will update after he completes this trip!

I was planning to fly in to Tel Aviv, travel in Palestine before crossing into Jordan for a few days before flying to Lebanon. I’m a bit worried now that the lack of an entry stamp into Jordan will prevent me from entering Lebanon. Would it be better for me to avoid the overland crossing into Jordan and fly from Tel Aviv to Amman instead?

Yes. Unfortunately, that would be a risk, so it would be wiser to fly or just visiting Lebanon first

Just wanted to update everyone about it my husband’s recent travel from Saudi Arabia to Israel through Jordan via the Sheikh Hussein crossing. As I mentioned before, my husband, who is a dual U.S. /Israeli citizen arrived in Israel with no problem. He used his U.S. Passport with Saudi Visa only for exiting Saudi Arabia, his other U.S. Passport with Israeli visa for exiting Jordan, and his Israeli visa for the entering Israel.

He returned today but this time, when he entered Jordan, they told him he had to use his Israeli visa to enter and exit because he could only use one passport. He spoke with the Jordanian Commander who told him that Saudi Arabia doesn’t care about second passports; all they care is that he has a U.S. Passport with a visa to enter Saudi Arabia and they don’t look at anything else.

That proved to be the case. He said all they really did was check his fingerprint when he returned to make sure it was the same person coming in that had previously exited.

I am travelling to Israel in November and using Abraham tours to have 3 da tour of Jordan. My question is, if I were to ask the border officials to not stamp my passport will they abide? is this difficult or a relatively easy ask? If they do not agree and stamp my passport will I still be able to travel to countries like Dubai and Malaysia?

If you enter via Tel Aviv airport, they will never stamp it. That’s the rule

Hi I am Shakib, i am a Bangladeshi and i want to go to Jerusalem. Is it possible to enter Israel as a Bangladeshi passport holder? I know i can’t from Bangladeshi airport. But is it possible to another country with Bangladeshi passport? Please give me this information and Thank you so much for your information.

Thank you very much for your reply. My query is more around when I cross the border to visit Jordan for 3 days – will the Jordanian authorities stamp my passport and could I ask them not to?

Thanks in advance

Hi, If I enter Israel from King Hussein Bridge, will Jordan stamp my passport? Will Israel stamp my passport? Will Israel stamp my passport if I leave the country from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport? Also, when I enter to Jordon, can I ask the officer to not stamp my passport (I will enter from Aqaba and I don’t want just 1 Jordanian stamp on my passport)? Thanks

Hi, all your questions are answered here in detail but, in short, Israel doesn’t stamp and, at Aqaba, if you ask, jordan will not stamp either: https://againstthecompass.com/en/crossing-jordan-israel-border/

Israel stamped my passport entering at Aqaba and again departing at the Jordan River. I asked them not to at both locations and they did it anyway. I’m happy to send you a picture.

Hello. Yes, I would be happy to send you a picture. When did this happen by the way? Did this happen to other travelers as well?

Interesting. In 2017, the Israeli Side of the border crossing in Eilat was already completely equipped with the new system of blue/red entry/exit slips. I have not seen anyone running around with a stamp on the Israeli side and also have not heard that anyone else got a stamp. The Jordans stamp your passport, of course, if you don’t tell them not to.

Hi were travelling from India to turkey and then to Israel by airWe specifically requested the Israeli consulate to issue us a paper e visa instead of the regular sticker visa on the passport but sadly sadly they didn’t pay heed to our request and put a visa sticker on our passports.How much trouble will this cause in future travels is the question that haunts us now.We are frequent travellers but do not plan to travel to Lebanon,Syria, Sudan, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Kuwait, We may travel to Saudi Arabia,Iran,Lebanon in times to come but not really on our bucketlist/cardsAny advice will be more than welcome.

Hi, if you are traveling to Lebanon or Saudi Arabia and you have evidence that you’ever been to Israel then you should get a new passport. It’s as simple as that

I will be crossing at Taba into Eliat then taking the king hussein/alleby border crossing to Jordan. My main concern is that i have a return flight home with Saudi Air and a layover in Jeddah. So my question is will i face a problem taking my flight at either Jordan or Saudi Immigration? Note: 1. I only want to layover in Jeddah and not exit the airport. 2. My passport is expiring anyway so I do not really care about Israel stamp unless it will pose a problem for my return flight home. Your help is much appreciated!

Hi Nish, I don’t think you will have any problem, as you will not technically enter Saudi. Actually, I know from quite a few Israelis who have done layovers in Dubai and it was all right.

If I fly from Tel Aviv to Aqaba, then Egypt, then Lebanon, will there be any evidence in my passport of having been in Israel? (Starting from the US) I know they do not stamp passports at Ben Gurion airport anymore, but I’m a little confused about the entry stamp upon entering Jordan. I will be flying, so not crossing any of the land borders, but when I arrive in Aqaba and they stamp my passport, will there be any indication of where I came from? I assumed since Israel doesn’t stamp the passport, the first thing that would show up is an entry stamp for Jordan, then exit from Jordan, entry to Egypt, exit from Egypt. Would it just appear that I came to Jordan from the US, then went to Egypt, and then to Lebanon?

You can fly to Aqaba from many places, so I guess you will have a stamp from Aqaba airport which has nothing to do with Israel. However, this is a new situation for me, so I can’t guarantee 100%.

Hello Joan In your article, you mention that how to avoid a Jordanian stamp shows that you have been to Israel,but what about the opposite direction? For example, I will enter Amman two weeks later, and plan to leave Jordan at the Yitzak Rabin Border Crossing, how to avoid a Jordanian exit stamp? Looking for your reply. Fabio

Hi Fabio, you should just ask the authorities not to stamp. That’s it

just to add one information, for many countries (like India), citizen of which require a pre-approved visa to enter Israel (even for tourism), there is no option of getting rid of the visa stamp in your passport. This is my personal experience. Israel embassy gives a visa pasted in your passport. So for them (like us, Indians) there is no point whether the immigration officer stamp your passport or not.

Yep, so true!

I recently spoke to the Qatar Embassy (in the UK) and you are correct in saying the Israel stamp is not an issue for those wishing to enter Qatar.

A very helpful article on a confusing issue but I would still always advise ringing the appropriate embassy before making assumptions.

Great Francis, and thank you for double checking 🙂

Just a small correction, Lebanon is not a Muslim country and could only be considered as Arab. You could fix that in your article. Thank you.

Hi, I’m spending a couple of days in Tel Aviv before flying to Beirut via Greece. I was just wondering about the questioning when passing security. Should I just say that I’m planning to go to Beirut after my trip in Tel Aviv if they ask me about my itinerary? Or would that just cause problems for me?

Why should you tell them you go to Beirut if there is no way for them to know 🙂 ?

I went to Israel in 2015 but have renewed my passport this year. I am planning to go to Lebanon this year – will they be able to tell from scanning my passport that I’ve been to Israel??

i don’t think so 🙂

If I fly from Istanbul to Tel Aviv for two days visit then fly back to Istanbul, I assume my passport will be stamped by the Turkish immigration officers when leaving and flying back to Istanbul.

I am worried some smart custom officers from those countries which have issues with people visiting Isreal may work out I visited Isreal from the two Turkish exit and entry stamps.

What do you think?

They can’t know. They may assume but they have no proof that you flew to Tel Aviv and possibilities of flying somewhere else are endless. Also, if you are doing a layover in Istambul, they won’t stamp your passport.

Hi Joan! So is it more likely to get a Jordanian entry stamp if I do an overland border crossing from Israel to Jordan than a over air one? What is the best method/route to do so? Thanks!

Hi Diane, if you fly in, you won’t get any Israeli evidence, whereas if you overland you may do

Hello! In April, I will be flying in to Amman for 9 days. During that stay, I want to go to Jerusalem through the Allenby crossing. I understand that my Jordanian visa will still be valid because it will be under 2 weeks old, and I will be going through the same crossing going in and out of Jerusalem. I will be visiting Dubai and Kuwait afterwards (I will not be able to visit them before Jerusalem).

However my question is regarding the stamping. I will ask the Israeli authorities not to stamp my passport…how about the Jordanian ones? I do not want them stamping an exit and entry because this will show that I went out of the country by land during my stay. Can I simply ask them not to stamp both ways? Also, my Jordanian visa will show two-entries…will that not raise flags as well? Or do I toss out the Jordanian visa after I leave the country?

In our understanding, Allenby border (Jordan site) is not stamping by default, so you wouldn’t have any problem. Since you are coming back to Jordan, you have the entry and exit stamp from Queen Alia airport. The common issue people face is when they leave Jordan but don’t plan to come back, as then they only have 1 entry stamp, so it is clear that you actually entered from Israel 🙂

Hi Hana! Im planning a one day visit to Jerusalem from Amman, crossing the border by the Allenby Bridge. I’ve heard you need to get a VISA to enter Israel through that bridge, it that right? how can i get it? Or i can just get to the border and do all the paperwork there? Whats the easiest way to get to the border? I live in Kuwait so i will have Kuwaiti stamps, do you know if it will be a problem?

Thank you so much!

Hi Xavi, Israeli visas are issued at the border, no need for paperwork. As per the Kuwait stamps, you’ll definitely be questioned but you should be fine

I’ll be visiting the middle east soon Egypt, UAE and Saudi arabia in that order. I have friends in Israel that I would like to visit before I go to Egypt.

I will have a saudi visa stamp for “Umrah” which allows me to visit the holy sites.

Will this be a problem when visiting Israel? I am an arab with a muslim background.

Where is your passport from? I know that some Arabs with foreign passports have had some issues in Israel… so I can’t really tell. It all depends on the questioning I believe…

is worth a try? Are there any ways I could make the process easier so to speak? I can answer what ever questions and I am open for them to check my social media etc but not my messages which I heard they can sometimes ask for.

I also can provide the contacts of my Israeli friends.

If I had nothing to hide, I would definitely try

Hi, I intend to fly from Cairo to Amman and then exit via Aqaba (Wadi Araba). So, I will get an entry stamp but will I get stamped upon exit? Be it whether they are now stamping it on the passport or separately? Please advise, thanks!

Getting stamped at the Jordanian border is optional

Thanks however if I only have an entry stamp but no exit stamp that will be suspicious too. And if I get stamped at Aqaba, it will also be obvious where I went (Israel).

Yes. Your concern is also covered in the article. Please, read the respective section

just saying but one day I did a change of flight in Zurich, going to Canada, before they introduced their new taxes). I was coming from Brussels, nothing in my papers stated I was going to Canada. I did not even show my ticket. The security lady told me “safe travel to Canada”. So they do know where you go. And even when countries are worst enemies, they do exchange infos about travellers.

And your statement is based on what? Lebanon and Israel don’t exchange info about travelers

Hola,leo mucho to blog,tengo una pregunta,dispongo de 2 pasaportes(Italia y Argentina) y posiblemente en los proximos meses tenga el 3er (Usa) Tengo pensando hacer un viaje desde Filipanes para el oeste.Mi pregunta capaz que tonta pero es la siguiente,puedo usar los pasaportes a mi favor para digamos eludir visas o bajar costos de visa? Tambien un poco para eludir el tema del conflicto sello de Israel vs paises musulmanes?

Hola Luciano, claro, podrías viajar por Jordania e Israel con tu pasaporte italiano pot ejemplo, y después usar tu argentino para entrar en países que puedan entrar en conflicto

Does the problem work the other way? I.e. I have a Jordanian and Syrian Entry/exit stamp in my passport from 2009 ( passport expires 2023) and would really love to go to Israel. Will I encounter any border problems?

no, there is no problem

I travelled overland from Egypt to Israel (via Taba). I would like to visit Lebanon, but will they know—because I have the Taba exit stamp—I’ve been to Israel? Can I say I needed the stamp for a Red Sea cruise? Or will I be banned from visiting?

But Taba border is the landborder with Israel right? If you enter Egypt by sea from Jordan, would you get the same stamp? I don’t think so…

17, 2019 AT 3:14 PM Hi I am an Indian Passport holder, can you please guide me how can I get a B2 Visa out of my Pass Port.Since i am working in the Middle East an Israel visa in my passport will create issues.

for this kind of questions, you should contact your embassy

I have a US passport with Saudi work visa. I’ve traveled extensively throughout Israel on a previous passport with Israeli visa. However, I’ve never flown from KSA to ISR. My question is more specific as to how you would recommend flight routing from Riyadh to Tel Aviv. Would you book Riyadh to Amman, stay for a couple of days while booking Amman to Tel Aviv, and then fly to ISR? Or would it be possible to fly into and out of Amman on the same day? The problem I see with that is that I would have an entry and exit stamp in Jordan the same day…if that’s even a problem. Thanks!

Hi Rush, perhaps, if you do a layover you won’t get the stamp because you will go straight top transfers. In any case, I don’t see it would be a problem in having the same day Jordanian stamp. There is absolutely no proof that you had been to Israel

I am a Philippine passport holder and I am currently in Israel for vacation. I extended my visa for 1month and the Ministry of Interior unexpectedly pasted the B2 visa on my passport. Now my issue is ,I am travelling back to Dubai under tourist visa. I have been living and working in Dubai for 12 years and my contract was finished so i took vacation for awhile. Would I have a problem entering Dubai now? Hope someone can enlighten me.

traveling to Dubai with an Israeli visa is not a problem anymore

Hi I am a Pakistani Passport holder, can you guide me how can I visit Jerusalem, you must be aware of all the facts and questions I have in mind when I mentioned Pakistani passport. we will be traveling as a group of friends and family. any specific tour operator who can facilitate us? how can we avoid stamps on our passport?

Hi Yahya, I seriously doubt that Pakistanis can visit Israel

Your first problem is that the Pakistani government restricts visits to Israel – the Pakistani passport is not valid to Israel – as it is printed on it by the Pakistani govrnment. Secondly, once you acquired permission, you need to apply for a tourism visa to Israel in the nearest Israeli consulate to you (no Israeli consulates in Pakistan, as there are no diplomatic relations). But frankly, I don’t think you’d get permission from the Pakistani government in the first place.

Unfortunately I studied under a program in Jordan that needed visa renewal, so we had to show evidence of re-entry into Jordan, and the group that I was with chose to travel to Israel via the King Hussein bridge crossing. So I have King Hussein border crossing stamps in my passport.

I don’t have any Israeli stamps, but with the King Hussein stamps will that restrict me from entrance into all the Muslim countries that you listed (Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, Iran*, Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia), or will the King Hussein stamp only restrict me from Lebanon?

Well, if you the authorities recognize that stamp you will be banned, yes. If you are planning to travel to any of those countries you should make a new passport

Dear Joan, Thanks much for your information they are really helpful. Allow me to ask a few questions just to clarify.

1. I am planning to visit Jordan, Israel and Iran in May-June. I plan to fly in to Anman from Egypt, cross the border to Israel through King Hussein and fly out of Tel Aviv via Turkey to Teheran. I understand that I can try to manage not to get Jordan exit stamp at King Hussein and obtain a visa card for Israel instead of a stamp. This means I would only have entry stamp of Jordan. It seems not much of a problem for entering Iran, correct? I have also obtained an Iran visa already at a local Iran embassy.

2. I was stupid enough to mention that I may go to Iran in an email to a Jerusalem hostel i was planning to stay (though I sent a subsequent mail saying I changed my plan.) I am not sure how much of a secret service society Israel is, but would there be any possibility that the hostel may inform border officers that I am a dangerous person and stamp my passport instead of giving a visa card upon entering Israel at King Hussein?

3. When flying out of Tel Aviv to Iran, should I purchase the flights (Tel Aviv-Istanbul and Istanbul-Teheran) separately in order to avoid nuisance at the immigration at Tel Aviv airport, which I have heard is nightmarish to begin with? The thing is it would be cheaper to purchase a fly-through (Tel Aviv-Istanbul-Teheran), but I am not sure if the immigration would check my tickets and interrogate me.

Apologies for the trouble but your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Dear Sara, here my replies: 1 – If you already have your visa, it is quite unlikely that the authorities will check your passport notice that you only have an entry stamp for Jordan. I mean, it could happen of course but, if I was you, I would expect they don’t. 2 – I seriously doubt it and, in any case, they will know that you go to Iran because they will check your passport and see your visa, which may lead to additional questions, that’s it. Do go to the airport as early as possible upon your exit 3 – It is always better to buy them separetly but again, they will know that you are going to Iran because they will see the visa

I can`t thank you more for your quick and kind reply. It means so much to me as this would be my last chance to travel extensively due to physical reasons. Plus, I intend to go to South Africa after Iran and the flight from Teheran to Joburg is quite expensive that I did not want to purchase it unless I know for sure I can visit Iran. (Not sure if I can make a purchase from skyscanner in Iran using VPN – can I?)

I was really scared of the situation regarding Q2, because when I called one of the five-star hotels in Jerusalem to ask about Q3 (since I had no idea who to ask and that was my best bet to get a reply in decent English), the concierge immediately changed his attitude and hang up as if he was talking to a political criminal.

FYI, Iran visa now is given as a separate sheet of paper (e-visa, as they call it). At least that’s the case with the Iran embassy in Japan. I have seen a blog article by a Japanese guy who mentioned he got the same type of visa upon applying for arrival visa at Teheran airport recently. Not sure if it applies to all nationalities but Iran government may be working in a similar way as Israelis to attract more tourists by reducing their inconvenience after visiting Iran. So i will try to conceal that visa sheet as much as possible at the security check at Tel Aviv airport.

Hi Joan, My partner, our 6 year old son and I are starting quite an extensive trip around the Middle East in Israel. After Israel we are flying from Tel Aviv to Cairo directly with Air Sinai. When we arrive at Cairo Airport will our arrival stamp in our passport state that we have entered from Israel like the land border stamp does or is it just a generic arrival stamp ? If it does specify that we’ve come from Israel it would cause us major problems later in our trip. Thanks for your help and thanks for the web-site, it contains lots of great information.

Hey there, you will just get a regular Egypt stamp, so no problem at all

Wow, you really do respond fast! Thanks for the answer, you’ve put my mind at rest, much appreciated.

Hi Joan ! I’m french and i had troubles in the Israeli boarders because of my arabic stamps. I had an iranian stamp, three lebanese and i was coming from Egypt. I was interrogated for almost 10 hours. They were so suspsicious, I had to show everything, they checked all my navigation history and so on. They asked me really weird questions for exemple : why do you have a beard, why have you cut it recently ? (The funny thing is that all israeli in Sinai have got very long beard because of this hippy community there :D). Why do you go to Middle east (I travelled all around the wolrd but they focus only about that :P). They asked me also about my religion (i’m christian). That was so stressful because they were REALLY agressive to me. I havn’t do anything bad (i’m not an anti israeli activist for example). Then after 10 hours, they denied my visa and I couldn’t enter. I had to come back to Egypt..; And all that without any explanation ! So they do care a lot about stamps, i think it depends on your luck… I was maybe really unlucky !

Hey Jas, wow I am really sorry for what happened to you! I am also surprised somehow, as you are the first person who tells me something like that but thank you, I will let people know that there are some cases where your entry to Israel may be denied. Can I ask you when did this happen? And also, did they find anything when they checked your navigation history, or is there anything else you know that may be relevant?

It happens in Taba, last summer (June 2018). No they didn’t ! Maybe they were suspicious because i stayed in Egypt for two semesters in the Caire University (i made an exchange program with my university in France in the politcial science department there). Maybe they were suspicious because i’m learning arabic (but i want to work in the future for NGOs in the middle east in order to help refugees and so on…). Futhermore, normally there are no problem between Egypt and Israel… I tried to contact the Israeli embassy in France but i’v never got an answer. So i really don’t know why ! I’m a normal guy who loves moutains and different cultures haha, nothing strange :P. I found several people on internet which were denied but usually it is linked with an anti israeli activism. For instance if you support the bds campaign you won’t enter if they discover it.

At the boarder it was so stressful, i was interwiewed at least four times, and one time it was more than two hours.

Last but not least, they stamped my passport with an israeli stamp (and written entry denied) so they destroyed it :'(. That’s why i found your article because I’m coming back to the Middle east and i wanted to see in which country i can’t go with this shitty passport.

Hello, I would like to ask if you have problem travelling to Jordan if you have travel in Israel before. I have also Lebanon stamp to my passport. Thanks.

Please, read the article. It is clearly answered there plus in the many comments

I didn’t mention, my passport is italian.

Hello Joan, I am planning to go from Amman to Jerusalem through King Hussein Border Crossing and come back to Amman (flights will be a/r from Amman). Since I travel a lot in the gulf region for work (especially Dubai) I would rather avoid the Israeli stamps. Is it reasonable to expect to to avoid the exit stamp at the jordanian border, then the entry stamp to Israel and then again the exit from Israel and the entrance stamp to Jordan? Your opinion would be of great help to me. My passport is Italian.

Hi Dario, Israel doesn’t stamp your passport, so the only issue would be having an entry stamp from Jordan only (via airport). Id you are so worried about it, just fly in and out from Amman, it is that simple

I didnt explain myself well: I will be flying from Dubai to Amman, then I plan the overland trip to Jerusalem. I will cross Jordanian/Israeli border twice at King Hussain Bridge (to go to Jerusalem and to come back to Amman). Is it reasonable to avoid the 4 stamps involved in this border crossing?

OK, yes, it is possible. When I crossed the border, I asked the Jordanians not to stamp it and they didn’t and I know many travelers who also didn’t get the stamp, but you need to make sure to ask for it. However, if you don’t want to risk it, you would need to fly from Amman to Tel Aviv

Hi Joan, Thank you very much for your answers. Still something I wanted to ask you (maybe more delicate than the 4 border crossing): I am Italian, resident in UAE and I have 2 Iranian Tourist Visa on my passport (one in 2015 and another one in 2016) as well as 5 Omani Visas and 1 Qatari Stamp. I work for a company based in Dubai and operating in many arab countries (not in Iran). Do you think a rejection in Israel is highly probable?

Here the last question: in case I’d be rejected, is it preferable if it happens at the land border or at the airport? Someone told me that being at the border in that situation is preferable since I can easily re-enter Jordan, while at the airport is somehow more “traumatic”. What’s your thoughts on this? Is there any chance (in one of the two cases) that they don’t stamp the entry denial on the passport? Thank you again. Dario

Hi Dario, regarding your first question, there is a probability of rejection, yes, but, in most cases, you will be OK to go. This article has been read by thousands and thousands of people and very very few have reported me that their entrance was rejected, while the vast majority were OK to go.

I was also an expat living in Dubai for 3 years and, when I traveled to Israel, I also had several Omani stamps, Egypt, Lebanon etc. They questioned me for a long time but I was OK to get in.

You will never know but, if that helps, people I know who got rejected were regular backpackers who stayed for long periods of time in Lebanon and Iran. You are an expat living in Dubai, so they know your type of profile, which is less suspicious.

As per your second question, ALL travelers I met who got rejected were trying to cross overland. In fact, the land border is where you get the largest amount of questions and where they are more suspicious. If you got rejected, I don’t know where would be better, but at least, in the land border would be cheaper as you wouldn’t need to book a flight

Hi , I guessa silly question. I am just passing throught Tel Aviv Airport. I have ticket from DEL to YYZ with a stopover in Tel Aviv- without going out of airport. DO I still need Israel Visa? Thanks,

Most Western nationalities don’t need a visa. I don’t know your passport, but if you don’t come from Europe, North America, Japan, Korea, etc., you should check with your embassy

I m from India and not on the list of country which do not need visa. DO I need visa even for coming out of plane and taking another flight out of same airport..thanks

I don’t know specific visa requirements for Indians or other nationalities. Please contact the embassy

Got email reply.. India passport holders do not need visa if staying on airport for less than 24 hrs….unlike USA. Must hv onward journey visa.

Hello, Brilliant article, thanks for providing so much detail. Just to clarify (I’m being a bit paranoid): I visited Tel Aviv last year (they didn’t stamp my passport). Can I visit Lebanon without any troubles? There’s no proof that I visited Israel on my passport but this information might be stored somewhere as they scanned it…

Many thanks, Chloe

Hello, I’m wondering if you cross at King Hussein / Allenby bridge and are on a Jordan Tourist Visa (planning to cross back with the same visa) if you get any stamps in your passport? Can I do this and remain on the same Jordanian Visa without getting any stamps?

Hi. Im currently working here in Saudi Arabia and Im planning to visit Israel maybe end of this year. Is it ok to travel by air from Saudi to Istanbul to Tel Aviv and vise versa? What would you recommend? Thanks.

Hi there, yeah it seems like a feasible itinerary, I did the same one but from Dubai

Hi, Your blog is really useful, therefore I´d need information about coming from Cairo, by air, to Tel Aviv. I´ll be in Siwa doing a volunteering work and then head to Tel Aviv. I´m a solo female traveler and I´ve already been interrogated by the Israeli immmigration officer when she found out I was alone. I was coming from Brazil that time. I´ll have a letter of invitation from an Israeli friend. Tks a lot 🙂 Ana

thanks and best of luck!

Hi Joan! I’m planning a trip to Tunisia. I hope there would be no problem if I have an Israeli visa on my passport. I’m a bit concerned regarding people being sent away in the past. I’m an Indian citizen.

no problems in Tunisia, really 🙂 ! In fact, Israelis can even enter Tunisia, as there is an important Jewish community still living there

Thanks Joan…. I just returned from Tunisia… it’s not a problem if you have Israeli visa on your passport. The immigration just don’t care if you have one.

thanks for the update 🙂

Hi I’m a Malaysian citizen and my partner is Israeli. I’m holding Malaysian passport and have no other passport, I wonder how can I visit Israel with my Malaysian passport and enter without passport being stamp ? And which way would be safer for me to enter israel?

where do i get the slip ,is it in airport or in my country .i have apply in israeli embassy in nigeria and they stamp the back of my passport with black small stamp with letter that contain my details . is this visa approval ? explain to me . how can i send the image to you .

Joan, great work. You made clear the question. I want to add that Ovda airport and Eilat airport closed forever last year. Instead of them opened new big airport in Eilat Area named Ramon airport (ETM)

thank you so much for this amazing update 🙂 And do you know what are the rules regarding the Israeli stamp in that new airport?

Hi. Regarding Saudi Arabia, I have multiple dual page Israeli student visas in my US passport. Any data points to suggest this is no longer an issue? Thanks

Hello, thanks god you made this blog!!! I have a question for you: – i’ll travel by flight to Jordan – i’ll cross the border overland to israel – i’ll go somehow (maybe by cyprus) to Beirut where ihave my flight back to Italy. I know i won’t have Israel stamp, but i am wondering if i can skip the jordan stamps as well. Without those 4 stamps I should be fine going to Beirut from Cyprus or Istanbul. Thanks for you help!

Hey Gabriele, you can skip it if you ask for it beforehand but you will have an entry stamp, and not the exit one, which is kind of suspicious!

Hi Joan, i didn’t get the point: do they put the entry stamp in the passport even if i ask not to do that? Arriving in Aqaba from Italy if they don’t put any stamp would be perfect I guess. With the entry stamp i am screwed entering in Beirut…

Hi, Joan! Let me stop you by to discuss using the so called ”Israel” I have been always one of your followers and I appreciate your hard work reviewing the truth and spreading the real face of things around. I am surprised your kind with that ”Israel” and how do you believe its existence! I would like to wonder your point of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. After all, One should go over the reality to discover it. I have never been to Israel, but I went so many times to Palestine. Thanks for the precious information. Cheers!

They stamped my passport denied entry after hours of interrogation

Just one question: how can they stamp your passport and then deny your entry?

Hello Joan,

I am planning to fly from France to Tel Aviv and then cross in Aqaba into Jordann, and pursue my trip towards Syria and Lebanon after. If I manage my passport not to be stamped in Aqaba (on a separate sheet) do you think I could ask for a stamp at the airport in Aqaba or Amman, even if I did not enter through air ? Is it worth trying ?

I have two passports, France and Poland, is it of any help ?

Thanks for your answer and congrats for your excellent job !

Hi Stefan! Are you asking whether you can ask for the exit stamp to be in a separate piece of paper? I am not sure about it. I was in the same situation as you and they did stamp it, even though I told them not to do so, but it could depend on the authority. If they stamp it, it would be risky to go to Lebanon and, in that case, I’d use a different passport. cheers,

Hi All, I arrived a year ago in araba airport (with entry and exit stamp) would this be a problem for lebanon? I have no idea if this stamp is different form the Wadi Araba stamp?

Hello, thanks for tour guides they are vert usefull (and sorry for my english) Sorry i have a special question, i’m french ans my wife got an algerian passeport.

I want to Know if we go to Jordan and cross the bridge to visit East Jérusalem. Do we need an israeli visa (and pay) or Jordan one and stamp exit is enough ?? Especially for the algerian passeport. De don’t intend to enter the exclusif israelian territory just west bank and East Jérusalem.

Hi Ilias, if you cross from Israel to Jordan via the bridge, you will need to arrange your Jordan visa in advance. If you do it vice-versa, you don’t need an Israeli visa. I am not sure, however, about Algerian passport. You should contact the embassy. cheers,

Hi, what if I have a Canadian passport but it says I was born in israel? Can I still travel to Indonesia without a visa? How would I be treated as a Jewish person there? I would like to fly to Bali (from Toronto) but I am a bit nervous as it says I was born in israel on my passport

Hey Mel! Unfortunately, I don’t know… I just know about regular travel information but your case is very specific!

One question here, is this for Muslim countries or for other countries also?

sorry, but I don’t know what you mean

Quick Report Feb 2020. Jist exited from Wadi Arabia to Eilat and despite asking for a stamp on a separate paper, the border police just took my passport and stamped it. I checked with others crossing at the same time and they all got the exit stamp. So Yeah it may come down to the particular guy! Incide rally Jordanian border guards are the most arseholes ish I’ve came across in the Middle East, thr Saudi, Kuwait ones were all nice and the ones I met at Jo were the worst.

Not recommended to get into trouble with the Israeli security. They have new technological systems that detect stress and lies. Countries that hosted international sporting events received from Israel systems identifying irregular stress among people at the entries to stadiums

If I enter the West Bank through Amman/king Hussein bridge (USA is original departure country), would I be able to leave back to the states through Tel Aviv? I have an American citizenship and no Hawwia. Thanks

Yes, it should be fine

Your website is amazing really so helpful! My boyfriend and I are looking to travel to Israel and Lebanon and would be so grateful for your advice! We’ve been hearing a lot of rumours of Israel starting to stamp passports again since 2020. Is this true? Our plan was to fly to tel Aviv from London and then fly from Israel to Jordan and then from Jordan to Lebanon.

Given the fact that we’ll have an entry and exit stamp from Jordan will Lebanon still be suspicious/ deny ya entry?

Any help would be so much appreciated!

Best wishes, Emma

Hello Emma,I have never heard of Israel stamping stamps this year. As per the Jordanian stamp, they can’t be suspicious of anything because you are flying in, so you will just have the entry /exit stamp of Queen Alia airport

I plan to go to Jordan from Israel and then back after 4 or 5 days using the land borders. Do I need to use the same border for returning to Israel as the one I left with or can I go out of one come back using another. Can I get visa to enter Jordan at the land border. I think one of them you cannot and have to pre-arrange before leaving the UK. Is that right?

Be sure to check for Israeli security stickers on the back of your passport. The gentleman below learned the hard way. Fortunately, he was still allowed in. https://onemileatatime.com/israeli-sticker-passport/

I’m planning to travel to Israel from Jordan after having been to Lebanon and Syria next January.

Will I have problems at the land border in Allenby King Hussein while entering Israel ?

If I get a stamp at this border, I’ll lose my chance of getting a Iranian visa after.

I don’t want to unlock my phone, so maybe I’ll give it to a person of confidence in Amman (at my hotel for example) make a 3-day trip to Jerusalem and pick it back. I don’t want them to grab into my privacy.

Your stamps won’t be a problem,but border security can be a bad experience, I did a short trip to Ovda (Eilat) and took a picture of the airport sign to post on facebook, nicelly machinegun armed kids without uniform forced me to delete it this was 2017, apart from a first interogation, they check your passport, at least 6 times absolutly and with out exception every page, they actually will damage it or wear it down considerably. Security is at a whole diferent level, and done by very young people in military service age, so you will find troops in the street like on TV, including Merkava tanks on the road side, as well as other ununiformed clearly carying a gun under t-shirts. Exit is always a 20 -30 minute interview, and many stickers on your passport, green & yellow, one per security level cleared. Keep your bag with you at all times the day you leave, more than anywhere in the world, not a second away, that will be their first question. They didn’t check my phone, you just don’t want to take pictures in such a place. Don’t lie, they use techniques to catch you, repeating the same questions in different ways, facial expressions, odd ones like do you know your date of birth? wich is trick question to see your response. Just go visit what you intend, don’t talk about politics or Palestinians, common sence, enjoy the food, very good wines, party if you wish, people are nice generally and keep the pictures to monuments and yourself.

Your descriptions are a bit exaggerated. I think you may overlooked that Ovda airport is located inside a military base, hence the reason for seeing troops and Merkava tanks around it. Ovda airport was closed in 2019 when the Eilat’s brand new international airport was inaugurated. I’m sorry to hear that your passport was damaged or worn out, but that is definitely not the usual rule.

Troops in the streest / ununiformed people carrying a gun: in Israel, troops get a weekend off every couple of weeks (normally), so you’d be seeing them in the streets – either on their way home (if that’s before a weekend) or on the way out to their base (after the weekend). They are absolutely not on duty, as in Israel the IDF doesn’t have jurisdiction over local security, only over national security – along the borders on up in the air. Ununiformed people with guns – during the weekend vacation home, soldiers are not obligated to wear their uniforms, nor they are permitted to leave their gun home (so it won’t be stolen) – therefore they must carry it around. You see a civilian couple in the streets, but the male has a gun? a soldier on vacation having free time with his girlfriend.

Hi. I live in Israel for 33 years, only left it once to see where my gradparents’ family were murdered in Polland. I want your visitors to know that they should be proud to have an Israeli stamp in their passport, and the countries who see this stamp as a problem should be ashamed. Very soon many countries will join the international approval of the Jewish state, including the UAE, Baharain and probably Saudi Arabia too, which will probably cause Israel’s “eternal” enemies to do so as well (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq).

We Israelis love tourists and our stamp in your passport is an honor for you!!

Hi Shlomo, I TOTALLY agree! I first visited Israel in 2019 (from the US), and as I was entering through Customs, I asked the officer to stamp my passport. He looked at me as if I were crazy, and then I said: I am proud to be in Israel, and I have no intention of ever visiting any country that would not let me in with an Israeli stamp. He still thought I was crazy….but then he stamped it, and smiled and told me to have a good trip. I am very proud of that stamp.

Sorry to hear that your grandparents were killed when they went to Poland. Fortunately it is rare for these problem to occur when we travel….

I had major issues with Saudi Arabia because of entry stamp from Jordan, from land border crossing with Israel. I was denied entry and returned on next flight. Obviously I cannot blame Saudi for this position against enemy states, but having evidence in the passport of travel to Israel is not so good ultimately, it can cause problems. Israeli border force also do not treat international travellers respectfully or courteously, I was detained there for no reason for many hours arriving, and departing, and treated very poorly and strip searched. It may be an honour for Israeli citizens to have tourists come and spend their money there, but they sure have a depraved and warped way of saying thank you.

Important update, Israel has become friend of the UAE on August 2020. Therefore, Israelis can travel freely to the UAE and Emiratis to Israel. No more problems regarding these countries.

I have the entry stamp from Jordan, after coming overland from Israel. I forgot about this and arrived in Saudi Arabia (December 2021) with an evisa. They examined each page of my passport and refused me entry because of the stamp. Do not take it at word of the evisa service website that it is not a problem where you visited before. That is applicable for the visa application. The visa service and border force are two completely different agencies, with different approaches to this issue!

It was an oversight on my part, and I cannot blame the Saudis for their approach to Israel.

Hi Richard, very sorry to hear that, but thanks for your valuable feedback 🙂

Hey Joan, thank you for your posts, they are really helping and inspiring! I went to Iran in the end of 2019 and they never stamped our passports, we were just given a sheet of paper (same as in Israel). This is not about Israeli stamps but may be helpful when travelling to Israel.

I w wanted to know if one needed a tour company to get from Jordan to Israel by land or one could simply do it on their own? We are planning a trip to Jordan and thinking of doing Israel too but not sure how to make that journey

Hello Nausheen, you can do it on your own

Hi Joan, Would you say its easier to go to Israel via the Allenby crossing or to fly directly into Tel Aviv ? We went via Allenby a few years back and for no reason our passports were held for hours on end and we werent allowed to exit the country. Trying to avoid a repeat of that scenario.

Hey thanks for the Information! Do you know about anything when it comes to Egypt entry/exit stamp?

Iam right now in Israel and think about a trip to Sinan.

As far as I know there shouldnt be any problems because of Egypt stamps.

I want to visit Israel from UAE I have UAE visa , is that possible

We obtained a single entry Israeli tourist visa (B2). Is it possible to visit Jordan during our stay in Israel and come back to Israel with to & fro journey through Eilat border?

Yes of course, it’s possible, no problem

Thanks. I didn’t find any document in favor of re-entry to Israel from Jordan with a single entry tourist visa. Is any rule/doc available? P. K. Das

Hi, thanks for the information. Next month I’m planning to attend an academic conference in Tel Aviv, Israel. However, I accepted a work offer in Saudi Arabia to start in January next year. Do you think I could have any problem getting a Saudi Arabia work visa after visiting Israel? If Israel doesn’t stamp my passport, I suppose I will not have any problem, right? What do you think? Thank you!

Hi Joan! I just wanna say that in Erbil Airport the immigration did not want to let me get in because they tought I was jewish, it was has been a long talking before they changed mind. I think (not sure) it can be complicated to enter Ir. Kurdistan with Israel visa.

I have a question: If i visited Israel, then there is no proof on my passport and I visit an enemy country but unfortunately for any reason during the trip, authorities have to check my phone then they see Highlight story on IG about my trip in Israel or some pic in my phone, or my blog with Israel story… What’s next? Can I get ban definitively from the country or getting problems? Thank you. I read a lot and I don’t find any answer

Thanks for your comment an update!

Just one note: being a Jew is different from having been to Israel as a tourist but in any case, if they let you in, it means that all they were trying to do was perhaps bragging about their power, or trying to be annoying.

Anyways, regarding your question, if the authorities know that you’ve been to Israel, even if it’s through photos or whatever, you won’t be allowed to enter that country. There’s the practical example of a certain traveler who was banned from entering Syria because in his/her social media, you can read that has visited each and every country in the world, so they assumed that included Israel too.

Thank you for the quick answer!!

But, I meant, for exemple, I already passed the immigration. I travel like 2 weeks in Iraq (or other enemy country) then while I am traveling, authorities find that I lied at the immigration because they discover that I was in Israel, what happen in this case?

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to answer this question because it will always depend on the specific person who checked your photos.

Personally, I would not worry much since whoever checks your photos won’t be an immigration officer.

Thank you. My query was purely that I had been to Syria in 2008, six months before travel was stopped. Although I have had 2 new passports since then, would it still be on record that I had stayed there and if so whether it would affect my entry into another Middle Eaatern country. My new British passport has no stamps or visas yet.

Hello Vicky. To give you a practical example, when you try to apply for the USA ESTA, one of the questions is whether you have traveled to Syria after 2011, so any date before that isn’t an issue to travel anywhere and in any case, there aren’t any bans in any Middle Eastern country for having traveled to Syria, not even Israel, but you’ll certainly get a lot of questions, but only if you traveled there after 2011

I am currently planning to visit Lebanon. On my passport, I got Jordanian entry stamp at the airport (QAIA), but without any exit stamp because I travelled to Israel via King Hussein Bridge and Jodanian authority only stamped on a separate piece of paper, and of course no Israeli entry stamp too. I flew out from Israel in the end. Do you think it will be a problem for me to enter Lebanon in this case?

If they checked, very carefully, each and every page of your passport, it could be a problem yes but fortunately, this is rarely the case.

Hello Joan, Thank you for this very informative blog. My question is as a Canadian, will I be able to obtain a tourist visa from the Israeli side? planning to take King Hussein bridge from Jordan to go to Ramallah and then to Tel Aviv. Thanks in advance

Im from Philippines, i live in doha with working visa. Im planning to visit Israel,do it get problems in immigration coming back to Qatar? Thank you.

Hi Bea, you won’t have issues entering back to Qatar from Israel

Hi, than you for sharing all the Information. We are 2 Travelers from Germany on our Motorbikes. We are comming from Saudi arabia and whant to enter Joradanien from there. Than we whant also travel throu Israel and than we have to go back to Saudi Arabia than ship our bikes from VAE. How can we manage the Paspot problem? We have 2 Pasports maby that helps. But we also have a Carnet de Passage with our Bikes. How can we handle that? Thank you for your help.

I think I know the answer here but want to confirm if possible:

Looking to visit Syria. US passport. No Israel stamps in passport. Entry and exit stamps from flying into and out of Jordan, and then into and out of Lebanon on the same trip.

A potential Syrian guide told me they could somehow still recognize a visit to Israel through Jordanian airport arrivals and departures – is this possible at all? Would Syrian authorities somehow be able to access flight information outside of what is in my passport?

No. How could they know you’ve been to Israel if you have arrived and left through airport? Also, Israel doesn’t share immigration details with SYRIA

What I want to clarify is this: I have a Syrian visa stamped on a previous passport. My brand new passport has no visas in it at all so if I wanted to go to Israel, would my visit to Syria be recorded anywhere digitally?

No, there’s no way it’d be recorded

Thankyou!! Finally the answer I wanted!

Hi Joan are the any issues regarding South Africa amidst the recent legal proceedings at the international court? I have an Israeli visa stamped into my passport.

Kind regards and thanks in advance.

Honestly, I have no clue what are you referring to 😉

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How does travel to Israel affect going to Lebanon and Syria (and vice versa)?

Ben crowley, july 8, 2022, how do they know whether you’ve been to israel.

In most cases they are unable to find out, as Israel does not stamp passports for normal tourists. Obviously, those who have lived or worked, obtained a business visa or any other physical visa/stamp for any reason will have proof that they were in Israel.

For regular tourists there are a few ways they will try to prove whether you’ve been in Israel. The first is questioning: the border guards on both entry and exit will randomly ask you whether you were in Israel. On occasion they may try tricky lines of questioning such as “How was your time in Israel?” “Did you enjoy Israel while you were there?” or “When was the last time you were in Israel?”

Next thing they look for is stamps from other countries that don’t properly correspond. For example, there are land border crossings with Jordan and Egypt, and even though Israel doesn't stamp your passport, those other countries do. One very common way to enter Israel is by crossing the King Hussein border crossing from Jordan, so if you exit Jordan that way, there is only one place you could have gone. However, another one is Cyprus, as it’s a very popular route to and from Israel due to cheap flights. They can see you came from Cyprus but can’t find where you were before that.

Finally, they will look for left over glue on the back and inside your passport from the security stickers that Israel places on your passport. This can of course be explained by baggage tags or annoying stickers that have been placed by travel companies, visa agencies or hotels on your passport, but it’s still something they look for.

What happens if they find out I’ve been to Israel?

If you’re entering Lebanon and they are completely sure you’ve been to Israel, you will be denied entry and deported on the next available plane. It won’t be an overly pleasant experience for sure, but you won’t be charged or detained for a long period of time, simply deported.

If on the other hand, if you are found trying to enter Syria, then the consequences can be more tedious. You will likely be pulled aside and questioned and even detained for a night or so. One problem that can arise is if you are caught on the Lebanese – Syrian border, you’ll be deported back to Lebanon where you then need to enter knowing you’re also breaking their rules.

Is it possible to get away with it?

Yes of course, every single day people enter Lebanon and Syria having been to Israel. They simply lie by saying they haven’t been, or in most cases are never asked in the first place. Many governments will issue concurrent passports for exactly this reason. Of course, this is breaking the law, but something most countries condone by the fact they will issue second passports for people needing to make these trips. Of course if you have a second nationality or have had your passport renewed since your visit to Israel, then you don’t need to worry about covering your tracks at all – just don’t tell them!

What about travelling to Israel after Lebanon and Syria?

It’s a completely different story going the other way. Israel does not deny entry based on having been to any country. However, you are a lot more likely to get questioned and be searched if you have been to countries that don’t like them. There’s a high chance you’ll have your itinerary in Israel scrutinised and even your phone looked through. Of course, if you are a genuine tourist who just decided that going to Syria, Lebanon or even Iran was a fun idea and you also are just a normal tourist in Israel, in almost every case you’ll be allowed to enter without more than a few questions, and continue your trip. That is of course as long as you were cooperative and didn’t get aggressive, which has happened by those being interrogated by Israeli border guards.

What should you do if you don’t want to break the law?

Travel to Syria and Lebanon first, before you’ve been to Israel. This way you are not breaking any laws. After successfully going to Syria and Lebanon, then you can travel to Israel.

Co-founder of SAIGAtours, Ben is known for his extensive trivia knowledge, which comes in very handy for long bus rides! He loves a good road trip and has a passion for driving some of the most dangerous and exciting roads in the world. When not traveling he loves playing and watching sport, and is an excellent squash player.

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Yeah I know that's the ideal route, but I'm a student here in Lebanon, so I have to come back.

You cannot enter Lebanon with a passport bearing an Israeli stamp even expired.

Yes I realize this and have gotten a second passport in order to avoid problems. It's just the usage of the 2nd passport that I'm concerned about.

I'm having a similar question.

I hope someone can help us!

Best regards

What about using a second passport for Lebanon?

Is it possible then?

According to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_948.html#entry_requirements, it says:

"Travelers holding passports that contain visas or entry/exit stamps for Israel will likely be refused entry into Lebanon and may be subject to arrest and imprisonment. Persons seeking entry into Lebanon who have previously traveled to Israel may face arrest and/or detention ***even if the travel documents they are currently using do not have Israeli stamps or visas***."

Those of you, if any, who had visited Lebanon successfully with the same situation as myself, can you please share your thoughts?

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Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip travel advice

Latest updates: Risk level(s) – updated information on the border with the Gaza Strip

Last updated: May 10, 2024 18:07 ET

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Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, israel - avoid non-essential travel.

Avoid non-essential travel to Israel due to the ongoing regional armed conflict and the unpredictable security situation..

West Bank - AVOID ALL TRAVEL

This advisory excludes the following areas where you should avoid non-essential travel:

• Route 443 between Jerusalem and Modi’in

Gaza Strip - AVOID ALL TRAVEL

Israel has expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip.

If you are in the Gaza Strip, shelter in a secure place until it’s safe for you to leave. We understand that there are connectivity problems in the Gaza Strip. If possible, try to register or update your personal information through the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive the latest information about departure options. If you are unable to do so, try to contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre .

The Government of Canada’s ability to provide consular services in the Gaza Strip is severely limited.

Jerusalem - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to Jerusalem due to the volatile security situation.

Border with Syria - Avoid all travel

This advisory excludes the following cities where you should exercise a high degree of caution:

• Buq’ata
• Majdal Shams
• Mas’ada

Border with Egypt - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to within 5 km of the border with Egypt due to the volatile security situation.

Border with Lebanon - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to to the area within 5 kilometres of the border with Lebanon due to ongoing military operations.

Border with the Gaza Strip - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to within 5km of the border with the Gaza Strip due to the risk of rocket and mortar fire, gunfire and military activity.

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Heightened risk of attacks on Israeli territory

Following recent developments in the region, there is a heightened risk of attacks on Israeli territory. The regional security situation remains highly volatile and could escalate escalate at any time.

Drone, rocket and missile attacks occur regularly between Israel and armed groups in neighboring countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

On April 13, 2024, Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israeli territory, contributing to a significant escalation of tensions in the region.

These attacks can lead to air transportation disruptions due to sudden and prolonged airspace closures. Military interceptions can also cause collateral damage.

If you are in Israel or the West Bank:

• monitor local and international media to stay informed of the rapidly evolving situation
• identify the location of the closest bomb shelter, if available
• if there are no bomb shelters nearby, shelter in a hardened structure away from windows when air raid warning sirens are active
• follow the advice of local authorities, including air-raid sirens and evacuation orders

Ongoing hostilities in Israel and the Gaza Strip

The security situation remains volatile and unpredictable in Israel and the Gaza Strip as hostilities persist between Israel’s military and Gaza-based terrorist groups.

Israeli ground operations and air strikes are expected to continue throughout the Gaza Strip. Missiles and rockets continue to be fired from Gaza towards central and southern Israel.

Military operations in the Gaza Strip pose a risk to civilians, even where they take shelter. Damage to infrastructure has affected communication networks in the Gaza Strip, including the internet.

Violent clashes persist along the border between Israel and Lebanon, including daily rocket and missile fire as well as air strikes. You should avoid all travel within 5 kilometres of the border with Lebanon.

Tensions and violence in the West Bank

Tensions and violence are high in the West Bank. Frequent military operations throughout the West Bank can lead to casualties, including bystanders, and can result in clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians, as well as retaliatory attacks.

Extremist Israeli settler violence occurs frequently. There are reports of civilians being attacked, forced under threat to leave their houses or evacuate specific areas. Individuals of Palestinian or Arab descent may be subject to increased scrutiny, detention, and arrest. Israeli checkpoints have increased in number throughout the West Bank. Personal electronic devices may be searched at Israeli military checkpoints, including flying checkpoints. You, your friends, and your family members could face detention, arrest, and/or the suspension or withdrawal of your official permits if you share information deemed to be inaccurate and sensitive by Israel. This includes content shared on social media. Refrain from discussing political views online and be conscious of local laws related to internet use.

If you're in or near an affected area in Israel, the West Bank, or the Gaza Strip:

• assess if you are currently in a safe location
• shelter in place if you can’t leave the area safely
• limit your movements
• remain extremely cautious
• monitor local and international media to get the latest information
• try to keep your phone charged
• follow the instructions of local authorities

Canada’s response to the crisis in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Assisted departure options

Canada continues to offer assistance to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and eligible family members in Gaza.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and their eligible family members, currently in Gaza and wishing to leave should contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre .

Canadian officials put forward names of Canadians and permanent residents, as well as their eligible family members, to the responsible authorities for approval to exit the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing. Global Affairs Canada will contact individual Canadians and permanent residents, as well as their eligible family members, when their request to leave has been approved. Global Affairs Canada does not ultimately decide who can leave Gaza.

If you are seeking to leave the Gaza Strip:

• Keep your travel documents and personal belongings with you at all times
• Be ready to travel to the border crossing on short notice

The situation at the Rafah border crossing remains unpredictable. You should assess the safety risks for you and your family members before travelling.

Due to infrastructure damage, there could be connectivity problems in the Gaza Strip. If possible, try to register or update your personal information through the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive the latest information about departure options. If you are unable to do so, try to contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre .

If you're a family member of a Canadian citizen or of a permanent resident who is currently in Gaza, the West Bank or Israel and is unable to register through the Registration of Canadians Abroad service , please contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre .

Border operations

Due to recent events in Israel, West Bank and the Gaza Strip, operations at all land borders may be affected by limited authorized daily crossings, reduced hours or closure on short notice. Israeli authorities may also unexpectedly close checkpoints in the West Bank.

You should verify the status of the border crossings before you travel, if you’re planning to cross the following borders:

• Israel/Jordan
• Israel/Egypt
• West Bank/Jordan
• Gaza Strip/Egypt

Naval blockade

The security situation along the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip remains dangerous. The Israeli Navy regularly patrols the area and the Israeli security forces continue to intercept attempts to breach Israel’s naval blockade.

These incidents have resulted in:

• deportations

In cases of deportation, local authorities are not obliged to notify the Canadian Embassy in Tel Aviv nor the Representative Office of Canada in Ramallah.  As a result, Canadian officials may not be able to provide you with consular assistance. 

• Avoid travelling to the Gaza Strip 
• Don’t attempt to break the naval blockade 

Border areas

Border areas with Israel are particularly dangerous and heavily guarded. Landmines are present in certain areas along Israel’s borders. Some minefields have not been clearly marked or fenced. 

Militant activity close to the Israeli barrier in the Golan Heights makes the area extremely dangerous and unstable.

Despite the United Nations-monitored buffer zone between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights, cross-border gunfire and rocket fires occur with little or no warning. The Israel Defence Forces also conduct military operations in the area, including air strikes.

• Don’t approach the Israeli barrier along the border with Syria in the Golan Heights
• Monitor local media for information on the latest incidents
• Don’t travel east of Highway 98 except to the following cities: 
• Buq’ata 
• Mas’ada 
• Majdal 
• Ghajar 

Egypt 

The border area with Egypt is dangerous due to military operations and smuggling activities.

The Israeli Defence Forces regularly patrols the area to intercept drug smugglers resulting in frequent armed clashes.

The security situation can also deteriorate rapidly due to instability and the risk of terrorist attacks in northern Sinai.

Don’t drive on: 

• south of the intersection of highways 10 and 12
• between Eilat and the Netafim passage

The highways are subject to closure by Israeli authorities without warning.

If you’re planning to travel near the border with Egypt despite this advisory:

• expect roadblocks and checkpoints
• be aware of your surroundings  
• monitor local media to determine where military activity is occurring  

Lebanon 

There is no official international border between Israel and Lebanon. The United Nations observe the “Blue Line,” which separates the two countries, in addition to a fence constructed by Israel on its side of the Blue line. There are sporadic clashes between Israeli and Lebanese armies patrolling along the Blue line.

Landmines are present in the area.

Terrorist groups based in southern Lebanon have fired several rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel, resulting in retaliatory air strikes by the Israel Defence Forces. Further incidents could occur without notice.

Rockets fired from Lebanon have targeted areas near several cities in northern Israel, including:

• Kiryat Shmona

There are ongoing military operations in the following areas:

• Kfar Shouba Hills
• Shebaa Farms

If you choose to travel near the border with Lebanon despite this advisory:

• remain cautious at all times
• monitor local media for any active security alerts
• follow the advice of local authorities

Confrontations and clashes can occur in areas of Jerusalem, including parts of the Old City. Jerusalem has also seen an increased number of terrorist attacks targeting civilians.

During periods of imposed movement restrictions and on religious holidays, exacerbated tensions can lead to security incidents.

There are periodic clashes near the Al-Aqsa Mosque Mosque on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, especially during Ramadan.

• Avoid travel to the Old City during periods of exacerbated tensions
• Travel in groups
• Always dress conservatively

The situation remains unpredictable in the West Bank. Tensions have increased in various areas. Violent clashes between Israeli settlers, Palestinians and Israeli defence and security forces frequently occur. Incidents of violence often occur along major roadways and intersections where passing vehicles may be subject to random stops at checkpoints or targeted with stone-throwing and other forms of vandalism.

There are multiple Israeli military checkpoints throughout the West Bank, where there is a greater threat of violent confrontations. Areas in the vicinity of the barrier separating Israel and the West Bank are particularly high-risk.

Due to recent events in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, local authorities may close or restrict access to checkpoints without notice.

Frequent Israeli security operations target individuals in cities and villages throughout the West Bank. There is risk of injury to bystanders during these operations. These incidents occur most frequently in: 

• Hebron 
• Jenin 
• Nablus 

Although violence is usually not common in the cities of Bethlehem, Jericho and Ramallah, there is an increase in violent incidents, especially clashes involving Palestinians, Israeli settlers, the Israeli Security Forces and the Palestinian Authority security forces. 

If you are travelling to the West Bank despite the advisory in effect:

• consider alternate travel arrangements in case of a rapid deterioration in the security situation
• avoid travelling at night
• monitor local and international media
• follow the advice of local authorities 
• register and maintain contact with the Representative Office of Canada in Ramallah 

Politically motivated violence

Politically motivated violence occurs regularly throughout Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  

Previous incidents resulting in injuries and deaths include: 

• stabbings  
• mob violence
• vehicle ramming  
• stone-throwing at vehicles  

During your stay:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times 
• Monitor news reports
• Follow the instructions of local authorities

Terrorism 

There is a threat of terrorism. In the past few years, there has been an increase in deadly attacks targeting civilians throughout Israel. 

Terrorist incidents causing numerous deaths and injuries have occurred in a variety of locations, including: 

• Beersheba 
• Eilat 
• Haifa 
• Jerusalem 
• Netanya 
• Tel Aviv 

Further attacks are likely. 

Targets could include: 

• government buildings, including schools 
• places of worship 
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks 
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres,markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners 

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant during:

•  sporting events
•  public celebrations
• religious holidays, such as:
• Rosh Hashanah 
• Yom Kippur 
• Pesach (Passover) 
• Ramadan 

Terrorists may use such occasions to mount attacks. 

Rocket fire

Cities across Israel may be targeted by rocket fire from the Gaza Strip or from Lebanon. 

Rockets fired from the Gaza Strip have reached Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and have also struck close to Haifa, located approximately 150 km north of the Gaza Strip border. 

The crime rate is relatively low in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Despite an important presence of security personnel in major cities, petty crime may still occur in urban and touristic areas and on beaches. There have been reports of:

• pickpocketing
• purse snatching
• theft of passports, credit cards and other valuables

There’s an increase in car thefts.

• make sure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• make sure that your wallet, money and valuables are out of sight, particularly in crowded tourist areas 
• avoid carrying large amounts of cash 
• avoid showing signs of affluence 
• don’t leave luggage or valuables in a vehicle and always park your vehicle in secure facilities 
• keep your car doors locked and windows closed at all times 

Fraud  

Credit card and ATM fraud may occur. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards: 

• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others 
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business 
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature 
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN 
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements 

Cybercrime occurs. Online scams and investment fraud against individuals are on the rise in Israel. 

• Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks 
• Avoid making purchases on unencrypted websites 
• Be wary of unsolicited emails offering enticing business 
• Never click a suspicious link in an email or text message asking for your credit card details 

Overseas fraud

Demonstrations and strikes

Planned and unplanned demonstrations occur regularly.

Demonstrators frequently gather across Israel to express opposition to the government in place. These demonstrations and strikes often result in disruptions to services and public transportation. They sometimes lead to violent incidents, such as vandalism and clashes between demonstrators and police. Security forces sometimes use tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place 
• Follow the instructions of local authorities 
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations 

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Outages 

Service outages are frequent in the Gaza Strip. This includes disruptions in: 

• telecommunications, including phones and Internet 
• power  
• water services 

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.  

Advice for women travellers

Water activities 

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Tidal changes and strong winds can cause dangerous riptides.  

• Never swim alone
• Always obey warning flags at beaches 
• Keep a safe distance from boats and restricted areas 
• Avoid visiting beaches or coastal areas during periods of severe weather warnings 
• Look out for signs warning of cliff erosion and falling rocks 
• Follow the advice of the local authorities 

Useful links

• Rules of behavior on the beach – Israeli Ministry of Interior 
• Water safety abroad

Road safety 

Road safety can vary considerably in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  

Road conditions  

Although most roads in Israel are in good condition, many roads in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are in poor condition.

During the winter months, precipitation can cause difficult driving conditions and road closures across the territory. 

Driving may also be dangerous due to:

• traffic jams and heavy traffic
• narrow, winding and mountainous roads
• flash floods in some regions

Driving habits  

There is a high rate of road accidents due to dangerous driving habits across the territory. Drivers often drive at excessive speed and don’t always respect the right of way, especially in roundabouts.

It’s mandatory to have a high visibility vest and a warning triangle kit in your car. If you must stop on the side of the road and get out of your car, you must wear the vest and use the triangles according to the safety instructions provided.

If you plan to drive: 

• always drive defensively
• plan your trip in advance, especially if you are visiting a rural area 
• always carry a cell phone and charger 
• familiarize yourself with the route before you travel  

Checkpoints 

There are security checkpoints across the territory, mainly in the West Bank.

The Israel Defence Forces control access to the West Bank through a series of security checkpoints and the Palestinian Authority police may do so within their jurisdiction. Following incidents of politically motivated violence, the government of Israel may also establish additional checkpoints without warning and increase the intensity of vehicle checks. Additional measures may include frequent and extended closures of checkpoints at the discretion of Israeli Security Forces.

Officers may ask to see your valid documents. There is no guarantee that you may pass through security checkpoints even if you have a valid visa and authorization to enter.

During periods of religious holidays, checkpoint and border-crossing hours of operation are subject to change.

If travelling by car during your stay: 

• expect multiple roadblocks and checkpoints
• be prepared to present your identification documents 
• don’t pass through checkpoints without stopping, even if they appear unattended 
• follow instructions of police or military officers if you get stopped

Public transportation

Buses .

The bus system is reliable. However, violent incidents occur occasionally in public buses and at bus stops. Attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries in the past.  

If you’re travelling by bus during your stay: 

• be aware of your surroundings at all times 
• stay behind bollards or behind the bus stop while waiting
• stand away from large groups of people 
• notify the driver of any suspicious objects or persons   

Trains 

The train network is extensive. It covers most of the territory and links major cities, such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem. The Gaza Strip and some parts of the West Bank are not covered. In order to access train stations, you will have to pass a security check.

The Light Rail in Jerusalem is considered safe from Mount Herzl station up to French Hill station. You should avoid travelling through stations further north.

Trains in Israel are generally modern, clean and frequent.

If you’re travelling by train:

• be vigilant
• avoid travelling alone at night
• allow extra time to go through security checks
• validate your ticket to avoid fines

Taxis 

Taxis are generally reliable in Israel and the West Bank.  

In the West Bank, taxis are the easiest way of moving around.

Mobile applications are also available. 

If you’re taking a taxi:

• never use shared taxis
• negotiate the fare in advance

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the authorities of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Israel, the West Bank or the Gaza Strip.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days Business visa: not required Student visa: not required Work visa: required

The Government of Israel issues an entry card on arrival.

You will need your entry card to enter the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Keep it in a secure place to avoid complications upon leaving Israel.

Land travel restrictions

The Government of Israel tightly controls checkpoint crossings within the West Bank and to the Gaza Strip.

Security-related closures can severely restrict entry to and exit from these areas, even for persons possessing valid entry and exit permits.

 Large crowds may gather due to:

• limited hours of operations
• unannounced travel restrictions
• extended closures

This may increase risks to your personal safety.

Travel to and from West Bank

The West Bank is divided into three administrative divisions, which fall under varying degrees of administrative and security control between Palestinian and Israeli authorities.

Israel sets out the entry and exit requirements for the West Bank. In some circumstances, Israeli authorities may deny you entry into the West Bank.

You are required to obtain permits with strict conditions for: 

• short-term visits
• professional, academic or volunteering purposes
• temporary residence for spouses

These new procedures apply to all foreign nationals. As a result, you may need a specific type of visa to enter the West Bank based on your purpose of travel.

If you intend to travel to the West Bank:

• contact Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the closest Israeli embassy to find out which type of permit you need to apply for
• ensure that you have the proper and up-to-date identification, travel documentation and authorization to obtain your permit
• plan your visit accordingly and apply well in advance to avoid delays.
• Foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada
• Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Travel to and from Gaza Strip

The Erez border crossing, controlled by Israel, is currently closed. There are no options other than the Rafah border crossing, controlled by Egypt, to enter or exit the Gaza Strip.

Due to the ongoing conflict, entry to and exit from the Gaza Strip is currently extremely limited.

Travel to and from Jordan

As a Canadian citizen, you may travel to and from Jordan through the following border crossings:

• Aqaba (Wadi Araba) near Eilat
• King Hussein Bridge (Allenby) near Jericho 
• Sheikh Hussein Bridge (crossing the Jordan River) near Beit She’an.

You may obtain a visa upon arrival at the following border crossings:

• Sheikh Hussein Bridge (crossing the Jordan River) between Israel and Jordan
• Aqaba (Wadi Araba)

You will need to obtain a visa online or from a Jordanian diplomatic mission prior to travelling if you’re planning on entering Jordan at the King Hussein Bridge (Allenby) border crossing. 

Dual citizenship

Israeli-canadians.

Canadians who were born outside Israel to a mother or father who is an Israeli citizen may be considered citizens of Israel.

Israeli law requires Israeli citizens to:

• enter and exit the country on an Israeli passport
• show proof of military status upon arrival

If you are unsure of your Israeli citizenship or your military status, verify it through the Embassy of Israel to Canada or an Israeli consulate before leaving Canada.

Palestinian-Canadians

As a Palestinian-Canadian citizen, you may be subject to Government of Israel travel regulations for Palestinians. Strict border control policies may prevent you from entering to and exiting from: 

• Israel 
• the West Bank 
• the Gaza Strip 

Anyone registered in the Government of Israel’s West Bank and Gaza Strip population registries, including Canadians of Palestinian descent born in the West Bank or Gaza after 1967, is prohibited from entering Israel through Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport.

Israeli authorities are currently allowing only a limited number of Palestinians to enter into the West Bank via the Allenby Crossing (King Hussein Bridge). This rule may not apply to Palestinians with dual citizenship.

You may also be subject to Government of Israel travel regulations for Palestinians if you are a Canadian born in another Arab state or if you hold dual Canadian-Arab state citizenship.

Israeli authorities may then ask you to enter and exit Israel on your Arab passport.

If the place of birth listed on the traveller’s passport does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, travellers may be subject to increased security screening at points of entry, including extensive questioning, physical searches and/or denial of entry, which can involve temporary detention before removal.

Regional travel

Some Canadians have been denied entry into Lebanon, Syria and other Arab countries because their passports bore:

• an Israeli visa
• an Israeli border stamp
•  an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel

Other entry requirement

Custom officials may ask to show a return or onward ticket as proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified this country as no longer poliovirus-infected but at high risk of an outbreak . Polio can be prevented by vaccination.

Recommendations:

• Be sure that your polio vaccinations are up to date before travelling. Polio is part of the routine vaccine schedule for children in Canada.
• One booster dose of the polio vaccine is recommended as an adult .

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Leptospirosis   is a bacterial disease that typically causes fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, skin rash and eye infection. The disease is spread through direct contact with urine from infected animals or with urine-contaminated water, soil, or food.

Leptospirosis is a risk in this country, especially when participating in freshwater activities (e.g., swimming, rafting), being in areas with poor sanitation, or having close contact with animals, especially rodents. Most travellers are at low risk. There is no vaccine available for leptospirosis.  Travellers at high risk may wish to consult a health care professional about pre-exposure antibiotics.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

The quality of medical care varies greatly throughout the destination. Very good health care is available in Israel and Jerusalem. Good health care is limited in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Medical facilities may lack of medical supplies and adequately trained professionals.

Medical treatment can be very expensive. Hospitals and doctors usually require immediate payment in cash.  

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Medication 

Some prescription medication may not be available in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  

If you take prescription medication, you’re responsible for determining their legality at destination.

• Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you 
• Always keep your medication in the original container 
• Pack your medication in your carry-on luggage 
• Carry a copy of your prescriptions 

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and Israel are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Israel to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Israeli authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs, are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Alcohol 

Although alcohol consumption in public is illegal in the Gaza Strip, you can drink alcohol in certain areas in the West Bank.   Avoid drinking alcohol outside licensed premises in the West Bank.  

Photography 

Photography of sensitive installations is prohibited. This includes: 

• military sites 
• police personnel and installations  

Seek permission before taking photos of people in Muslim or Orthodox Jewish areas.  

Both Israeli authorities and the Palestinian Authority recognize dual citizenship.

However, foreign nationals naturalized citizens of Israel must forfeit their previous citizenship.   

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Israel, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Israel.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Israel, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Israeli court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Israel to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Religious holidays

Some Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities' customs, laws and regulations adhere closely to religious practices and beliefs. 

Tensions between religious groups are higher during religious holidays and may lead to violence. 

There is a risk of assault if you travel by car in the Old City of Jerusalem and conservative neighbourhoods of Israel during Shabbat.

To avoid offending local sensitivities, especially during religious holidays:

• dress conservatively
• behave discreetly
• respect social and religious traditions
• seek permission from people and local authorities before taking photographs

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Israel’s law doesn’t criminalize sexual acts or relationships between persons of the same sex.

However, 2SLGBTQI+ travellers could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

The Gaza Strip’s law criminalizes sexual acts and relationships between persons of the same sex. 

2SLGBTQI+ travellers could be detained based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. They may also be detained and face other charges such as: 

• cross-dressing
• gross indecency
• offence to public morals

2SLGBTQI+ travellers could face up to 10 years of imprisonment. They should carefully consider the risks of travelling to the Gaza Strip.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

You may drive in Israel using your Canadian driver’s license for up to 12 months.

Vehicles with Palestinian licence plates are not permitted to enter Israel unless granted a permit by Israeli authorities in advance. If you are planning to enter the West Bank with a rented vehicle, verify your insurance coverage and permissions with your car rental agency.

You should carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

Useful links 

• More about the International Driving Permit  
• Driving in Israel – The Association of Americans & Canadians in Israel (AACI)

The currency of Israel is the Israeli Shekel (ILS).

Credit cards are not widely accepted in the Gaza Strip.

The Jordanian dinar (JOD) and the US dollar are also widely accepted throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

ATMs are available, but may not accept Canadian cards.

Earthquakes  

Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are located in an active seismic zone.

Even minor earthquakes can cause significant damage.

Earthquakes - What to Do?  

Sandstorms and dust storms  

Sandstorms and dust storms occur in spring and summer in some areas. Sand-laden winds can blow at high speeds for days, creating difficult driving conditions. These storms can also lead to respiratory problems for some individuals.

During a sandstorm: 

• stay indoors 
• keep windows closed
• be prepared to change, interrupt or cancel your trip at any time
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation

Heavy rains, particularly during winter, can cause flooding and landslides throughout the territory.

Roads may become impassable and infrastructure damaged. 

• Exercise caution, particularly in areas around major rivers 
• Stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts 
• Follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders 

Wildfires 

Wildfires may occur throughout the territory due to high temperatures and dry conditions, particularly during summer. The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke. 

In case of a significant fire: 

• stay away from affected areas, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments 
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation 

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

• police: 100
• medical assistance: 101
• firefighters: 102

Consular assistance

For emergency consular assistance, call the Representative Office of Canada in Ramallah or the Embassy of Canada to Israel, in Tel Aviv, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Lebanon set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Lebanese Embassy in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Lebanon. 

Passport validity requirements

Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months from the date you enter Lebanon.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document, or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Checks at border control

If your passport contains an Israeli stamp, you may be refused entry to Lebanon even if you hold a valid Lebanese visa. 

Visa requirements

British citizens can normally apply for a free single-entry tourist or family visit visa on arrival at Beirut airport. A tourist visa is valid for one month from the date of entry. Travellers can extend their visa for up to three months at the General Security offices.

British citizens can also obtain a visa from the Lebanese Embassy in London. These may be valid for a different time period. Travellers should make sure they understand their visa validity to avoid any penalties for overstaying.

Travellers overstaying their visa may have to pay a fine in the local currency at the airport (please note, US dollars will not be accepted). This should be paid at departures before security procedures.

British overseas citizens  and  British protected persons  will need to get a visa before travelling to Lebanon.

Persons of Palestinian origin may also need a visa before travelling, or to carry additional documentation with them when travelling.

Entry requirements may change at short notice. Check with the  Lebanese Embassy  in the UK before you travel.

Name checks against offender database

Lebanese immigration authorities check all visitors’ names on arrival against a database of those wanted for, or convicted of, offences in Lebanon. If your name matches an entry on the database, you may be detained (or occasionally allowed entry by surrendering your passport) until they can prove that the record does not relate to you. You might be able to do this by producing a copy of a birth certificate or other official documentation that allows parents’ names to be checked against the database. Consider carrying this kind of supporting documentation.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Lebanon guide .

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• PolicyWatch 3868

An Israel-Lebanon Agreement May Not Be Worth the Costs

David Schenker is the Taube Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics. He is the former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.

The lesson from past deals involving Hezbollah is clear: the group will try to pocket any U.S. concessions on the presidency and other issues while simply jettisoning whatever border commitments it may make in return.

All eyes are on Gaza as Israel and Hamas inch toward a ceasefire in their months-long war. If and when a truce is reached, however, the Biden administration’s focus will likely turn to Lebanon, where it hopes to de-escalate amid fears of a full-scale war. Last week, several local and pan-Arab press outlets reported on Beirut’s unenthusiastic response to a proposal that Washington formulated in partnership with Paris and conveyed to Lebanese and Hezbollah officials via an unofficial French white paper. Although actual negotiations will not begin in earnest until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza, the initial reception from Lebanon suggests that the chances for success are remote.

Outlines of the Proposed Deal

U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein and French minister for Europe and foreign affairs Stephane Sejourne have visited Beirut repeatedly in recent months to lay the groundwork for a joint de-escalation plan, culminating in the white paper. Building on UN Security Council Resolution 1701—which effectively ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel but failed to secure an enduring peace—the new proposal seeks to fix flaws in the original document that hindered implementation, eroded confidence, and contributed to long-term instability along the border. Key elements of the U.S.-French initiative include:

• Redeploying Hezbollah’s Radwan special forces seven to ten kilometers north of the border, close to but not necessarily beyond the Litani River
• Stationing 15,000 troops from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) along the frontier
• Allowing the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and its nearly 11,000 troops to conduct less restricted patrols in south Lebanon unaccompanied by the LAF
• Building observation posts near the border to be staffed by the LAF and/or UNIFIL
• Ending Israeli military overflights of Lebanon
• Establishing a monitoring committee to discuss any infringements of the new arrangement, similar to the body created after Israel’s 1996 military campaign in Lebanon
• Initiating negotiations on some disputed border points with an eye toward more formally and precisely defining the UN-demarcated Blue Line

These steps would be complemented by European funding to underwrite LAF operations in the south, as well as U.S. local development assistance and investment promotion.

Negative Response

Arab media reported immediate objections to several aspects of the proposal. The Lebanese paper Nida al-Watan noted that Hezbollah flatly rejected the plan, while the reliably pro-Hezbollah daily al- Akhbar indicated that Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri had r ejected the provisions on repositioning Hezbollah forces, giving UNIFIL freedom of movement in the south, and creating an internationally directed role for the LAF in the south.

The proposal was also vetted by a pair of Hezbollah advisors dubbed the “Khalilan” or “two Khalils”—namely, Hussein Khalil and Ali Hassan Khalil, the latter a Berri confidant who was designated by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2019 for his ties to the militia and assorted corrupt activities. Per Nida al-Watan , they did not explicitly reject or accept the plan, but rather “subjected it to a process of careful hollowing out” that seemingly amounted to the same end result as Berri’s objections. The pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat described the Khalilan’s approach as “buying time” until a Gaza ceasefire is reached and Hochstein returns to Beirut for negotiations.  

Sweetening the Deal for Hezbollah?

Although the United States and France appear to be mostly on the same page regarding a potential deal on south Lebanon, they disagree on whether and how the deal should be tied to choosing Lebanon’s next president, a post that has been vacant since October 2022. While the French have refused to connect the two issues, Hochstein has reportedly linked them—though it is unclear how reliable these reports are given that they were published by the pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar . (Notably, the paper also claimed that Hochstein is not coordinating with Paris on this matter, and that “France is very disturbed by the way the American side has behaved.”)

By law, the presidency must be held by a Maronite Christian, but parliament’s selection of Maronite candidates has been complicated—Hezbollah is pushing for the Syria-aligned leader of the Marada Movement, Sleiman Frangieh, while opponents favor more neutral figures. This decision is relevant to the U.S.-French plan because a president will eventually be required to ratify any border agreement. Given Hezbollah’s rejection of the current terms, the group will likely seek concessions in return for moving its Radwan forces. In theory, delineating the border would seem like a sufficient tradeoff, but Hezbollah may not actually want to resolve the border dispute given that its articulated raison d’etre is fighting the Israeli “occupation” of Lebanon. A more appealing accomplishment for the group would be securing Frangieh’s appointment as president, and Washington seems poised to consider that concession. Perhaps concerned about facilitating another six years of a weak, Iran-friendly Lebanese president, Paris has thus far been uncharacteristically hesitant to adopt such an expedient approach.

Doha Agreement Redux

The Biden administration’s apparent coupling of these issues is reminiscent of the May 2008 Doha agreement, a Qatari-brokered accord reached during a previous Lebanese domestic crisis and presidential vacuum. That crisis emerged after the formerly pro-Western government in Beirut attempted to weaken Hezbollah’s control over the country’s international airport and restrict its secure communications network, spurring the militia to march on the capital and engage in armed clashes that killed nearly a hundred people.

The resultant agreement made crucial concessions to Hezbollah, including a “blocking third” in the cabinet and effective veto power over all government decisions. Ironically, the parties also agreed to prohibit the “use of weapons and violence” to resolve domestic political disputes, giving the state full “security and military authority over Lebanese nationals.” Regarding the vacant presidency, they agreed that parliament would convene and name LAF commander Gen. Michel Suleiman to the post within twenty-four hours of signing the accord. Hezbollah apparently viewed Suleiman as acceptable because the LAF had abstained from intervening during the group’s assault on Beirut. Unsurprisingly, he never once challenged Hezbollah’s writ during his subsequent six years in office.

In short, the Doha agreement was a boon for Hezbollah, consolidating its domestic political dominance at no cost. The group predictably ignored its commitment to renounce violence against its fellow citizens—since 2008, Hezbollah is the leading suspect in at least seven assassinations of prominent opponents in the political and security establishment, among numerous other examples of attacking or intimidating people who get in the way of its local activities. Likewise, Hezbollah—not the “state”—remains the top military and security authority in Lebanon.

Although negotiating a deal for a new status quo on the border might temporarily defer the next war between Israel and Hezbollah, doing so at the cost of installing a president who is obeisant to the militia will not help U.S. interests, let alone the interests of the Lebanese people. Since 2019, the country has been reeling from a financial crisis, but rather than helping its fellow citizens extricate themselves from this predicament, Hezbollah is actively exploiting the crisis while opposing necessary reforms. A pro-Hezbollah president is just as unlikely to pursue such reforms. Moreover, the perception that the Biden administration is considering concessions to Hezbollah while apparently avoiding consultations with the group’s Lebanese critics may give U.S. partners in the Middle East further reason to question Washington’s reliability.

Even more important than the perception problem, however, is the likelihood that Hezbollah will not adhere to any deal Beirut reaches with Washington and Paris. The lesson from 2008 is that the group will pocket whichever provisions benefit its position at home and the interests of its sponsors in Iran while ultimately disregarding the rest. Tragically, this lesson was punctuated in brutal fashion five years after the Doha agreement, when former Lebanese minister Mohamad Chatah wrote an open letter to Iranian president Hassan Rouhani pleading for support on implementing Security Council Resolution 1701, including the provisions on deploying the LAF to the border and ending hostilities with Israel. Just days later, Chatah was assassinated, almost certainly by Hezbollah. Hence, any new deal that perpetuates Hezbollah and Iran’s control over Lebanon is doomed to fail in the long run.

Even a deal’s principal short-term benefit—de-escalating ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel—could prove to be moot. With Blue Line negotiations on the table, Hezbollah may choose escalation to secure a better deal, as it did during the lead-up to the 2022 maritime agreement. The group might also decide to continue firing on Israel even after a Gaza ceasefire. With nearly 80,000 Israeli citizens still evacuated from the north, the Netanyahu government is under growing pressure to take action that enables their return, potentially including military action. Amid new combat operations in Rafah and reported Hezbollah mobilizations in Lebanon, Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant recently warned that “it could be a hot summer” in the north. Given the complications and costs of getting to a border agreement, he may be right.

David Schenker is the Taube Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of its Rubin Program on Arab Politics. Previously, he served as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs from 2019 to 2021.

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Biden's national security adviser is traveling to Saudi Arabia and Israel amid stalled ceasefire talks

From CNN's MJ Lee

US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan will travel to Saudi Arabia and Israel over the weekend, according to a US official, as the ceasefire and hostages negotiations have stalled and Israel continues to threaten to intensify its military operations in Rafah.

He will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their respective countries, according to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

US officials have said that they have not yet seen Israeli forces begin a major ground incursion into southern Gaza yet, while reiterating Biden’s warning that if Israel were to make such a move, the US would hold back on additional offensive weapons shipments to its ally.

Israeli officials have assured their US counterparts that they have no intention of launching a major military operation into Rafah until more conversations have taken place between the two sides, according to this US official, including the various meetings Sullivan plans to have over the weekend while in Israel.

Sullivan’s trip to Saudi Arabia also comes as the Biden administration continues to push for a deal to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The post was updated with details about who Sullivan will meet during his trip.

Key things to know about the US-built floating pier and the aid that is being delivered to Gaza through it

From CNN's Colin McCullough, Jessie Yeung and Nadeen Ebrahim

Trucks carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza have begun moving ashore after arriving through the  floating pier  built by the US military, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The pier was anchored to a beach in Gaza on Thursday and will be used to funnel aid from various countries into the besieged strip, with most border crossings to the enclave closed and a catastrophic humanitarian disaster unfolding inside.

The maritime corridor is coming at a critical moment – with the Rafah border crossing to Gaza having been  closed for more than a week , preventing aid from getting through. That crossing was the only one between Gaza and Egypt – with all other border points in the strip controlled by Israel.

Here are key things to know about the pier and the aid that is starting to enter Gaza:

How much aid is expected? The goal is to get about 500 tons of humanitarian assistance into Gaza through the pier daily, according to Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of CENTCOM. That means about 90 trucks worth of aid a day, and the goal is to build up to 150 trucks a day.

How was the pier built and how will it work? The US began building the  floating pier  in late April at a cost of $320 million and with the help of some 1,000 US soldiers and sailors. The US said that it is only a temporary measure that is “entirely humanitarian in nature.” Pieces for the pier were loaded aboard ships on the East Coast of the US and then “transported 6,000 miles across the ocean,” according to CENTCOM’s Cooper. The pieces were assembled off the coast of Gaza, with final assembly taking place in the Israeli port of Ashdod.

Why is aid being shipped this way? Most land crossings into Gaza remain either shut or congested due to lengthy inspections by Israel. That has led the US and other countries to start air-dropping aid into Gaza, which human rights organizations have criticized as insufficient. The  UN has warned of  famine setting in in parts of Gaza, calling on Israel to open more land crossings for aid. 

How much aid is getting into Gaza now? The US State Department has said that “not nearly enough” trucks are getting into Gaza. The UN estimates that 500 trucks are needed per day to alleviate the suffering of Gazans, but on May 11, UN figures showed that only six trucks entered. No data is available after that date.

Keep reading about the pier and aid being delivered.

At least 31 killed by Israeli strikes on Gaza over past 24 hours, Palestinian Ministry of Health says

From CNN’s Kareem Khadder and Lucas Lilieholm

Israeli strikes have killed at least 31 people and injured 56 in Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the strip on Friday.

The death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7 has now surpassed 35,300, with 79,261 injuries, the ministry added. CNN cannot verify the ministry’s numbers, and it does not distinguish between casualties among fighters and civilians.

It does not include in its figures the several thousand people thought to be missing in Gaza since October 7.

Earlier Friday morning, civil defense officials and local journalists said that Israeli strikes on the enclave had killed at least 10 people and wounded others.

An airstrike on the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza killed at least six people, according to civil defense officials who arrived on the scene and evacuated a number of wounded. The Jabalya district of northern Gaza has seen intense combat operations in recent days. A hospital in northern Gaza received several bodies and many injured people after Israeli strikes on Thursday, according to a CNN stringer present.

Persistent gunfire could be heard throughout the night Thursday into Friday in Jabalya, according to residents in the area.

Salama Maroof, head of the government media office in Gaza, said in a Thursday statement that the Israeli military had invaded Jabalya and cut off the northeastern settlement of Beit Hanoun.

In a separate attack on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, at least four people were killed when Israeli warplanes struck the Al-Jaouni School, which shelters displaced people. Local journalists witnessed the bodies arriving at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah.

This post has been updated with additional figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

British aid delivered to Gaza in first shipment via US-built pier

From CNN’s Benjamin Brown in London

The aid shipment delivered to Gaza via a US-built pier included British humanitarian aid.

The shipment, which had the aid provided by the United Kingdom, will be enough to feed 11,000 people for a month, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said Friday.

“The UK continues to play a key role in this herculean international effort,” Shapps wrote on X . 

The UK is supporting logistics coordination in Cyprus and has deployed a Navy vessel to help US personnel construct and operate the pier, he added.

How it works: The content of the aid shipments to Gaza is inspected in Cyprus. Upon reaching the Gaza shore, the aid is moved on the pier by trucks already on the ships to a facility in Gaza. The World Food Programme will then act as the logistical arm of the United Nations to deliver the aid to other agencies or distribute it, a UN official told CNN.

CNN’s Kareem Khadder and Sarah El Sirgany in Jerusalem contributed reporting to this post.

Hezbollah claims responsibility for dozens of rocket launches toward Golan Heights

From CNN's Kareem El Damanhoury and Charbel Mallo 

Lebanese group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for dozens of rocket launches toward the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Friday.

In a statement, the militant group said it launched 50 Katyusha rockets targeting an Israeli military base in Golan in response to the Israeli attack on Al-Najariya in southern Lebanon earlier in the day, which Lebanon's official National News Agency had reported killed two boys. 

In later statements, Hezbollah said it also targeted an additional Israeli site in Golan with rockets and another at the Lebanon-Israel border with artillery shells.

2 slightly injured after 75 launches were detected crossing from Lebanon, Israel's military says 

From Tamar Michaelis

In additional exchanges across Israel’s northern border, as the war in Gaza rages on, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that approximately 75 launches were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory on Friday and "dozens" were intercepted.

Israeli emergency services reported that two men were slightly injured in the Galilee area and were taken to the hospital.

The IDF said that earlier Friday, “IDF soldiers identified a Hezbollah launcher in the area of Yaroun which was ready to fire launches toward Israeli territory.”

“A short while afterward, an IDF fighter jet struck and dismantled the launcher, preventing a large number of launches," the military added.

Northern Gaza hospital says it received more than 100 dead bodies since Israel resumed operations in the area

From CNN's Kareem Khadder and Sarah El Sirgany in Jerusalem

The Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza has received at least 112 bodies and treated 308 injured people since the Israeli operation in the north began nearly a week ago, the hospital's director, Dr. Husam Abu Saifya, told CNN on Friday. 

Safiya said that of the total number of bodies, 12 were killed overnight Thursday into Friday, when bombardment in the area continued throughout the night. The injuries the hospital received comprised of burns and severed limbs, he added. 

He warned of dwindling fuel and medical supplies, saying the last fuel delivery from the World Health Organization (WHO) "was five days ago."

"This shipment is enough to operate the hospital for 10 days, while the hospital needs a month supply to operate securely. This would be the ICU, the kidney dialysis and all the electricity-dependent services provided by the hospital," he added. 

He said he doesn’t know when the WHO would deliver fuel and supplies or whether it would be enough.

For context: The Israeli military renewed ground operations  in northern Gaza on Saturday, saying Hamas was trying to "reassemble" in the area. The north has been hit with intense Israeli shelling and gunfire, especially in and around the Jabalya refugee camp. 

2 children killed in airstrikes that Israeli military says targeted Hezbollah in the south

From CNN’s Charbel Mallo and Kareem El Damanhoury

Israeli airstrikes killed two boys in the town of Al-Najariya in southern Lebanon on Friday, according to Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA). 

The two Syrian siblings, Ossama and Hani Al-Khalid, succumbed to their injuries from the air raid, NNA said.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military says the airstrikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in Al-Najariya that “posed a threat to Israeli aircraft,” accusing the group of operating in civilian areas and endangering lives.

Around the same time, Hezbollah announced the death of one of its members, 62-year-old Hussein Khidr Mahdi, in the same area on Friday.

It is unclear if he was killed in the same airstrikes.

IDF says brigade leading Jabalya operation in northern Gaza now fighting in city center

The Israel Defense Forces says that the brigade leading the offensive in Jabalya in northern Gaza is now “fighting in the city center.”

The IDF posted an operational update Friday saying that its 7th Brigade “eliminated more than 60 terrorists in the past days in Jabalya.”

“The 7th Brigade led the divisional-level offensive in Jabaliya and is now fighting in the city center," the IDF said.

The IDF said that in less than a week of operations, “the soldiers encountered dozens of terrorists, initiated contact, and eliminated more than 60 terrorists through ground and aerial operations. Even now, the soldiers are exchanging fire with terrorist cells in the area.”

The IDF also asserted that soldiers located a weapons warehouse “with dozens of long-range rockets ready for use, dozens of rocket parts, explosives, and other weapons. The weapons warehouse is located about ten meters (about 33 feet) from a shelter complex from which the population was evacuated and where 20 terrorists were apprehended,” it said.

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Entering isreal with a Lebanese passport stamp. - Israel Forum

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Entering isreal with a Lebanese passport stamp.

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Will I have trouble entering isreal if I have a Lebanon stamp in my passport?? Hoping to visit both in the near future. Also vice versa entering Lebanon if I go to isreal first???

Welcome to TripAdvisor.

Israel doesn't deny entry to anyone based on where they have been, but you can expect a lot of questioning if you have a stamp from Lebanon in your passport. All questions must be answered truthfully and politely, no matter how silly or irrelevant they might seem. The questions are designed to find out whether you're telling the truth, and as long as your purpose in visiting Israel is tourism/pilgrimage and not political activism, you should have no difficulty entering the country.

Israel no longer stamps passports at Ben-Gurion airport. Assuming your nationality is one that doesn't require a visa in advance, you will get a tourist visa on a separate piece of paper when you arrive (which you must keep for the duration of your trip). So as far as that's concerned, you wouldn't have evidence in your passport. However, it isn't clear whether passports are still stamped at *land borders* and even if Israel doesn't stamp your passport if you enter or leave at the Jordanian or Egyptian border, Jordan / Egypt almost certainly will stamp your passport, and the stamp will show where you crossed, meaning it's clear you were in Israel.

You didn't ask, but at the risk of stating the obvious, you cannot go directly from Lebanon to Israel, by land, sea or air.

If you were visiting Lebanon for a defined purpose - studies, family, tourism, or whatever - it could be a good idea to bring some evidence of that, which might help you respond to questions.

Gaildorfblues, thank you. There have been no definite reports on this forum recently, and it's good to know for future reference.

You're very welcome Shuffaluff

Those 2 stamps aren't an issue for me because I don't have any destinations on my to do list that will deny me entry because of them.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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2024 Passport to CT Wine Country has begun

The 2024 Passport to Connecticut Wine Country is underway.

It started on Saturday and two additional vineyards -- Independence Vineyard in Lebanon and Tranquillity Vineyard & Winery in Middlebury -- have been added to the passport program this year.

To take part, pick up a printed book at participating farm wineries or download the digital app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. There is no charge for the book. Then visit the state’s participating farm wineries and collect stamps to be entered into prize drawings.

Each digital or physical stamp equals one point toward a reward level.

When you reach a prize level you will be entered into a prize drawing.

Three tiers for prizes

There are three tiers:

• Taster: 12 or more stamps
• Sommelier: 18 or more stamps
• Winemaker: 35 or more stamps.

Participants who visit all 38 participating farm wineries will also be eligible for a commemorative gift.

Up to 50 names will be drawn at random.

The 2024 Passport program ends on Dec. 31, and the prize drawing will be held no later than Jan. 31, 2025.  Learn more and ind a full list of participating farm wineries at ctwinecountry.com .

Israel-Gaza latest: Israeli fighter jet hits West Bank in deadly strike; aid pier off Gaza coast 'not enough'

An Israeli fighter jet has struck the West Bank. Palestinian authorities say at least one person has been killed. Meanwhile, the bodies of three hostages have been recovered.

Friday 17 May 2024 22:57, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• Israel says its fighter jet has hit West Bank
• IDF has 'seized bodies of three hostages from Gaza'
• They were murdered while celebrating life', IDF says | Netanyahu 'heartbroken' over deaths
• Alistair Bunkall: Discovery of bodies will reinforce Israeli belief that more hostages are in Rafah
• Israeli protesters attack truck in attempt to block aid reaching Gaza
• Spain bans ships carrying weapons for Israel from docking at its ports
• Scroll down for the latest on the Israel-Gaza war
• Listen to the Daily above and tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts

That's all for this evening, but if you're just catching up, here is a recap of the key developments.

• An Israeli fighter jet struck a refugee camp in the West Bank, killing at least one person and injuring eight;
• The bodies of three Israeli hostages were recovered from Gaza;
• An investigation was launched after a 450kg bomb fell from an Israeli fighter jet into an Israeli town;
• Spain banned ships carrying weapons for Israel from docking at its ports;
• Dozens of Israeli protesters in the West Bank attacked a truck in an apparent attempt to prevent aid from reaching Gaza, beating its driver and setting it on fire.

A group of US medical workers trapped at a hospital in Gaza have now left the territory, the White House says.

American doctors providing care in Gaza were unable to leave after Israel closed the Rafah border crossing.

Among them were 10 from the US-based Palestinian American Medical Association, who had intended to leave after a two-week mission at the European Hospital in Khan Younis.

Today, 17 American doctors and healthcare workers, out of a total of 20, left Gaza, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said.

"I can assure you that any of them that wanted to leave are out," Mr Kirby said. 

Three of the doctors chose not to depart Gaza, a source familiar with the situation said.

The Palestinian American Medical Association reported on Wednesday that its team of 19 healthcare professionals, including 10 Americans, had been denied exit from Gaza

Israel seized and closed the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on 7 May.

The number of people injured by an Israeli airstrike in the West Bank has risen to eight, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

They are in a stable condition and receiving treatment at hospitals, it said.

As we reported in our last post, at least one person has been killed by the attack on Jenin refugee camp.

Residents of the camp said a house was targeted.

Unlike Gaza, such a strike is a rarity in the West Bank, which is run by the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas.

The Israeli military says a fighter jet has carried out a strike in Jenin in the West Bank.

One person was killed and two injured, the Palestinian health ministry said.

While Palestinians live in both Gaza and the West Bank, the territories are controlled by distinct groups.

Hamas has ruled over Gaza since seizing control in 2007 following a brief civil war with the Palestinian Authority.

The West Bank, meanwhile, is still run by the Palestinian Authority, headed by president Mahmoud Abbas.

By Mark Stone , US correspondent

A three-year-old Palestinian girl with an ultra-rare genetic condition has been forced backwards in her quest to leave Gaza for life-saving treatment.

Julia Abu Zeiter, whose story is being followed by Sky News, was moved with her family from a tent in the southern city of Rafah and relocated to a supposedly safer zone to the north and further away from the border they had hoped to cross.

Speaking to Sky News, her mother Maha said: "We were going through the travel procedures to leave Gaza. When the time for us to travel through Rafah crossing got close, the Israelis occupied the crossing, and they told us they want to invade Rafah."

She added: "I was between two fires, not knowing where to go. Do I go try to travel to treat my daughter or do I flee to another place?"

Read on here...  

Israel has assured the US they are willing to continue discussions before making any major decisions on plans to assault Rafah, a US official has said.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said national security adviser Jake Sullivan will raise the issue on a visit to Israel to meet Benjamin Netanyahu.

Mr Sullivan will stress the need to go after Hamas in a targeted way, not with a full-scale assault on the southern city, Mr Kirby said.

He said it was important that the Rafah crossing was opened immediately.

The Israeli military seized control of the crossing between  Gaza and Egypt earlier this month.

Hamas says the US-built aid pier off Gaza's coast is no alternative to opening all land crossings under Palestinian supervision.

It added that they reject any military presence on Palestinian land.

Trucks carrying aid rolled across the pier today for the first time in an operation the US says will scale up to 150 truckloads a day.

But Gaza is already on the brink of famine, according to international aid organisations.

Aid groups also say land crossings are much more effective, and at least 500 trucks a day are required to meet the basic needs of the population.

Israeli restrictions on border crossings and heavy fighting have hindered the delivery of food and other supplies.

An investigation has been launched after a 450kg bomb fell from an Israeli fighter jet into an Israeli town this morning, according to reports.

Images showed the munition landed close to homes in Yated.

The Israeli military said it was intended for Rafah and described the incident as "unusual", reported the Times of Israel.

"Air Force technical teams arrived at the scene and began an in-depth investigation of the incident."

The Rafah strike was carried out moments later, the military said.

Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed at least five people including Lebanese militants, Hamas fighters and Syrian civilians, security sources told Reuters.

A series of strikes on a coastal town further north than the usual conflict area killed a Hezbollah member as well as two Syrian civilians, the security sources said.

They said a separate Israeli strike on Majdal Anjar, on Lebanon's eastern border with Syria, killed two Hamas fighters.

Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire across Lebanon's southern border for seven months in parallel with the Gaza war, but it has ramped up in recent days.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The recovery of the bodies of three hostages from Gaza is a "painful reminder" of those who are still in captivity, says a member of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

Professor Hagai Levine said over the last day, rumours circulating about which bodies had been returned to Israel were "very painful for the families" of all the captives.

It was important to bring home the bodies of hostages to give their families closure, he said.

"We do not lose hope. We are preparing for the return of the hostages that are alive," he said.

"As long as we promote a solution to release the hostages, it will also help to prevent further bloodshed in Gaza."

Turning to the approach the Israeli government has taken, Mr Levine said the government "is not representing well the desires of the public".

"There is a majority in Israel that believe that we should now promote regional agreements and together with the moderate countries, not the extremists, we should kick out Hamas... and replace them with another kind of government.

"This could really bring peace and prosperity to the Palestinians and to Israelis and to the entire region and we feel that the government is not doing enough."

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