The Department of Foreign Affairs has updated its advice on travel to Israel to ‘avoid all travel to Southern Israel, and exercise extreme caution in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem.’
The advice as it stands does not cover cancellations of travel to Israel, which is still at level 2, exercise extreme caution. The Department strongly advises against all travel to the Gaza Strip.
See advise here: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/israel-and-the-occupied-territories/
The Department advises: “this is a developing situation, with the potential for intense escalation. Please monitor local media regularly, follow the advice of local authorities, and observe any additional security measures imposed during this time. Please contact your airline for relevant updates prior to travel.”
If you are currently in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territory, please register with the Irish embassy:
https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/israel/contact-us/
“Owing to the risk of civil unrest, terrorist activity, and a recent escalation of tensions, a high degree of caution must be exercised. The security situation is precarious. Tensions remain high in East Jerusalem, amid fears of a further deterioration of the security environment. Avoid non-essential travel to areas in the occupied West Bank experiencing an escalation of violence, including Jenin, Nablus, Hebron, and surrounding areas.”
The next scheduled flight to Tel Aviv from Dublin is LY304@21.45 on Sunday October 8.
El AL is waiving change fees until Oct 13, adding flights from Ben Gurion as other airlines cancel flights: “EL AL Airlines operates in accordance with the instructions of the Israeli security forces, and is in ongoing, direct contact with them.”
https://www.elal.com/eng/general/press-release/current-events
Ryanair said in a statement: “
“Ryanair today ( Sat 07 Oct) has regrettably been forced to cancel a small number of flights to/from Tel Aviv Airport due to operational restrictions at the airport, which are beyond our control. All affected passengers have been notified and should check their Ryanair app for flight updates. Ryanair apologises for these cancellations, which are beyond our control and affect all airlines operating to/from Tel Aviv on Sat 07 Oct.”
Australia’s internationally renowned smart traveller advice forum advises: “exercise a high degree of caution in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall due to civil unrest and the threat of terrorist attack, rocket fire and military confrontation. Higher levels apply in some areas.”
England’s foreign office advises against all travel to:
- Gaza
- the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar
- within 500m of the border with Lebanon (the ‘Blue Line’) east of Metula, including the northern edge of the town and and within 500m of the border with Syria (the ‘Alpha Line’).
England’s foreign office advises against all be essential travel to:
- areas north of and including Jenin city, Burqin and Arranah in the north of the West Bank. This includes Jenin refugee camp and all areas north of this until the Jalamah checkpoint for access to Israel
- the city of Nablus, Joseph’s Tomb, and the Balata and New Askar refugee camps near Nablus and the village of Huwara, south of Nablus
Local authorities advise that 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. For information on appropriate action to take upon hearing a siren or explosion, see the Israel Defence Forces Home Front Command website (available on devices within Israel)
https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/regional-commands/home-front-command/home-front-command/
or view the US embassy preparedness Information PDF.
https://il.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/Home_Front_Command_Preparedness_Information.pdf
