Middle East
Is Israel safe?
L3Reconsider travel
Is Israel safe?
Low ordinary crime, but rockets, drones and terror attacks remain possible despite April 2026 ceasefires, and Hezbollah fighting continues. Gaza, its border and the far north are off-limits.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2026-08-25.
- Homicide rate: 1.6 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 3.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 100 · Ambulance 101 · Fire 102.
- Solo women: Generally safe and relaxed, including at night in Tel Aviv. Dress modestly in Jerusalem's Old City and ultra-Orthodox areas.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Rocket, missile and drone fire; know your nearest shelter
- Terror attacks: stabbings, shootings, car rammings
- No travel to Gaza area or north of Routes 89/91
- Short-notice Ben Gurion airport closures
Common scams
- Taxi drivers skipping the meter; ask for the 'moneh'
- Pushy Old City 'guides' and souvenir sellers
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carry ID at all times: your passport or a copy plus your entry card.
- Don't photograph soldiers, police or military installations.
- Recreational cannabis is illegal despite lenient enforcement; harder drugs mean prison.
Safety by place in Israel
Quick answers
Is Israel safe for tourists?
Low ordinary crime, but rockets, drones and terror attacks remain possible despite April 2026 ceasefires, and Hezbollah fighting continues. Gaza, its border and the far north are off-limits.
Is Israel safe for solo female travelers?
Generally safe and relaxed, including at night in Tel Aviv. Dress modestly in Jerusalem's Old City and ultra-Orthodox areas.
What is the emergency number in Israel?
Police 100 · Ambulance 101 · Fire 102.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Israel
- ETA-IL (Population and Immigration Authority)
- Israel Tax Authority customs guidance
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.