Travel Report for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza

Country Profile for
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza

TRAVEL REPORTS:

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TRAVEL REPORT

Last Updated: November 24, 2006 14:08 EST
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 21:55 EST

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza

1.	INTRODUCTION
2.	ATTENTION
3.	SAFETY AND SECURITY
4.	LOCAL TRAVEL
5.	NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
6.	LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
7.	ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
8.	ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
9.	MONEY

10.	GENERAL INFORMATION
11.	TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
12.	ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
13.	RETURNING TO CANADA
14.	INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
15.	TRAVEL TIPS
16.	HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
17.	FOR MORE INFORMATION
18.	ANNEX

1. INTRODUCTION

This Travel Report concerns travel to Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Specific information on these distinct areas is included throughout the report.

The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed. Sections 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10 have been updated.

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2. ATTENTION

See our Current Issues page for information on the Rafah Border Crossing.

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the region(s) specified below. (IDW5)

You are advised against all travel to the region surrounding the Gaza Strip due to continued military activity. In southern Israel, rockets fired from the Gaza Strip have reached as far as Ashqelon and Sderot.

Terrorist attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, in addition to ongoing military operations and heightened tensions throughout the region, put Canadians visiting the region at risk. Exercise appropriate caution and avoid large gatherings, crowded places, and demonstrations, as well as proximity to other possible targets, including pedestrian promenades, shopping malls, open markets, restaurants, discotheques, bus stations, and public transportation.

Canadians of Palestinian nationality may be subject to restrictions at border crossings, which may affect their ability to enter and exit Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. For more information, see Section 8 below.

Israel

Canadians travelling to Israel should pay particular attention to current safety and security conditions. Terrorist acts that occurred over the past years have resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, and the potential for further violence is high. Visitors should carry passports at all times as a form of identification.

While a ceasefire has come into effect between Israel and Hezbollah forces, stability in the northern region of Israel could deteriorate rapidly without notice. Therefore, Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times. Canadians should also monitor local news reports, avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, and contact the Embassy of Canada in Tel Aviv (see Section 7 below) should they require assistance.

Security incidents have occurred in a variety of locations in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beersheba, Natanya, East and West Jerusalem, and other major population centres. Incidents have occurred in areas frequented by foreigners, many of whom have been killed or injured. For example, the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv and the intersection of Jaffa and King George streets and the adjoining Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Mall in Jerusalem have been targeted in the past. Avoid crowded places and do not use public surface transportation. Canadians visiting urban areas should maintain a high level of vigilance, stay informed about the security situation, monitor local news reports, and follow the advice of local authorities.

There are live landmines in certain areas, including the West Bank and along Israel's borders with Lebanon and Syria. Some minefields have not been clearly marked or fenced. Visitors should walk only on established roads or trails.

We recommend caution at crossing points between Israel and Jordan.

Terrorist attacks have occurred on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, near the tourist destination of Eilat, which borders southern Israel. Canadians travelling in this region should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times, monitor local developments, and follow the advice of local authorities. For further information on safety and security on the Sinai Peninsula, see our Travel Report for Egypt.

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the region(s) specified below. Canadians in the specified region(s) should leave. (IDW4)

The West Bank and the Gaza Strip

You are advised against all travel to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which continue to be affected by serious violence. The situation could deteriorate further due to inter-faction violence that has erupted in recent weeks, coupled with ongoing military operations in the area. Canadians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip should leave, as they are at high risk. They may, however, encounter difficulties departing these territories during times of border closures or curfews imposed by Israeli authorities, which are frequent.

Crossing points into the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and other checkpoints generally remain open, although frequent and unannounced closures and other restrictions may be imposed without prior warning. If possible, travellers should verify hours of operation at crossing points prior to their arrival, although these hours may change without notice.

Both entrance to and exit from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are under the effective control of Israeli authorities. Control of the West Bank cities of Jericho and Tulkarm has been transferred to the Palestinian Authority.

Canadian consular officials are limited in their ability to intervene on behalf of Canadians who choose to enter or remain in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Persons who decide to enter or remain in these areas may be refused entry or exit and encounter other serious difficulties.

Visitors should carry their passport at all times. Passports may be required when crossing between Israel and the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and at various points within the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Passports must be presented when crossing into or out of the Gaza Strip.

For more information, see Section 8 below.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians who choose to travel to the region(s) specified despite this warning should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting other areas of the country for three months or more should also register. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 7 below).

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Israel

Most Canadian visitors to Israel do not experience problems. However, the security situation can change rapidly. Despite the recently improved situation, there is still a risk of terrorist attacks against civilian targets. On April 17, 2006, 9 people were killed and more than 60 were injured in a suicide bombing in the area of the old Central Bus Station in downtown Tel Aviv. This location was targeted in a previous attack, in which 32 people were injured, on January 19, 2006. These most recent incidents were preceded by a suicide bomb attack at a shopping mall in Netanya on December 5, 2005, where five people were killed and 65 others were injured.

On October 26, 2005 a suicide bomber attacked a marketplace in the northern city of Hadera, killing at least five people and injuring more than 20 others. On July 12, 2005, a suicide bomber attacked a pedestrian promenade outside the same shopping mall in Netanya, killing four people and injuring more than 50. On February 25, 2005, a suicide bomber attacked a Tel Aviv nightclub, killing several people and wounding dozens.

A suicide bombing at an open-air market in Tel Aviv killed three people and wounded more than 30 on November 1st, 2004. Suicide bomb attacks on two public buses in Beersheba on August 31, 2004, killed 16 people and injured at least 90 others.

The crime rate is moderate. Vehicle theft is a serious problem. Visitors or residents travelling on their own should be particularly careful to keep wallets, money, and valuables out of sight. Travellers should note that thefts of passports, credit cards, and valuables from public beaches sometimes occur. Car doors should be locked at all times.

The West Bank and the Gaza Strip

The security situation in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is very poor and unpredictable. Several thousand people have been killed in terrorist incidents and military operations in recent years. There is a continuing threat of terrorist attacks. The Government of Israel has tightened controls at checkpoint crossings within the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and into Israel. Security-related closures of Palestinian areas in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip can severely restrict entry to and, in some cases, exit from these areas. Road travel can be limited and difficult, if not impossible at times. In recent months, limited hours of operation at the Rafah Border Crossing have resulted in large crowds and an elevated level of risk to personal safety.

The incidence of street crime is moderate, particularly in urban areas. Pickpocketing and car theft may occur. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secured, particularly in large crowds and public markets. Do not show signs of affluence or carry large sums of money. Keep car doors locked and windows closed when travelling in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. High-risk areas in the vicinity of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip barriers should be avoided.

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4. LOCAL TRAVEL

There is a high rate of traffic fatalities. Drivers should exercise caution. The roads in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank can often be of poor quality. During the winter months, precipitation can cause driving conditions to deteriorate. Travel conditions around the ‘Green Line’ (which delineates Israeli and Palestinian-controlled regions) can vary, due to the rate of passage through checkpoints.

Vehicles with Israeli licence plates are often not permitted by Israeli Defence Forces to enter areas of the West Bank. Even if the driver has a valid visa and authorisation to enter the West Bank, it does not guarantee that the vehicle he is driving will be allowed to pass through security checkpoints. Vehicles with Israeli licence plates can also be stopped by Palestinian police for security reasons. These vehicles can also be subject to attack in Palestinian areas.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are located in a seismic zone, although there have been no major earth tremors in recent years. Sandstorms occur in spring and summer. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Tel Aviv (see Section 7 below) in the event of an emergency.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. The Palestinian Authority also has strict penalties for drug possession and use.

Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities, especially when visiting religious sites. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour, particularly in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. You should bear in mind that people feel strongly about their customs and beliefs. Assaults on visitors who are travelling in cars or immodestly dressed have occurred in Jerusalem's Old City and ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighbourhoods on Shabbat (Friday nights and Saturdays).

During the lunar month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar), visitors to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip should use discretion when drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on or about September 24, 2006.

Canadian citizens who were born outside of Israel to a mother or a father who are Israeli citizens may be considered citizens of Israel. Israeli law requires Israeli citizens to enter and leave the country on an Israeli passport and to show proof of military status upon their arrival. Canadian citizens who are unsure of their Israeli citizenship and/or of their military status should verify it through Embassy of Israel or one of its consulates prior to departing Canada. The ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services may be limited in cases where Canadians enter the country on an Israeli passport. Canadians with recognized Palestinian status are also subject to Government of Israel travel regulations for Palestinians.

Video cameras, laptop computers, among other items, must be declared with the Israeli authorities upon entry so they can be registered to re-export upon departure. Travellers carrying these items must go through the red zone at customs.

There are reports of security officials prohibiting travellers from carrying laptop computers in passenger cabins on international flights from Israel. The laptops are frequently sent separately to their destinations. Travellers should be aware that such equipment may be lost or damaged and should carefully consider the decision to travel with a laptop computer when departing from Ben Gurion International Airport.

Ask permission before photographing people in Muslim and Orthodox Jewish areas. Do not to take photographs of military or police personnel or installations.

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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses:

Israel - TEL AVIV, Embassy of Canada
Address: Fourth Floor, 3/5 Nirim Street, Tel Aviv 67060, Israel
Postal Address: P.O. Box 9442, Tel Aviv, 67060, Israel
Tel.: 972 (3) 636-3300
Fax: 972 (3) 636-3383
E-mail: taviv@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/telaviv

West Bank - RAMALLAH, Representative Office of Canada
Address: 12 Mahfal Street, Ramallah, West Bank
Postal Address: P.O. Box 18604, Jerusalem 91184, or P.O. Box 2286, Ramallah, West Bank
Tel.: 972 (2) 295-8604
Fax: 972 (2) 295-8606
E-mail: rmlah@international.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Tel Aviv and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 014-800-2326-6831 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.

Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip is 1-80-9494-105 or 1-800-9205-140, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Israeli authorities and was valid on September 29, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of Israel and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.

Tourist Visa: Not required
Business Visa: Not required
Student Visa: Not required

Work permits are no longer issued in Israel. Sponsoring organizations interested in hiring foreigners need to obtain permission prior to their arrival from the Israeli Ministry of Labour.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

Travel to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Canadians are reminded that they should not travel to the West Bank or the Gaza Strip, which continue to be affected by serious violence. Canadians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip should leave, as they are at high risk.

Israeli authorities have instituted a new procedure for all foreign passport holders who wish to enter "Area A" of the West Bank (including the Palestinian-controlled population centres of Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Jericho, Qalqilyah, Nablus, Ramallah, and Tulkarm) as well as the Gaza Strip. Until further notice, all foreign passport holders must apply in writing and in person at crossing points for permission to enter "Area A" of the West Bank as well as the Gaza Strip. Entry into these areas without prior written approval could result in legal measures being taken, including deportation and refusal of future re-entry into the state of Israel.

Applications to enter the Gaza Strip must be submitted at the Erez crossing. Efforts will be made to process requests within five working days. There is no guarantee that permission will be granted.

Palestinian Canadians

Canadians with Palestinian nationality are urged to be aware of border control policies affecting entry and exit into and from Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. They may be denied entry into Israel, either at Ben Gurion International Airport or other entry points. Those who are allowed entry to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip will no longer be able to obtain permits to re-enter Israel for the purposes of departing via Ben Gurion International Airport. Such travellers are required to exit the West Bank via Allenby Bridge Border Crossing, and exit the Gaza Strip via Rafah Border Crossing. For subsequent trips, such travellers who have exited via Allenby or Rafah at their last departure will not be allowed to re-enter via Ben Gurion International Airport. They will be required to enter overland, so that there is no travel through Israel.

Canadians with Palestinian nationality should also note that, during periods of heightened civil unrest, the Government of Israel may place demographic restrictions (such as age and gender) on who may and may not cross through the border points identified in the above paragraph.

Canadian travellers believed by the border authorities to be particularly sympathetic to Palestinian causes may be denied entry into the Gaza Strip.

Regional Travel

Canadians have been denied entry into Syria, Lebanon, and other countries because their passports bear: (a) an Israeli visa; (b) an Israeli border stamp; or (c) an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel (such a stamp would indicate the traveller entered from Israel). Canadians travelling to Syria or Lebanon after visiting Israel should seek the advice of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada or the Embassy of Canada in Tel Aviv.

International crossing points operate between Israel and Jordan at the Arava crossing (Wadi al-'Arabah) in the south (near Eilat) and at the Jordan River crossing (Sheikh Hussein Bridge) in the north (near Bet She’an). Visas for Jordan can be obtained at these crossing points. Canadian passport holders may also cross at the Allenby Bridge (King Hussein) crossing near Jericho. Visas for Jordan, however, cannot be obtained at this crossing point and must therefore be obtained prior to date of crossing.

Canadians travelling in the Middle East are advised that their passports could come under increased scrutiny by immigration authorities, and the authenticity of their passports could be questioned due to incidents of possible misuse. Canadians experiencing problems are encouraged to contact the nearest Canadian government office or Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada for advice and assistance.

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9. MONEY

The currency is the new Israeli shekel (ILS). Credit cards, traveller's cheques, and U.S. dollars are widely accepted. ATMs are available. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide.

Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are located in the Middle East and border Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Mediterranean Sea. Tourist facilities are widely available, although the quality is uneven. Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages. English is widely spoken.

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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Modern medical care is available in Israel. Medical treatment can be very expensive, and payment in advance is often required.

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

N/A

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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