DH and I drove to Masada and the Dead Sea on our own. We went through West Bank security; that was the only time we had any hesitation about what we were doing. We spent the rest of our time in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. We paid attention to what advisories and the experts had to say and had no problems. Did tours to get to some of the more interesting areas in Jerusalem that are claimed by multiple faiths. That said, we rode the trolley with no problems (be sure you have a ticket; the undercover transit police are enthusiastic about their jobs and the fines are steep!) I would do a tour to Petra when we go back rather than going solo (Besides mathmom, other friends have gone there and raved about it. It’s on my list for “next time.”)
S2 is heading to Eastern Europe as an expat soon and plans to go to Israel while he’s in that corner of the world. I have fewer security concerns about Israel than where he is planning to live.
The area is very tenuous, but wonderfully amazing at the same time. We recently visited another Middle Eastern country and had an amazing experience… but they are always at Advisory Level 1. Not all parts of the Middle East are constantly at the same level of risk.
And there are different types of risk. The risk of getting mugged in Haifa is pretty minimal. The risk of getting your pocket picked in Cairo is pretty high. The risk of hearing “American go home” if you’re wearing a T-shirt with a slogan on it in English in Tel Aviv is close to zero (the greater risk is having 12 people ask if you know their cousin who lives in Florida or maybe it’s Michigan but it might be Texas) but it’s meaningfully higher in Damascus.
S2 studied in Israel two summers. His experience was also that there is security everywhere, eye catching at first for Americans, more intrusive than what we are used to, but he did feel safe.
The bigger issue for Americans, at least younger ones, was the lower drinking age. Some kids go nuts.
I have relatives who live in Israel and have been several times. Both of my d’s did Birthright trips and older d went for a professional conference to Jerusalem. Have driven on the West Bank several times. There is security everywhere and you need to be patient with bags being searched, questioned, etc. Never felt unsafe and as everyone serves in the military there are young soldiers, male and female everywhere. Even in shul on Shabbat you will see at least one or two people armed. All my Israeli relatives have served in the military or alternate service. It is part of life there.
Additionally one of my great nephews is doing his Israel year now, first he was in a program in Jerusalem but just moved to Beit Shemish. Many family members here have done summer programs and semesters abroad. Actually my niece who lives there now met her husband on her semester abroad junior year program in college. He was from South Africa and in college in Israel also.
Less an issue in Israel than in the rest of the middle east, but if he does travel elsewhere consider not dressing like a tourist. My son wore long pants and a long sleeved shirt (with rolled up sleeves) because that’s what men in Jordan wear. He spent a lot of time in cafes playing backgammon and drinking tea with the locals.
No experience, but I’m a scaredy cat and would never want my child studying in North Africa or the Middle East. Heck, I hate the fact that we live in NYC.
^^^Not helpful. “No experience” says it all. Do you travel in an automobile? That’s the most dangerous thing you do and the most likely thing to kill you.
Excuse me? I’m entitled to my opinion so kindly stop being defensive. Unless you live in walking distance to the former twin towers like I did, then zip it. @brantly
@ZZdecision2016 ,Study abroad anywhere has some safety risks, including for students who come to the U.S.That being said, one of the safest places to study abroad (in my view) is Japan, putting aside missile risks from North Korea, which just shows you that no place is 100% safe!
Some political events may increase risks by a small percentage. Prior to the announcement of the U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem, I would have viewed study abroad in Israel as generally safer than many of the large metropolitan cities in Europe and likely still is the case. Many urban universities in the U.S. are not particularly safe in surrounding areas at night.
Risks of travel in parts of Israel may be slightly heightened after the embassy move announcement, but as others posted, there is probably a greater danger of getting hurt in an auto accident or from petty crime here or abroad, than terrorism in Israel or anywhere. Wherever one studies abroad, be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. By the way, I view the armed guards everywhere as a plus. Might have helped lessen some of the carnage in Barcelona last year. Good luck to your son. Being adventurous is a good thing!
The current US State Department travel advisory level for Israel is 2 on a scale from 1 to 4 with 1 being “safest,” the same as for France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Jordan is also a 2 currently, but Turkey is a 3. Odds are, it will be fine.
Nomorelurker makes a good point about the possible effect of the announcement that the US Embassy will be moved to Jerusalem, though.
Some years ago, my university brought students who were on a study abroad to Israel back to the US before the program was planned to end. However, in other years, it has operated without interruption.
My brother has traveled to Israel 3 times in the last 5 years, without incident. The first time he went, he was pickpocketed in Jerusalem, by someone who was obviously going after tourists. (Watch out for aggressive salesmen of postcards that connected accordion-style and shown to you practically underneath your chin!)
I would view travel to countries that are rated as 1 or 2 to be okay. I would strongly discourage a member of my family from traveling to a country rated 3, and do everything I could to prevent one from traveling to a country rated 4. (Unless circumstances change, my family members do not have any need to travel to countries rated 3 or 4.)
@ZZdecision2016 As I have a 20 something traveling the world constantly, I enrolled him in STEP and always keep it updated with his trips. That way if something happens, first, they know he is there, and second, if he shows up at the embassy needing help, it is not, “What are you doing here?” but instead, “We see you have been here…” Seems like a better start if something is up in a foreign country.
We also read the US Travel advisories faithfully, but I also check the Australia and Europe travel advisories to see what they are saying about a country as well. The first time you read them, they will totally freak you out, then you realize, there is some degree of danger everywhere, so of course it will say scary things. (So do those field trip waivers in grade school.) Israel has been under “exercise increased caution” for as long as we have been checking the last couple years. Obviously if they say don’t go, he doesn’t go but that has only applied to the northern and southern most areas. Also, don’t go to religious shrines like Jerusalem on religious holidays, chance of conflict is higher, go figure. He has made so many wonderful friends and has families in Israel there that treat him as their own (and host him now). It would be an amazing experience for your son, but I get the stress of it all for mom. We have to grow up too.
ucbalumnus’s information is important. I think the State Department should subdivide Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza on their travel advisory system, since they are giving different advice for each.
Do not go to the Gaza strip. It’s very dangerous. I’ve been there during calmer times, and it was not good even then. Besides, I’m not sure you can even get into Gaza from Israel any more. It’s controlled by Hamas, the democratically elected party there. I don’t think they would allow tourists to come in from Israel.
