Israel/West Bank

I would start here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/israel-west-bank-and-gaza-travel-advisory.html

The West Bank is at Level III.

And Northern Israel is at a Level 4. Do not Travel. I believe that if you have an issue, the U.S. government/embassies will not be of help.

Before I plan a trip, I check travel.state.gov to see if there is a travel advisory: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html. Click on International Travel > Learn About Your Destination and type Israel in the Learn About Your Destination field. When Israel populates click on the name then press the magnifying glass on the right. Israel has a travel advisory warning three which means reconsider travel.

I believe that if you have an issue, the U.S. government/embassies
will not be of help.

Dont know about that. Never seen it put that way officially. Should be true if it is not though.

Both Gaza and North Israel are level 4. I have a couple friends that work for the state department. If employees are pulled from a level 3 and/or the status changes to level 4, there are no longer employees to assist. Also, this is directly from the website:

"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"

Surely the only way you'd be going into that region is with an NGO to help? If RSE is your source for info on whether it's safe or not, I'd fear for the OP's safety.

But it's legal from a US point of view. Doubt that your medical or trip insurance will cover you though.

Israel is making frequent raids and attacks on towns and settlements in the West Bank, and with the Syria situation the best description is fluid. Most people make plans for holidays and visits some time ahead. With this question I'd suggest planning hours or minutes ahead and then hoping for the best.

Thanks to all!
We will wait a few years for Israel and the West Bank.
Any thoughts about visiting Jordan or Egypt?

Thanks in advance.

From what I have been told from locals, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa are pretty much business as usual.

I'm thinking of making a trip in a few months but will limit myself to the three main cities and perhaps some others if assured it's safe. Personally, with so many police, military and armed guards on the streets and at entrances to shops and businesses, I felt safer there than any city in the US. And even some in Europe.

In regards to health insurance, the areas of Israel that are Level 3 are covered by my health insurance. Not so for Level 4.

Of course, areas like Gaza, the north border and parts of the West Bank are volatile and very risky for Americans to visit.

It is true that the US may declare Level 4 areas unavailable for help to US citizens should they need it.

Jordan as far as I can gather is pretty safe.

I had this last week from a contact who worked in Jordan for many years before Covid and has been back several times for short stays since-

I’ve just had several weeks in Jordan and the situation is dire there to say the least. Financially the country is struggling and as the population is largely Palestinian everyone has lost a loved one in the horrendous war. God help them all

Jordan is business as usual. I live in Amman. The one challenge we've had is that flights have been reduced. Flying back from the states in August, I had a 4 hour layover in Istanbul turn into 12. But flights seem to have been more consistent in the last month. It's a good time to visit because crowds are way down. We have friends who were in Petra a few weeks ago and they were literally the only ones at the Treasury.

I am going to Cairo in February (1st trip) and have friends who have been recently. It seems business as usual, but can't speak from experience yet.

I will also add that I would not visit Israel or the West Bank right now.

CoffeeGirl, I didn't realize that the Jordanian population was largely Palestinian? I can see how that would change the atmosphere in Jordan. Always been on the top of my middle eastern bucket list. Seemed to be among the most welcoming, to everyone, and most stable. Always admired Jordan in the center of turmoil making good decisions. Of course, just my perception. Tell more, it's interesting.

I've rather lost touch with Jordan now. For nearly three years I read the Jordan Times daily, but life got too busy, and the purpose was gone.
My contact had worked there for many years in the expat community, and if I remember rightly holds dual citizenship.
I had high hopes of visiting there after the pandemic, guided by effectively a local. Or very close to it.
And she couldn't wait to get back. But for her at least there just wasn't the work and she is now a digital nomad, who I hear from twice a year.
I accept she may be too close to it, and that for a tourist now could be a good time to go, in terms of attractions being quiet.

Thanks for the report, Coffee Girl. Jordan 2022 remains one of my favorite trips ever. But I know how hard Covid hit many - tourism seemed to be making a great comeback, and now this…..