As a land shrouded in skepticism, Israel has gained a reputation for danger. The world continually publishes stories of terror, apartheid, and violence, leading people to believe Israel is in a constant state of extreme danger. Though this is a common misconception, it still raises the question: “is it dangerous to travel to Israel right now?”
You May Want to Rethink Your Perception
Traveling somewhere new can always be a bit intimidating, especially if you’re going to an entirely new country. This leads many people to research whether or not a potential destination is safe. When you google whether or not it’s dangerous to travel to Israel, the results tend to be pessimistic.
The world’s antisemitism seeps into a depiction of Israel that is broadcasted all over the world via the media. However, many of the media’s claims are entirely baseless. Every single country has some violence, but this “some“ in Israel is illustrated as the norm.
You’re Safer in Israel Than You Are in the United States
People typically feel at ease when considering travel to the United States, especially compared to Israel. In fact, the United Kingdom’s government recommends against travel to all parts of Israel in 2024. When it comes to the United States, there is not a single warning issued. That may seem understandable from the surface, but after a bit more digging it’s simple to see that this isn’t as cut-and-dry as it may seem.
The World Bank Group has some revealing statistics from 2021. Their study finds that in groupings of 100,000 people, the value of intentional homicides in Israel is two. The United States, on the other hand, is seven. This means that you’re 3.5 times safer in Israel than you are in the United States. If you’re curious as to where other countries stand in the value system, Venezuela received a value of 19. Venezuela is nearly ten times more dangerous than Israel based on this study.
It’s important to note that some studies based on 2024 safety standards place Israel lower since they are currently at war with Hamas and Hezbollah. Since this article is being written in September 2024, the safety standard is lower when compared to countries not in a multinational conflict.
What About Apartheid?
Apartheid is a term that dates back to the mid 1900s to describe racist policies in South Africa. This same term is being applied to Israel today. These policies caused it to be dangerous for some people to travel to South Africa, but does that mean that it is dangerous to travel to Israel today? In South Africa, their system of apartheid determined where people could live, where they could work, who they could visit, and if they could vote based on their racial classification. Once you begin to look at the dynamics of Israel, including Judea and Samaria, the label “apartheid” begins to lose credibility.
Is Israel an Apartheid State? Let’s Look at the Evidence
Israel cannot accurately be described as an apartheid state based on these factors:
- Jews and Arabs are able to work in the same positions.
- Jews and Arabs are able to live in any area they wish.
- Jews and Arabs are both able to vote in elections.
- Jews and Arabs are able to visit anyone they’d like.
These factors do not take into account Arabs living in Judea and Samaria or Gaza since they are not Israeli citizens. Rather, it takes into account the two million Arabs who live across the nation of Israel and are full citizens.
What Places Should I Visit in Israel?
Now that we’ve established that Israel is not more dangerous than most other countries in the world, you can begin planning your trip.
There are plenty of things to experience in the Holy Land but here are a few that you may get to experience during a HaYovel program:
What About the Rest of Israel?
Unfortunately, we can’t take you to every corner of Israel, especially since our goal is to introduce you to the biblical heartland. However, here are some other great places to visit if you’re eager to travel on your own:
- Masada
- The Dead Sea
- Ein Gedi
- Eilat
- Rosh HaNikra
- Mt. Hermon
- Caesarea
- Megiddo
- Qumran
- And many more!
Now Is the Time to Visit Israel
As an organization that is based in Israel, we can testify to its safety, and once you visit, you will be able to as well. We encourage everyone to visit Israel at least once in their lifetime and, hopefully, many more times after that!
Our specialty here at HaYovel is bringing people to Israel to learn, experience, and volunteer in Israel’s biblical heartland. Now that the question “Is it dangerous to travel to Israel right now?” has been answered, you can move forward on planning your trip to Israel with peace of mind. You can find some of our favorite places to visit in Judea or you can join us in Israel by applying to one of our trips here!
