Is It Safe To Travel To Jerusalem?

Jerusalem is among the world’s most historical and sacred cities. It is the religious heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and millions of people visit the area every years to trace the history of prophets, kings and saints. However, due to the current volatile political climate of Israel with regard to Jerusalem and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, many people who are planning to visit the city have concerns over security. In this blog post, we will paint an accurate picture of the current state of affairs and guide on how to have a safe and worthwhile visit to this stunning destination.

The area of the Old City of Jerusalem, where sites of three significant world religions are located, occupies less than one square kilometer, which makes it difficult to maintain order and ensure security. Public security entails a strong and conspicuous police force deployed around worship places and market centers to prevent crime and acts of terror. Upon entering holy grounds you will have to go through metal detectors as you do in the airport. So long as you fully comply with all security measures, including the screenings, you should not have problems or be restricted from accessing any place or any facility or area of public access regardless the country you are from or the religion you practice.

In the past decades, occasional political conflicts and terrorist acts targeting civilians were observed, but now, due to high security measures taken by the Israeli authorities, the frequency of such events has significantly declined. Some of the tourist destinations in Jerusalem that are safe include Old City, Mount of Olives, Israel Museum and the local markets. As most of the attacks are preemptively stopped and as tourists are not specifically targeted nowadays if one uses some common sense then chances of getting involved in any act of violence are negligible. It is, however, important to note that millions of people visit the parks every year with no untoward incidences.

Here is some practical, common sense advice for staying safe while visiting Jerusalem

• Do not operate in areas that are under police operations such as check points and the near vicinity of the Separation Barrier. Comply with any curfews or emergency restrictions that might be in place in case security challenges are observed during your visit. Check the reputable news sources or simply ask the people on the spot whether the relations have recently worsened.
• Do not go out into East Jerusalem after dark or into areas behind the Separation Barrier or in rural areas as crime has increased in these areas. Avoid areas that are not heavily touristic in the evening and stay in well-lit downtown areas.
• Sometimes, conflicts may arise during Jewish festivals or on Fridays particularly when people are praying – avoid areas close to synagogues, Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif/Dome of the Rock or any other places of worship.
• Carry as little cash as possible and do not wear expensive jewelries that will attract attention to you when walking around crowded areas such as markets or tourist attraction sites.
• Always have with you official papers. Stay away from demonstrations, confrontations, strikes, or security operations where tensions may rise at any time.
• Some words/phrases in basic Hebrew/Arabic. It is important not to look lost because doing so may make you a target for con artists or thieves looking for easy targets.

The old city of Jerusalem is alive – even tense – but it is that atmosphere which has made Jerusalem such an interesting and attractive destination for so many people from various cultures and religions. Violent flare ups and security threats are always possible in crowded areas where emotions are high due to religious aspect or historical rivalry. But you are still many times more likely to be injured in a run-of-the-mill car crash virtually anywhere in Israel than by a terrorist attack as a tourist in Jerusalem. Do not be put off by fears that are much larger than the actual dangers. The official government of Israel and the overwhelming majority of legal populace, irrespective of color, desire a condition of peace and an opportunity to host open-armed tourists to one of the magnificent cities in the world. Travel to Jerusalem and behold its greatness with your own eyes!

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