Visiting plans in May

Question

Hello everyone. We are a couple that have booked flight tickets last year before the tragic events of 7/10 for the period 22-29.05. Its a wizzair flight which has not been canceled since the Iranian attack.

My question is how safe is it right now to visit and if tourist sites are open?

We plan to hang around Tel Aviv for 2-3 days, rent a car in Tel Aviv for 2 days maybe to go to the Dead Sea, Masada and Ein Gedi.(is Masada open vor visiting at

this time?). For the second day maybe drive up to  Sea of Galilee from Tel Aviv and drive the scenic route from Poriya Ilit to Tiberias then go to Haifa. Is this feasible around the Sea of Galilee at this time or its best to be skipped and go by train to Haifa from Tel Aviv?

On the other days I was planning a train trip to Jerusalem, one day for the Old City and Gethsemane for the views. Is the Dome of the Rock accessible to tourists at this time and is the old city part safe or is it deserted. Second day in Jerusalem would be Yad Vashem (is it open for visiting?).

I've been last year in March as a tourist, basically I've been to Tabeetha school in Jaffa between 1990 and 1994 as a child and wanted to revisit Tel Aviv after 30 years which I did last year but wanted to also bring my wife this time too.

Shuffaluff · Accepted Answer

With the exception of areas close to the northern border and close to the Gaza Strip, everywhere is open and can be visited.

For Masada you need to book a time slot. https://en.parks.org.il/reserve-park/masada-national-park/

You can visit the Temple Mount but you cannot enter the Dome of the Rock unless you are Muslim. This has been the case for many years and has nothing to do with the current war. You would be expected to prove to the gatekeeper at the mosque that you are Muslim.

Yad Vashem is open for visitors.

Odessafile75 · Answer

" My question is how safe is it right now to visit and if tourist sites are open?"

Nothing is guaranteed as in any part of the world but I've been here for 2.5 weeks so far and have to date spent time in/ lodged in Tel Aviv- Jaffa and area, Jerusalem/), Haifa as well as visiting Zichron Yaakov and will visit other places in the weeks to come.

In Jerusalem I had not planned to visit the Old City but accompanied my friend to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as per her request

I'm only avoiding those areas not covered by my out of country medical insurance close to Lebanese / Syrian border, Gaza envelope/ West Bank/ Judea/ Samaria etc.

Edited: 2:55 am, May 12, 2024

VisitIsrael · Answer

Tourist sites are open in the center of the country - Jerusalem and Haifa and along the coast up to Akko. The Sea of Galilee is fine for a visit. Keep in mind that Hezbollah does shoot rockets to the north and what to do if you hear a siren. I do not think there were sirens around the Sea of Galilee, just do not go any further north than the lake. Some of the Christian sites are closed due to a lack of tourism, so call them before your planned visit to be sure they are open. Some are only open in the morning. The Temple Mount is open for limited hours and not on Friday or Saturday. You must wear modest clothes that cover your wrists, ankles and up to your neck (for women) and the same for men but their wrists can be uncovered. If you do not have such clothing they will give you something to wear while there. No holy anything (including a cross necklace) should be taken up. You cannot enter any of the buildings. Regarding Yad Vashem, you must make a reservation on-line. It is closed on Saturday and closes at 2 p.m. on Friday.

Chana

Israel

Visiting plans in May - Israel Forum

Visiting plans in May

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