Tell me more ×
Travel Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for road warriors and seasoned travelers. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 7 down vote favorite
1

Is it safe for a Muslim to visit Israel nowadays? I got different answers for my question every time I ask. Can somebody with real experience help?

share|improve this question
2  
This is not an question that can be objectively answered. You got different answers every time because it's subjective. I for example would be happy to go there, while my best friend wouldn't. If you can clarify an objective means for this, then please, do flag it to be reopened, but as it stands currently it's a very subjective question and will be closed. – Mark Mayo Nov 9 '12 at 2:20
10  
@MarkMayo, but the author has not asked if it is happily for a muslim to visit Israel, but is it safe. Safety is, I think, easy to define for everyone using common sense, as not being victim of a criminal activity. – Łukasz Lech Nov 9 '12 at 7:05
3  
@MarkMayo: I think "Do muslims want to visit Israel" can't be answered objectively as you say, but the question asks specifically about safety, and I would certainly hope that countries implement objective safety for all their visitors rather than something subjective! In the face of such questions our best sources are statistics. And the best kind of statistics to avoid bias on such a topic would come from multiple fields. I don't know how easy such stats are to come by but the site claims to be for experts so hopefully some expert can find something. – hippietrail Nov 9 '12 at 8:50
3  
@MarkMayo: your arguments could be used to close all safety questions so far and ban the topic as inherently impossible to answer; likewise for plenty of other topics too. I don't think we should try to bury "hot" questions because they can attract flames. We can look for travel advisories issued by muslim countries about Israel, statements on the topic issued by the Israeli government, and independent organizations that could be involved in muslim tourism in Israel. There's certainly plenty of reasons for muslims to want to go! I think you rushed to close. I vote to reopen. – hippietrail Nov 9 '12 at 8:58
2  
I fully agree with @hippietrail and voted to reopen – Andra Nov 9 '12 at 11:28
show 17 more comments

1 Answer

up vote 11 down vote

Israel is quite a safe country. However, due to its particular geopolitical situation, there can be surprises. Travel to some regions should be avoided, such as the immediate surroundings of the Gaza Strip and the surroundings of the Lebanese border. Due to the war in Syria, there might be some trouble in the Golan Heights. If that's the case, the region will be controlled by the army and you will probably not be allowed to enter it. Have a look at your favourite travel advice page. As an example, here you have the FCO's page on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Note that the roads are quite dangerous ... that's a real risk. The odds are much higher that you will be hurt in car crash than in a terrorist attack ...

Being a Muslim does not change this. Note that according to an official source, 17.1% of the population are Muslims. There are also 1.6% Druzes, but they are quite localized (near Haifa and in the Golan).

Just go ahead and enjoy. Israel is an interesting country!

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.