The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has raised its travel advice level for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to the highest level – ‘Do Not Travel’.
Until this week, perhaps surprisingly, the advice level for Israel had been at the second highest level – ‘Reconsider your need to travel’.
But as Middle East tensions continue to rise, especially around Israel, the government has upped its alert level for Australian travellers in the country.
Updated on Monday (14 October), DFAT’s new warning is due to “the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism”.
“Terrorist attacks can occur anywhere at any time. Be alert to personal safety risks. There continues to be a high threat of military and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests across the region,” it states on its Smartravellers website.
“In an attack or other armed conflict, you should take shelter, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media and public safety information updates through the National Emergency Portal.
“If you’re in Israel, you should leave while commercial flights remain available, border crossings are open and while it’s safe to do so.”
Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s main air hub, remains open with commercial flights still operating.
However, the airport could suspend operations “due to heightened security concerns”, DFAT says.
“This may cause flight delays or cancellations. Check with your airline for the latest updates before travelling.”
According to the department, some carriers have reduced and suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv airport.
“This situation has and may continue to result in airspace closures, flight cancellations, diversions, and other travel disruptions.”
Meanwhile, land border crossings to Jordan remain open but may close at short notice. Jordan’s overall advice level for travellers is at the second lowest level – ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’.
Elsewhere, the government’s official advice level for Egypt, which borders onto Israel, also remains at “Exercise a high degree of caution”.
DFAT urges Aussie citizens or permanent residents in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories to register with its crisis registration portal.
Those who need assistance should contact the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).
The Australian Government recently issued travel alerts for the entire Middle East region, warning that escalating tensions in the Israel-Lebanon conflict could impact nearby countries and flight routes.
