Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Overview

Military and retaliatory strikes have continued between the United States and Iran, with Iranian attacks targeting a number of locations in the Middle East. The situation remains volatile.  Military activity could occur or resume in a sustained way at any time, with locations with a connection to the US continuing to remain a target of Iranian strikes.  Should this happen, travel disruptions and airspace closures could occur, potentially impacting New Zealanders in Israel for some time. Our travel advice levels could change at short notice. 

Given this, we strongly encourage New Zealanders in or travelling to the region to:

• Register your travel on SafeTravel so we can provide immediate advice if advisories change and share information if there is a major incident in your location.
• Monitor Israel’s National Emergency Portal (accessible in Israel only) for official alerts regarding the security situation in Israel.
• Monitor media, advice from local authorities and information from other credible sources for similar information and updates.
• Discuss your travel insurance coverage with your insurer, particularly whether your policy covers disruptions to your travel from ongoing conflict in the Middle East. If your existing policy doesn’t cover disruptions, consider other insurance options or what support is provided by your airline if your travel is delayed for a prolonged period.
• Consider other travel options if you remain concerned about the risk to your travel.

New Zealanders should also ensure they follow any shelter orders given by local authorities. These measures are in place to ensure your safety. Before and during the event of a missile or drone strike:

• Know how alerts are communicated in your location (for example, sirens or mobile phone alerts).
  1. Sign up and monitor local and international media to stay informed of developments. If a registration system exists in your area sign up to the alerts issued by local civil defence authorities.  
• Know what to do. Follow the advice of local authorities at all times. This includes any evacuation orders or shelter in place instructions. 
• Know where to go, including whether there are shelters in your location or nearby.
  1. If there are designated shelters, go to one immediately
  2. If there are no designated shelters, immediately move inside a building and ideally to a basement or interior room away from windows. Talk to your residence or hotel, to confirm the best place to shelter in place where you are, should that be necessary.
  3. Shelter in place until you receive an all‑clear notification, or for at least one hour after the last attack or intercept is heard.
• Be prepared: 
  1. Know where likely targets are and avoid these locations, relocating to a safer location if they’re close by. Likely targets include military bases, oil infrastructure, critical infrastructure like airports, power plants and sub-stations, telecommunication sites, de-salination plants and US Linked locations like: US diplomatic facilities (E.g. US Embassies, US Consulates) and identifiably US businesses.  
  2. Register your current or upcoming travel here: Register, or check your registration details here: Login
  3. Ensure you have enough bottled water, and supplies like torches and batteries. 
  4. Make sure you have a sufficient supply of any medicines you may be taking.
  5. Stay in contact with family and friends and keep them up to date on your location and plans.
  6. Ensure your passport is up to date and is valid for more than six months before travelling. Information on how to renew your passport is available from the Department of Internal Affairs.   

Read our advice on Violence or conflict.  

New Zealanders in Israel are advised to:

• Remain security conscious at all times.
• Be aware of bomb shelter locations and download mobile apps to receive alerts for rocket attacks.
• Monitor local media and official sources for updates.
• Prepare a contingency plan.
• Register with SafeTravel and ensure emergency contact information is up to date.
• Read our advice about staying safe during violence or conflict. 

Transportation, particularly flights, may be disrupted at short notice, including due to airspace closures. Travellers should contact travel providers or airlines about air and land transport options and availability, and have contingency plans in place.

There is a heightened threat of terrorism throughout Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Attacks may occur at any time and in any location. New Zealanders are advised to exercise extra vigilance, especially during public and religious holidays, anniversaries, and periods of heightened tension, and to avoid large gatherings and demonstrations. 

New Zealanders travelling or residing in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories should ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance, including medical evacuation by air, and check that their policy covers travel to Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories, as exclusions may apply.

Consular assistance for New Zealanders

The New Zealand Government has an extremely limited ability to provide assistance to New Zealand nationals in Gaza.

Nearest office

For consular assistance:

• The New Zealand Embassy in Ankara, Türkiye covers Israel.
• The New Zealand Embassy in Cairo, Egypt covers the Occupied Palestinian Territories. 

Contact details are provided below.