US State Department urges travelers to reconsider Israel trips due to unrest

What the U.S. advisory says

The U.S. State Department tells Americans to reconsider travel to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, citing terrorism and civil unrest in an advisory last updated Feb. 27, 2026. The notice remains in effect through June.

Regional tensions can prompt airlines to cancel or curtail flights into and out of Israel without warning, the department said. Commercial service is still operating, though the advisory notes travelers may wish to depart while seats remain available. Specific no-go zones cover Gaza, areas adjacent to Gaza and the Lebanese and Syrian borders.

Israel's Ministry of Tourism continues to publish monthly tourist-arrival figures, with updates posted for April and May 2026, indicating the government is still tracking the inbound recovery closely.

Who feels the squeeze

Tourists face a thinner margin for error on flights and itinerary changes, particularly anyone routing through northern Israel or planning land crossings near border zones.

Long-stay visitors and expats are advised to draw up contingency plans and carry travel medical insurance that includes medical evacuation. The State Department also recommends U.S. citizens enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive embassy alerts.

Digital nomads sit in the same bucket as other travelers on the airline and security front, with the added risk that movement between regions can be restricted without notice. For Gaza, the advisory states that crossings can close without warning and U.S. consular services, routine or emergency, aren't available.

Steps before booking

Travelers heading to Israel should work through a short pre-departure list:

• Buy comprehensive travel medical insurance that explicitly covers medical evacuation.
• Enroll in STEP for embassy alerts and emergency contact.
• Check the State Department advisory and embassy notices in the days before flying, because conditions and flight schedules can shift quickly.
• Avoid demonstrations and steer clear of the listed no-travel zones near Gaza and the northern borders.
• Keep a contingency plan covering an early exit if commercial flights are curtailed.

Anyone tracking tourism arrivals or airline capacity should monitor the Israeli tourism ministry's monthly updates alongside the U.S. advisory for the latest visa updates.

Read our full Israel guide for the complete picture.