Israel currently has a population of approximately 9,028,256 according to the Worldometer website.
The majority of the population comes from urban areas of the country, totaling 92% of the population.
The crime rate for Israel in 2019 was recorded at 1.47 per 100k and has stayed under two per 100k since 2011.
Israel is considered the fifth safest country, making it a good place to travel.
Although the country is pretty safe overall, some cities are more dangerous than others.
These cities are in the West Bank and Gaza areas.
Below are the 10 most dangerous cities in Israel.
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10 Most Dangerous Cities in Israel
Bethlehem
Bethlehem is well-known for being the place where Jesus was born.
A variety of signs and historical sites remind the people and tourists of that belief every day.
There are street names such as Manger Street and Star Street that serve as a constant reminder of Jesus’s birth.
You can visit a variety of places, including the Church of the Nativity, Manger Square, and Rachel‘s Tomb.
Even if you don’t believe in Jesus or religion, there are a variety of other historical places that a tourist can visit.
Although Bethlehem is relatively safe for most travelers, it can still have its dangers due to the tension between the Palestinians and Israel as part of the West Bank.
As long as you pay attention to your surroundings and take the necessary precautions, you should be able to enjoy your time safely.
Jericho
Jericho is considered to be one of the oldest cities in the world with a lot of historical sites to prove it.
Archeologists have dug up proof of at least 20 settlements dating clear back to 9000 BCE.
Some of the sites that you can visit, for a small fee, of course, include the remains of Hisham’s Palace, Mount Temptation, and the Tell es-Sultan archaeological park.
Because Jericho sits in a hot, dry location, you have to make sure you are drinking enough water so you don’t get dehydrated.
As part of the West Bank, you must keep watch of your surroundings and keep an eye on all travel advisories and the media.
Ramallah
The people in Ramallah are relatively friendly to visitors and tourists.
For the most part, tourists outside of the Middle East have an easy time getting into and out of the city without restrictions.
However, there are restrictions if you are Israeli or an Israeli passport holder.
At this time, Israelis are not permitted in Ramallah due to the civil unrest between them and the Palestinians.
As long as you are from outside of the Middle East, you should be pretty safe.
The people in Ramallah are accustomed to tourists and welcome any visitors that they have from outside of Israel.
Hebron
Although Hebron is relatively safe today, there is tension between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Palestinians have taken over at least 80% of the city, and Israelis have control over about 20% of the city.
Under the eyes of the Israel Defense Forces, tourists are free to explore and enjoy the various historical and religious sites of Hebron.
As long as you make sure to follow the rules and keep a watch on the situation around you, you should be okay.
Jenin
Just like a lot of the cities in the West Bank, there is tension and conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
The main danger comes from being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
For the most part, Jenin can be a safe place, but it can be possible to end up in the middle of a fight between Israelis and Palestinians.
However, if you watch your surroundings carefully, you should be relatively safe.
According to Australian, US, and UK government websites, it is advised to exercise extreme caution in this area due to the civil unrest between Israelis and Palestinians.
Nablus
Nablus is known for its soap-making industry.
The soap is made of olive oil and a couple of other ingredients, free from all of the harmful chemicals found in most manufactured soaps.
Nablus is a Muslim Arabic city, and like most of the cities in this article, Nablus is in control of the Palestine Authority.
With the conflict between Israel and Palestine, safety in this city is considered unpredictable.
It is advised by the United States government to only travel if absolutely necessary, keeping a close eye on the media and the ongoing situation.
Gaza
Gaza, also known as the Gaza Strip, is well-known for its wicker furniture, pottery, and woven carpets.
Just like the cities in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip is a part of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
In recent news, there have been ongoing air strikes between Gaza and other parts of Israel.
If you plan to travel to Gaza, or surrounding areas, watch your surroundings and keep an eye on what the media says about the ongoing tensions.
Tulkarm
Recently in Tulkarm, a new armed group called Tulkarm Battalion-Rapid Response has made its appearance over the past couple of months.
There have been similar types of groups formed throughout the cities in the West Bank area.
Along with the other cities in the West Bank, there have been raids, shootings, and strikes, making this city unsafe and unpredictable.
If you have any plans to visit, it is advised to wait until the civil tension and conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians has died down.
Lod
Lod is known as the transportation hub of Israel.
This is where the David Ben-Gurion International Airport is located.
It is the only airport in this area that offers overseas flights.
Along with the international airport, Lod is known for an important railway and road junction.
Lod is also home to one of the largest of Israel’s industries, building commercial and military aircraft and servicing and repairing civilian aircraft.
Unfortunately, Lod has been named the murder capital of Israel as of March 2023.
On top of the multiple murders in Lod, the media has reported cases of gun trafficking.
If you visit, keep your guard up and keep your visit short.
There is a chance that you could get killed or kidnapped.
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is considered to be one of the most important cities for a lot of different religions and cultures around the world.
Because of this, Jerusalem is home to a lot of history that makes it inviting for tourists.
Jerusalem is made up of two parts; old Jerusalem and New Jerusalem.
Old Jerusalem, or the Old City, is divided into four quarters.
These four quarters are Muslim, Armenian, Christian, and Jewish.
Unfortunately, Jerusalem is a big part of the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Because of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, Jerusalem is one of the areas that tourists need to be careful about.
Jerusalem is a great place to visit as long as you pay close attention to your surroundings and watch the advisories and the media.
Five Safety Tips for Traveling to Israel
- Check the United States travel advisory for updates.
- Avoid traveling to the West Bank and Gaza areas.
- Keep to public places such as malls and restaurants for increased security.
- Avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings. These sometimes lead to violent outcomes.
- Keep all personal items in a safe place.
Israel Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Israel Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to travel to Israel?
When traveling to most international places, there are certain documents that you need to have with you, and Israel is no exception.
If you are a citizen of the United States or Canada, you will need to have a valid passport.
The passport needs to be valid for at least six months longer than your arrival date.
For other countries, the passport requirement should be the same.
What types of travel are available in Israel?
Israel offers a variety of travel options, including buses, trains, flights, taxis, shared taxis called sherut, and car rentals.
Is there really a security interview for my flight? If so, what should I expect?
Yes, there is a security interview if you are flying EL AL Israel Airlines.
You will be asked a variety of questions, some of which might seem repetitive, personal, and intrusive.
As long as you answer these questions honestly and don’t lose your temper, you will do just fine.
The security interview is designed to protect you and the other passengers on the flight.
How long does it take to travel to Israel?
If you are traveling from New York, it takes approximately 10 hours to fly to Israel.
It takes around 14 hours if you are traveling from Los Angeles to Israel.
Some people think it takes longer, but it is surprisingly faster to fly to Israel from New York than it does to fly from New York to Hawaii.
Israel has a diverse population and a relatively low crime rate, making it a safe place to travel overall, but some cities, particularly those in the West Bank and Gaza areas, may have higher levels of danger due to ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. It is important for travelers to stay informed and take necessary precautions while visiting these areas.
Despite being home to some of the world’s most significant historical sites, certain cities in Israel like Bethlehem and Jerusalem require extra caution due to ongoing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.