Go with a plan.
No major changes since yesterday.
One government's take
What they're telling their own citizens about Palestine
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go with a plan.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Mandatory ID carriage
Both Israeli and Palestinian security services require you to carry your passport at all times.
Checkpoint documentation
Travelers must ensure all travel documentation is in order, as travel between Israel and Palestinian territories is tightly controlled.
Prohibited items at checkpoints
Keep Palestinian flags, PA/PLO pamphlets, and similar articles out of plain sight when passing through Israeli checkpoints.
Religious dress codes
Women must cover their heads when entering a mosque, and all visitors must remove their shoes before entering places of worship.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
No active CDC travel health notices right now.
Getting in
What you'll need at the border
The visa policy of Palestine refers to specific entry conditions a visitor must meet to enter Palestine. There are no visa conditions imposed on foreign nationals other than those imposed by the visa policy of Israel.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Israel and Palestine. There was a large-scale terrorist attack by Hamas into southern Israel on 7 October 2023 where over 1,200 people were killed. Hamas continue to launch rockets into Israel and the Israeli Defence Forces are conducting significant military activity in Gaza. Terrorist attacks in Israel and Palestine are very likely to continue with an increased threat of attacks, including by individuals acting alone. Any attacks could be indiscriminate, including places visited by foreign nationals such as: the Old City in Jerusalem government, military and police installations security personnel including military and police transport networks businesses with western interests crowded places Areas where foreign nationals and tourists are known to gather may be at higher risk of attack. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities. Examples of recent significant attacks include: In 2025: in September, six people were killed and eight wounded in a shooting attack in northern Jerusalem in March, one person was killed and one person injured in a shooting attack in northern Israel in March, one person was killed and 3 injured in a stabbing attack in Haifa in February, one person was killed and 12 people were injured in a ramming and stabbing attack at Karkur Junction near Pardes Hana-Karkur, south of Haifa in February, 3 bombs exploded on 3 separate
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
Dress code
In Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, clothing should cover your shoulders, upper arms, and legs above the knee. Locals in ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighbourhoods such as Bnei Brak, Modi’in Illit, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh and Safed can react strongly to anyone, particularly women, dressed less conservatively. Check locations of ultra-Orthodox neighbourhoods and towns in travel guides.
Source: UK FCDO →LGBT+ travellers
Israeli law does not criminalise same-sex sexual relations between consenting adults. In Palestine, same-sex sexual activity is legal in the West Bank but illegal in Gaza, where it carries a 10-year prison sentence. Attitudes towards LGBT+ issues in some parts of Palestinian and Israeli society can be hostile. In more conservative Israeli areas in the West Bank, including in ultra-Orthodox communities, if you show affection in public, regardless of your gender or sexuality, you may receive negative attention. In Palestinian society, same-sex relationships are largely taboo. Some Palestinian groups may violently oppose cultural events and demonstrations, which they see as inconsistent with their values. This includes those seen as linked to the LGBT+ community, even if the event is not intended to promote LGBT+ rights. In these cases, the Palestinian security forces and police may not always act effectively to protect participants. Be aware of these risks. Liaise with local authorities
Source: UK FCDO →Right now
In the news the last few days
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / H · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 100 / ambulance: 101 / fire: 102
Cash vs. Card
The Palestinian territories use the Israeli currency, the New Israeli shekel, denoted by the symbol "₪" or "NIS" (ISO code: ILS). Colloquially, it is called a shekel (plural: Shkalim) or Sha-ch. Each shekel is divided into 100 agorot.
Show the receipts (4 sources)
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09