Israel Issues Travel Warning to Citizens Going to Australia

Pro-Palestinian protesters hold signs outside the office of federal Member for Wills Peter Khalil in Melbourne, Australia on Dec. 2, 2023. Diego Fedele/Getty Images

Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) has issued a warning on travel to Australia and multiple countries in Western Europe, but not the United States.

The threat level in Australia has been raised to level 2 with the recommendation to “exercise increased precaution.”

The warning comes amid multiple pro-Palestinian protests in Australia including people chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” This phrase is widely interpreted as implying the destruction of Israel.

Israelis have been warned to check “whether there have been anti-Israel protests at the destination,” even for countries where no travel warnings have been issued.

This included a warning against “openly displaying your Israeli and Jewish identities and any relevant symbols.”

The United States, Canada, and Mexico are among the nations that have remained at the green level 1 for travel.

Australia Joins China, Venezuela

China, France, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Zambia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom are among 80 countries that are listed with an upgraded travel warning (pdf)

“The threat level for many countries in Western Europe (including the UK, France, and Germany), South America (including Brazil and Argentina), as well as Australia and Russia, has been raised to level 2, with the recommendation to exercise increased precaution,” the NSC said.

Israelis were warned to check “their destinations wisely” while exercising precautionary measures “wherever they are.”

Citizens were recommended to postpone travel to countries where travel warnings have been issued, especially Arab and Middle Eastern countries, the North Caucasus, countries bordering Iran, and several Muslim nations in Asia.

The threat level for African nations including South Africa and Eritrea has been raised to 3, along with Central Asia including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. Level 3 means reconsidering non-essential travel to these countries.

“Since the beginning of the war, we have identified increased efforts by Iran and its proxies, including Hamas and Global Jihad factions, to harm Israeli and Jewish targets around the world. At the same time, there is a constant and significant rise in incitement, attempted attacks, and manifestations of anti-semitism in many countries,” the NSC said.

Australians Travelling to Israel

Meanwhile, Australian authorities have placed a “reconsider your need to travel” to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories, amid conflict in the Middle East.

There is also a “do not travel” warning in Gaza for areas near the border with Lebanon, and the West Bank.

The travel warning was updated on Oct. 27 and is listed as current as of Dec. 5, 2023.

Protesters gather at Flinders Street Station on Nov. 23, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia, organised by School Students For Palestine. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

“We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall due to the volatile security situation, including the threat of terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest,” the Australian government stated.

“We continue to advise do not travel to Gaza, border areas with Gaza, border areas with Lebanon closed by Israeli authorities and the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem), due to the volatile security situation.”