Is it safe for a Muslim to travel to Israel?

Question

Or is a Muslim traveller likely to get harassed or attacked? I mean travel on tourist purpose.

Answer 1

Not only is it safe for a Muslim to visit Israel, but there is no harassment. The answerer who claims she was cursed at does not recall very well. That sort of thing is NEVER done by Israeli officials. If they did they would be summarily dismissed.

Muslims may well be interrogated and even searched, because unfortunately, some Muslims get joy at exploding themselves in the presence of Israelis.

Answer 2

AQ -- There are two issues here -- first, will you get harassed or attacked walking around in Israel? Except for a few places (and you wouldn't go to those places anyway), almost certainly not. In general, Israel is very safe in terms of violent crime, and people generally just do not harass people in the street.

The second issue -- you may indeed have a hard time getting in, especially if a) you have an obviously Muslim name b) you carry a passport from an Arab country and/or c) you have funky stamps in your passport -- i.e. travel to places that might raise an eyebrow. I had a job in Israel where my office was a clearinghouse for complaints from Arab-Americans, and at times the quantity and the quality of the complaints was quite astounding. Contrary to what Ivri said, harassment does occur, and not only will the harasser not be "summarily dismissed" -- give me a break! -- your complaint will go nowhere.

Just be aware that a Western passport does not make you immune from problems. That said, if you do get in to Israel, you will almost certainly have a great time.

Answer 3

First of all, Israel does not require visitors to delcare their religion, as many other Middle Eastern countries do.

The answer to your question about harrassement or attacks, the answer is no, not within the borders of the State of Israel. You may find things that you're not used to in the US, like guards checking inside your bags whenever you go into a public building or shopping center. They do this to everyone no matter the religion. There is also a lengthy process before boarding planes at Israeli airports that involves questioning by trained soldiers to find people who may be threats to the safety of the airplane. They do use profiling based on a number of factors, such as ethnicity, to decide what level of scrutiny you'll be under before bein allowed on the plane. Unfortunately, this type of scrutiny is neccessary because of hijackings in the 70's and 80's. The truth is that people belonging to certain ethic groups like to blow up Israelis. The good news is that it works. There haven't been hijackings on Isreali flights since the program began.

I think that if you travel outside the green line (the 1967 borders) you will find high levels of scrutiny and delays. Remember, many of the people living outside the green line are not citizens of Israel, nor do they want to be. They are also hostile toward Israelis. So understanibly, traveling between these areas might be difficult. Just stay inside Israel, and you'll be fine.

Answer 4

It's safe. Depending which coutnry you are coming from, you'll be open to more scruitiny than if you come from others. Keep in mind that non-Arab muslims have tried to attack Israeli sites before (UK Pakistanis attacked Mike's Place Bar in T-A a few years ago and Richard Reed apparently scouted airport security in Israel before making his transatlantic flight). So if for some reason you are scruitinized more in security checks, there's a fair reason for it (everyone's checked at security checks, by the way- it's standard practice- so as a Muslim, you won't be singled out).

But yeah, it's plenty safe for a Muslim to travel to Israel. Over 20% of our population is Muslim, including our new President. If it's safe for them, it should be safe for well-intentioned Muslim travelers.

Answer 5

You will be given a card in your passport directing you to one of two lines. They separate you by your name and nationality. If your name is Aryeh, Shlomo or something similar, you will breeze through. If you happen to be called Mohammad, Hussein or something similar, you will end up in a line longer than the other and harassed about why you are visiting, where you will travel, what you intend to do while there, etc.. Then you have your items gone painstakingly gone through without concern for proper handling or respect of personal space. Then, if you are lucky and not detained after the humiliating strip search, you will leave the airport (with a few items missing from your suitcase). I suggest you go through Jordan into Israel. They still search you, but lines are much shorter.

Answer 6

Yup
Man
It's Far Safer For Any Muslim To Travel In Israel Compare to any muslim Country

Israel Is Very Consious For It's Foriegn Visitors
In Advance They Provide Gorgeous Security At Airport and many other Public Places

So Don't Worry

Go get Ur Trip To Israel

Answer 7

You might be questioned thoroughly at the airport for the purpose of your visit, with who you intend to meet etc. Once the security officers are satisfied they will let you go and then you tour Israel, no one knows you are a Muslim.

Answer 8

I am from Europe.
Yes I think is pretty safe for a muslim. Is unsafe for the iraelian man. According to history and bible he must not have other gods before God . And some muslims have two wives , haven'they?(Islam). Or those from Islam are not muslims?
So having two wives and traveling to Israel could tempt the poor who is not in the laws of God on his knees.

Answer 9

I wouldn't. A number of years ago I, as a "Christan" North American visiting as an NGO worker, was subject to lengthy, lengthy questioning and the squeezing of my toothpaste and spurt of my shaving cream. (And I was leaving!) from
My judgment as to what happened was (a) I carried an unusual profile which differed the other 159 or so group tourists, and
, two, that I had a Tunis visa during the period that the PLO had their headquarters there.
Paranoia is in the eyes of the beholder.

Answer 10

I've visited Israel over 40 times - and I have never been asked what my religion is.

The Israeli's do not hate anyone.
Looking at how the Jews have been treated over the 1000s of years it's hard to believe - but it's true.

They just want to live peacefully and get on with their lives.