Do you think it is safe to let my daughter visit Israel?

Question

For the past few weeks, I have been reading extensively the Yahoo! travel section, because my older daughter wants to go on a graduation cruise in the Mediterranean sea next summer. I am thinking not to let her do this.You see the cruise includes Israel as a destination.
I am simply afraid to let her visit this country especially from what I've seen on the TV and from what people have written here, in the Travel section. Do you think I am over-reacting?
Please I'd appreciate some advice from a non-Israeli or Jewish or Arab person. Thank you.

Answer 1

The answers above are based on political biases or are uninformed of the situation here. I moved to Israel two years ago from London and I promise that my response is a fair and balanced answer to your question.

The reality is that at this point in time, the risks are very low. There has only been one successful suicide bombing in the whole of 2007, and that was in a small suburban bakery in Eilat. By comparison, five years ago at the height of the second intifada they were happening almost every other day.

The reason that risks are so low at the moment is because the Palestinians are dealing with a lot of internal issues of their own at the moment, the West Bank barrier wall has made it much more difficult for militants to enter Israeli cities, and a lot of the most dangerous terrorists are currently sealed off inside the Gaza Strip.

As a result, life in Israel is exceptionally normal right now, with people going about their daily work, or relaxing in the cafes or on the beach without any fear. The one exception is the area within five kilometres of the Gaza Strip, because the Gazans have been firing a lot of rockets into Israel, but that area is not where any tourists would want to go anyway.

So the good news is this is an exceptionally safe time for tourists to visit Israel; the bad news is that you can never know how long this peace and quiet will last. The war with Lebanon last year came completely out of the blue for example, and suddenly rockets were falling all over the North of the country. The political situation in Lebanon remains very tense, and who knows when it might all kick off again.

Peace talks are being held with the Palestinians at present so the situation in their regard is likely to stay relatively calm for now, but if the talks break down then they could decide to resume focussing on violent resistance.

So in summary, the fact is that your daughter is very unlikely to be in any danger whatsoever visiting Israel if the situation remains as it is currently, and I'm guessing that if things turn sour then the cruise would probably decide not to stop here. Perhaps you should ask them to confirm that to be the case, before allowing her to participate.

Answer 2

Clearly as an Israeli I am a biased source, but you should know that it has been a very long time since any sort of terror attack has penetrated beyond Israel's border. Israel is truelly much safer than TV and even this section portray it (this section because there are a lot of people rather ignorant of Israel who mouth off). The dangerous areas are Gaza and along the border and the West Bank - neither places your daughter would go if she were to visit as part of a cruise. I think you would be denying your daughter a cosmopolitan experience only because of baseless fears. I would point out that in recent months America has had many mass shootings in public places, such as schools, malls and universities, yet I doubt you would prevent your daughter from going there (or out, if you live there). If we call each of those attacks a terrorist attack, then America has had more civilian casualties by terror this year than Israel has. Lastly, I think as Israel is a pretty popular talking point in the world and largely presented to people only through a news lense, it seems befitting that your daughter be allowed a glimpse into Israel from a much closer and more trustworthy source. To really perceive Israel based only on popular representations invites ignorance and no real understanding of the world around us; Israel is a much talked about issue, and it seems only fair that she should get to know it for what it is and not for what others make it out to be.

Cangratulations to your daughter by the way for graduating.

Answer 3

I'd say it's much safer than American cruises which seem to have some kind of a bug that goes through everyone on board.

As far as safety is concerned, I felt much safer there than I do in many areas here in the US, even in my own city!

When disaster strikes in Israel, you read about it in the news. Compare those disasters with those here in the US. We've had several loose gunmen shooting up schools and shopping malls. Have you forbidden your daughter from going to school or from shopping?
.

Answer 4

Safer than starting a Cruise in MIAMI, but had she started there you wouldn't be asking!!!
Last year my Wife and I stayed in Israel for 3 weeks, things there seem and are as normal as can be, we went on a cruise started in Haifa Port, 4 nights on the Mediterranean Sea. Security was rather tight at time of departure other than that you couldn't tell anything different was going on.

As for the news part its a known fact that many children are born daily, however the two headed one is the one the news papers talk about SO THERE

MAY SHE HAVE A GOOD TIME


BY THE WAY, THEM IDIOTS THAT GAVE THESE DUMB ARSED ANSWERS, THEY ARE PART OF THE REGULARS ON THIS SITE, A BUNCH OF GOOD FOR NOTHING DESERT WOMBATS

Answer 5

Yes, I have been to Israel and also lived in Israel for 15 years. I think you should go to Israel, good choice. Good Luck and Enjoy!

Answer 6

I am not even comfortable leaving this country! I would consider going somewhere on a cruise ship, but still uncomfortable as an american in other countries - especially overseas. If it were a situation where you would be able to chaparone - then maybe - but on her own (with friends or whatever) NO WAY! My sister has been seeing a man from Morrocco for a few months - I haven't met him. Now I don't want to meet him! She told me that he is muslim - okay whatever BUT, she says he laughs at "our" God. I said why can't our God and his God be the same God and she said "To him our God is a joke." I want nothing to do with muslims, no matter what people say. I don't care. My safety and my family come first. There are too many bombings in Israel - don't let her go!

Answer 7

I've been to Israel and I was a bit nervous to visit myself. But, it was a wonderful experience. Everyone was so nice and the country is beautiful. I will go again one day.

Answer 8

I'm Jewish and non Israeli.

I would say that there is nothing to worry about. Cruise ships generally go to "touristy" places and not to "hot spots" (e.g. Gaza).

In that vein, I think it should be OK.

Answer 9

Generally speaking the Palestinians leave the tourists alone because its bad for business - the Palestinian economy is more dependent on tourism that the Israeli economy. Regardless - its more likely your daughter will be safer in Israel than other Meditterean countries where they really pray on tourists than in Israel. Generally speaking on cruises and tours people are kept very safe. Your daughter will more likely be safer on this tour than if she were to travel through Washington, D.C. or Detriot Michigan.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 10

are you kidding me??? what is wrong with you??
OK... read carefully:
I live in Israel!!!!!!! there is nothing scary here! there are MANY tourists here.
just because there are stupid ignorant hateful people here who hate us that doesn't mean that Israel is at war or dangerous place! hello!!!
this is not an arab country, this is a FREE!!! DEMOCRATIC country! so relax!!!