Jerusalem Travel Forum

I will be in tel aviv and jerusalem in 2 weeks. Is the safety situation changed after the peace talks in Annapolis?
Would it be possible to go to the west bank, to see bettlemme?

Current peace talk would not change much the reality on the ground unless miracle happened. They been talking for 60 years and unfortunately some of the extremes cannot live with compromising and want to create chaos. Check the latest news and ask locals where it is safe to go and where it is not. Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem are ok, sometimes Beth Lethem is ok too, depends on the day.

I'm sure the situation in Jerusalem now is no different than when we were there and other parts of Israel last month, and that is safe.

As to Bethlehem, if you're traveling with a tour group with a local guide then you should have no problems going there either. I heard it will be more of a hassle if you go over the West Bank crossing by your own.

Shalom, Shalom:
The situation within Israel is considered safe to travel to all parts of Israel with only one exception and that is the areas directly bordering the Gaza Strip.
The true safety issues or how you feel about them are more subjective. Many single women from VT have come to visit us here in Israel and Arad, all that we have met said that they felt safe traveling here as a single female. You could ask a few of them from my home page for their personal opinions instead of getting my positively biased opinion.
About Bethelham, there the situation is more prone to problems. You as a tourist may have no problems there, but I personally would not feel safe traveling in a country or area where terrorists are freely supported.
Martin

Hello!
I can tell you for sure that now its pretty safe over here in Israel.
Not only beacuse of Annapolis... the locals here are already used to this king of "peace talks" but the truth is that not much is going on there actually. its more a kind of a vacation to our to the presidents... :]
The last year is very quite (commpared to some years before) and travelling in Israel should be wonderful this time of the year. I was last year 3 times to Jerusalem and felt very good even when i was in the Muslim part of the old city.
About Bet lehhem is another story, its located in the west bank where there is an other authority. I personally haven't beenm close to there but I thing you should chcek with some travel agencies and m,aybe they can help you more.

Bethlehem is one of the safest cities of the Palestinian Authority, in my opinion no problem to go there, even though most people from Israel will warn you not to go there.
You can take a sherut from the Arab bus station next to Damascus Gate. Check my Bethlehem page.
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/905f9/1c7d0d/9/

To feel better, check the latest news before you go (the christian info center next to Jaffa gate in Jerusalem might give you some info). Things always can change in this region. Usually Bethlehem centre is a calm place.

have a nice trip
jacob

Hi!
Try at visit "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy" for travel advice: http://www.esteri.it/MAE/IT
Regards Jesper

We travelled to Bethlehem from Israel a couple of years ago but it was an organised bus tour. We (the family of 4) were also warned by all our relatives and friends in Israel against it and guess what? - it was safe, and wonderfully organised! The tourist police was very polite and protective, and souvenir shops are used to travellers across the border. However, I personally wouldn't recommend going there on your own.

One more thing. When it isn't safe, travel companies don't go there. So this is the best indication of the situation in the area.