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safety situation Israel

PostPosted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 10:03 pm
by Marcel Haak
My name is Marcel Haak and i live in Holland near Rotterdam.
Every year my brother in law, he is a biologist, and i organize a herpetological trip for a small group of friends.
Last year we visited north-west Spain and for next year we are considering to go to Israel.
After seeing the fantastic tripreports of Gert Jan I ordered the Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Israel, and i saw the big number of species inhabiting Israel.
Because of the unstable situation in and arround Israel, i am a little concerned about the safety situation in Israel, and expected problems visiting near border locations.
We are expected to go the first week of may 2015, for about 10 days.

Can Someone shed a little light on the subject for me?

kind regards

Marcel Haak

Re: safety situation Israel

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 10:35 pm
by Aviad Bar
Israel is a very safe place to visit.
you can camp safely almost anywere.
the only problematic areas during this days is the border with Syria.
you can contact me if you have any questions.
baraviad@gmail.com
Aviad

Re: safety situation Israel

PostPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 7:43 am
by GertJan Verspui
Good luck Marcel when you go, it seriously is a superb land for herping and I will visit it again some day, still need 24 species there, :D
When you camp in the dunes, make sure to sleep inside a tent....mosquitoes

Re: safety situation Israel

PostPosted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 6:17 pm
by Bastien Comment
Hi everyone,

Just read this thread and I was wondering if the situation has evolved now. Is it still safe to go herping in Israel? It's obviously quite a dream destination but when I've talked about it to my wife (I actually wouldn't go with her but with a friend for a few days only), she told me I was crazy and that she would worry every minute until I get back... What do you guys think?

Re: safety situation Israel

PostPosted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 11:14 am
by GertJan Verspui
I recently went there with my wife, it is still a great place!

Re: safety situation Israel

PostPosted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 4:36 pm
by Guy Haimovitch
If you disregard the drama appearing on the news and focus on statistics you'll find out Israel is actually one of the safest countries in the world.

For example, the homocide rate in Israel is about 25% lower than in Norway and less than half of that in the USA (and that is when you include the West Bank!).

Just make sure to stay within Israel (and outside of Gaza / West Bank) and you'll be just fine.

Have a great trip!

Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_c ... icide_rate

Re: safety situation Israel

PostPosted: Wed Jun 01, 2016 9:47 am
by Johann.Mols
Dear Marcel and Bastien

In 2014 we had the same questions as you 2 and Aviad and Guy provided the same answers to us. With my wife, we free camped for 3 weeks in the Negev, occasionally took a room, crossed the borders to Jordan .... hiked at night in the desert and we had a blast: one of the best trip we did. Do not worry too much about what media convey on TV and go and see by yourselves. Tracking up a cerastes at night is a lifetime experience...

Johann