Is it Safe to go to Israel?

As loud as I can say it…I want to say yes!!!

I realize that this is one of the concerns that people often have as they think about going to Israel with us.  Yet, again, I want to tell you that I believe with all my heart, that it is safe.  Let me give you a few reasons why:

God is Sovereign

• As a Christian, they way we face life is entirely different than the way the world faces it.  We know that God is in control of our lives.  
• Biblically, even the time of our death is held in God’s hands.  
• As we understand this more and more, we are called to not allow our lives to be driven by fear.  Fear becomes one of satan’s greatest tools that keep people from all God has.
• This does not mean we are reckless or foolish in our lives – but it does mean we can trust God with our lives, anywhere and always.
• Let me say it differently, in the center of God’s will, we are always safe.  So, if God has you to go to Israel with us…you will be safe. 
• This puts the issue back on that, the key is to know if God has you to go.  If He does, then your life is in His faithful control and you can trust Him with all the days of your life. 

Tours have been and are safe

• One of the key things to note in it, is that over 1.2 million people traveled to Israel to tour last year...not one was hurt in any terrorist attack.  NOT ONE!
• Ask any of these 1.2 million people and you would realize how exaggerated the news reports have been concerning Israel. These realize that Israel has one of the world’s lowest crime rates, and that it is safer to walk in the streets of its cities than in most North American cities.
• In the last 50 years, I don't know of any terrorist incident that has happened and impacted a tourist who was traveling with a tour group
• Typically what is heard on the news is not a full representation of the actual political climate of the region.  While we as Americans see the occasional stone-throwing or hear of a tragic bombing, the tourist is never the target. 
• Every single week, groups travel to and from Israel and are experiencing safe and care-free travel! 

Regrettably, the media typically isn’t interested in portraying this side of the story.  The bottom line we tell people is to not take the news too seriously.  Certainly unfortunate happenings take place but, it is the exception not the norm. 

Again...with all of my heart - I just want to affirm again - saftey is not an issue. I would pray about coming, but don't let fear in any way keep you back from joining us.  God is faithful and able!

Here are some comments from the Travel Company we use:

The news media is guilty of over-dramatizing the occasional isolated incident. There is no hostile armed group in existence within the borders of Israel. This fact is not understood by the average man on the street. The potential danger that exists to passengers who travel on group tours to the Middle East is no greater than what they would experience in domestic travel. The streets and villages of Israel are more secure than the streets and cities of our own country. Our tour operators abroad are knowledgeable, efficient, and equipped to handle last-minute changes in itineraries. Even remotely potential areas of disturbance are eliminated from our programs on the spot. The passenger who considers cancellation or the prospective tour member who decides to postpone his or her tour plans because of presumed insecure conditions is simply misinformed.

Further, the areas of the Gaza strip and areas where the Terrorist attacks are taking place… are not places we go!  I like to liken it to traveling to Los Angeles…there are places you don’t go, they are not safe.  Yet, you will be more safe in Israel

Will we be going into the West Bank, Gaza or Hebron?

No.  Yet, even if we did, just like most towns, there are places where you would not ever go and other places you would avoid after dark. The West Bank is the same. Most areas are just fine. Other areas we will never enter. Still others, we will avoid during certain time periods.

Jerusalem: Jerusalem is a large city with many neighborhoods. We will visit part of the Old City of Jerusalem and the more modern portion called East Jerusalem which is in the West Bank. Like any large city, there are good areas and less desirable areas. On our travel programs, the biggest problem you are likely to encounter is an occasional pick-pocket.We have an office in Jerusalem run by locals. They know which areas to avoid and when to avoid them. Basically, they keep one ear to the ground.

Doesn't the State Department have a special advisory in affect for travelers to the Middle East?

Yes, and a similar advisory has been in effect for the last dozen years or so. Our office in the US monitors the State Department's advisories and, with the exception of the Gulf War period, it has changed little over the past decade. During that time, over 76,000 travelers have enjoyed our Holy Land programs.

Risk in Perspective

Can you put the risk into a perspective I can understand?

Risk is something we live with every day.

Just because something is familiar does not mean there is no risk. Here are some examples:

Each Year...

• One out of every 4,300 American dies in auto accidents
• One out of every 20,000 American swimmers drowns
• One out of every 68,000 Americans chokes to death on food
• One out of every 75,000 American bicycle riders die in accidents
• One out of every 4.5 million Americans die in terrorist attacks (in US and Overseas)

What is my chance of being involved in an act of terrorism?

In 1996, the State Department estimated your chance of being involved in an act of terrorism (in the US or overseas) is very low: just 1 in 4,775,210. Meanwhile, the FBI reports there were over 1500 bomb explosions within the USA in 1995, which resulted in the death of 193 persons and injury to over 400. The US Department of Vital Statistics estimated that there was one murder every 24 minutes in the USA during 1995 for a total of 21,597 deaths.

There are risks everywhere in life; things we assume are safe -- because they are a part of our everyday life -- often carry the most risk. Your chances of being killed in a car accident are 1 in 4000 while your chances of being killed by terrorism are less than 1 in 4.5 million.

Is it safe to travel to Israel?  YES!