Frequently asked questions about the situation in Israel / Palestinian Territories

Since 7 October 2023 there has been heavy fighting in Gaza between Hamas and Israel. There is a risk that Iran, or groups that support Iran, will attack Israel. And there is the possibility of further escalation in the region.

Throughout Israel there is an increased chance of rocket and drone strikes and terrorist attacks. The risk of an attack is high, not just in the area close to the borders between Israel and Gaza and between Israel and Lebanon, and in the Golan Heights, but in other parts of Israel too. 

The security situation in the Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, is also unstable and could deteriorate. And there have been incidents of violence in the West Bank, such as stabbings and shootings at checkpoints, in Israeli settlements and around refugee camps. 

The colour code of the travel advice for Israel and the Palestinian Territories is red. This means that you should not travel there, whatever your situation. Is it too dangerous. If you are already in Israel or the Palestinian Territories, you should leave while you still can.

• Read the current travel advice for Israel (information in Dutch)
• Read the current travel advice for the Palestinian Territories (information in Dutch)

We hope that you are somewhere safe. Check the local news and follow the local authorities’ instructions.

If you are in Israel on a temporary basis, leave the country if you can do so safely. Bear in mind that various airlines have suspended flights to and from Israel. And those flights still running can sell out quickly. Do not assume that the Dutch government will be able to help you leave the country.
If you live in Israel, follow the Israeli authorities’ instructions provided on Home Front Command website https://www.oref.org.il/eng (accessible only from within Israel). Consider whether you may want to leave the country.

It is your own responsibility to decide whether to stay or go. Consider your options carefully. Don’t wait until it is too late. 

Check the travel advice for Israel (information in Dutch) for updates and register your presence with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Service (information in Dutch). The ministry can then contact you if necessary.

If you are in the West Bank, which is a part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, you should leave if you can do so safely. The operating hours of the checkpoints and border crossings are uncertain and unpredictable, and can change at any time.

See the current operating hours of the checkpoints on the Access Coordination Unit website.

• Allenby Bridge (King Hussein) crossing
•  Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein crossing
• Taba/Menahem Begin crossing
• Yitzhak Rabin/Arava crossing

Check the travel advice for the Palestinian Territories (information in English) for updates and register your presence with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Service (information in English). The ministry can then contact you if necessary.

Various airlines have stopped flying to and from Israel for the time being. But there are some airlines that still fly there. Find out how you can travel to a safe country as soon as possible. Keep in mind that flights can sell out quickly. And that you may need to transfer to one or more connecting flights. There may also be extra costs.

If there are no flights, see whether you can travel safely by land or boat to a safe country.

Check the local news so that you are aware of the current situation at the airports. Always follow the Israeli authorities’ instructions. For more information about existing threats and what you can do, see the Israeli government website (accessible only from Israel).

• No, the Dutch government is not carrying out any evacuations (information in Dutch). The Dutch government therefore advises leaving while commercial flights are still running. 
• It is your own responsibility to decide whether to stay or go. Do not assume that the Dutch government will be able to help you leave the country.

We hope that your family members or friends are somewhere safe. Urge your family members/friends to leave as soon as possible. And it is important that they are registered with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Service (information in Dutch). If they haven’t yet registered, ask them to do so as soon as possible. You can also do this on their behalf and register as your Dutch family members’ or friends’ contact person. Make sure that information provided is up to date and complete.

If your family members are registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Service (information in Dutch), the ministry can contact them whenever there is any important new information.

The situation at the border is uncertain. Border crossings are regularly closed. 

See the current operating hours of the checkpoints on the Access Coordination Unit website.

• Allenby Bridge (King Hussein) crossing
• Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein crossing
• Yitzhak Rabin/Arava crossing

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have information about the exact number of Dutch nationals in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. This is because Dutch nationals are not required to register when they are abroad. However, in recent weeks we have seen that people are updating their registration with the Information Service. For example, by indicating that they have left the country. It is important for the ministry to know this.

Yes, the embassy is open. Find out how to make an appointment at the Dutch embassy in Tel Aviv.

Yes, the Netherlands Representative Office in Ramallah is open. Find out how to make an appointment at the Netherlands Representative Office in Ramallah.

VFS Global in Tel Aviv is open to the public. You can apply here for a short-stay visa for the Netherlands.

You can use the embassy’s appointment system (information in Dutch) to make an appointment to apply for an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV).

You can apply for a visa at VFS Global in Ramallah. Have your documents ready and make an appointment online.

To make an appointment to apply for an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV), email ram-ca@minbuza.nl.