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Reviewed: 8 February 2010, 14:05 NZDT
Still current at:
22 March 2010
There is extreme risk to your security in the occupied Palestinian territory of Gaza and we advise against all travel due to the threat from kidnapping, acts of terrorism and retaliatory military operations. The security situation in Gaza remains dangerous and unpredictable despite the current ceasefire that was announced in January 2009 between Hamas and Israel. Israeli strikes on Gaza have occurred since the ceasefire. Tensions within Gaza also remain high. Foreign nationals, including a New Zealander, have been kidnapped in Gaza in the past.
New Zealanders who decide to travel to Gaza against our advice should ensure that appropriate personal security protection measures are in place at all times. We strongly recommend you consult a reputable security company (with experience in Gaza) for advice on security arrangements. Security arrangements should be reviewed on a regular basis. Such measures may mitigate the risks to your safety but cannot eliminate them entirely. As there is no New Zealand diplomatic presence in Gaza, the ability of the government to assist New Zealand citizens who get into trouble is severely limited.
There is extreme risk to your security in Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar located along the border with Lebanon (the “Blue Line”) and we advise against all travel due to ongoing military operations. There are ongoing tensions along the border with Lebanon and there is a heavy military presence in the area. In September 2009, two rockets were fired from Southern Lebanon into Azhhziv in northern Israel. The Israeli military responded by firing a number of shells at the rocket launch site.
There is high risk to your security in the occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank and we advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel due to the fragile security situation. The security situation in the West Bank has improved significantly in recent times but remains fragile and could deteriorate with little notice. New Zealanders in the West Bank are advised to monitor local information sources to keep up to date with events that could affect security. Travel at night should be avoided. Israeli military checkpoints exist throughout the West Bank and have in the past been flash points for violent incidents.
There is some risk to your security in Israel due to an ongoing threat from terrorism and we advise caution. Areas on the Israeli side of the border within 40 kilometers of Gaza should be avoided because of the danger from stray fire and rocket attacks from Gaza. Palestinian attacks on Israel from within Gaza have occurred since the ceasefire announced in January 2009.
New Zealanders are advised to be security conscious at all times and extra vigilant in crowded or landmark places. Possible targets include (but are not limited to) hotels, bars, restaurants, markets, shopping areas, schools, places of worship, tourist sites, transport infrastructure, security checkpoints and areas where security forces are present.
New Zealanders are advised to avoid any political gatherings, protests and demonstrations throughout Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories as they have the potential to lead to violence. Areas of military activity should be avoided at all times and we recommend you adhere to any restrictions and instructions issued by the local authorities, such as curfews and travel restrictions, which may be imposed at times of unrest in Gaza and the West Bank. If you are in an area affected by demonstrations, violence or military activity, you should find a safe location, remain indoors and heed any local advice.
New Zealanders are advised to respect religious and social traditions in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to avoid offending local sensitivities.
There are live landmines in the border areas with Lebanon and Syria and in some parts of the West Bank. We recommend you stay on well used roads and paths in these areas.
Particular care should be exercised at border crossing points into and out of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, where tensions are particularly high. Instructions issued by the border authorities should be adhered to at all times.
Entry into and exit from the occupied Palestinian territories into Israel remains tightly controlled by Israeli authorities. If you are a New Zealand national of Palestinian origin (on the Palestinian Population Register or holding a Palestinian ID number), you will need a Palestinian passport/travel document in order to leave. Such New Zealand/Palestinian dual nationals are permitted to travel abroad from the West Bank and Gaza only via the Rafah or Allenby Bridge border crossings into Egypt or Jordan.
The Rafah crossing point is currently closed most of the time. New Zealanders wishing to use this border crossing must receive permission from the Egyptian authorities to enter and exit Gaza. Those that enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing must leave the same way. They also need to be prepared to delay their departure from Gaza for an extended period (possibly weeks) while waiting for approval from the Egyptian authorities to return to Egypt and for the crossing to open. The New Zealand Embassy in Cairo, which is required by the Egyptian authorities to seek permission for New Zealanders to use the Rafah crossing, cannot influence decisions regarding the granting of permission or when the border will open.
Travellers entering Israel via the Allenby Bridge crossing who indicate they are planning to travel to the West Bank may have their passports stamped “Palestinian Authority Only”. This stamp means the passport holder is restricted to West Bank destinations and prevented from entering Israel and Jerusalem. Travellers should be alert to the stamp they receive in their passport. Airport officials may require travellers to sign a form that prohibits them from entering the West Bank.
New Zealanders travelling or living in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies in place that include provision for medical evacuation by air. You should check that your travel insurance policy covers travel to the occupied Palestinian territories – exclusions may well apply.
New Zealanders travelling or living in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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Contact details are
Street Address Level 4, Iran Caddesi 13, Kavaklidere 06700, Ankara, Turkey
Telephone +90 312 467 9054/6/8 Facsimile +90 312 467 9013
Email nzembassyankara@ttnet.net.tr
Website New Zealand Embassy Turkey [external link]
Office Hours Mon-Fri 0830 - 1700hrs
Contact details are
Street Address 3 Daniel Frish St 64731,
Tel Aviv, Israel
Telephone +972 3 695 6622 Facsimile +972 3 695 0817
Email Gad.Propper@osem.il.nestle.com
