Israel is currently banning foreigners from entering the country until July 1st. That deadline has been extended multiple times.
Prime Minster Netanyahu said in a press conference today that they hope to open tourism up to Greeks in August.
That sounds to me like the ban on all foreigners will be extended for at least the entire month of July.
Given the talk of opening to Greece in August, I’d assume that the ban will be much longer than that for Americans and other countries that have been hit hard by COVID-19.
I guess the question at this point is will Israel be open to Americans that want to visit for the High Holidays and Sukkos in September and October? That will likely depend on whether the US has controlled the virus by then and whether the US is hit by a 2nd wave in the fall.
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61 Comments On "It Doesn’t Sound Like Americans Will Be Visiting Israel This Summer…"
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Aw shucks
what about Israeli citizens how strict are they enforcing 14 day quarantine?
Can you return to the US before 14 days?
As it should be, even for Billionaires….
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/israel-deports-us-billionaires-son-breaking-virus-rules-71246139
Very strict. Cops spot check
Can you return back to the US before 14 days?
does anybody know the answer to this or has personal experience?
Yes, done that.
done what? are you implying you returned to the US before the 14 day timeline?
My friend could not be approved to go for her granddaughter’s wedding for a trip that was shorter than 14 days. Not sure if that answers your question.
No. ‘Quarantine’ means going nowhere—not even to take the trash out. Going to the airport would be illegal and punishable by hefty fine.
Actually, “taking the trash out” is allowed :). There was a case where someone called their local moatza requesting help removing their trash due to quarantine and the Mayor mentioned it in his next speech to the yishuv – that one is allowed to take their own trash out (without detour).
In special circumanstances like a levaya of a close relative its possible to receive permission to come and leave but usually they dont allow it.
They don’t follow up on non israelis AT ALL.
5,000₪ fine + possible jail time.
Any discussion about allowing students with student visa to return?
Considering they just withdrew that option, I wouldn’t expect a quick return.
Married allowed. Singles not.
Even married, still needs “ishur” (for the US side based on airlines becoming stricter about not allowing non-Israelis on the flight due to Israel turning some people away).
What about American students planning to go to seminary or Yeshiva for the first time?
Get married
even if your married if you dont have a valid visa you can’t get an isshur.
I voted for 2021.
I have very good relations with a Hotel I have been using for decades.Weeks ago I called someone to ask how he is managing. H told me that the owners were only considering reopening in September.. I guess the big people knew what the Government was planning.
Luckily he takes shifts in the Hotel it is never empty and they have to keep running water to avoid certain issues.
I was in Israel for Purim return on virgin flight to London (connecting to New York was cancelled by virgin) had to buy new ticket with el al(for 20$ more I bought a roundTrip for August 3
1) original trip booked through PriceLine- virgin says I can only rebook,what are my options?
2) if el al doesn’t fly August 3
What are my options there?
I couldn’t care less about whether Americans are allowed to visit Israel. What concerns me is whether America will allow Israelis to come here. Let them stay home. We don’t need thousands of foreigners crowding into our neighbourhood.
So let me get this straight… You dont want thousands of foreigners crowding your neighborhoods but yoir fine with them crowding ours?! You high or something?
There is a valid concern here. Most Americans that visit Israel come there with a plan, they are there for tourism combined with possibly visiting family. They know where they will be staying and they have funds arranged. They probably will be spending money in Israel and leaving Revenue behind.
Many Israelis come with a plan of somehow being successful at collecting money for charity which is good. Sadly, there have been stories where they spread disease and would even do so knowingly. Life is tough, things can be very hard but you have to draw a line someplace and that should be when people are willing to spread disease because they cannot miss an opportunity even if they are sick.
I said “let them stay home.” Nothing about being fine with them crowding your neighbourhood.
Would there be any recourse for young couples looking to move there for longer periods of time?
Couples with visas can come. Contact the consulate to apply for a visa.
Israel is quite lenient now with Aliyah. Contact Nefesh B’nefesh.
the reason I think Israel will open for sukkos is because of the financial loss, sukkos is the last tourist season of the year, and the biggest by far.
Bigger than Pesach? Not saying you’re wrong, though given Pesach I think anything’s on the table.
Yea. 100x more then pesach without a doubt
Pesach was a very different situation. Hopefully there will be a significantly more advanced plan of action Succos time. Pesach the entire world was in panic mode and flying blind.
Yes, sukkos is big but there is a steady flow of Tourism throughout the year. The tourism industry depends on people that come and utilize hotels, meals and possibly tour services like guides or tours. More and more Americans either own apartments or seem to be renting or using somebody’s apartment which really is a nice thing but it really doesn’t bring in the big bucks for tourism.
Sukkos def at least x10 loss than pesach
I have Delta tickets flying out of JFK on July 1.
Should I cancel or wait for Delta to cancel?
Thanks
If you follow Dan’s advice you should know the answer to that….
wait until the airline cancels so you can get a full refund or a voucher with a bonus..
Delta is flying the JFK-TLV route. Why would they cancel your flight? They may, however, change the date as they only fly specific days of the week. If the change doesn’t work for you, cancel then.
Greece and Cypress won’t need to quarantine. Typically, these are huge Israeli tourism destinations. most Israelis won’t travel if they lose two weeks on return… Tourists from other countries may be allowed in but will have to quarantine.
Are kids going to gap year programs thru Masa still being allowed in?
i bough tickets January 1st 2020 on Delta for NYC-TLV on July 26th, returning to JFK on Sept 2. I was originally on the afternoon flight (3:50pm) on July 26th, Delta cancelled this flight and automatically put me on the 11:30 pm flight. They also cancelled my 11:50 am flight returning to JFK on Sept 2 & automatically moved me to the :11:55pm flight. do i ask them for my money back now or, do i need to wait for Delta to cancel my new flights? If delta only offers me vouchers/e-certificates for future travel, will i be able to fight for my money back?
Nothing to motivate me more than recent events
I’m hoping they are open by Chanukah, but I haven’t bought a ticket. I did reserve the days off from work hoping they will be.
Bit selfish maybe?
Just hope they open tomorrow so things can get back to normal. People’s lives and livelihoods depends on a normal operation.
@ dan
If Israel bans Americans for sukkot than there goes half they’re economy. So it would only make sens that they let Americans come just that you must quarantine or whatever law they have by that time (maybe rapid Covid tests in the airport by then )
Source ?? It wouldn’t halve their economy. Israel’s tourist industry although big, makes up just 6.4% of their GDP.
Sukkos is Just 8 out of the 365 days that make up the 6.4%.
Classic Americans always think their impact is bigger than it is.
Are they suffering? No doubt. But they are also missing their Korean tour groups… not only the tax they collect off your liquor bill sukkos.
Tourism is only about 6% of Israel GDP. That is significantly lower than many major European countries. In addition, Americans are only about 20% of tourists in Israel. Israeli’s that go on vacation domestically instead of traveling abroad will make up a chunk of that revenue too. It’s a hit, but their economy will survive just fine Bez’h.
I would be quite shocked if they do not develop a plan of action how to allow students in by August time for September season.
I’m surprised Israel hasn’t been doing rapid testing upon landing. Or regular test when landing and quarantine until you’re confirmed negative for Covid.
Hopefully they’ll implement this soon.
From what I understand, the whole idea of quarantining is that you may have caught it on the flight. It won’t show up positive right after the flight, hence 14 days to see if you develop symptoms.
I hope moshiach will be here tomorrow morning and we can go right away… in June… well Sivan, actually.
@dan I reserved a couple of business class tickets to Israel for August on El Al from JFK using Qantas points before the pandemic hit. What is the best way to cancel this tickets to (1) minimize any cancellation penalties, (2) prevent my Qantas miles from expiring, and (3) have a higher likelihood of scoring business class tickets on El Al with these miles once flights to Israel become available again?
Friends, face up to the truth. It is time to Come Home!
CURRENT RULES FOR NON-ISRAELIS SEEKING TO COME TO ISRAEL DURING CORONA RESTRICTIONS
— This was shared by former MK Dov Lipman…
(Former MK Lipman writes…) I have been bombarded with requests from people seeking help to get non-Israelis into Israel. The Health Ministry has made it clear to me that there are no exceptions to the following rules – at least as of now (I will post an update if the rules change): [Akiva comments, unless you are a multi-millionaire or great and/or know important people.]
*FUNERALS: First-degree relatives (parent, child, sibling, spouse) can receive approval to enter Israel for a burial. The two-week isolation requirement can be waived for those entering just for the burial and leaving within 48 hours. Isolation before and after the funeral would be required.
(Apply here: https://go.gov.il/consularservices)
*WEDDINGS: First-degree relatives and grandparents can enter Israel for a wedding but they must spend two weeks in isolation before the wedding.
(Apply here: https://go.gov.il/consularservices)
*SPOUSES: Non-Israelis who are legally married to an Israeli or a permanent resident can enter Israel along with their minor children if the Israeli spouse’s primary place of residence is in Israel.
(Apply here: https://go.gov.il/consularservices)
*STUDENTS: Students who have already started their studies in Israel can return to Israel if a request is made by the student’s academic institution. This includes married yeshiva students but, at the moment, unmarried yeshiva students may not enter Israel.
*EXPERTS: “Experts,” defined as “necessary for national infrastructure and/or functional continuity of the economy” may receive a foreign-worker permit to enter Israel. Approvals will be given based on the recommendation of the relevant government office and the approval of the Immigration Authority’s Foreign Workers Administration. Applications can be made at https://www.gov.il/en/service/working_permit_for_foreign_workers.
*MEDICAL TOURISM: Hospital managers can submit an application to the Health Ministry. Permission will be granted in most cases where the patient was in mid-treatment or necessitates a complicated treatment that is better performed in Israel.
*ISOLATION: 14 days of isolation are still required for any Israeli citizens or non-citizens entering Israel (with the possible exception for a burial). All those arriving will be required to register their entry and isolation address with the Health Ministry, and spot inspections will be made to make sure that the rules are being adhered to.
Question is more if they will allow students come to seminary and yeshivos at the end of August.
@dan
What if I went to Greece and stayed there for 2 weeks and then flew to Israel.
If they let non Greece citizens from Greece in then would it work?
LY cancelled through July… That’s telling.
Ughh I have tickets for August
A list of current rules posted by AACI
https://aaci.org.il/current-rules-for-non-israelis-seeking-to-come-to-israel/
I have been bombarded with requests from people seeking help to get non-Israelis into Israel. The Health Ministry has made it clear to me that there are no exceptions to the following rules – at least as of now (I will post an update if the rules change):
*FUNERALS: First-degree relatives (parent, child, sibling, spouse) can receive approval to enter Israel for a burial. The two-week isolation requirement can be waived for those entering just for the burial and leaving within 48 hours. Isolation before and after the funeral would be required.
(Apply here: https://go.gov.il/consularservices)
*WEDDINGS: First-degree relatives and grandparents can enter Israel for a wedding but they must spend two weeks in isolation before the wedding.
(Apply here: https://go.gov.il/consularservices)
*SPOUSES: Non-Israelis who are legally married to an Israeli or a permanent resident can enter Israel along with their minor children if the Israeli spouse’s primary place of residence is in Israel.
(Apply here: https://go.gov.il/consularservices)
*STUDENTS: Students who have already started their studies in Israel can return to Israel if a request is made by the student’s academic institution. This includes married yeshiva students but, at the moment, unmarried yeshiva students may not enter Israel.
*EXPERTS: “Experts,” defined as “necessary for national infrastructure and/or functional continuity of the economy” may receive a foreign-worker permit to enter Israel. Approvals will be given based on the recommendation of the relevant government office and the approval of the Immigration Authority’s Foreign Workers Administration. Applications can be made at https://www.gov.il/…/ser…/working_permit_for_foreign_workers.
*MEDICAL TOURISM: Hospital managers can submit an application to the Health Ministry. Permission will be granted in most cases where the patient was in mid-treatment or necessitates a complicated treatment that is better performed in Israel.
*ISOLATION: 14 days of isolation are still required for any Israeli citizens or non-citizens entering Israel (with the possible exception for a burial). All those arriving will be required to register their entry and isolation address with the Health Ministry, and spot inspections will be made to make sure that the rules are being adhered to.
Just an idea, with Israel closed (not that anything can compare) how about an article on alternative vacation venues in the US? Could include options for mekomos hakedoshim, like kivrei tazdikim, and other less important vacation options.