Safest cities in Israel
11 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting
- Gaza
- Areas near Gaza
- The West Bank
- Northern Israel and Occupied Golan Heights
- Tulkarm Governorate, Jenin Governorate, and Tubas Governorate except Route 90
- Areas north of Route 89 between Nahariyya and Dalton; north of a straight eastward line from Dalton to Route 91; and north of Route 91 across the Golan Heights, excluding routes 89 and 91 themselves
- Within 500m of the Area of Separation in the occupied Golan Heights (the ‘Alpha line’). Do not attempt to enter the occupied Golan Heights through Syria
- Sheba’a Farms and Ghajja
- West Bank
In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.
What official travel advice warns about
Conflict between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel
- Following the conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah (LH), a cessation of hostilities was announced on 16 April 2026. However, fighting continues and the dynamic nature of the conflict means the situation may change quickly.
Conflict between Iran and Israel
- Following the conflict between Israel and Iran a ceasefire was agreed on 8 April 2026.
Conflict between the Houthis (in Yemen) and Israel
- Following the conflict between Israel and the Houthis (in Yemen), there continues to be a risk of missile and drone attacks throughout Israel. There is a risk of shrapnel from intercepted missiles falling across Israel and Palestine and possible disruption at Ben Gurion airport. On 22 and 24 September 2025, two drones fired by the Houthis fell in…
Conflict in Israel and Palestine
- On 7 October 2023 there was a large-scale terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel. The frequency of attacks has significantly decreased but there is still a risk of rocket attacks throughout Israel.
Terrorism
- Terrorism in Israel and PalestineTerrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Israel and Palestine.
Terrorist kidnap
- Terrorist kidnap is a risk in Gaza and along the border with Egypt. On 7 October 2023, 251 people were kidnapped by Hamas into Gaza.
Political situation
- Violent incidentsIn Israel and the West Bank, there is a risk of violent incidents, including:
- Demonstrations and armed clashesLarge political demonstrations can:
- Refugee campsBe extremely cautious if visiting refugee camps. Hebron and Palestinian refugee camps have previously been the site of violent clashes.
- SettlementsThere have been recent violent incidents in settlements and settlement outposts, including near Beit El, Homesh, Shilo and Evyatar.
Crime
- Protecting your belongingsKeep your personal belongings in a safe place. Theft of passports, credit cards, and valuables from public beaches is common.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAlways carry ID, for example, a copy of the personal details and entry stamp pages of your passport).
- Dress codeIn Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, clothing should cover your shoulders, upper arms, and legs above the knee.
- RamadanRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. If you are in Palestine during this time, do not:
- Buying propertyThere are risks in buying property in Israeli settlements on land considered to be occupied under international law in East Jerusalem, the rest of the West Bank and the Golan. A future peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, or between Israel and Syria, could have consequences for property you buy in these settlements.
- Illegal drugs and prison sentencesIf you’re caught with drugs, you can expect a prison sentence.
- Using camerasBe sensitive about taking pictures of people in Muslim and Orthodox Jewish areas. Do not take photographs of military or police officers or installations.
- LGBT+ travellersIsraeli law does not criminalise same-sex sexual relations between consenting adults. In Palestine, same-sex sexual activity is legal in the West Bank but illegal in Gaza, where it carries a 10-year prison sentence.
- Wildlife, animal products and souvenirsIf you’re caught breaking local laws on import and export of wild animals, expect to receive a substantial fine and up to 2 years in prison. For more information on the regulations and laws in Israel see the Israeli Nature and Park Authority website.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Israel and Palestine, see information on driving abroad.
- Hiring a carIf you want to drive across into the West Bank, check your insurance will cover you there. Some hire companies do not insure vehicles taken there. It may be easier to hire a fully insured car from a company in East Jerusalem.
- HitchhikingIt is not safe to hitchhike in Israel and Palestine.
- Driving in the desertIf you’re travelling to the desert, you should:
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- FloodingRoads can flood during extreme weather conditions. Flash flooding is a risk, particularly in the arid southern region of the Negev. Check risk areas locally.
- EarthquakesEarthquakes are a risk in Israel and Palestine. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Israel, updated 2026-07-22 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 3.72 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 38.32022
- Human development
- HDI 0.9192023
- Income
- $58,870/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 3.9 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 48/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 67/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 62/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 3.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.70GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 21.9 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 100%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 3.8 doctors /1k3.1 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Earthquake
- 6.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 5.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Tsunami
- 2.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Israel (as of 2025).
How Israel compares
| Measure | Israel | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 3.7 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +1.3 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 38.3 | 35.2 | +3.1 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.919 | 0.763 | +0.156 — better for Israel |
| Road deaths | 3.9 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −11.5 /100k — better for Israel |
| Rule of law | 67/100 | 52/100 | +15/100 — better for Israel |
| Corruption perceptions | 62/100 | 39/100 | +23/100 — better for Israel |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 21.9 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +2.2 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.3/10 | 3.8/10 | −0.5/10 — better for Israel |
| Measure | Israel | Asia median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 3.7 /100k | 1.5 /100k | +2.2 /100k — better for Asia median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 38.3 | 33.4 | +4.9 — better for Asia median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.919 | 0.766 | +0.153 — better for Israel |
| Road deaths | 3.9 /100k | 15.3 /100k | −11.4 /100k — better for Israel |
| Rule of law | 67/100 | 52/100 | +15/100 — better for Israel |
| Corruption perceptions | 62/100 | 35/100 | +28/100 — better for Israel |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 21.9 µg/m³ | 28.6 µg/m³ | −6.7 µg/m³ — better for Israel |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.3/10 | 3.7/10 | −0.4/10 — better for Israel |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 11 cities, safest first
- Haifa46.3 · #5452 worldwide
- Nazareth46.1 · #5465 worldwide
- Tel Aviv43.5 · #5632 worldwide
- Jerusalem43.5 · #5633 worldwide
- Ashdod43.5 · #5634 worldwide
- Modiin-Maccabim-Reut43.5 · #5635 worldwide
- Netanya43.5 · #5636 worldwide
- Rehovot43.5 · #5637 worldwide
- Beersheba43.5 · #5638 worldwide
- Rosh HaAyin43.5 · #5639 worldwide
- Ashkelon43.5 · #5640 worldwide