My Department's travel advice is regularly updated and is designed to help Irish citizens make informed decisions before travelling overseas. It reflects a considered assessment of the risks involved and is based on the best information available to the Department. It draws on reports from Irish Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad and advice issued by other countries including Member States of the European Union, as well as other like minded countries. Every effort is made to ensure that the advice offered is accurate and up-to-date.
The Department is not currently advising against travel to Israel and the Occupied Territories, except to the Gaza Strip, but is advising against non essential travel to the border area with the Gaza Strip. It is also advising citizens to exercise extreme caution before deciding to travel to the occupied West Bank, particularly in the light of the two fatal incidents in the West Bank over the weekend in which four Palestinians were killed. This advice also takes account of the current security situation, including the events which occurred on 18 March, when a mortar attack from Gaza on Israel resulted in the death of a farm worker.
In addition, there have been disturbances in Jerusalem and in parts of the West Bank over the past week, and the threat level is considered such as to justify the retention of our current advice.
As I am sure the Deputy will accept, the primary responsibility for undertaking a journey overseas, or for any decision taken against accepting our advice, rests with the individual.
I can assure the Deputy that this Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and will remain in regular contact with the Israeli authorities.
