Frequently asked questions about the situation in Israel / Palestinian Territories

Israel

Since 14 June 2025 the Dutch travel advice for all of Israel has been red. This means that you should not travel there, whatever your situation, because it is too dangerous there. If you are in Israel, leave the country if you can do so safely.

There are frequent airstrikes between Israel and Iran. The security situation in Israel is therefore unpredictable. Read the current travel advice for Israel (information in Dutch).

Palestinian Territories

Since 15 June 2025 the Dutch travel advice for East Jerusalem and, therefore for all of the Palestinian Territories, has been red. This means that you should not travel there, whatever your situation, because it is too dangerous there. If you are in the Palestinian Territories, leave if you can do so safely.

The war between Israel and Hamas means it is unsafe in the Palestinian Territories. In addition, there are reciprocal airstrikes between Israel and Iran, This has caused the situation to deteriorate further. Read the current travel advice for the Palestinian Territories (information in Dutch).

If you are in Israel, follow the Israeli authorities’ instructions provided on the Home Front Command website (accessible only from within Israel). 

Check the travel advice for Israel (information in Dutch) regularly for updates. And sign up for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Service (information in Dutch) so the ministry can send you information and contact you if necessary.

If you are in the West Bank, leave if you can do so safely. The operating hours of the checkpoints and border crossings are uncertain and can change at any time.

See the current operating hours of the checkpoints on the Access Coordination Unit website. See the current operating hours of the border crossings on the Israel Airport Authorities website.

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 Dutch). The ministry can then contact you if necessary.

We hope that your family members or friends are somewhere safe. It is important that they sign up for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Service (information in Dutch). You can also do this for them from the Netherlands. Then the ministry can send them information or contact them if necessary.

You can also register yourself as their contact person via the Information Service. In that case, you will receive the emails or text messages.

Keep in mind that communication channels such as internet and phone services may be disrupted. If you cannot reach your family or friends, keep trying.

Try to leave Israel by land. Information is being shared through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Service about topics such as options for leaving Israel by land via Jordan or Egypt. See previous Information Service messages on the Dutch government’s live blog.

Check beforehand whether you or anyone you are travelling with needs a visa for Jordan or Egypt.

• Jordan: If you have a Dutch or Israeli passport you can arrange a visa online via the website of the Jordanian government. Or when you arrive in Jordan.
• Egypt: If you have a Dutch or Israeli passport you can arrange a visa online via the website of the Egyptian government . Or when you arrive in Egypt. 

If you decide to leave Israel via Jordan or Egypt, be alert. Always follow the local authorities’ instructions.

Leaving Israel via Jordan

If you leave Israel via Jordan, you can continue your journey on a flight departing from the international airport in Amman. Flights to European destinations depart daily, and some direct flights are available. There is a direct flight to Amsterdam four times a week. Check the options beforehand. 

Keep in mind that Jordan could also close its airspace temporarily, resulting in flight cancellations. Contact your airline for more information.

There are three options for leaving Israel via Jordan: 

1. Using the border crossing at Beit Shean. It is about 2 hours from Tel Aviv, and the international airport in Amman is about another 2 hours from there. 
2. Using the Allenby Bridge border crossing. From there you can travel on to the international airport in Amman. Please note: If you have an Israeli passport, you cannot use this border crossing. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport in Amman to ensure you don’t miss your flight.
3. Using the Eilat/Aqaba border crossing. The international airport in Amman can be reached by taxi from Aqaba. There is an airport in Aqaba but it offers few, if any, international commercial flights.

If you are considering leaving Israel via Jordan, bear in mind that the opening hours of the border crossings are subject to change. See the current operating hours of the border crossings on the Israel Airport Authorities website.

Leaving Israel via Egypt

You can travel to Egypt using the Taba border crossing. This border crossing is open 24 hours a day. Air travel is possible from Sharm el-Sheikh, which can be reached from the Taba crossing by car in about 3 hours. Check the options beforehand.

Other options

The airline El Al and Mano Maritime will jointly offer a cruise service from Israel to Cyprus on 24 June. Tickets are available on El Al and Mano Maritime's website.

Registration with the Israeli Ministry of Tourism

If you are in Israel as a tourist, you can register with the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Your registration indicates that you want to leave Israel. You can reach the registration service 24/7 via email, WhatsApp and Facebook. Please note that Israeli authorities cannot guarantee that flights will be organised. And if flights do take place, there is no guarantee that everyone who has registered will be able to fly with them.

If you need help, you can contact NetherlandsWorldwide 24/7 at telephone number +31 247 247 247 or via WhatsApp +31 857 737 400.

The embassy in Tel Aviv is open for emergency matters and collection of passports. Passports can be collected without an appointment. Check the embassy’s page regularly for updates about its opening hours. 

If you have an appointment at VFS Global in Tel Aviv, check the VFS Global website regularly for updates regarding its opening hours.

If you need help, you can contact NetherlandsWorldwide 24/7 at telephone number +31 247 247 247 or via WhatsApp +31 857 737 400.

The Netherlands Representative Office in Ramallah is open.

Find out how to make an appointment at the Netherlands Representative Office in Ramallah

If you need help, you can contact NetherlandsWorldwide 24/7 at telephone number +31 247 247 247 or via WhatsApp +31 857 737 400.

Israel

The embassy in Tel Aviv is temporarily closed to the public due to the unsafe situation. We do not know for how long. Check the website regularly for updates about its opening hours.

Keep in mind that the VFS Global in Tel Aviv is temporarily closed. Check the VFS Global website regularly for updates about its opening times. 

Palestinian Territories

Yes. To apply for a short-stay Schengen visa in the Palestinian Territories go to the VFS Global application centre in Ramallah. Please note: you can only apply there if you live in the West Bank or East Jerusalem. 

Find out how to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa in the Palestinian Territories

Israel

The embassy in Tel Aviv is temporarily closed to the public due to the unsafe situation. We do not know for how long. Check the website regularly for updates about its opening hours.

If you received a notification that your mvv visa sticker has been approved and that your passport is ready. The consular department is open Monday to Friday from 09.00 - 12.00 for emergency assistance and passport collection.

Palestinian Territories

Yes. The Netherlands Representative Office in Ramallah is open.

Find out how to collect your passport with an MVV visa sticker from the Netherlands Representative Office in Ramallah

Israel

No, the embassy in Tel Aviv is temporarily closed to the public due to the unsafe situation. It is unknown until when. Check the website regularly for updates about its opening hours.

If you need help, you can contact NetherlandsWorldwide 24/7 at telephone number +31 247 247 247 or via WhatsApp +31 857 737 400.

Palestinian Territories

Yes. The Netherlands Representative Office in Ramallah is open.

Find out how to apply for an emergency travel document if you live in the Palestinian Territories

Find out how to apply for a passport of ID card if you live in the Palestinian Territories