The question that “Is Palestine Safe” is a concern for many people around the world.

Let me tell you that although Palestine is considered dangerous but still, tourism is an important part of its economy.

You should understand that there are several ways to travel to the West Bank. Therefore, if you abide by them, your tour to Palestine will be very good and safe.

Introduction:

It is a fact that the people consider Palestine unsafe and their reasoning is justified to some extent. This is because of the media and the everyday news we get across every day about Palestine.

You should know that the Palestinian people are very welcoming and warm-hearted. The people consider them very hostile and harsh which is incorrect. The attitude of the Palestinian people with the tourists is something you should consider before visiting Palestine.

Does the street crimes in Palestine make it unsafe?

The people claim that street crimes in Palestine and inevitable. The truth is that there are street crimes in Palestine. However, the amount has reduced significantly over the past few years.

Therefore, you should not cancel your plan to visit Palestine based on street crimes because let us compare the crime rate of Palestine with America.

Is Palestine Safe To Travel
  1. Justice System Punishment – Capital Punishments (executions):
  • Palestine: 6 (Ranked 5th)
  • America: 43 (Ranked 1st) – 7 times more than Palestine
  1. Violent Crimes (Murders):
  • Palestine: 145 (Ranked 72nd)
  • America: 12,996 (Ranked 9th) – 90 times more than Palestine
  1. Violent Crimes – Gun Crimes (Guns per 100 residents):
  • Palestine: 3.4 (Ranked 112th)
  • America: 88.8 (Ranked 1st) – 26 times more than Palestine

The above mentioned statistics may help you find out that is Palestine safe or not.

Is Palestine Safe? (According To The International Sources)?

Yes! The international sources consider Palestine a medium safe land. If we remember the fact that it is an occupied zone, then it is pretty good from that point of view.

If you have the question that “what about the health system” in Palestine, then let me guide you.

The health system in Palestine is pretty decent but it is not the best in the world. If you have concerns regarding your health then, we advise you to double-check your health insurance policy before travelling.

The Palestine National Authority (PNA) provides health services to the people according to its jurisprudence following the constitution (through its Ministry of Health).

The health care system in Palestine comprises:

  • Socio-Economic Political Mapping
  • Health system reforms
  • Health services delivery
  • Human resources
  • Health status and demographics

Also Read: 10 Interesting Facts About Palestine

Do People Visit Palestine?

If you are thinking to visit Palestine then you might be wondering that do people visit Palestine. We have an answer to your question.

Before answering this question, do you know that in 2018, 2.8 million people visited Palestine? The state of Palestine is becoming popular with visitors.

Tourism in Palestine refers to the tourism in East Jerusalem, West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The major sites of tourism in Palestine are as follows:

East Jerusalem:

  • This place is sacred for the Muslims, Christians and the Jews.

The tourists are mostly religious and the places which the people visit include the Old City, Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives.

The Old City is divided into four quarters:

  1. American Quarter
  2. Muslim Quarter
  3. Christian Quarter
  4. Jewish Quarter

The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is a sacred place for the Muslims and it holds massive significance in Islam.

Is Palestine Safe (Al-Aqsa Mosque)
Photo by Sander Crombach on Unsplash
Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem

Is East Jerusalem safe?

Yes, East Jerusalem is safe. If you are thinking to visit Palestine then, you should also consider visiting East Jerusalem. However, you need to take care of a couple of things.

As advised earlier, a group of experts can guide you about what to visit and in what manners.

Hebron:

  • This is a Holy city for the Jews and the Muslims.

According to the tradition, it is the burial place of Abraham, Issac and Jacob and some other personalities. The city was the capital of Israel before King David moved it to Jerusalem.

Nablus:

  • Nablus is acknowledged as the commercial capital of the West Bank.

It is known for its furniture trade and its old city. Nablus is around 49 kilometres north of Jerusalem with a population of approximately 126,132.

The city of Nablus is relatively safe but still, the tourists here are relatively less. Therefore, it is advisable to visit the place with someone who knows about it.

Bethlehem:

  • This is one of the most important tourist destination in Palestine.

The reason being it is the birthplace of Jesus as described in the Gospel of the New Testament.

This place is also sacred for the Jews as it is the birthplace of King David. There are more than 30 renowned hotels in Bethlehem and therefore, it is a good site for the tourists.

In 2012, more than 700,000 international tourists visited the city. Bethlehem has been appointed a UNESCO World Heritage site back in July 2012.

Read Also: The Interesting History of Iran | The Revolution

Is It Safe To Visit Gaza?

  • There is frequent conflict in the Gaza Strip and it is a volatile area. The authorities advise people to reconsider their decision to visit Gaza.

The political instability and barbarity in this area make it unsafe for the people to visit.

Is Palestine Safe (Gaza)
Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash

There are several foreign governments that have advised its people to not travel to Gaza because of the frequently disturbing condition there.

If you still want to visit Gaza against your government advice then, consider following these tips to stay safe.

  1. Try to stay aside from crowds and public protests
  2. Women should groom modestly covering their arms and legs with long-sleeved clothing
  3. Try to find out where the emergency shelters are located
  4. Do not forget to stay in touch with people back home and ask them for any news about Gaza (Also regularly update them about your situation)

Let me tell you some interesting facts about the Gaza Strip.

The average temperature of the Gaza Strip is 26°C in August and the 75 kilometres coastline makes this place ideal for tourism. However, the water and sewage problems in Gaza are commonly faced by the people.

The Palestinian government has identified some places (in 2001) that have the potential of beach tourism. In 2010, Hamas imposed some rules regarding the dress code on the beaches.

Is Palestine Safe To Travel Then?

Till now, we have gone through some details that whether you should visit Palestine or not. There are some places that are really beautiful and you should definitely visit. On the contrary, some places are relatively unsafe which you should avoid.

If we look at the fact that Palestine is an occupied territory then, from that point of view it is worth visiting. However, the condition there can change in the blink of an eye.

Therefore, it is recommended to you to not visit Palestine alone. Instead, a group led by experts should be your priority. In this way, you can stay safe and your visit to Palestine can be fruitful.

Conclusion:

Your question that “Is Palestine Safe To Travel” has been addressed. I hope that your journey to Palestine will be safe and joyful.

If you want to know more about the history of Palestine, refer to this article:

The Interesting History of Palestine And The PLO

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