Israel has long starred in other countries' travel advisories, and reading these warnings isn't particularly flattering.


The warnings about terror attacks are predictable: Most countries urge
their citizens to stay alert while visiting Israel and to avoid certain
areas, such as Gaza, the Lebanese and Egyptian borders, and sometimes
the West Bank - though no country has yet included a warning about the
Iranian threat.


But many of these warnings also paint Israel as a primitive,
crime-ridden country, full of bad drivers, religious extremists and even
undrinkable water.


The most detailed and, it seems, important travel advisory is the
American one, as many other countries refer their own citizens to it.
This advisory, last updated it three weeks ago, focuses heavily on
security. It offers a detailed survey of recent incidents along the
border, as well as information about terror attacks in Jerusalem and
rocket fire from Gaza. It warns that Israel periodically conducts
military operations in the West Bank and Gaza with no prior notice,
advises travelers to avoid demonstrations and exercise maximum caution
in crowded places, and tells visitors to the Golan Heights to beware of
land mines.


Other countries offer similar warnings - though Belgium, surprisingly,
defines Israel's security situation as "relatively good."


But many advisories go way beyond security problems. Britain, for
instance, warns its citizens against giving their passports to anyone in
Israel, since it is currently investigating Israel on suspicion of
fraudulently using British passports in the 2010 assassination of senior
Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai.


"This has raised the possibility that your passport details could be
captured for improper uses while your passport is out of your control,"
it says. "The risk applies in particular to passports without biometric
security features. Only hand your passport over to third parties,
including Israeli officials, when absolutely necessary."


Other countries warn of problems at Ben-Gurion Airport. Austria, for
instance, tells travelers to expect problems with airport security
personnel when entering and leaving Israel.


The American version is much more detailed: "U.S. citizen visitors have
been subjected to prolonged questioning and thorough searches by
Israeli authorities upon entry or departure ... U.S. citizens have been
detained and/or arrested at the airport and at other border crossings on
suspicion of security-related offenses. Members of religious groups
have been monitored, arrested, and deported for suspicion of intent to
proselytize in Israel."


Moreover, some travelers have had "laptop computers and other
electronic equipment confiscated at Ben-Gurion Airport. While most items
are returned prior to the traveler's departure, some equipment has been
retained by the authorities for lengthy periods and has reportedly been
damaged, destroyed, lost or never returned ... Israeli security
officials have also requested access to travelers' personal email
accounts or other social media accounts as a condition of entry."

But wait, there's more


Many countries warn travelers about Israel's dangerous drivers,
including Australia, Britain and Ireland. "Driving in Israel is
erratic," says the Australian version. "The road fatality rate in Israel
is very high."


"Aggressive driving is commonplace, and many drivers fail to maintain
safe following distances or signal before changing lanes or making
turns," concurs the U.S. version. "Overtaking on high-speed undivided
two-lane roads is common and results in frequent accidents. Drivers are
also prone to stop suddenly on roads without warning, especially in the
right lane."

Ireland adds a warning about frequent speed traps and high fines.


Most countries devote special warnings to Jerusalem, and especially its
ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods. Spain says Jerusalem has "returned to
normal," but still warns travelers to be extra careful there. Other
countries are less upbeat. The U.S. and France both warn against using
public transport in the city, for fear of terror attacks; Austria
advises against public transportation throughout the country.


"Demonstrations in religious neighborhoods occur regularly and
sometimes result in clashes between residents and the local police,"
Canada warns. "Traffic may also be disrupted ... Assaults on visitors
who are traveling in cars or immodestly dressed have occurred in
Jerusalem's Old City and ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods on
Sabbath."


Australia warns that public displays of affection at religious sites or
in Haredi neighborhoods can spark anger. The British version is
blunter: "If you choose to enter ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, be
aware that local residents can react strongly to anyone (particularly
women ) whom they deem to be dressed in an inappropriate manner. For
women this would include wearing trousers. On Shabbat (from sunset on
Friday to sunset on Saturday ) these neighborhoods are blocked off and
you should not attempt to drive into them. If you do, local residents
may stone your car."


Most countries note that Israel's crime rate isn't high, but add
several caveats: Canada says car theft is high; Britain warns of the
theft of passports, credit cards and valuables; the U.S. warns of
purse-snatching and car break-ins.


Japan offers a nonstandard list of places to avoid. It is headed by Tel
Aviv's Hatikva neighborhood, where it claims drugs and dubious
characters abound. At night, it adds the city's Neve Sha'anan
neighborhood to the list, citing foreign workers, sex shops and high
crime. And don't walk alone at night on Allenby and Ben Yehuda streets,
or in Old Jaffa, it warns.


Japan's advisory includes a long list of places where Japanese tourists
have had their valuables stolen, and claims that serious crime is also
on the rise: Israel's per capita crime rate is 2.1 times Japan's for
murder, 6.7 times Japan's for theft and 7.2 times Japan's for sexual
offenses, it says.


Canada, Japan and Austria even warn their citizens not to drink tap
water in Israel; Austria urges caution when eating fruits and vegetables
as well. And France warns against visiting farms and open-air markets -
while reminding travelers to "wash their hands frequently" to avoid
germs.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/visit-israel-at-your-own-risk-warn-many-western-countries-1.461842