Archives for June 2023

Is it Safe to Visit Israel?

June 10, 2023 by Whitney O'Halek

It’s probably the #1 question you’ll be asked when you start to tell people you’re planning a trip to Israel: “Is it safe?” And then they’ll ask, “Aren’t you afraid?” And finally, the incredulous, “I would never go there!”

The good thing is the those who are afraid don’t have to go, but they don’t have to ruin your trip of a lifetime either! But the question remains: Is it safe?

The short answer is: Yes!

The comprehensive answer is more complicated than that. Yes, Israel is safe for tourists to visit. The general media makes it their business to play up any conflict, anywhere in the world, especially anywhere in the Middle East. And while it’s true that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades – and yes, there are still some acts of terror or provocation – Israel and the West Bank are remarkably safe to visit.

Israel does security incredibly well. Every Israeli citizen – men and women, with a few exceptions – has to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). That means almost every adult citizen walking around has not only served, but they also know exactly what to do in case of an emergency. The IDF is also one of the most well-trained military forces in the world, with the most hands-on experience as well. Along the same lines, the IDF does not hesitate to defend itself and fire back as needed to protect everyone within Israel’s borders.

Also reassuring is the fact that both Israel and the Palestinian Authority depend on tourism from the same groups of people. Putting tourists in the crossfire doesn’t serve anyone, and neither side wants to harm visitors. You will certainly be safe with a tour group, even a small or private one, or under the care and logistical guidance of a good tour operator in Israel. If you’re traveling on your own, you’ll also be perfectly safe if you just follow the rules and laws and don’t wander into areas where the government doesn’t permit or recommend that you go.

Just to put it in perspective, it’s so much less common to hear about a tourist in Israel or the West Bank being injured or killed than it is to hear about it in New York, D.C., Chicago, L.A., or any other major American or European city. That almost sounds ridiculous, but any way you look at the numbers, that is a fact. You wouldn’t hesitate to go to any of those cities if you wanted to, so you also don’t need to hesitate to visit Israel either.

When is the Best Time to Visit Israel and the Holy Land?

June 9, 2023 by Whitney O'Halek

A trip to Israel is a trip of a lifetime. People literally wait all their lives to visit Israel and the Holy Land, and when they finally make it happen, they understandably want to do it right! You want to avoid the heat of summer, but you might not think about the possibility of avoiding the cold in winter. And then there are Jewish, Muslim, and Christian holidays to contend with. So when should you actually visit Israel and finally fulfill your lifelong dream of seeing the Holy Land?

The Ideal Times to Visit Israel

To help you sort through all these factors, here is everything you need to know about finding the right time to visit Israel and the Holy Land.

The Best Time is the Time You Have

This is really the most important thing to keep in mind. If your choice is to go to Israel at a less-than-perfect time of year, or to not go to Israel at all, definitely go to Israel! The best time to go is the time you have available, whenever that may be. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time when the time you have is a good time for you.

Nice Weather: Mid-Spring or Mid-Fall

If you’re particularly sensitive to temperature, or if you want to avoid Israel’s limited rainfall or extreme dryness, plan to travel in spring or fall. The winter rains in February and March make much of Israel’s landscape green and beautiful by the time April and May roll around, and temperatures are mild at this time as well. Or if you don’t mind terrain that’s a little more brown, October and November have the benefit of cooler temperatures after the summer heat.

Lower Crowds: Off Season

For those looking to avoid crowds above all else, consider visiting in the winter months, from January-March. This is the low season for Israel and the Holy Land in general. It can be quite chilly in these months, and there is a higher likelihood of rain. Average temperatures fall to the 40s Fahrenheit overnight, but can rise into the 50s or low 60s in the day time. Bring a light jacket and avoid the high season.

Less than Ideal Times to Visit Israel

As previously mentioned, the time you have available is the best time to visit Israel. If you can avoid these key events, however, you can more easily avoid crowds, weather issues, and other inconveniences.

The Summer Months

The heat alone is enough to put this on the no-go list for many! Summer temperatures can soar into the triple digits (Fahrenheit) in much of Israel. Aside from the discomfort and occasional dangers of extreme heat, some hiking trails and outdoor sites can close due to temperature. If those are important to you, try not to visit in the summer.

The Month of Ramadan

The Muslim population in Israel and the Palestinian Territories celebrates Ramadan for a full month, but the dates change by 11 days (earlier) each year, making it difficult for non-Muslim visitors to track its exact dates when making their travel plans. Additionally, Muslims fast during the day throughout Ramadan, which means that some Muslim-owned restaurants may be closed, making it challenging to find places to eat breakfast or lunch in some Muslim-majority areas.

The bigger issues for visitors, however, is that non-Muslims are not allowed to visit the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock during the 10 days prior to Eid, at the end of Ramadan (nor on Friday of every week, since this is the Muslim holy day, or the Muslim version of Sunday, if you will). If you want to make sure you can visit the Temple Mount during your trip, you will want to plan to avoid travel during this time. A quick Google search will tell you when Ramadan falls each year, so always check if you’re unsure when Ramadan will fall during your year of travel.

Over Jewish Holidays

Israel observes all Jewish holidays, which is probably not a surprise! What may surprise you is that many businesses and even public transportation can completely shut down, and Jewish people in the tourism industry do not work during the most important holidays. The Jewish calendar is different from the traditional calendar, so dates for these holidays change annually.

If possible, avoid travel that falls on Yom Kippur, Chanukkah, Purim, Rosh Hashana, Passover, and Israeli Independence Day, although it can also be really neat to see the display of patriotism and national pride over this last holiday. Or if you cannot avoid these periods in your travels, at least try to plan so that you don’t absolutely need to get somewhere across the country on one of these days. Instead, just chill for a day or two wherever you are along your journey and enjoy seeing how Israelis celebrate these Jewish holidays.

Additionally, Shabbat (the Sabbath) begins every Friday at sundown and lasts until sundown on Saturday each week. You will likely be in Israel on a Shabbat, but don’t worry! You will still be able to do some touring and dine out as you like.

Around Christian Holidays, Unless…

It seems like the dream to be in Bethlehem on Christmas Day, or in Jerusalem on Easter Sunday. If that will make your trip the most meaningful to you, plan early—hotels are at their most expensive and sell out quickly for these dates, as these are definitely the most crowded times to visit these sites.

It’s also worth noting that security is on high alert during the holidays mentioned above for all three religions, which many visitors find to be uncomfortable. There is no need to worry about this; it’s just something to know for your own situational awareness.

Again, the best time to visit Israel and the Holy Land is the time you have, so just go, enjoy, and have the best time visiting Israel while enjoying all of the unique features, quirks, nuances, and surprises that this bucket-list country has to offer.

How a Visit to the Holy Land will Elevate Your Faith

June 8, 2023 by Whitney O'Halek

A trip to Israel and the Holy Land is on nearly every Christian’s bucket list. We want to walk where Jesus walked, stand on the Mount of Olives, and see the crumbled walls of Jericho. Faith is believing in what you can’t see, but there is something to be said for physically seeing what you profess to believe. Here’s how a trip to Israel and the Holy Land will elevate your faith.

The Bible Will Become More Real

Jonah and the Whale. David and Goliath. Mary and Joseph being turned away at every inn in Bethlehem. Whether you learned about these events in vacation Bible school or read about them for the first time as an adult, it’s wild to think that those are real places, those events really happened, and that those are places you can actually visit. It’s one thing to read about these places, or even look at them on a map, but it’s a totally different experience to be there, stand where the people in the Bible stood, and see what they saw.

One of the best things you can do as a Christian visitor to the Holy Land is to bring your Bible with you while touring, or download your preferred version on a Bible app. When you come to a place mentioned in the Bible, stop and find that passage, then read it in that place, either out loud or to yourself. The verses you’re reading will become more than just a Bible “story” to you because you’re there, experiencing the place for yourself.

You Will Gain a Deeper Understanding of Your Own Faith

Israel and the Palestinian Territories are home to some of the most hotly contested land in the entire world. Jews, Muslims, and Christians all consider this land holy and of utmost importance to their respective faiths. You will inevitably learn something new about a different faith, which will likely give you a sense of empathy you didn’t know you needed.

It may seem counter-intuitive living in today’s world culture, but that’s the essence of Jesus’ teaching. Being exposed to and learning about a different faith can give you a deeper understanding of your own faith, maybe because learning about a different faith will prompt you to put into words why you believe the way you do.

The Spiritual Experience You Have Will be Uniquely Yours

The experience you have in Israel and the Holy Land will change the way you live your faith for the rest of your life. Being in the Garden of Gethsemane and reflecting on Jesus’ prayers there may change the way you pray in your own life. Touching the water in the river where Jesus was baptized may give you the confidence to confirm your own commitment to your faith. Reading or listening to the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus spoke it himself may change the way you see yourself or the way you feel toward others.

However God intends to use this trip for you, it will be for your good, your benefit, and your spiritual life. You may feel that as soon as you step off the plane, or you might not have your own spiritual experience until you’re back home and able to let it all sink in. Your trip to Israel and the Holy Land will be what God needs it to be for you and your faith.