Is travel to Israel/ME realistically possible?

[drcam]

My current tentative travel plans for 2024 due for long service leave:

May 23 MEL-HKG CX PE
Jun 10 KUL-MEL J PR (return fare in J 1.4k AUD)
Sep 25 MEL-MNL J PR (discarding final leg to KUL)
Sep 25 MNL-AUH-JFK in J (3.8k AUD approx), returning 8-9Nov, with a stopover on the return leg.

I plan to spend 10-12 days in the ME on the way back. I would like to visit Dubai, plus one of Israel and Egypt. I really want to go to Israel though. Is it realistically viable given the current environment? I have heard that in the big cities and major destinations, life is pretty much carrying on as normal.

I have been able to tolerate NAIA in MNL all right in the past.

 

[mbell1510]

Looks like all the major airlines which suspended flights last year (Emirates, Cathay, the euro and US carriers) are returning to Tel Aviv from March, so that would be an indication that it is possible from a logistics perspective.

 

[VPS]

Have you tried to get TI for the visit to Israel - that should help make a decision

 

[Daver6]

In central Israel, it's business as usual. My parent's were there in November and no issues. Ingress/egress was on Fly Dubai via DXB as EK had cancelled flights to TLV. As others have mentioned, many airlines are returning.

 

[Pushka]

Smart Traveller suggests evaluate your need to travel so not outright banned. Which means trip insurance might be available.

We were in Dubai at New Years and it was business as usual. We have close friends who arrive into Cairo today and are undertaking a Scenic River cruise on the Nile for a week and then going into Jordan.

 

[jbmarshall90]

Was in Egypt and Jordan in December / January. Egypt was perfect and would go on a plane tonight if I had a booking. The only on ground impact you'll notice is no tourists in what is the peak season!

 

[DC3]

… I really want to go to Israel though. Is it realistically viable given the current environment? …

And here’s me thinking that Israel is still at war. Maybe viable, however …..

Are there any active volcanoes worth visiting instead?

 

[Pushka]

And here’s me thinking that Israel is still at war. Maybe viable, however …..

Are there any active volcanoes worth visiting instead?

We travelled to Sri Lanka when it was in full on civil war in 1985. Stayed there for 4 weeks. Need sometimes takes precdedence over sensibility.