Israel Latest Updates: Our Commitment to Your Safety
+1 (800) 653-0017 hello@canterburypilgrimages.com
Israel Latest Updates: Our Commitment to Your Safety
+1 (800) 653-0017 hello@canterburypilgrimages.com

Ensuring the Safety of our Pilgrimages in Israel

This webpage provides updates and insights on the safety of pilgrimages to Israel, detailing how Canterbury Pilgrimages is monitoring the situation, avoiding high-risk areas, and coordinating with local partners to ensure safe travel experiences.

Update as of March 7, 2026

 

Monitoring the Situation in Israel: An Update for Upcoming Travelers

Recent developments in the Middle East have understandably raised concerns for many who are planning to travel to Israel. On February 28, U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran were followed by Iranian retaliation, prompting widespread news coverage and renewed attention to the region.

If you are preparing for an upcoming trip to Israel, you may be wondering what this means for your plans.

Our Commitment to Your Safety

For many years, we have had the privilege of bringing travelers to Israel. During that time, we have navigated a number of situations similar in nature to the current one. Throughout each event, one principle has remained constant: the safety and well-being of our travelers is our highest priority.

In moments like these, we closely monitor developments as they unfold. We are in ongoing communication with our trusted partners on the ground in Israel—experienced professionals who are best positioned to assess local conditions and provide real-time guidance regarding safety. Their insight, combined with our own careful evaluation, allows us to make informed and responsible decisions.

Why We Are Asking for Patience

At this early stage, we are still within the early days of the situation’s onset. As is often the case with rapidly developing geopolitical events, it is simply too soon to know with certainty how circumstances will evolve.

For that reason, we are asking all travelers to refrain from taking any action at this time. While we understand the desire for immediate clarity, patience in these early days allows us to gather accurate information and respond thoughtfully rather than reactively.

The encouraging news is that, although your trip may be approaching, it is not departing tomorrow—or even next week. This gives us valuable time to monitor the situation carefully and determine the best path forward.

What Comes Next

We will continue to watch the situation closely and remain in constant contact with our partners in Israel. As more information becomes available and the picture becomes clearer, we will provide timely updates and guidance.

In the meantime, we invite you to join us in praying for the peace of Jerusalem.

 

 

Update as of January 21, 2026

Daily Life and Tourism Operations in Israel Have Been Steady for Months

The recent ceasefire has further reduced tensions and made planning and operations even more predictable. Ben Gurion Airport and Israeli airspace are operating normally under the civil aviation authorities.

Flights to Tel Aviv (TLV)

  • Service has broadly resumed. Israeli carriers are operating, and many international airlines have restored routes on regular schedules; resumptions from major U.S. and European carriers have continued through mid- to late-2025 (with a few airline-specific exceptions).

Sites & on-the-ground logistics

  • Major pilgrimage and cultural sites are open (Jerusalem’s Old City and holy places, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, Dead Sea region, etc.). Operating hours are being maintained and regularly updated by local custodians.
  • Crowd levels are lower than pre-war peaks. Many groups report unusually open access at key sites—an atypically uncrowded experience right now.

Costs & availability

  • We have not yet seen a post-ceasefire cost surge. In fact, with more foreign carriers returning, several outlets report airfares are easing from prior highs. Hotel and ground-service pricing remains stable relative to recent months, with good availability in many areas. (As always, prices can vary by date and route.) We anticipate that this may soon change.

Entry requirements

  • Travelers from visa-exempt countries (including U.S.) must obtain ETA-IL (Israel’s electronic travel authorization) before travel. This has been mandatory since January 1, 2025. Apply only via the official PIBA/government site; the fee is ~NIS 25. Plan to submit at least 72 hours before departure.

Going forward

  • We’ll keep monitoring air schedules, local conditions, and site operations with our partners. If you’re discerning a pilgrimage in the coming months, the logistics are favorable and planning is more straightforward than it has been since October 7th.