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Travel into and out of the Israel/Palestine Region

The Israeli Immigration and Population Administration has launched a new travel authorization system for visitors from visa-exempt countries (ETA-IL pilot), as of June 1st. During the pilot phase, holders of US and German passports will be able, on a voluntary basis only, to apply for the travel authorization and will be exempt from government charge. They system will formally open to visitors from all visas exempt countries on July 1st, 2024. The traveler will have to have a valid travel authorization before boarding the flight. The ETA-IL authorization isn’t a work permit. The list of visa exempt countries: https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/eligibilitynational/.

Those who are eligible will be able to travel to Israel, and stay for up to 90 days. An ETA-IL authorization will stay valid for up to 2 years, or until the current passport expires – whichever comes first.

For more information, please review MOI page: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/topics/eta-il/govil-landing-page.

Travel to Israel is somehow back to normal despite the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas/ Hezbollah.

There are no travel bans into this region currently in place, though some governments, like the United Kingdom and the United States, are advising against travel to the region in general and are saying not to travel to Gaza specifically (this information should be verified). Flights into and out of David Ben Gurion airport – Israel’s main international airport – are subject to delays and cancelations, with some airlines stopping flights into Israel.

Current Situation:

• Many foreign airlines with flights to and from Israel have resumed operations, Individuals wishing to travel to or from Israel should expect possible delays and cancellations in case of occasional threats due to barrage of rockets- more and more rare.
• ELAL Airlines, the national carrier of Israel, operates in accordance with the instructions of the Israeli security forces, servicing worldwide destinations. There are daily chartered flights from & to Cyprus and Greece operated by Israir Airlines and Arkia Airlines.
• For Israeli nationals wishing to depart Israel whose passports have expired, the Ministry of Interior desk on the 2^ndfloor of Ben Gurion Airport Terminal 3 may be able to issue an emergency passport if the individual is booked on a flight within 48 hours.

Employee Evacuations:

Most companies asked their foreign population to leave Israel temporarily, utilizing the company-preferred travel provider to oversee the flight booking. An example was cited in which a large employer arranged a flight to Greece and Cyprus for 50+ employees. From Cyprus and Greece, employees are booking their flights home. Foreign airlines have reduced the number of flights, and some are no longer offering services to Israel. Israeli airlines – ELAL, Israir, and Arkia have shuttle flights to Cyprus and Greece.

Employees Remaining in Israel:

Those staying in Israel will be reminded about the security protocol, mainly: “In the event that you hear alarms/sirens, please enter the MMD (apartment protected space or shelter room), a shelter, an internal stairwell, or a protected internal room. The doors and windows must be closed and locked.” They will be referred to the “Home Front Command” website and app: https://www.oref.org.il/en.

Recommendation:

If you are a foreign national currently in the Israel/Palestine region (or even in a neighboring country such as Lebanon or Jordan which could see fighting spill over into their countries) we recommend you register with your country’s embassy or consulate in case support is needed at any time. It is also important to keep a copy of your travel documents (copies of your passport, national ID cards, travel visas, work permits, etc.) with you at all times. Also monitor local media for real-time information on any potential disturbances in your immediate area.

Any clients considering relocation of employees out of Israel, both foreign nationals and local citizens, should confirm that their employees and any family members hold a valid biometric passport. This can be confirmed by identifying if the biometric symbol is present.

Travel and Commuting Within Israel

Current Situation:

• Public transportation is available.
• While there is no mandatory stay-at-home request, it is recommended to be aware of surrounding shelters when commuting. Local Municipalities inform their residents via their networks of the public protected spaces available. Different regions are affected daily by missile attacks, and as such, as well as factoring in potential risks, the Home Front Command (Pikud Haoref) has issued geographic-specific security guidelines.
• The Home Front Command is entrusted with civil defense in routine times and in emergencies. To protect the lives of the residents and enable an emergency life routine, the Home Front Command has the legal authority to establish and disseminate daily guidelines, which outline the mode of activity in the various areas of life. Its purpose is to reinforce national resilience and save lives by preparing and supporting civilians. The English website regularly updates official guidelines and information. The safety instructions of the Home Front Command in the various languages can be found at the following link.

The Home Front Command’s daily civil defense guidelines are divided into four levels, labeled by the colors green, yellow, orange and red (the Ramzor system). Each guideline area is classified by color based on these levels, from a green classification, which means that activity is being held as usual, up to a red classification, indicating that only essential activity for critical services is provided. The guidelines are based on a daily assessment of the situation in the Home Front Command, which takes into account the danger to the population in a particular geographical area and relates to educational activities, capacity limit at public gatherings, both indoors and outdoors, and workplace guidelines.

Immigration

Current Situation:

• The Work Permit Unit and the visa department are operating, and normal processing times should be expected.
• Immigration authorities may be closed or partially closed throughout Israel.

Destination Services

Current Situation:

• Local teams are working 24/7 to stay updated on government advice.
• Weichert’s Destination Service Providers (DSPs) are monitoring the area of conflict (mostly taking place in Northern and Southern Israel). Central Israel, namely Tel Aviv and surrounding areas, remain calm.
• Assignees are gradually coming back to Israel, subject to Company’s security approval.

Current Leases:

Many assignees who were evacuated from Israel have ended their assignment and repatriated to their home country. Weichert’s DSPs have started to receive new authorizations for home finding support for new assignees coming to Israel, mostly for Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas. Early termination notice are always negotiated as part of the lease drafting process and Weichert’s DSPs have been successful in arranging this.

Companies have not indicated the need to release their long-term leases, and Weichert’s DSPs haven’t received any authorization for full departure services. Only a few assignees on short-term assignments were staying in temporary housing and will likely not return to complete the assignment. If they should return to the same area, our DSP is prepared to source a different housing solution for them in due course.

For customers wo have left Israel and are not returning, Weichert’s DSP can assist with closing out the apartments, arranging for someone to pack personal goods left behind including furniture they want shipped, as well as bank account closure and auto rentals returns.

Should it be required, Weichert’s DSP team is ready to deliver accompanied destination services on a virtual basis through RelocationOnline, our DSP technology platform.

Recommendation:

Advice from the Israeli government is for individuals to remain in areas where public shelters or house shelters are available.

Public Facilities & Daily Life

• Medical: All hospitals and emergency rooms are accessible. Doctors’ appointments can be made.
• Shopping Facilities: are open.
• Leisure: Public parks, beaches, cinemas are open. All leisure activities are operating unless located in the Northern confrontation line and Gaza Strip.
• Workplaces: Remain open as it is possible to carry out an activity in a place from which a standard protected space can be reached within the time available to reach shelter.
• Schools: are open.
• Deliveries & International Shipping: Packing and deliveries can be arranged nationwide, except for restricted areas near the Gaza Strip and Lebanon border. The main Israeli ports – Haifa and Ashdod – remain open. The customs office is operating as usual with some delays. Air shipments are delayed because of flight cancellations. In light of the war situation, insurers have imposed an additional insurance premium of war risk on all vessels calling Israeli ports, and all shipping lines have announced a War Risk Premium on relevant shipments.