Security Brief on the Associated Threats and Operating Environment and Should Have Undertaken Annual Travel Security Training

Intelligence and Analysis Services

Country Travel Advice Report Israel

Overall Risk Rating: Moderate | 3.00

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Contents

Country Risk Rating Breakdown ...... 3 Country Overview ...... 4 Security Overview ...... 4 Political Overview ...... 4 Infrastructural Overview ...... 4 Environmental Overview ...... 5 Medical Overview ...... 5 Fact Box ...... 6 Travel Risk Advice ...... 7 Threat Scale Reference ...... 10

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Country Risk Rating Breakdown

Country Overall Risk Rating Moderate | 3.00

Security Environmental Infrastructural Political Medical

High | 4.00 Low | 2.00 Low | 2.00 Low | 2.00 Moderate - High | 3.75

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Country Overview Moderate | 3.00

Israel is a Jewish and democratic state situated on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, bordering Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Israeli forces currently occupy the neighboring territories of the Golan Heights in the northeast and the West Bank in the central east, while maintaining border controls over the Gaza Strip along the southern Mediterranean coast. The government is a parliamentary democracy that experiences tensions between liberal and far-right Jewish elements. In mid-June 2021, right-wing politician Naftali Bennet was sworn in as Israel's Prime Minister following the formation of a new governing coalition with a slim majority of 60-59. The move ousted former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from his role after 12 years in power. The coalition is comprised of a diverse set of left-wing, right-wing, and centrist parties who share little in common apart from their opposition to Netanyahu and desire to end prolonged political deadlock. The unresolved Palestinian issue remains a remote threat to Israel's stability, and non-state Islamist militants continue to target Israel through conflict and terrorism. There is an elevated risk of unrest, rioting, and associated violence during periods of heightened tension surrounding controversial political developments or anniversaries marking key events. The Israeli economy is modern and well developed. The primary threats to travelers are from petty crime and road-traffic accidents. Other threats include rocket fire in isolated border regions with the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon and incidental exposure to lone-wolf militant attacks. Escalating tensions with Iran may devolve into violence that would most likely take place in Syria, although there is a threat of rocket attacks targeting the Golan Heights by Syria-based Iranian forces. Infrastructure is very well developed. Security checkpoints are common and can cause delays.

Security High | 4.00

Overview

Palestinian militant groups periodically fire rockets or launch incendiary devices attached to balloons into southern Israel. The potential remains for a larger conflict to develop. Tensions are hostile with Syria, Lebanon, and Iran. Escalating tensions with Iran threaten to devolve into violence that would mostly take place in Syria, although there is a risk of rocket attacks on the Golan Heights by Syria-based Iranian forces. Israel has been increasingly staging attacks against Iran-linked groups in Iraq, threatening tensions with Baghdad. Terrorism is a concern in Israel. Palestinian militants stage attacks, often involving knives, firearms, and vehicle-ramming tactics, against security forces. Israeli civilians have been killed or wounded in such militant attacks. Various militant groups classify the destruction of Israel as their primary objective. Stringent counterterrorism efforts mitigate the terrorist threat. Petty theft and street crime often target tourists and pilgrims. Potentially violent protests can be held over various political and socioeconomic issues, particularly in Jerusalem's Old City and various East Jerusalem neighborhoods.

Political Low | 2.00

Overview

The political situation is predominantly stable, though political disagreements may rise over the handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In mid- June 2021, right-wing politician Naftali Bennet was sworn in as Israel's Prime Minister following the formation of a new governing coalition with a slim majority of 60-59. The move ousted former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from his role after 12 years in power. The coalition is comprised of a diverse set of left-wing, right-wing, and centrist parties who share little in common apart from their opposition to Netanyahu and desire to end prolonged political deadlock. The agreement includes a power-sharing deal between centrist politician Yair Lapid and Bennet. According to the deal, Bennet will serve as premier for two years before handing over the position to Lapid. The coalition also includes the historic participation of an Arab-Israeli party named the United Arab List (UAL), which has clashed with Bennet's right-wing Yamina party in the past. Officials who were involved in the coalition negotiations report that the new government seeks to avoid contentious ideological issues and will instead prioritize the economy in efforts to preserve the fragile coalition. Corruption exists in Israel, and businesses may encounter demands for bribes or gifts particularly when dealing with public procurement. The Israeli national police force is professional and well trained. In general, requests for emergency assistance are handled promptly.

Infrastructural Low | 2.00

Overview

There are no major concerns over air travel. An excellent system of roads connects all towns. Conditions are often heavily congested during peak travel hours. Israel has increasingly focused on the growing threat from cyberattacks amid a heightened number of security incidents targeting government and military websites. Companies with government contracts could be targeted to gain entry into the systems of state-controlled industries and government agencies. Utilities are generally good, and there are no major concerns with electricity, water, and gas provision.

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Environmental Low | 2.00

Overview

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines are present in parts of the country. Minefields are generally well marked. Earthquakes are typically minor in strength. There are sand and dust storms during drier months in the spring and early summer.

Medical Moderate - High | 3.75

Overview

Good-quality, modern medical care and medicines are available in Israel, particularly in urban centers. Some hospitals in more rural areas fall below western standards. Pharmacies are well supplied and prevalent in major city centers. They may be more difficult to find in rural areas. Tap water is safe to drink.

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Fact Box

Government Parliamentary Democracy Type

Population 8,380,400 (2015 Est)

Currency Israeli Shekel

Languages Hebrew (official), English (most common second language), Arabic (Arab minority).

Time Zone UTC+2

Religions Jewish 75%, Muslim 18%, Other, including Christian and Druze, 7%

Traffic Drives on the right

Plug Types Type C, Type H, Type M

Ethnicities Jewish 75%, non-Jewish (mostly Arab) 25%

Drinking Not Safe to Drink Water

2020 Significant Dates:

March 2 - Public Holiday (Election Day) March 10 - Purim Bank Holiday (Tel Aviv) March 11 - Purim Bank Holiday (Jerusalem) April 9 - First Day of Pessah April 10 - Bank Holiday Additional (afternoon) April 12-14 - Bank Holiday (afternoon) April 15 - Last Day of Pessah (Passover) Information April 29 - Independence Day May 29 - Shavuot (Pentecost) July 30 - Tisha b'Av Bank Holiday Sep 19 - Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) Sep 20 - Rosh Hashanah Holiday Sep 28 - Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Oct 2 - Bank Holiday (afternoon) Oct 3 - First Day of Sukkot (Harvest) Oct 4-9 - Bank Holiday (afternoon) Oct 10 - Simhat Torah

International Country +972 Code

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Travel Risk Advice

Vaccinations and Key Health Risks

You should visit a health care professional at least four to six weeks prior to the trip. Travellers should ensure that they have routine vaccination courses and boosters. Routine vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and annual flu vaccine.

Most travellers will require vaccines from:

Hepatitis A

Dependent on work, reason for travel, or underlying health conditions, some travellers may require vaccines from:

Hepatitis B Rabies Typhoid

Pre-departure

Terrorism and conflict present the most prominent threats, and travellers should undertake a pre-travel security brief on the associated threats and operating environment and should have undertaken annual travel security training.

Travellers should have adequate travel insurance in place to enable rapid medical treatment or emergency extraction from Israel, and should ensure that detailed contingency operations, business continuity, crisis management and evacuation plans are in place should the situation in country deteriorate significantly.

Where practicable, the travel itinerary should avoid sensitive areas, symbolic places and locations of frequent unrest or common targets.

Travel to, or within, the West Bank or Gaza will likely require additional security measures, such as the use of an on-site security coordinator.

Travellers should provide friends and family a copy of their travel itinerary, make a copy of important travel and identification documents, and if applicable, obtain their visa prior to arrival. Travellers should also have information on their meeting host, accommodation, relevant embassies and trusted local contacts easily accessible. Travellers should seek to register the trip, and maintain regular communications, with the appropriate diplomatic missions in country.

Travellers should implement a comprehensive suite of IT security measures for electronic devices, such as travelling with “clean” devices, ensuring that all personal identity information and sensitive files are sanitised, and implementing a Full Disk Encryption (FDE). Travellers should also not check business or personal electronic devices with your luggage at the airport.

On Arrival

Travellers should have a meet and greet procedure in place, and proceed through arrivals in a timely manner, and depart as soon as practicably possible.

Travellers should continually reassess the security and threat environment through a range of multi-source intelligence advisories.

Travellers should carry a copy of their travel documents at all times.

Business travellers should be aware that luggage is vulnerable to clandestine searches and hard-drives may be secretly copied. Maintain updated anti-virus software and do not upload any software or access computer files unless the source is fully trusted. Refrain from discussing sensitive information as listening devices can be employed in a variety of locations.

In Transit

Travellers should avoid using street taxis, but should utilise low-profile locally vetted transport providers which have emergency equipment appropriate to the local geography and climatic conditions. Fuel levels in the vehicles should be at least half-full. Travel routes should avoid isolated areas and potential choke points where practical. Travellers should establish the formal identification of the driver before commencing any trip.

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Travel to Gaza or the West Bank will also likely require the use of an Executive Protection Agent or a security coordinator.

Travellers should only travel with minimal non-essential valuable items, and valuables should not be displayed publically.

Travellers should vary routes and travel times, and should minimise road movements after dark where possible.

At Your Hotel

Travellers should stay at a reputable hotel with good standards of international-level security. Ideally, hotels should be away from chokepoints and not surrounded by other high-profile targets (such as foreign embassies, other well-known hotels or restaurants known to attract large numbers of Westerners).

Secure transportation should be available between the hotel and airports. The hotel should have emergency power generators, in good working condition, with adequate access to a fuel supply and emergency communications.

On arrival at the hotel, ensure the driver stays on site until your check-in has been confirmed. Similarly before departing to the airport when leaving the hotel, ensure your driver waits until your flight check-in is confirmed.

Travellers should leave any electronic equipment at the office or with your hosts and, before retiring, secure valuables and confidential documents.

Travellers should monitor airlines flight schedule and status.

In the Street

Travellers should be aware of the national culture and behavioural expectations. Dress conservatively and respect Islamic, Christian and Jewish religious and social traditions to avoid offending locals.

Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Israel, and the country is generally considered liberal on LGBT+ issues. However, attitudes may be more conservative in areas outside major cities or areas with a large Palestinian population. Travellers should exercise vigilance while in country.

Travellers should keep a low profile, and should not become involved in local political issues and avoid discussing politically sensitive topics in public.

Travellers should be aware that photographing government building, military facilities, checkpoints, or other security-related facilities may result in detention by authorities.

Do not venture near any border areas or near military facilities.

Travellers should avoid any demonstrations, protests and rallies, which may attract security forces and law enforcement officers and present a dynamic and volatile environment. During periods of heightened tension travellers should avoid symbolic places - such police stations, government buildings, fast food restaurants, and banks – locations of previous protests, and security forces.

If caught unexpectedly in a demonstration or altercation, immediately leave the area. If this occurs in an area with limited exits, such as Jerusalem's Old City, seek safety inside a shop or restaurant until the event is over and the situation deemed safe.

Travellers should avoid overt displays of wealth and dress discreetly and appropriately to the environment. Do not display money, jewellery or valuables and keep a low profile. Travellers should use only small denominations of the local currency, and keep large amounts of cash and cards in a separate place on your person. Reduce the contents of your wallet or purse contents, particularly cards which may denote affiliations, memberships and accounts.

Travellers should ensure that their mobile phone is carried with sufficient battery life and programmed with appropriate emergency numbers. Also, carry your ID card or passport and emergency medical information.

Travellers should be aware of their location and surroundings. Avoid high-crime areas and of walking through dimly lit streets after dark. Travellers should know routes and carry a map if necessary, but keep it concealed.

In crowded situations, travellers should be aware of jostling as this may be a ploy for pick-pockets. Travellers should also be aware of people loitering, and also that attackers may first pass their victim to attack from behind.

Travellers should ignore verbal ‘bait’ from passers-by, do not get into an argument and avoid eye contact with strangers.

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COVID-19 Information

Total Cases (ECDC) (Updated on Monday): 861,516

Weekly percentage increase in cases:1.10%

Travel Restrictions: Internal Restrictions Israeli authorities have reimposed domestic restrictions on gatherings amid a surge in COVID-19 disease activity nationwide. Effective July 29 until Aug. 8, the “Green Pass” - which demonstrates that an individual has been vaccinated, recovered from the disease, or tested negative for COVID-19 within the past 72 hours – will be required to enter venues or participate in events with 100 or more people, whether indoors or outdoors. Individuals under the age of 12 are exempt from the Green Pass system. The Green Pass applies to establishments and facilities including gyms, hotels, restaurants, bars, conference venues, tourist sites, and places of worship. Shops, malls, swimming pools, museums, and libraries are not subject to Green Pass restrictions. Facemasks must be worn indoors but are not required outdoors. Most other domestic COVID-19 restrictions, such as capacity limits and social distancing requirements, have been lifted.

Most other domestic COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. Capacity limits have been lifted in all public places, including businesses, workplaces, public transport, and airports. Additionally, caps on the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings have been removed. Businesses are no longer required to follow social distancing guidelines or place partitions between customers and employees. Furthermore, entry to some establishments, such as hotels, event halls, and sports stadiums, is no longer restricted to individuals who have been vaccinated or who have recovered from COVID-19.

International Travel Restrictions As of July 13, authorities in Israel have reduced the mandatory quarantine period to seven days contingent upon receipt of a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken on the seventh day of self-isolation. Previously, the length of the quarantine period was 14 days with the possibility to shorten it to 10 days upon receipt of negative results from two COVID-19 tests. Quarantine is required for individuals who have been in contact with verified COVID-19 patients, unvaccinated travelers, as well as individuals traveling to Israel from certain prohibited countries and locations with travel warnings.

Israeli citizens are prohibited from traveling to Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and Uzbekistan until further notice due to concerns over increased COVID-19 activity in those countries. Only persons who have obtained special permission from authorities are allowed to travel to these prohibited locations; such permission is granted solely in exceptional cases, such as for humanitarian purposes. Israelis are permitted to take connecting flights through the countries in question provided the layover is less than 12 hours. All Israelis returning from these locations, including those who have been inoculated against COVID-19, may be subject to a fine and are required to self-isolate for seven days in accordance with the Health Ministry's quarantine requirements.

Beginning July 16, travelers arriving from certain countries for which travel warnings have been issued will also be required to isolate for seven days. Such travel warnings have been issued for the following 16 countries: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Kyrgyzstan, Namibia, Paraguay, Seychelles, Tunisia, the UAE, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Furthermore, all travelers, including those inoculated against COVID-19, will be required to self-isolate for up to 24 hours upon arrival in Israel or until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result. Israelis who have not been inoculated against COVID-19 are required to isolate for seven days upon arrival.

All persons traveling to Israel must produce a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure for the country. Moreover, all incoming international travelers are also required to undergo a second COVID-19 test upon arrival at their own expense; this second test will be carried out either at the border crossing or at a government-designated quarantine facility. Violations may be punishable by fines.

Individual tourists remain barred from entering Israel until at least Aug. 1 due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19 variants. Currently, only limited groups of vaccinated foreign tourists are permitted to enter Israel as part of organized tours. Arriving tourists are required to take a serological test to prove the existence of COVID-19 antibodies. Israel is negotiating with other countries regarding mutual recognition of vaccination certificates to remove the need for serological tests. However, the serological test requirement remains in effect until further notice; the presence of antibodies from a serological test allows international travelers to forgo the quarantine requirement.

Foreigners who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or who have recovered from the disease and have first-degree relatives in Israel are also currently permitted to enter the country. These individuals must submit an entry request to Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority and receive approval prior to their flight; they must also show proof of vaccination or recovery, as well as proof of relation to an Israeli citizen or resident. Foreigners who have not been vaccinated against or have not recovered from COVID-19 will be allowed entry in exceptional circumstances, such as marriage to an Israeli citizen. Foreigners are required to have valid health insurance that covers treatment for COVID-19 for the duration of their visit.

Additional Information: https://il.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

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Threat Scale Reference

Threat Rating Implication

The operating environment is benign and there are only isolated threats to business 1 - Negligible and/or travel.

The operating environment is generally permissive, although there are a limited 2 – Low number of threats to business and/or travel that requires basic mitigations.

The operating environment is challenging and there are serious threats to business 3 – Moderate and/or travel that requires some mitigations.

The operating environment is hostile and there are significant threats to business, 4 – High personal safety and/or travel, requiring comprehensive mitigations and planning.

The operating environment is characterised by pervasive direct threats to business, 5 – Extreme personal safety and/or travel, requiring strict risk management procedures.

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Disclaimer

Drum Cussac Group Ltd makes no representation, warranties or assurance against risk with respect to the contents or use of this document, and specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties or usefulness for any particular purpose of this publication. Recommendations made are based on information available at the time of writing. No express or implied warranty is given in respect of any judgment made or to changes, or any unforeseen escalation of any factors affecting any such judgment.

Drum Cussac is a global consultancy delivering intelligence-led, technology-enabled risk, security and crisis management solutions to leading international organisations. Our specialist operations teams are recognised experts in providing a highly responsive and proactive resource in challenging and demanding situations.

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