Is there any dangers in visiting Israel?

Answer 1

Yes. There are many dangers. Here are a few of the most important to consider:

-- Climate.
For most of the year, the weather in Israel can be considerably warmer and
more sunny than it is in much of the US. American tourists need to be mindful
of the climate and make allowances for it, being careful to use sunglasses and
wide-brimmed hats, apply sunscreen regularly, and maintain an adequate
intake of fluids.

-- Jet-lag.
Several independent studies by both military and civilian research groups in the
US have concluded that the ability to readjust the body's circadian biorhythm is
limited to about 2 hours per day for the general population, even less among the
elderly. During most of the year, Israel is 7 hours ahead of the US east coast, and
10 hours ahead of the west coast. Tourists should make allowance for their need
to adjust gradually to sudden time change, and limit their planned physical exertion
during the first few days after their arrival in Israel.

-- Culture shock.
Adherents to Judaism are now identified in more than 130 of the world's
countries. Having been the virtual haven for Jews for more than 60 years,
Israel's present population is now one of the most diverse in the world with
regard to languages, religions, styles of dress, foods, political tendencies,
physical appearances, social structures, skin colors, etc. Also, since there is
by law no official discrimination against any citizen group, all are free to live
and practice openly. As a result, tourists accustomed to a more organized,
homogeneous cultural environment, or expecting a place that resembles the
Israel with which the news and information media have force-fed them, are
likely to be overwhelmed and disoriented, at least temporarily.

-- Alimentary, dear Watson.
Although Israel leads the region in public health in general and the safety of
the public water supply in particular, and tap water is considered safe to drink
throughout the country, it must be understood that the local suite of microörganisms
in the public water supply varies even within large safe areas, such as the US,
and "tourist stomach" is always a possibility when leaving one's home area
and traveling to another. Among the toiletries and precautionary drugs packed
for the trip should be any one of the many anti-diarrheals available over the
counter at any pharmacy. And bottled water is of course available everywhere.

It's impossible to list and discuss in detail all of the potential dangers that might
crop up during a visit to any one region. But it is believed that those listed here
are the major ones to be encountered when visiting Israel, and that any others
are incidental by comparison, will occur far less frequently than these, and will
impact far fewer visitors than these will.