Planning to travel to Israel, what happens if Israel declares war on Iran?
I'm planning my second trip to Israel (being there Sep/2011), to visit my girlfriend's relatives again in February 2013 and stay a month there. This time we are planning to go with four people and we already bought all the plane tickets.
With the recent news coming from Israel and Iran about the suspected Iranian nuclear plans, if Israel attack Iran, probably they're going to start a war. What happens with tourism/borders in this case? Even being not so safe to travel, is it still possible? Would the airlines refund me in full?
EDIT from mod: To clarify, anyone answering this question should not be speculating on whether Israel/Iran will go to war. The question is how it would affect the traveller.
Best Answer
Re the borders, Jordanian border is the quietest one (taking the honor from the Egyptian & Syrian borders, which now have some potential for danger given the instability there). During the war of 2006 in Israel, land borders with Jordan and Egypt were open and unaffected. Land borders with Syria and Lebanon are only open for the UN personnel and Syrian citizens living in Israel anyway.
Usually, governments take action to evacuate their citizens from hot spots. This happened numerous times before (for example, recently French and Italians evacuated EU citizens from Libya, French evacuated westerners from Syria, Americans and Brits evacuated from Lebanon in 2006,etc etc).
Re refunds, you should read your travel insurance terms, but wars are usually not covered, acts of terror are. So it depends, in an event of an unfortunate occasion, how it is going to be classified. If your travel insurance covers war and hostilities - then you're good to go in any case. My business travel insurance, for example, does (similarly to the terms @Stuart has mentioned in the comment).
I personally have been to Israel numerous times, including during the first Gulf War when they were rocketed by Saddam Hussein every evening. This is something the Israelis are long ago used to, so you might be shocked by the fact that there might be a war 30 miles away, and people are having coffee on the streets living their life as usual.
By the popular request, removed the speculation, but here it is for those who are still interested in my biased and unsolicited opinion:
I doubt anyone will attack anyone any time soon, Israel doesn't usually talk when it wants to shoot. What can happen is an event style 2006, when a pro-Iranian militia attacked Israel from Lebanon and caused a small war. It can be from any of the Israeli borders, but specifically in relation to Iran, it will probably happen from Lebanon or Gaza.
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Are Iran and Israel allies?
After the establishment of the State of Israel in May 1948, Israel and Iran maintained close ties. Iran was the second Muslim-majority country to recognize Israel as a sovereign state after Turkey.Is Israel an enemy of Iran?
Because of Iran's hostility to Israel, Israel is also concerned by Iran's nuclear weapons program and missile program, and is seeking to downgrade Iran's allies and proxies, as well as preventing Iranian entrenchment in Syria, another sworn enemy of Israel.Can Israeli go to Iran?
Unfortunately, Israeli citizens are not allowed to enter the country. Additionally, admission is refused to holders of passports or travel documents containing an Israeli visa or stamp or any data showing that visitor has been to Israel or indication of any connection with the state of Israel.Does Iran have nuclear power?
One nuclear power reactor is operating in Iran, after many years' construction. Two further large Russian-designed units are planned, the first of which commenced construction in November 2019. The country also has a major programme developing uranium enrichment, which was concealed for many years.Gravitas: Is Israel preparing to attack Iran?
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