Israel Emergency Guide for Tourists
Staying Safe in Israel: Tourist Emergency Guide
Israel is a vibrant, fascinating, and generally safe country to visit. Millions of tourists explore its historical sites, beautiful landscapes, and bustling cities every year without incident. However, like travelling anywhere in the world, it's wise to be prepared for unexpected situations.
This guide will help you understand what to do in various emergencies, who to call, and how to stay informed, ensuring your trip is as safe and enjoyable as possible.
Know Your Emergency Numbers
The first step is to save these crucial numbers to your phone. Israel has a unified emergency number, but you can also dial specific services directly:
112: The Unified Emergency Services number. This can be dialled from any phone and will connect you to the relevant service (Police, Ambulance, Fire).
100: Police (Mishtara) - For reporting crimes, security incidents, or situations requiring police intervention.
101: Ambulance / Medical Emergencies (Magen David Adom - MDA) - Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, blood-service, and ambulance service. Call this for any urgent medical situation.
102: Fire Department (Kaba'ut ve Hatzala) - For fires and rescue situations (e.g., trapped individuals).
Tip: Write these numbers down physically as a backup in case your phone battery dies.
What to Do in Common Emergencies
Medical Emergency:
Call 101 (MDA) immediately.
Clearly state your location, the nature of the emergency, and the number of people involved.
Follow the dispatcher's instructions carefully. They can provide guidance until help arrives.
If possible and safe, have someone wait outside to guide the ambulance crew.
Pharmacies (Beit Merkachat): For non-urgent needs, pharmacies are widely available. Some operate 24/7 on a rotating basis (check local listings or ask your hotel).
Hospitals (Beit Holim): Israel has excellent hospitals. Major cities have large medical centers with emergency rooms (ER - Chadar Miyun).
Police Incident (Theft, Lost Passport, Security Concern):
Call 100 (Police) if it's an active emergency or crime in progress.
For non-urgent matters like reporting a past theft or lost property, it's often best to go to the nearest police station.
Tourist Police: In major tourist areas like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, you may find specific Tourist Police units who are often multilingual and accustomed to assisting visitors. Ask at your hotel or a tourist information center for their location if needed.
Lost Passport: Contact your country's Embassy or Consulate immediately after filing a police report (you'll likely need the report for a replacement).
Fire:
Call 102 (Fire Department).
Evacuate the area calmly but quickly if you are in immediate danger.
Close doors behind you to slow the spread of fire, but only if it's safe to do so.
Do not use elevators during a fire. Use the stairs.
National Emergencies: Understanding Rocket Alerts (Sirens)
While statistically rare for tourists to be directly affected, Israel has a sophisticated civil defense system due to regional tensions. Understanding the procedure for rocket alerts is crucial.
The Siren (Tzeva Adom - "Red Color"): You may hear an air raid siren. It's typically an ascending and descending sound. In some areas near Gaza, a recorded voice saying "Tzeva Adom" might be used.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED: When you hear a siren, you have a very short window (from 15 seconds to 90 seconds, depending on your location) to get to shelter. Do not delay. Do not try to film.
Finding Shelter:
Indoors: Go into the designated bomb shelter (Miklat) or protected room (Mamad - often a reinforced room within an apartment or building). Hotels and public buildings have these – follow the signs or staff directions. If none is available, go into the innermost stairwell of the building (away from windows and exterior walls) or an inner room with fewest exterior walls. Stay away from windows and doors.
Outdoors: Lie flat on the ground, covering your head with your hands. If possible, get into a ditch or behind a substantial wall. Avoid stopping next to vehicles if possible.
In a Vehicle: Pull over safely to the side of the road, get out, and lie flat on the ground or enter a nearby building/shelter if reachable within the time limit. Do not stay in the vehicle (except for buses, where you should follow the driver's instructions, often ducking below the window line).
How Long to Stay: Remain in the shelter for 10 minutes after the siren stops. This ensures safety from falling debris or subsequent rockets.
Stay Informed: Listen to instructions from authorities, hotel staff, or tour guides. The Home Front Command (Pikud HaOref) provides real-time alerts and instructions.
Important Resources & Links
Home Front Command (Pikud HaOref): This is the primary source for civil defense information.
Website: https://www.oref.org.il/en (Check the English section for guidelines)
Mobile App: Download the Home Front Command app for real-time alerts based on your location (highly recommended). Search for "Home Front Command" in your app store.
Alerts: Provides maps showing alert zones and safety instructions.
Magen David Adom (MDA): Learn more about Israel's emergency medical services.
Website: https://www.mdais.org/en
Your Country's Embassy/Consulate: Know the location and contact details of your country's embassy or consulate in Israel. Register your trip with them before you travel, if possible. They are crucial resources in case of lost passports, major crises, or personal emergencies. Search online for "[Your Country Name] Embassy Israel".
General Safety Advice: Do's and Don'ts
DO: Stay aware of your surroundings.
DO: Keep your phone charged and carry a power bank.
DO: Have digital and physical copies of important documents (passport, visa, flight details, insurance). Keep them separate.
DO: Trust instructions from police, soldiers, and official personnel.
DO: Stay hydrated, especially in the summer heat.
DO: Purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical emergencies and trip cancellation.
DO: Follow guidance from the Home Front Command during national emergencies.
DON'T: Panic. Israel has robust emergency response systems.
DON'T: Ignore sirens or official instructions. Take them seriously.
DON'T: Leave your belongings unattended.
DON'T: Venture into areas marked as restricted or dangerous (check travel advisories from your home country).
DON'T: Rely solely on social media for emergency information; trust official sources like the Home Front Command.
Stay Calm and Enjoy Your Trip
Knowing these procedures isn't meant to scare you, but to empower you. By being prepared, you can relax and fully immerse yourself in the incredible experiences Israel has to offer. Stay alert, follow guidelines, and have a fantastic and safe journey!
