This travel bulletin should be read in conjunction with our travel advice for Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
We strongly advise you not to travel to the Gaza Strip, its coast and surrounding areas in southern Israel, because of the extremely dangerous and unpredictable security situation.
Australians intending to participate in flotillas should be aware that they risk arrest by the Israeli authorities, prosecution, deportation and a ban on future travel to Israel.
We strongly advise against travelling by sea to the coast of the Gaza Strip in breach of Israeli naval restrictions or participating in any attempt to break the naval blockade. The Israeli Navy routinely patrols territorial waters and a contiguous zone. In May 2010, an attempt to breach the naval blockade along the coast of Gaza was intercepted by Israeli security forces and resulted in the injury, death, arrest and deportation of foreign nationals.
In the past, the Australian Government has made representations to Israeli authorities in Canberra and Tel Aviv reminding the Government of Israel of its expectation that consular access will be afforded to any detained Australian.
Israeli authorities have indicated that they will seize vessels intending to breach the blockade and escort them to Ashdod Port, which will be declared a closed military zone and no consular access will be possible. Israeli authorities also indicated that participants will either be deported or transferred to one of three prisons, limited consular access will be afforded to Australian consular officials at the prison and no consular access will be permitted to participants at the airport prior to deportation.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel bulletin to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.