Update: Foreign Office issues new Israel travel warning
The Foreign Office has updated its advice to British visitors to Israel, advising against all but essential travel to areas within 40kms of the border with Gaza following an escalation of hostilities between Israel and militants in the Palestinian Territory.
Cunard confirmed today that a scheduled stop by the Queen Elizabeth in Haifa on November 21 and 22 has been cancelled. Instead, the ship will visit Antalya in Turkey and Rhodes in Greece. Passengers have been informed.
The Foreign Office said "a significant number" of rockets have been fired from Gaza into cities in southern Israle including Ashdod and Be’er Sheva. Ashdod is the gateway to Jerussalem for cruise passengers and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade is due to set sail for the city on December 1 as part of its 11-day Mediteranean and Holy Land cruise from Rome.
Last week, a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed near an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, 10 miles outside Jerusalem. Also four long-range missiles were fired from the Gaza Strip towards the Israel capital Tel Aviv.
The Foreign Office said: "There is a continued risk of indiscriminate rocket fire from armed groups within Gaza. We advise against all but essential travel to areas within 40km of the Gaza perimeter (including Sderot, Netivot, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Be’er Sheva, and Kiryat HaMalachi).
"Those currently in Southern Israel should follow directives from the Israel Defence Force’s Home Front Command ."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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