Kosovan Muslim 'shouted Islamic slogans' before shooting dead two U.S. airmen at FRA

I actually posted in that thread. I won't say that because I believe that one DOES have something to do with religion.

CRAZY ISN'T IT??

lol

 

Is Israel Safe for Travel?

Overview

Many nations consider Israel an overall safe place for travel, but some, like the United States and New Zealand, issue travel advisories for their citizens and generally deem the nation as containing some risk. Due to its history within the region, notably with the Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims, Israel is subject to threats from terrorism within its borders. Other considerations when visiting the country are its high rate of crime and traffic accidents. Nonetheless, its medical institutions are seen as some of the finest in the region, with convenient locations and general accessibility to foreigners.

Prevention/Solution

All visitors to Israel are subject to background checks and security screening. According to the United States Department of State, Israel mandates the use of profiling while conducting these checks. This means that any person of Arab or Muslim decent, along with suspicious individuals, can expect long delays when traveling to the country. Immigration and border authorities often pull people aside for questioning. These precautionary measures are Israel's way of attempting to mitigate the ongoing violence within its borders.

Warning

The U.S. State Department warns that there is a possibility of terrorism and kidnapping while visiting Israel. Attacks against heavily toured locations such as shopping centers and public areas have been documented, and foreigners have been kidnapped and used as hostages. Civil unrest and demonstrations by the people also can be a threat, and authorities recommend that tourists avoid areas where these kinds of protests are occurring.

Significance

Travelers should be aware of the threat of domestic criminal enterprises, as well. The U.S. government recognizes a number of organizations operating within Israel and its occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza as terrorist organizations. These groups are listed on the U.S. State Department's Foreign Terrorist Organizations database and include Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, Kahane Chai and HAMAS or the Islamic Resistance Movement. They should be avoided by tourists and no material support should be given to them or prosecution could result. Day-to-day crime, such as car break-ins and robberies, also occur, most commonly in areas such as the Dead Sea and national parks. Visitors also are asked to avoid the purchase of counterfeit products, which are widely available within the country. The best way to avoid counterfeit products is to shop at retail storefronts, not street vendors. In order to make your trip safer, Israel offers a 911-type number: 100, which can be dialed from any phone.

Benefits

Israel supports a modernized medical industry that is nearly equivalent to those in the United States and Europe. In order to keep tourists safe, the country offers emergency signs and information about hospitals, medical facilities and pharmacies in English and other languages. Patients with HIV/AIDS might be denied entrance in order to prevent the spread or transmission of the disease. No vaccinations are required to visit the country, but the World Health Organization issues occasional travel advisories to help keep you safe from outbreaks. The U.S. State Department also recommends obtaining medical insurance when visiting Israel to help prevent unwanted costs from emergencies.

Considerations

Travel within the country is generally considered safe in regards to road conditions, but urban roadways are often crowded, with some drivers failing to practice safe procedures such as maintaining a good following distance and signaling. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel had 31,811 injuries or deaths in automobile accidents in 2008, a relatively high figure compared with the country's small population of only 7,308,100 according to 2008 statistics from the World Bank. All occupants of motor vehicles are required to wear safety belts and drivers are prohibited from operating mobile phones without a hands-free device. Additionally, all occupants must carry a fluorescent vest in the car to be used in the event of car repairs on the road.