The Irish Government is urging citizens to avoid travelling to Israel due to increasing instability in the region.
Taoiseach Simon Harris announced via social media that the Department of Foreign Affairs has updated its travel advisories, now extending warnings to include not only Israel but also Lebanon and Palestine.
In his post on X, Mr. Harris stated, “Our travel advice for Israel has changed due to growing regional instability. The Government is now advising Irish citizens not to travel to Israel. The same advice applies to Lebanon and Palestine.”
This update reflects the deteriorating security situation and the department’s concern for Irish citizens currently in these areas.
Irish nationals in Israel are now requested to register on the department’s citizens’ registration platform. For those already in Lebanon, the advice remains to reassess their need to stay and to leave the country by commercial means if possible. The Irish Government is preparing for a potential consular crisis as tensions escalate, with over 100 registered Irish citizens currently in Lebanon. However, the number of unregistered citizens is believed to be higher.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has emphasized that any evacuation would require extensive international coordination and cooperation. “Evacuation of civilians, including Irish citizens, from Lebanon is likely to be complex and challenging,” the department noted. “The situation’s unpredictability could affect evacuation routes, access to evacuation points, or even make evacuation options unavailable.”
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epartment cautioned that relying on evacuation options might not be viable if commercial routes become inaccessible. “If the security situation deteriorates, the Irish Government and international partners may have limited capacity to assist.”
In its updated travel advice for Israel and Palestine, the department warned of a tense and unpredictable security environment. “There is a risk of rocket fire, drone infiltration, and ballistic missiles, which can occur without warning,” the statement said. “Travellers should exercise caution, stay informed through local media, follow local authorities’ guidance, and be aware of additional security measures.”
