Unfortunately, Israel has reportedly decided not to move forward with plans to reopen their borders to tourists on July 1st. The hope is to reopen in August, though as we’ve seen, you can’t count on that until it happens. This is exactly why I recommended that people should wait before making travel plans or to book tickets that can be freely changed, like award tickets.
Most foreign nationals have been locked out since 3/18/20.
The news comes as Israel faces a growing outbreak of the Delta variant, which is rapidly spreading from India to countries across the globe.
Apparently there is now also a Delta Plus variant…
@Delta executives are all praying they don't call the next mutation Delta One.
— DansDeals (@DansDeals) June 22, 2021
Prime Minister Bennett has asked Israelis to pause their plans to travel abroad as he reassembles a Coronavirus cabinet that may reinstate travel and mask restrictions.
Loading ... Loading ...HT: Davidthebest
Does this affect the vaccinated people with first degree relatives as well? Has that been changed? Or can they still get in with ishur?
I’d imagine they can still enter with an ishur.
Thanks for the info – Is there a blog post about how to obtain an ishur?
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/israel/israel-begins-reopening-entry-exceptions-vaccinated-recovered-relatives/
I sent my request to NYC and washington over 10 days ago no response
The wait times are horrendous.
The best option is getting someone in Israel to obtain an ishur for you at the Misrad Hapnim, but you need to wait in line before they open.
they do NOT allow that any more i went numerous times the only way they allow is thru their email corona-jerusalem@piba.gov.il
Plenty of reports of it still working. May vary on location though.
I sent the NY consulate a follow up email about a request for an ishur. They responded that they changed the email address for requests and they should be sent to Consular.Services@newyork.mfa.gov.il (the previous email address was Consular@newyork.mfa.gov.il,)
They also wrote:
Due to high volume of applications processing time is longer.
As an alternative- if you have first degree relatives in Israel they can apply in your behalf at The Ministry Of Population and Immigration offices
I received a reply after about 5 weeks
I love your tweet!
If Israel was this risk-adverse historically, would not be an issue of travel since there would be Israel to visit. Fun to live in fear, isn’t it?
Will this also affect tour groups?
Apparently carona beer did well this past year. Maybe Delta does want the next variant to be Delta One!
I believe the last thing that Bennet need is to get corona situation to his clock what will kill him completely.
What about group trips, are those also cancelled now?
Hi thank you for the update
Nevertheless may ask what is the source if this info, I haven’t seen anything like that on the news or on the Israeli gov sites
Thanks
Click on the hyperlinked words in the post.
Finally got my permit Monday night for tonight’s flight, waited 2 weeks after sending all the required information for first degree relative to the Jerusalem משרד הפנים special email still didn’t hear back from them. Friday morning I contacted Amudim and they were extremely helpful and they sent it to me on Monday. I also sent it to the Washington embassy and same no answer.
This seems absurd to me. 125 cases yesterday in the whole country? Most of the population vaccinated?
The vaccine is highly effective against the new variant. I have yet to see any data showing how many of the new cases are severe (causing hospitalization or death) for those already vaccinated. I’m guessing the answer is zero.
Positive cases is meaningless without that data.
Any idea if airlines will be more flexible with refunds or vouchers? I have 2 seats booked with cash and 4 with miles on American
The miles can be reinstated.. but they told me the cash tickets I only get voucher for the name on the ticket and must be booked within 12 month of original purchase..
Thx
Hi Barry, that is illegal you can tell the Airline, American that it is against US DOT policy which requires them to give you a cash refund if you want. Search the DOT site for a copy of these rules
Even web special?
Has anyone had success getting an AA cash refund?
Having a similar issue with AA.
I searched the DOT site and couldn’t find what you are referring to- where does it state they have to give a cash refund if the borders are closed?
Thank you!
If my American daughter leaves there (non aliyah), would I be able to visit?
no.
What’s the story with seminary girls going in August?
SHOULD BE FINE ,YOU CAN USUALLY KEEP UPDATED AT CHAIM VECHESSED WEBSITE .ALTHOUGH THEY ARE FULL OF THEMSELVES THEY ARE PRETTY ACCURATE AND HELPFULL
Pro tip: The Caps Lock key can be found on the left side of your keyboard. Press it once to chance back to lowercase
נייס
Also very true
So true
Does anyone have any information about wait times for authorization from israeli consulate on los angeles? Are they still giving authorization?We submitted our application three weeks before scheduled flight of July 7th
I was told by a Canadian friend that, ironically, Canadians can get their isshur very quickly if they qualify. Sadly, due to the lack of vaccines, many of them can’t.
On a related note, the health insurance company who’s Covid coverage letter is required for the isshur should be reimbursing you for the costs of the serology & pcr tests. So save receipts. Blue Cross Blue Shield just sent my checks. It took about a month.
Does this effect seminary girls and yeshivah boy’s?
@dan
If tickets were booked on a web special American Airlines only cancelable ticket not changeable and you gd forbid get corona even if vaccinated while already in israel, what option is there for the return flight home? The trip is less than 14 days if you have to stay for bidud?
**ENOUGH IS ENOUGH**
We need to get some of our politicians involved. Very simple, if we are not Kosher enough to enter the Jewish state, Than so may it be with Israelis they can not come to the states without a permit!!!
In most if not all Jewish communities there hasn’t been a single case of Covid in the last few months (you can check it out with your local Hatzolah).
If we follow them and not let in Israelis, you will see how quick they will reopen. I am talking at least for the vaccinated people.
The new infections in Israel is coming from Israelis traveling abroad to infected countries. Why don’t ban Israelis from traveling abroad??? Why can’t we Jews who had Covid and are vaccinated not enter Israel.
Please pass this around it might help
The best post on this website today
We need to get real big people involved tell every single stupid is ready to get the hell back to Israel go to hell until you’re not opening up American people just drop dead on the floor
Very simple.
Become an Israeli citizen. Then you won’t have these problems.
I am supposed to fly with aa to Israel, and I have covid, i called aa to change my ticket and they wanted to charge me the fare difference, any way around it?
@Dan
Did anything change in regards to recovered first degree family? Are they allowing them in, if they haven’t had a Vax but they recovered in September/October 2020?
Should be the same, proof of recovery works for that.
@Dan
Does the recovery have to be within a certain period of time, ie: 3-6 months?
Well, that is disappointing. I’ve had travel August 2021 plans for our group for well over a year I just don’t think I can wait much longer to pull the plug on our hotel, car, and flight reservations *sigh*
You can still go as part of an organized tour…
Will ElAl refund a ticket if they end up not allowing us in August 1?
Not unless there’s a schedule change.
If EAl cancelled our 130pm flight from Ewr and put us on the 9pm the same day , can we cancel and demand a full refund or can they just give us a voucher. Either way we won’t be able to go since it’s for mid July .
Per DOT rules, you are entitled to a refund.
Based on past experience , will we have to fight with them ,or are they now following the rules?