I am a tourist is Jerusalem right now AMA

[watchingtheworldwithwoe]

I am a tourist in Jerusalem. AMA. I thought I was prepared for this trip but I really wasn’t.

In what way have you not been prepared?

I thought being granted a visa and entry meant freedom to explore as a British tourist.

… could you specify what you mean?

A quick glance at gov.uk shows the FCDO advises against all travel to Israel right now. Did you not look at that page as preparation? What kind of holiday were you expecting and why would a British tourist’s rights to sightsee take any precedence in the situation over there?

Why did you decide to go there?!

I find it hard to believe you packed your bags for a holiday in Jerusalem at this time, against a backdrop of the government advice not to travel, fewer flights and the situation more broadly.

Even if you did, why start an AMA? Are you expecting people to ask about the weather or the nightlife?

What did you expect in the midst of a time of crisis? That everything would be sunshine and happy days?

Actually it’s doesn’t feel like a time of crisis in terms of war but you can feel and see the oppression first hand. The advice for travel has been like this for a very long time. We chose to travel here for religious reasons as we don’t know how much longer it will be here in its current form. There are lots of tour groups from South Africa, America, Far east and the U.K at the moment.

Ok well if you travel against FO advice your insurance is invalid. So if you get caught in a terrorist attack or you have a fall or a stroke etc etc PLEASE do not ask the consulate to help you as I don’t want my taxes to help you. That’s all I say now feel free to visit Sudan after and any other war zone. Good luck

I know lots of people that have been to Israel in the last two years, so I'm not surprised you've gone but I don't know why you've started an AMA and aren't answering the questions!

I guess in its way that’s one example of religion making people do self-centred, irrational things. The FO advice is so clear but no, you want to go and some other people are going from xyz so that’s all that matters. And then you’re realising you weren’t quite prepared.

What kind of oppression? Can you be specific?

It feels like the vibe given when someone “checks in “ at A and E on Facebook and then every comment expressing concerned is replied to with “DM me hun”

I couldn't agree more. This sort of thing is so frustrating. I don't know why people start AMA then end up being so cryptic.

This, why go without valid insurance

Do you understand what's going on right now in Israel?
Have you read the Foreign Office advice not to travel there?

I would like to know what specifically you find unusual. my friend went a few months back at a time the air raid sirens were wailing and there were anti BB street protests and found it very interesting. I would love to go again as Jerusalemn is one of the most amazing cities on earth. How is the mood in the city accross the Jewish/muslim divide? Does life feel normal. I have spent time in areas that are under siege and life has felt remarkably normal away from the front lines (though the risk of aerial bombardment does remove that security!)

also as everyone keeps flagging insurance, why was this not an issue for you? or is it a calculated risk? and are you jewish?

I wonder how the tour groups operate without insurance?

for the health part, you can get health insurance with harel as a tourist and add the transport option for medical flights back to home country.

Prepared for what? I was in Israel for a wedding a few weeks ago (before ceasefire) and spent a day in Jerusalem. Apart from the obvious lack of tourists and images of hostages and yellow ribbons there really didn’t seem any tangible change. Arabs and Jews rubbing along in the markets as usual. be interested to know what changes you found?

OP, are you travelling for Christian pilgrimage?

Well since you asked, how are things over there @watchingtheworldwithwoe

What are the religious reasons for travel?

the ops silence is very frustrating as I'd have liked this information as I'm thinking of going myself.