With Passover and Easter rapidly approaching, many families may be planning a trip to the Israel. However, before finalizing any itineraries, make sure to be fully aware of potential hazards in visiting the "Holy Land."

Since the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah guerillas on July 12, 2006, violent conflict between Israel and Lebanon -- and fears about traveling in this part of the world -- have greatly increased. Visitors to Israel this spring should weigh their plans against the unpredictable and escalating nature of the current conflict.

Additionally, travelers should be aware that violent demonstrations and armed conflicts between supporters of the warring Hamas and Fatah factions and clashes between the Israeli army and Palestinian militants have increased in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Overall conditions of lawlessness prevail in the Gaza Strip, including the kidnapping of journalists more than a year ago. Areas of violent conflict shift rapidly and unpredictably.

Despite any shifts since the July 2006 conflict, a U.S. Department of State travel warning issued on July 13, 2006 still stands. Urging citizens to defer travel to and within Lebanon in light of past bombings and more recent outbreaks of violence, as well as anti-U.S. sentiment, this latest notice also warns U.S. citizens to remain mindful of security factors when considering travel to Israel and Jerusalem. Additionally seriously suggests that U.S. citizens defer travel to the West Bank and to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip until the warning is revoked or rewritten.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office also updated their travel advisory on September 14, 2006, also warning against travel to Lebanon. The advisory states: "There is a serious risk of danger from unexploded bombs being accidentally detonated. This risk is greatest in the south of Lebanon...Israeli warplanes have struck all crossing points on the border with Syria apart from the one at al-Arida on the coast. While these crossings are now passable, there remains a risk of increased tension."

Updated travel warnings and consular information sheets from the U.S. Department of State for both Israel and Lebanon can be viewed at http://travel.state.gov/.

Great Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth office (see their site at www.fco.gov.uk) also offers current travel advice concerning the Middle East.

For more information about reducing risks during international travel in these unpredictable times, read Family Travel Forum's Terror Travel article.

If you've changed your current plans to visit Israel but want to help the region economically, check out the Israel Tourism Office programs to promote future travel at www.goisrael.com.

by Jennifer Guterman