Cape town: South Africa has issued an urgent security advisory to its citizens in Israel, warning that the deteriorating security situation poses serious risks. The government has urged South Africans to prioritize their safety and assess their circumstances without delay.
According to South African Government News Agency, in an advisory issued on Monday by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the government expressed deep concern for the safety and well-being of South Africans currently in Israel. They called on them to immediately evaluate their personal security and act with urgency if they feel unsafe or uncertain. The advisory read, “If you feel unsafe or uncertain, we strongly advise that you act without delay. Your safety takes absolute precedence. Avoid unnecessary movement. If compelled to leave, leave. South Africans who wish to do so should not delay taking advantage of options that might be available to do so. Note that you are responsible for your own travel arrangements.”
The warning comes as Ben Gurion International Airport remains closed, with Israeli airspace shut and all flights canceled until further notice. With air travel suspended, the government has pointed to land border crossings as possible exit routes. Border crossings with Jordan remain open at this stage and are being prioritized as a departure option for those who determine it necessary to leave. “Accordingly, where you determine departure as necessary, we urge you to consider the Jordanian border crossings as a priority option. The land border crossing with Egypt is a further option,” the government said.
Operating hours for crossings into Jordan are currently as follows: Allenby/King Hussein Bridge (closest to Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Jericho): 08:00 – 14:30; Northern Crossing (Beit She’an/Sheikh Hussein), ideal for those in Haifa, Nazareth, and the Galilee region: 08:30 – 14:30; Southern Crossing (Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba): 08:00 – 20:00. The land border crossing into Egypt, via the Menachem Begin Crossing/Taba Terminal, near Eilat, operates 24 hours a day and remains an additional option.
However, authorities have cautioned that the situation remains fluid and can change at any moment. Citizens have been urged to check the official status of their chosen border crossing on the day of departure. Processing times at border posts typically range between 30 and 60 minutes, but travelers have been advised to allow extra time due to potential long delays. Arriving early, traveling during daylight hours, and maintaining direct communication throughout the journey are strongly recommended.
The advisory emphasized that the information provided is for guidance purposes only, as conditions on the ground continue to evolve.