- France advises against travel to Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank due to heightened security risks from Israel-Iran hostilities.
- Regional disruptions include suspended flights at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport and recommendations for land exits via Jordan or Egypt.
- The warning follows Israel's June 13 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military centers, which triggered retaliatory missile attacks.
France's Foreign Ministry issued a travel advisory on Wednesday, urging French citizens to avoid Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank, citing escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. According to people familiar with the matter, the warning was prompted by recent large-scale attacks, including Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear sites and command centers last week, which led to Iranian ballistic missile retaliation that killed 24 in Israel and wounded over 500. In Iran, Israeli strikes have resulted in 585 deaths and 1,326 injuries in Tehran and other areas, according to sources close to the situation.
Efforts to de-escalate the conflict have hit a snag, with regional airspace closures and airport suspensions adding to the turmoil. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport has suspended flights, forcing travelers to consider land exits via Jordan or Egypt—a move described by one diplomatic source as "necessary but disruptive." Without a swift resolution, the region could face prolonged economic strain from halted tourism and commerce, though specific market data remains scarce amid the chaos. France has also advised its citizens in Iran to relocate outside Tehran and avoid night travel, reflecting the broad reach of the security concerns.
Multiple countries have issued parallel advisories in recent days, including Sweden, Finland, Serbia, Poland, Cyprus, Germany, Australia, the US, India, Singapore, and Brazil, urging nationals to avoid or leave Iran, Yemen, Lebanon, Israel, and related areas. This coordinated response underscores the gravity of the situation, with one European diplomat noting, "The risk of further escalation is real, and we're seeing a domino effect in travel warnings." France's stance occurs amid strained French-Israeli ties, including French condemnation of Israel's revocation of travel permits for French delegations promoting Palestinian cooperation—a move labeled "regrettable and counterproductive" by French officials.
In the West Bank, France opposes Israel's expansion plans in Areas A and B as violations of international law, adding a political layer to the travel advisory. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal recently announced plans to criminalize calls for any state's destruction by April, implicitly addressing concerns about antisemitism while critiquing specific Israeli policies. For now, French nationals in affected areas are urged to shelter nearby and limit activities, with stranded travelers scrambling for alternative routes. As one expatriate in Jerusalem put it, "It's a tense wait-and-see, with everyone hoping for a calm that feels increasingly distant."
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the number of countries issuing travel advisories; it has been updated to reflect the full list.