Singaporeans should leave Israel as soon as possible through available commercial options: MFA

SINGAPORE - Singaporeans in Israel should leave the country as soon as possible via available commercial options, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a travel advisory on Tuesday.

Those who choose to remain are urged to stay vigilant and monitor local developments closely, as well as avoid areas where large crowds gather, such as the Old City and East Jerusalem, which includes the Temple Mount, which houses Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The latest advisory comes after

MFA issued one on Sunday,

which urged Singaporeans to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Israel’s borders with the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria.

It has also advised Singaporeans to avoid all non-essential travel to Israel, in view of the ongoing conflict, which broke out last Saturday.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, Professor Chee Yeow Meng from the National University of Singapore (NUS) said eight students from the university are on an overseas programme in Israel.

Prof Chee, who is vice-president for innovation and enterprise at NUS, said: “All eight are safe, and two have already left Israel.

“We are in close touch with the students and have made arrangements for the rest of the students to return to Singapore this week.”

No students from Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University are in Israel for overseas programmes, said spokesmen from both universities.

In its latest statement, MFA said: “(Singaporeans) should take all necessary precautions for personal safety, including purchasing comprehensive travel and medical insurance.”

Those travelling to Israel should

 e-register with MFA

 if they have not already done so. The ministry also advises Singaporeans to remain in contact with their families and friends to keep them updated on their safety.

Those who require consular assistance are advised to contact the Singapore Embassy in Tel Aviv or the 24-hour MFA Duty Office at:

S’pore Embassy in Tel Aviv
Address: 28 HaArba’a Street
South Tower, 19th floor
Tel Aviv 6473926, Israel
Tel: +972-3-7289334
Emergency tel: +972-5-0697-6188
E-mail: 

singemb_tlv@mfa.sg

MFA Duty Office
Tel: +65-6379-8800/8855 (24-hour hotline)
E-mail: 

mfa_duty_officer@mfa.gov.sg