Is It Safe to Study in Israel?

FAQs from Parents about applying to College in Israel.

We address the most common safety questions American parents have about sending their child to attend College in Israel.

When parents first consider sending their child to attend College in Israel, one question rises above all others: "Is it safe?" It's the question we hear most often, and it's the right question to ask. As parents ourselves, we understand that no academic opportunity—no matter how exceptional—matters if you don't feel confident about your child's wellbeing.

The short answer is yes, studying in Israel is safe. But that simple answer doesn't capture the full picture of how Israeli universities create secure, supportive environments for international students, or address the specific concerns American parents naturally have. This guide provides detailed answers to the safety questions parents ask us most frequently.

Understanding Campus Security in Israel

Israeli universities maintain world-class security infrastructure that most American parents find surprisingly comprehensive once they learn the details. These aren't temporary measures—they represent decades of refined protocols designed to keep students safe while maintaining the open, welcoming atmosphere that makes campus life enriching.

What Security Measures Are in Place?

Every Israeli university employs professional security personnel at all campus entrances and throughout campus grounds. Students and visitors pass through security checkpoints—similar to airport security—when entering campus buildings. Bag checks are standard procedure, and security teams use advanced screening technology to identify potential threats before they reach students.

Universities coordinate directly with local and national security agencies. This means campus security isn't operating in isolation—they receive real-time intelligence and threat assessments from Israel's sophisticated national security infrastructure. When security situations develop anywhere in the country, universities receive immediate notifications and adapt their protocols accordingly.

Dormitories and student housing have additional security layers. Access is restricted to residents and registered guests, with 24/7 security presence in residential areas. Many housing facilities include secure rooms (similar to safe rooms) that meet Israeli government safety standards.

How Does This Compare to American Campus Security?

The honest answer? Israeli university security is significantly more comprehensive than what you'll find at most American campuses. While many U.S. universities employ campus police or security guards, Israeli institutions integrate multiple security layers that American campuses typically lack.

American students often report feeling safer on Israeli campuses than they did at their previous American universities, particularly Jewish students who faced antisemitic incidents in the U.S. At Israeli universities, students never worry about hostile demonstrations targeting them, antisemitic graffiti in residence halls, or harassment based on their Jewish identity. The campus environment is inherently supportive of Jewish life and identity.

Daily Life Safety: What Students Actually Experience

Let's move beyond security infrastructure to discuss what daily life actually feels like for American students studying in Israel.

Transportation Safety

Most students use public transportation—buses and light rail—which operate throughout major cities. These systems maintain their own security measures, including random bag checks and security cameras. Many students also use ridesharing apps like Gett (Israel's version of Uber), which provide safe, tracked transportation with vetted drivers.

Universities located in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Beer Sheva offer excellent public transit connections. Students quickly become comfortable navigating these systems, and universities provide orientation programs that teach international students how to use local transportation safely and efficiently.

Neighborhood Safety

University neighborhoods tend to be among the safest areas in Israeli cities. Tel Aviv's university district, Jerusalem's student areas near Hebrew University, and neighborhoods surrounding Bar-Ilan, Technion, and Ben-Gurion universities all maintain strong community safety records.

Street crime affecting students is rare. Israeli cities have lower violent crime rates than comparable American cities, and university neighborhoods benefit from heavy foot traffic, well-lit streets, and community familiarity that creates natural safety through visibility.

Medical Care and Health Services

Israel's healthcare system ranks among the world's best, with medical technology and physician expertise matching or exceeding American standards. Every student must have health insurance (either Israeli student insurance or comprehensive international coverage), ensuring access to excellent medical care when needed.

Universities provide on-campus health centers staffed by medical professionals. These clinics handle routine medical issues, and can coordinate specialist care or emergency services if situations require them. International student offices maintain relationships with English-speaking physicians and can help students navigate the healthcare system.

Mental health services deserve special mention. Israeli universities understand the unique challenges international students face and provide counseling services, often with English-speaking therapists. Many schools have expanded these services in recent years, recognizing that emotional wellbeing is essential to student success.

Emergency Protocols and Communication

Israeli universities have sophisticated emergency communication systems developed over many years of operational experience.

How Do Universities Communicate During Security Events?

Every student receives emergency contact information during orientation, including phone numbers for campus security, international student offices, and 24/7 emergency hotlines. Universities use multiple channels to communicate with students during security situations: text messages, email, phone calls, and emergency notification apps.

Many schools use WhatsApp groups for their international student populations, allowing rapid communication and community support during any situation requiring student awareness or action. These groups serve double duty—they're excellent for community building during normal times and become vital communication channels if emergencies develop.

What Happens If There's a Security Alert?

Israeli culture includes preparation for security situations as a normal part of life, and universities integrate this preparedness into student life without creating anxiety or fear. Students learn about nearby secure locations (protected spaces designed to shelter people during emergencies) during orientation. These spaces exist throughout campuses and in all residential buildings.

When security alerts occur, universities follow established protocols: immediate communication to all students, clear instructions about any actions to take (usually shelter in place), and continuous updates until situations resolve. International student coordinators personally check on foreign students, and universities maintain contact with students' families.

The reality is that most security alerts result in brief precautionary measures with no direct threat to students. Israeli security systems often respond to potential threats that are intercepted far from civilian areas. Students describe security alerts as manageable interruptions, not terrifying experiences—largely because of the clear communication, established protocols, and community support that surround them.

Support Systems for International Students

Israeli universities understand that safety encompasses more than physical security. Students need comprehensive support systems to truly thrive.

International Student Offices

Every university maintains dedicated international student offices staffed by professionals who specialize in supporting foreign students. These offices handle everything from visa questions and housing assistance to cultural adjustment and academic support. Staff members serve as advocates and problem-solvers, and they're often the first resource students contact with any concern.

These offices maintain strong relationships with U.S. embassies and consulates, ensuring international students have diplomatic support if needed. They also coordinate with Israeli immigration authorities and can assist with any bureaucratic issues that arise.

American Student Communities

American students at Israeli universities form tight-knit communities that provide peer support, cultural familiarity, and practical help navigating Israeli life. Organizations like JLIC (Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus) operate at multiple universities, creating structured communities with social programs, Shabbat meals, and mentor networks.

These communities mean your child won't face challenges alone. Upper-year American students mentor newcomers, sharing everything from restaurant recommendations to course registration tips to practical safety knowledge gained from their own experience.

Parent Communication

Universities understand that parent peace of mind matters. International student offices can provide parents with contact information and are available to answer questions. Many schools have discovered that WhatsApp works excellently for keeping parents informed—students often add their parents to their school's international student WhatsApp groups so parents receive the same updates students do.

Most American students studying in Israel maintain regular contact with their families via video calls, messaging apps, and social media. Israeli internet infrastructure is excellent, making communication with the U.S. easy and reliable.

The Historical Perspective: Decades of Safe Study Abroad

Israeli universities have hosted international students for decades, including throughout various challenging periods in Israeli history. This experience has created institutional knowledge about keeping foreign students safe that few universities anywhere can match.

Consider the numbers: thousands of American students have studied at Israeli universities over the past several decades. The vast majority complete their degrees without experiencing any security incidents, and they often report feeling safer in Israel than they did at previous American universities.

Even during the recent October 2023 period and its aftermath, Israeli universities maintained operations and kept international students safe through established security protocols. Many American students chose to remain in Israel and continue their studies, while universities supported those who needed to temporarily relocate. This flexibility and responsiveness demonstrated the effectiveness of university support systems under challenging conditions.

Making the Decision: What Parents Should Consider

Trust the Process

Israeli universities have refined their safety protocols over decades. They balance legitimate security needs with maintaining the open, welcoming academic environment students need to learn and grow. These institutions have every incentive to keep students safe—both because they care about student wellbeing and because international student programs are important to them.

Consider the Complete Picture

Safety discussions sometimes focus exclusively on security concerns specific to Israel while ignoring comparative contexts. Consider:

• What safety challenges exist at the American universities your child is considering?

• Have those campuses experienced antisemitic incidents that might affect your Jewish child?

• How do crime statistics around those campuses compare to Israeli university neighborhoods?

• Does your child face debt burden that creates financial stress and insecurity?

Israeli universities offer strong academic programs, significant cost savings ($100,000-200,000 over four years compared to American universities), vibrant Jewish life, and comprehensive security infrastructure. These factors combine to create an education that is both safe and transformative.

Talk to Other Parents

The Tzemach David Foundation can connect you with parents whose children currently study in Israel or have graduated from Israeli universities. These conversations provide perspectives you won't find in guidebooks or websites. Hearing from parents who wrestled with the same questions and ultimately sent their children to study in Israel often provides the reassurance you need.

Visit If Possible

Some families choose to visit Israeli campuses before making final decisions. Universities welcome prospective student visits and can arrange campus tours, meetings with international student offices, and opportunities to speak with current American students. Seeing campus security firsthand, walking through neighborhoods, and experiencing the environment directly helps many parents feel confident about their decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will my child need to serve in the Israeli military? 

No. Foreign students on student visas have no military service obligation. Only Israeli citizens face potential military service requirements.

Q: What if a major security situation develops while my child is studying there? Universities have evacuation protocols and maintain communication with embassies. In extreme situations (which have never required American student evacuation from Israeli universities), the U.S. Embassy coordinates with universities to support American citizens. Your child can also purchase travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation if that provides additional peace of mind.

Q: How do I stay informed about the security situation in Israel? 

The U.S. Embassy in Israel maintains current security information and travel advisories. Israeli universities provide direct communication about any situations affecting campuses. Many parents follow reliable news sources and join parent groups where families share information and support each other.

Q: Is it safe for my daughter to study in Israel? 

Yes. Female students report feeling safe on Israeli campuses and in university neighborhoods. Israeli culture generally shows high respect for women, and university environments are particularly safe. Many female students note feeling safer walking alone at night in Israeli university areas than they did near American campuses.

Q: What about LGBTQ+ students? 

Israeli cities, particularly Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, are very welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals. Universities maintain inclusive environments and have active LGBTQ+ student organizations. Israeli society is progressive on LGBTQ+ rights compared to most countries in the region.

Q: Can my child travel around Israel while studying? 

Yes. Students routinely explore Israel during weekends and breaks. The country is small—you can drive from north to south in a few hours—making travel easy and convenient. Universities provide guidance about travel safety and restricted areas, though most of Israel is readily accessible to civilians.

Q: What if my child wants to come home for a visit or emergency? 

Direct flights operate

daily between Israel and major U.S. cities. Flight time is similar to traveling to California (11-12 hours from the East Coast). Students can easily return to the U.S. for holidays, family events, or emergencies. Many students visit home during winter and summer breaks.

The Bottom Line

Sending your child to study anywhere requires trust—trust in the institution, trust in your child, and trust in the support systems that surround them. Israeli universities have earned that trust through decades of successfully educating international students, comprehensive security infrastructure, and deep commitment to student wellbeing.

Is studying in Israel risk-free? No—nowhere is. But Israeli universities provide security, support, and community that help students thrive academically while staying safe. Thousands of American families have made this choice and watched their children flourish at Israeli universities, building lives and careers that draw on exceptional education received in a secure, supportive environment.

The question isn't whether studying in Israel is absolutely risk-free (nothing is), but whether Israeli universities provide the security, support, and environment your child needs to succeed. The evidence suggests they do exactly that.

Ready to Learn More?

Contact the Tzemach David Foundation:

• Email: info@tzemachdavid.org

• Website: TheFutureIsCalling.org

• Phone consultations available with families who have sent children to Israeli universities

Resources:

• University-specific security information available on each school's international student pages

• U.S. Embassy in Israel: il.usembassy.gov

• Parent Facebook groups connecting families of American students in Israel

Next Steps:

• Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific concerns

• Request connections to current parents of students studying in Israel

• Explore specific universities and their security protocols

• Plan a campus visit to see the environment firsthand

Your child's education should prepare them for successful, meaningful lives. Israeli universities offer that preparation in secure environments where Jewish students thrive academically, socially, and personally. Thousands of American families have already discovered this path—and they'd tell you their children are safer, happier, and better educated than they ever expected.

The future truly is calling. And it's calling from a place where your child can answer with confidence.