The Canadian government is urging residents to avoid all travel to Israel and nearby regions due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. More airlines are also cancelling flights in and out of Israel.
As of 13JUN, 2025, Ottawa issued an “Avoid All Travel” advisory for Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem.
A similar warning for Iran was issued 15JUN, 2025.
“Avoid all travel to Israel due to ongoing hostilities, renewed tensions and the unpredictable security situation,” states the advisory on the Canadian government website. “The security situation can deteriorate rapidly.”
Travellers are also advised to “make sure your travel documents and those of your spouse and children are up to date and secure at all times.”
Similar wording appears in the Iran advisory.
“Avoid all travel to Iran due to the ongoing hostilities with Israel, the high risk of arbitrary detention and the unpredictable enforcement of local laws,” Ottawa states. “The Iranian authorities have arrested and/or detained individuals, including foreign and dual nationals, to exert political or diplomatic influence on their governments.
“You should leave by commercial means if you can do so safely. Our ability to provide consular services in Iran is extremely limited," adds the advisory.
The US State Department's travel warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza does not appear to have been updated since January 2025.
The latest statement from the US says American should not travel to Gaza “due to terrorism and armed conflict,” and that they should avoid Northern Israel within 4 km of the Lebanese and Syrian borders due to continued military presence and activity. It also advises citizens to “reconsider travel” to Israel and the West Bank “due to terrorism and civil unrest.”
On 31MAR, 2025, the State Department issued an advisory warning US citizens not travel to Iran “due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest of US citizens, and wrongful detention.”
According to multiple reports, Canadians and other travellers have been stranded in Israel due to the lack of flights or even boat transport to nearby Mediterranean islands.
All outbound flights on domestic airlines have been grouded by Israel, as it prepares for a planned operation to bring back tens of thousands of citizens stranded overseas, according to YNetNews. National carriers have already announced suspension of service, like El Al Airlines until at least 19JUN, with additional cancellations to many European cities extending to 23JUN.
Air Canada has suspended flights to Israel until 08SEP, three months later than originally planned, which Open Jaw reported in mid-May.
According to CNBC, Delta Air Lines, which resumed service to Israel on 20MAY, announced last week it would suspend its flights to Tel Aviv until at least September. And United has suspended its Tel Aviv service through 31JUL.
Hundreds of flights also have been rerouted to avoid air space over Iran and Israel, as well as Jordan, Syria, and Iraq.
Fearing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Israel launched a series of surprise attacks on Iran last week. In response, Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel.
Hundreds of deaths have been reported in both countries, with no signs of hostilities easing. CNN reports that 224 Iranians and 24 Israelis have died.
