Israeli strikes kill 54 in Gaza - should I be concerned?

Shalom/marhaba,

This is in regards to the recent events in Gaza:

"GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Israeli troops turned heavy firepower on rocket squads bombarding southern Israel Saturday, killing 54 Palestinians in the deadliest day in Gaza since the current round of fighting erupted in 2000. "

Perhaps this question is directed to anyone who's been in Israel just recently, or are there at the moment, or who live there.

I am visiting Israel in April for a few days and, though I try not to let western media discourage me from going, I do take heed the current events. I am planning on staying in Tel Aviv and visiting Jerusalem as well, but with the recent events, should I forget about going there? I am afraid of the Palestinian backlash. It sounds like the Israelis and Palestinians have come one step forward and two steps back in terms of moving on with the peace process.

I don't mean and want to make this a long, drawn out debate about the conflict. What I do want is to get a realistic picture of what I should expect with everyday life in the city. Am I being too paranoid in not wanting to be in a public place in Tel Aviv and fearing that a Palestinian suicide bomber is going to kill himself and others on a bus?

I am a female travelling alone and have never been to Israel. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

While it's true that terrorism can strike anywhere, it's also true that Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are at the moment as safe as anywhere on the planet - and safer than many places. We go about our daily lives (I have lived here in Israel practically since biblical times) the same as we would anywhere else. You will see plenty of soldiers around, but they are there to protect us - and you.

I'm also female, and I go just about anywhere on my own, and much later at night than would be considered safe for a lone female in many parts of the world. The only places I would steer clear of as a lone woman are the Arab parts of east Jerusalem, but that has nothing to do with current events.

Come, enjoy yourself, and have a wonderful time.

Statistically you should be fine but the cliche is someone is going to be the unlucky one should an act of terrorism be committed. No matter how much well wishing and encouragement you might receive you have to go with your heart, if you're nervous now and know that you will be increasingly so upon coming than perhaps a postponement is in your best interest.

Either way all the best, GG

Thank you for your replies, and concerns. I am trying to look at it from a different perspective. If I was an Israeli resident, I would go on with everyday life. I try to think of how New Yorkers went on living their day to day after 9/11 hit. I don't want to feel terrorized, as I do understand that statistically there is more violent, everyday crime right here in the U.S.

Again, thanks for your replies. I look forward to visiting Israel. :)

Just keep on following the news.
This situation could dissipate, it could explode and return to normal by April, it could remain an issue only in Gaza and the Israeli land around it that is affected by rockets... in the Middle East anything is possible. The situation is volatile - one would have to be a fool not to realize this.
Nevertheless, chances are you will be able to carry on with your vacation and except for media reports - not realize anything is going on at all...

Perhaps you could contact the Israeli govt, give them your intended travel dates and ask them whether there are any planned attacks for that period . . . Lol ! Despite talking about the israeli airstrikes killing Gazans you seem to go on at length about Palestinian this, Palestinian that . . .

Gazans too are trying to get on with their everyday life but with enormous difficulty. Try to read more objective and factual media reports.

Anyway - in general TA is safe as is "Quds" (Jerusalem), there are now
thousands of tourists milling about all over Jerusalem and Israel as a
whole. Palestinian backlash on foreign tourists is rare if non existent.

I'm off to Israel later and although the recent goings on, I'm still intent on going. No one is joining me as they all think the Middle East is a no-go zone. I don't think it is; just keep an eye on the news. Hopefully things will calm down. If you've got a 'gut feeling' follow it, but if you're just a bit nervous and there isn't much news over the next few weeks then I'd go.