Israel closed to UK visitors until at least September

British Jews looking to spend the High Holy Days in Israel are given lifeline after authorities announce restrictions may ease in time

Brits wanting to visit Israel for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur may still be in with a chance after Israeli authorities said the country would remain closed to foreign visitors until at least 1 September.

The Jewish new year and high holy days fall in the middle of the month, meaning airport authorities may by then be granting entry, but the situation remains highly uncertain, with Israel still experiencing more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases daily.

A strict travel ban was put in-place in March, with authorities allowing entry only to returning Israeli nationals who could evidence how they would quarantine for two weeks upon arrival, and foreign nationals with special permission from Israel’s Population Immigration and Border Authority.

Under pressure from ministers to ease the restrictions, the Israel Airports Authority said on Monday that the ban would continue until at least 1 September.

However, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said reopening Israel’s skies was a priority because the country was “export-oriented”, adding: “The interaction between Israel and the world has been seriously damaged because of the aerial lockdown.”