The official X-handle of the State of Israel responded to a message listing the names of countries denying entry to Israeli passport holders. Interestingly, a page called World Of Statistics has listed a number of countries that do not allow Israeli citizens onto their land. These countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen.
In response to the list, Israel wrote: “We are good.”
See the message here:
Were good pic.twitter.com/GmiwEzZGck
— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) March 14, 2024
Under Israeli law, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Iran are classified as hostile countries and an Israeli citizen must obtain a special permit from the Israeli Ministry of the Interior to visit these countries. One of the few countries in the Middle East that allows visa-free travel for Israelis is the United Arab Emirates.
In the meantime, the message has gone viral and has generated many reactions. One social media user commented on the post, writing: 'So literally nothing important.' Another commented: 'I don't even have an Israeli passport and I don't want to go to those countries.'
A third wrote: 'Blessing in disguise.' A fourth said: 'The way things are going with Israel, Argentina will soon be the only country to accept an Israeli passport.'
As of 2024, Israeli citizens will have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 171 countries and territories, ranking the Israeli passport 20th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index. With a high mobility score, it is one of the top-ranked passports in the world.
Israeli passport holders can travel to numerous countries without the hassle of arranging a visa, including most European countries, both inside and outside the European Union, as well as most of Latin America and the Caribbean.
However, to enter the remaining countries, Israeli passport holders must apply for a visa in advance. Some countries where a visa is required are China, India and the United States.