Operating in Israel? Speak with a security consultant.
Israel is a high-technology economy and a significant commercial partner for the UK and US. It also carries FCDO advice against all travel to parts of the country, including Gaza and areas near the northern borders, and against all but essential travel to most of the West Bank (updated 22 July 2026), and a US State Department rating of Level 3 (Reconsider Travel). Any operation in Israel requires more pre-deployment work than virtually any other destination covered on this site.
The CP professional community in Israel is among the most experienced globally. The pool of former IDF special forces, Shin Bet, and police operators is large and battle-tested. This does not reduce the threat environment. It reflects the fact that Israel has required professional security for civilian and commercial operations for decades.
The current conflict environment
The Gaza conflict, which entered a new phase following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks, has created a multi-vector threat environment for all of Israel. Hamas rocket fire from Gaza, Houthi drone and missile attacks from Yemen, and the risk of Hezbollah escalation from Lebanon all remain active.
February 2025 saw bombs detonated on city buses in Tel Aviv. This was a significant escalation in terms of attack methodology in the Israeli civilian urban environment. It demonstrated that no part of Israel is operationally treated as outside the threat zone.
Ben Gurion International Airport
Ben Gurion Airport has remained open throughout the conflict period, though with intermittent disruptions. Airlines from multiple countries have suspended or reduced services. Houthi attacks have targeted flight paths in the region. Air movement planning to and from Israel requires current carrier status checks and contingency planning for service disruption or airspace closure.
Mandatory pre-travel requirements
No deployment to Israel should proceed without a current written risk assessment addressing: rocket and drone threat levels, specific travel dates and conflict status, shelter-in-place protocols for all venues and accommodation, medical care availability, and evacuation routes. This is the minimum baseline. The risk assessment must be dated within 30 days of travel given the rate of change in the operational environment.
Source: FCDO Travel Advice: Israel (2025; scope of advice as updated 22 July 2026). US State Department Israel Travel Advisory Level 3 (2026). OSAC Israel Country Security Report 2024. IDF and Israeli police public incident reporting (2025).
Our vetted operators provide close protection and executive protection and security driver services across Israel. For a detailed local assessment, see our Tel Aviv city briefing.
Cities We Cover
Tel Aviv
Critical riskIsrael's commercial and technology capital. US State Department Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) applies to the country; the FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Israel, which do not include Tel Aviv (updated 22 July 2026). February 2025 bombs detonated on Tel Aviv city buses. Hamas rocket fire, Houthi drone and missile attacks, and ongoing Gaza conflict operations define the operational environment. Israeli CP professionals hold some of the highest technical standards globally.
View city guide →Security Regulations
Firearms
Security guards in Israel carry firearms under an organisational firearm licence issued to the security company by the Firearm Licensing Department of the Ministry of National Security, under the firearms law enacted in 1949. Each armed guard's application needs authorisation from the Israel Police and the Ministry of Health. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents who have lived in Israel for at least 3 years.
Licensing
Security services companies and offices in Israel are licensed under sections 18(b) and 19(a) of the Private Investigators and Guard Services Law 5732-1972. The licences are issued by the Private Investigators and Security Services Licensing Committee, part of the Ministry of Justice's Regulation of Professions Division. Ask any provider for its Ministry of Justice licence and, for armed officers, the firearm licence.
Foreign Operators
A security guard firearm licence is open only to Israeli citizens or permanent residents who have lived in Israel for at least 3 years, so a visiting foreign officer cannot carry a firearm as a guard. Use an Israeli-licensed security company, and take local legal advice before a foreign team carries out protective duties in Israel.
Sources, checked : gov.il, Apply for a security services office licence (Regulation of Professions Division); gov.il, Apply for an organizational firearms license (for security guards); gov.il, Apply for a firearm license for organizations; Duke Center for Firearms Law, Firearms law in the shadow of war (December 2023).