Postpone Israel travel, exercise caution in Middle East: MoFA

Foreign Ministry issues urgent advisory, highlights direct flight disruptions and ongoing security concerns.

 

Kathmandu, June 18

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has advised Nepali citizens currently preparing to travel to Israel for any purposes including foreign employment to postpone their travel until the current complex situation subsides.

In a travel advisory issued on Wednesday, it advised Nepalis who are preparing to travel to other Middle Eastern (West Asian) countries, excluding Israel and Iran, for foreign employment or other purposes, to maintain ‘extreme caution’ and postpone their travel until the situation in the region improves.

“The MoFA is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Israel and Iran. All concerned Nepalis currently residing there are advised to remain safe and take appropriate steps to protect their interests as per the situation,” reads the advisory.

Likewise, according to the MoFA, due to the closure of direct flights to Nepal from Israel and Iran, those wishing to return to Nepal need to travel via a third country and obtain a transit visa. Such arrangements should be confirmed before their journey.

The Ministry has also urged Nepalis in the two countries to remain safe, adopt necessary precautions, and adhere to the safety guidelines issued by the respective governments and local authorities. They are advised to avoid unnecessary travel outside designated safe areas and shelters.

“Nepali communities and organisations in Israel and Iran should remain in regular contact with Nepalis there and should regularly follow notices and travel advisories issued by the Nepali embassies and the MoFA,” reads the advisory.

For immediate assistance and tracking purposes, Nepalis can register their details by filling out the online form available on the MoFA’s Consular Services Division and the Nepali Embassy's website.

 

No Nepali requests for evacuation

Meanwhile, Nepali Ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit said on Wednesday evening that no one had requested the Embassy for immediate evacuation.

"No one has asked for immediate evacuation yet, but we have processed requests for the Mayor of Biratnagar and one Nepali doctor, and some undocumented Nepalis have expressed a desire to return,” he said at a virtual interaction with the stakeholders organized by the Non-Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA).

According to him, to facilitate the repatriation of those who wish to return, the Embassy has also started circulating a form. He assured that the Embassy would provide the necessary support. Nepalis can contact Nepali embassies in Tel Aviv and Doha, Qatar if they need help.

NRNA Israel President Shri Krishna Bhandari said that the situation in Israel is ‘very sensitive’. He said, "The situation in Israel is more sensitive now than during previous wars, but if the prescribed security standards are followed, there isn't much insecurity. You must abide by them and not be careless."

Similarly, Ali Mohammad Miya, General Secretary of NCC Israel, said that all services, including transport and shops, are currently open, and normal facilities are available.

But he stressed the importance of vigilance amidst the uncertainty of the war.

During the interaction, Nepalis working in various sectors in Israel said that they currently do not intend to return to Nepal immediately. Currently, about 5,500 Nepalis are in Israel. There are 12 to 15 Nepalis in Iran.

As Israel and Iran begin launching unprecedented missile and drone attacks to each other, the West Asia is in deep crisis.

Earlier, in October 2023, following the killing of 10 Nepalis by Palestinian armed group Hamas, the MoFA had issued advisory not to travel to Isreal. One Nepali – Bipin Joshi – is still kept hostage by the group.

Speaking at the meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the Federal Parliament, lawmakers had pointed to the need to empower embassies so that they could support Nepalis during the crisis but there has not been much progress in this regard.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 June 2025.