Originally published at Jewish News Now
The worst myth about Aliyah right now is that regional conflict means you can't move to israel safely. That's false.
Since Israel and the United States began a series of strikes against Iran on 28 February 2026, thousands of people have asked the same question: Is it even possible to land in Tel Aviv? The answer is yes — and the reality of making Aliyah during tension is far less dramatic than headlines suggest. Here's what you actually need to know to move forward.
The Real Status of Israeli Airspace Right Now
Israeli airspace is open again, though the security situation remains volatile and many international airlines have not returned to Tel Aviv since the start of the conflict. This is the actual situation as of August 2026. Airspace opened and closed several times during the February-to-June escalation, but Israeli airspace closed and reopened several times during the Iran conflict following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian missile and drone retaliation.
For practical purposes: You can fly into Israel right now. Your flight may be delayed, rerouted, or come through Cyprus or Haifa instead of Ben Gurion (Tel Aviv airport), but flights are happening. Multiple olim made Aliyah during the worst weeks of the 2026 conflict — in February, March, and April when active missile strikes were occurring.
Understanding What "Tension" Actually Means for Day-to-Day Life
The second major myth: conflict equals constant sirens and sheltering.
The reality depends entirely on where you live and what month we're discussing. After more than five weeks of fighting, the United States and Iran agreed on April 7–8 to a ceasefire that included Israel, with Operation Epic Fury concluding on May 5. Since June, the situation has stabilized significantly, though both sides have traded strikes over alleged violations.
Central and northern Israel (where most olim live) experienced limited direct impact compared to southern border regions. Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa saw occasional air-raid sirens but not continuous bombardment. Most workplaces, schools, and shops remained open.
How does missile defense actually protect civilians in Israel?
Israel's air defense system (Iron Dome, David's Sling, Arrow) intercepted the vast majority of incoming missiles and drones. Between February 28 and March 4 alone, ACLED records more than 90 attempted strikes by Iran against Israel, yet civilian casualties remained extremely limited due to defense systems and public shelters. No olim were killed by Iranian strikes during the 2026 conflict. This is not luck — it's infrastructure purpose-built for this scenario.
Regional Impact: Where You're Actually Safe vs. Where You Should Reconsider
Here's where geography matters. Israel launched a military offensive into southern Lebanon, displacing hundreds of thousand
Read the full article at Jewish News Now
Top comments (0)