Embassy of Israel in Riga, Latvia; address Sporta iela 11, 1013, Rīga; phone +37167635512. Head of mission: Ms. Sandra Simovich.
Head of mission: Ms. Sandra Simovich, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (as of 2026)
Israel offers a diverse and vibrant tourism experience that appeals to various travelers. Although it has a modest number of tourist arrivals, it has developed unique niche attractions that contribute positively to its tourism economy. A portion of the 500,000 Latvians who travel abroad annually may find Israel to be an appealing destination.
Israel's safety for tourists from Latvia can be assessed through various rankings and statistics. Latvia ranks 30th in the Global Peace Index, while Israel is lower at 152nd out of 160 countries, indicating that Latvia is generally considered safer. In terms of crime rates, Latvia has a murder rate of 3.0 per 100,000 people compared to Israel's lower rate of 1.9. However, Latvia's female murder rate is higher at 3.6, while Israel's is significantly lower at 0.6. According to the Global Organized Crime Index, Latvia scores better in several categories, including mafia groups and state crime, where it ranks 3.5 and 2.0 respectively, compared to Israel's 5.5 and 5.0. Overall, while Israel has lower murder rates, the Global Peace Index and organized crime statistics suggest that Latvia is generally a safer destination for tourists. Visitors from Latvia should remain aware of their surroundings and stay informed about local conditions while traveling in Israel.