Embassy of Israel in Pretoria, South Africa; address 428 King's Highway, 0081, Pretoria; phone +27123485518. Head of mission: Eliav Belotsercovsky. Plus 1…
Head of mission: Eliav Belotsercovsky, Ambassador (as of 2025)
Israel offers a diverse and dynamic tourism landscape that appeals to specific segments of the 60 million South Africans. While it may not rank highly in overall tourist arrivals, its unique niche offerings can attract visitors and contribute positively to its tourism economy.
Israel's safety for tourists, including those from South Africa, can be assessed through various crime statistics. According to the Global Peace Index, Israel ranks 152nd out of 160 countries, while South Africa ranks 125th. In terms of homicide rates, South Africa has a significantly higher rate at 41.9 per 100,000 people compared to Israel's 1.9. When looking at organized crime, South Africa generally scores worse across various indices, such as mafia groups (7.0 for South Africa vs. 5.5 for Israel) and crime networks (7.0 for South Africa vs. 4.0 for Israel). However, some areas like human trafficking show South Africa with a better score (4.5) compared to Israel (5.5). Overall, while Israel faces certain safety challenges, its crime rates, particularly violent crime, are much lower than those in South Africa, making it relatively safe for tourists. However, travelers should remain aware of the local context and stay informed about any travel advisories.