Israeli authorities have imposed new travel restrictions targeting several East African countries following concerns over the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region.
In a directive issued on June 10, 2026, by Ben Gurion International Airport’s Head of Border Control, Amnon Shmueli, airlines were instructed to deny boarding to foreign citizens and residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda on flights bound for Israel.
The restrictions also extend to any foreign national, regardless of citizenship or country of residence, who has visited or stayed in any of the five listed countries within 21 days prior to their intended travel to Israel.
Under the new measures, airlines are required to screen all foreign passengers before departure by verifying their recent travel history. Any passenger who has been in one of the affected countries during the previous 21 days must be denied boarding.
Israeli officials said the measures were introduced in response to the Ebola outbreak and are being implemented under directives issued by the State of Israel. The order exempts Israeli citizens and permanent residents, who remain eligible to travel to the country.
The restrictions took effect immediately upon issuance of the notice, although Israeli authorities have not indicated how long they will remain in force.
The move has, however, raised questions given the differing Ebola situations among the affected countries. While the DRC remains the epicenter of the outbreak, several of the countries included in the restrictions have not reported any confirmed Ebola cases.
Uganda, which has been at the forefront of regional surveillance efforts, has recorded only 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths, according to official figures. Health authorities say the cases were largely linked to imported infections, and no new Ebola case has been reported in the country over the past six days.
By the time Israel announced the restrictions, the DRC had recorded 662 confirmed Ebola cases, accounting for the overwhelming majority of infections in the region.
Public health experts note that neighboring countries have intensified screening, surveillance, and cross-border monitoring measures to prevent the spread of the virus. However, Israel’s directive applies broadly to travelers from all five countries regardless of their individual epidemiological status.
Airlines operating routes to Israel have been urged to strictly comply with the new requirements and cooperate fully with border control authorities
