The Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday handed its soldiers and officers a list of 38 countries and international regions that they are banned from visiting. IDF Operations head Brig. Gen. Kobi Barak compiled the list of restricted places based on what the army said are "increased threats to Israeli citizens abroad." Jordan made the list, with the exception of transfer flights for soldiers, as did Egypt (including the Sinai Peninsula), Turkey, Morocco, India's Kashmir region, Chechnya, Indonesia, and parts of Kenya. Armenia, which was previously a no-go country, no longer appears on the list. The travel advisory was created in line with recommendations from the Counterterrorism Bureau and is intended as a guide for all Israelis. Civilians may choose to travel to the banned places at their own risk, while soldiers and officers are strictly forbidden. Contrary to the previous version of the document, civilians can now travel to Azerbaijan and Georgia, but military personnel are strictly prohibited from traveling there. Some IDF officers, however, disparaged the list. "Our blood is no bluer," one officer said on Thursday. "If it is dangerous for us to go somewhere, then it is dangerous for all Israelis, and a nationwide ban should be imposed." Another official noted, however, that there have always been special travel restrictions for Israeli soldiers, because of the high priority terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah, have placed on attacking them.
