Israel has lifted its Ebola-related travel ban on Kenyan travelers after reversing an earlier decision hours after Nairobi lodged a forceful diplomatic protest.
The Israeli Embassy in Nairobi confirmed the change, saying Israel removed Kenya following a review carried out in response to the Ebola outbreak in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“We are pleased to announce that Israel’s Ministry of Health has decided to remove Kenya and Rwanda from the list of countries subject to temporary Ebola-related entry restrictions,” the Embassy stated.
The reversal followed public criticism from Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr Korir Sing’oei condemned Israel’s initial move, which placed Kenya on the restricted list alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Uganda, citing the regional Ebola outbreak.
In a strongly worded statement, Sing’oei said Kenya’s inclusion was not only unjustified but also deeply unfortunate, given the country’s efforts to control the disease.
“Kenya strongly protests the decision by Israel to include the country amongst those whose travellers it will restrict. This is especially unfortunate given Kenya’s support to regional surveillance and response to Ebola. With over 80,000 tests, no case of Ebola has been reported in Kenya,” he said.
The original ban, issued by Ben Gurion International Airport’s Head of Border Control, Amnon Shmueli, on 10 June 2026, had directed all airlines to deny boarding to foreign nationals from the listed countries as well as any traveler who had visited those countries within 21 days prior to their flight, regardless of citizenship or country of residence. Israeli citizens and residents were exempted from the directive.
Following the swift reversal, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei warmly welcomed Israel’s turnaround, highlighting the situation as a masterclass in how allied nations should treat each other.
“Israel’s decision to lift this restriction shows that science, dialogue, and mutual trust work; that facts can beat fear; that partnership beats barriers. This is how friends must act,” he shared in a post on X.
Sing’oei expressed Kenya’s deep gratitude for Israel’s agility and willingness to reconsider the travel restrictions so quickly.
“We welcome very much the decision of Israel to vacate the inclusion of Kenya from the list of countries subject to Ebola-related restrictions. We are grateful for your sensitivity, friendship, and partnership,” Sing’oei added.
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