Is It Safe?

There has been no way to escape the bad news coming out of the Middle East over the last few years. The details may be complex, but the gist of it is simple: terrorism, bombings, war. Which begs the question: Is it safe to go digging in the Middle East?

The perceived risk is great enough for the U.S. State Department to maintain Israel on its advisory list of places to avoid. Indeed, in 2001–2003, in tandem with a big drop in tourism, the number of Americans participating in digs in Israel fell considerably. According to George Washington University professor Eric Cline, the number of American-run programs digging in Israel dropped from dozens to almost nothing. American involvement in Israeli programs vanished; excavations were put on hold.