Safety, Health, and Security

The Lowy International School's Emergency Hotline: +972-52-534-6188 

If you require immediate assistance (need to call the police or an ambulance, for example), call the hotline to receive instructions on how to act.

As you are aware, the latest events brought us to deal with missile and rocket attacks.

Here, you will find a summary of appropriate action to be taken when hearing a siren, based on the instructions of the Home Front Command (Pikud Ha'oref).

Following these instructions is critical and will significantly reduce danger.

Please follow the guidelines that will be published on the website or sent via email.

A siren in the greater Tel Aviv area provides approximately 1½ minutes to find an appropriate secure space. Once the siren stops, you are requested to stay 10 minutes within the secure area if no further instructions are issued. Stay clear of unidentified objects.

In Buildings:

1. A MAMAD (residential secure space—consult with your landlord regarding which room in your apartment answers this definition) or a MAMAK (secure space outside your apartment—within the building floor, usually a communal space such as a staircase)- provides shelter within your residential setting.

2. Some apartment buildings are equipped with an internal communal shelter—often located on the bottom floor or just outside the building (this is the case for TAU dorms A and B). Making your way down towards the shelter—you should avoid using elevators and use the staircase.

3. A public shelter can also be found in some neighborhoods and accessed through signs/maps provided by the local authority. Make sure you can get to your selected public shelter within the time provided.

4. If you reside in a tall building (three floors and above) and lack access to either of the above, simply enter the staircase and make your way down. Residents of the top floor in a three-floor building without a protected space, shelter, or reinforced security room should descend one floor and remain in the staircase.

5. In the absence of any of the options above, choose a secure internal room with a minimum of external walls and open windows. You should not select a kitchen, a bathroom, or a shower given that the tiling, mirrors or glass might shatter. Crouch on the floor (below the level of the windows), close to an interior wall, and not facing a window.

If You Are Outside:

• In a populated area, enter the closest building and go to the shelter or staircase. Follow instructions from others around you in the building.

• In an open area without close access to a building, lie down and cover your head with your hands.

While Traveling by Car:

Stop at the side of the road, get out of the car and to the nearest building or protected area. If you do not have time to reach a building or protected area, get out of the car, lie down and cover your head with your hands. If you cannot follow either of the above instructions, stop and wait in the vehicle for ten minutes.

While Using Public Transportation:

• by bus, the driver should stop the bus and open the doors. Follow the instructions depending if there are buildings or if it's an open area. If there is no other option, bend over until you are beneath the level of the windows and protect your heads.

• by train, the driver should slow down to 30 km/h for ten minutes. You should bend over beneath the level of the windows. 

Campus Security
 

Like all public institutions in Israel, Tel Aviv University employs a sophisticated network of security personnel covering all campus entrances and patrolling throughout the campus and dormitory complexes 24 hours a day. All students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors are required to show student ID cards or another picture ID and submit bags for search.

In dormitory complexes, no one is admitted without a dormitory clearance chip (FOB); dormitory areas are exclusively for residents. Temporary guest passes can be obtained but guests must be identified by a dorm resident and follow guest procedures with the main security desk to be granted entry permission.

The University's Security Department maintains very frequent contact with government security agencies. The TAU's international student population is updated as needed (by phone and/or email) regarding security matters and receives copies of all relevant official campus safety and security communications.

The Lowy International School requires all students to carry a working mobile telephone with an Israeli number. This allows our staff to contact all program participants at any time via WhatsApp, SMS text messages, or other forms of group messaging. We also encourage students to join a security updates group on WhatsApp so that this can also be used as an additional method of updating and reaching students.

Shelters on Campus and in the Dorms

Tel Aviv University has well-marked signage in Hebrew and English directing people on campus and in the dormitories to the closest shelters (miklat or mamad) should there be a need to take shelter. 

Additional Security Resources

All students are also strongly advised to register with their local embassy either before arrival or once here in Israel. The procedure for doing so will vary by embassy. Students should contact their appropriate embassy for more information.

US citizens are advised to register for the U.S. Embassy’s STEP program. This can be done either in person or online here. A member of the U.S. Embassy’s American Citizens Services unit based in Tel Aviv also comes to campus each semester to speak to students regarding STEP and other US Embassy safety and security resources available to US citizen students.