News

Current News

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As always, don’t book your flights until you are accepted by both Sar-El Canada and Sar-El Israel and have your ETA-IL approval.

Once you’ve read the news, Apply here

  • 2024-08-18 Additional Date: Sarel has opened up a new, additional week in October from October 27-31
  • 2024-08-05 Travel Advisory / Flight Cancelations: The government of Canada has issued an “Avoid all Travel” advisory for Israel, Gaza and the West Bank and most non-Israeli airlines have suspended flights to Tel Aviv. Be sure to check with your airline and monitor the situation closely.
  • 2024-07-24 The ETA-IL pilot period will continue until January 2025. Until then, submitting an application is voluntary, and travelers may enter Israel without an ETA-IL application. Additionally, no fee will be charged for requests submitted during the pilot period. Starting from January 1st, 2025, submitting an ETA-IL application will become mandatory. You can learn about this and apply here.
  • 2024-07-11 Air Canada cancels direct flights again. The current earliest departure is October 15th.  See 2024-05-14 below.
  • 2024-07-01  New entry visa requirement: Israel requires a new ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) for Canadians (and most others.) You will have to apply online for all travel from August 1st, 2024. January 1st, 2025 Israel advises that you apply and receive your approval before booking your flight. It will be a 2 year approval for multiple entries up to 90 days per stay at a cost of 25NIS. The fee is waived for Canadians applying during the month of July.  You can learn about this and apply here. Note: If you are staying 90 days or less, select ‘Tourist’ as the type of visit rather than ‘Volunteer’ which is for longer stays. It’s suggested, though not required, that you print and carry your confirmation.
  • 2024-05-22 New e Brochure: Thanks to our talented volunteer, Steve N. we have a new PDF program overview pamphlet which you can see here.
  • 2024-05-14 Air Canada Direct Flights Canceled: Air Canada has once again cancelled their direct flights to Tel Aviv until at least August 6, 2024 and are routing people through one of their Star Alliance partners via Vienna, Munich, Frankfurt, Zurich or Brussels.  We suggest you contact Air Canada ASAP if you have booked direct flights with them either for a refund or a flight via Europe. Another option is to take an Air Canada refund and rebook on El Al.
  • 2024-04-12 Travel Advisory:  Recent events could affect your travel insurance. Be sure to stay up to date with the Canadian Government Travel Advisory web site and check your policy.
  • 2024-01-01  New Program Dates are available through 2025. See the  latest schedule here.
  • First Aid Training with Magen David Adom: Include an intensive first aid training program in your Sar-El tour. It’s now available via Sar-El Israel in collaboration with Magen David Adom. See the program calendar for specially marked program dates and read about the program here.
  • New Fee Structure: Effective 2024-03-06 the Sar-El Israel portion of your registration fees have changed. They are now: ($120 USD for the first week plus $60 USD for each additional week). The Sar-El Canada portion has not changed. Applications already received by Sar-El Canada on the effective date are grandfathered at the previous rate.
  • Wartime volunteering;  Please click here  to read abut volunteering during the war. Due to the large number of soldiers being called up there is a shortage of beds at IDF Bases for volunteers. This means that you likely will be accommodated in one of two large tents (men and women separate) sleeping up to 30 people each.