The Government of Israel has officially lifted Kenya from a list of countries that were previously under temporary travel restrictions due to Ebola-related concerns in parts of Africa.

In a statement released on Monday, June 15, the Israeli Embassy in Kenya also confirmed that Rwanda has been excluded from the same list, marking an easing of the precautionary measures that had been in place.

 “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 said.

In a notice dated June 10, 2026, and circulated to airlines, Israel’s Border Control Department prohibited affected travellers from boarding flights bound for Israel.

The restrictions also applied to foreign nationals from any country who have visited any of the listed countries within 21 days before their intended travel date to Israel.

This ban lift comes just hours after the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’Oei, threw jabs against Israel for including Kenya in the blacklist.

Taking to his official X account on Monday, June 15, 2026, Sing’Oei described Kenya’s inclusion on the list as “especially unfortunate,” pointing to the country’s ongoing public health monitoring and preparedness systems.

“Kenya strongly protests the decision by Israel to include the country amongst those whose travellers it will restrict,” he said.

Ebola fears

He added that Kenya’s response to regional health threats has been robust, highlighting surveillance and testing efforts that have included more than 80,000 Ebola tests with no confirmed cases reported.

“This is especially unfortunate given Kenya’s support to regional surveillance & response to Ebola. With over 80,000 tests, no case of Ebola has been reported in Kenya,” he stated.

The diplomatic row follows a directive issued to airlines by Israeli authorities requiring the denial of boarding to passengers travelling to Israel from several countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda.

The directive also bars entry to any foreign national who has visited the listed countries within 21 days prior to travel, regardless of nationality.

Airlines were instructed to screen passengers before boarding and ensure strict compliance with the new restrictions. Israeli citizens and residents are exempted from the measures.

The notice, issued by Israel’s border control authorities, cited concerns over the spread of Ebola as the basis for the precautionary restrictions.

At present, no Ebola cases have been reported in Israel. Officials said the public risk remains low, but they warned that the disease’s high fatality rate and complex treatment needs require continuous readiness.

The directive comes amid renewed global concern over Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa, prompting several countries to tighten travel screening measures.