Jewish Australians are defying travel warnings to leave Israel, saying they feel safer staying put despite the persistent threat of rockets raining down, rather than returning to Australia to confront rising levels of antisemitism.

Upgraded travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is urging Australians not to travel to any part of Israel, and advising those already there to depart as hostilities escalate with Iran and its network of terror proxy groups, such as Hezbollah.