Can I bring a new iphone in my carry on?

Hi just really need to know if I'm allowed to take a new iphone I bought in the US on a plane to Israel to bring to a relative. If I take the phone out of the box and just put it in a case and stick it in my carry on, will i have any problems by security? Will they ask who I'm bringing it for? Cause I heard you can't bring iphones over seas on a plane for anyone. Should I just say its mine? Or should I put it in my son's carry on and he can say its his phone?!
Please answer as soon as possible! I'm flying really soon!
Thanks alot.

Added (1). Or is it better to stick it in my suitcase?! I was thinking it would be safer to have it on me in the carry on… What do you think?

Wrap it as a gift and bring it in your carry on. If it is in your checked luggage, it may go missing.

Yes, you can bring gifts over seas to relatives.

You will have to make sure it is unlocked, get a new sim card from the country that it will be used in, and know that it can only be serviced in the US if that is where it is purchased.

Most countries require travelers to declare the items they purchased abroad (if citizens/residents) or which they are bringing into the country and won't take with them when departing (if visitors). The "declare" requirement only applies to items which exceed the duty-free allowance. Not declaring something is "smuggling" and the consequences for being caught can be extreme.

Confirm what the duty-free allowance is for Israel, but I think it's $200 for gifts & merchandise. That may be per person, but confirm.

IF it exceeds the allowance, then take the phone out of the packaging and just declare it. In most countries, the phone being out of the packaging would mean it counts as "used" and Customs won't be very interested in it - even if it exceeds the duty free allowance. Worst case, you pay the tax on the amount over the allowance, and it's unlikely to be very much.

Declaring it will also be a positive example for your son, as opposed to making him an accomplice to smuggling.

In any event, take the phone in your carry-on and don't pack it in your checked luggage.

Security has no interest in an extra phone you may be carrying. Israeli Customs does, though. They can charge you taxes on it, if they feel like it. You need to declare that you are bringing it for a gift or they can confiscate it. Don't play with them.