'Solidarity travel' lifts Israel's visitor numbers amid war

06.03.2024 - 14:03 / travelweekly.com / El Al / Airlines

Despite the ongoing war with Hamas, Israel's ministry of tourism reports that in January, the country reached 34% of the number of North American tourists it had during the same month of 2023.

"More than one in three [North American] tourists are accounted for in those people that are showing their commitment," said Chad Martin, the Israel Ministry of Tourism's director of the U.S. Northeast region, who called the number "astounding" and "inspiring."

Who those visitors are in some cases is a mystery even to the ministry.

"I don't have a full profile on it. I don't even know every group that goes," Martin said. "These groups are sprouting out of the ground. It's grassroots."

The Israel-Hamas war has sparked worldwide protest, debate and outrage on both sides of the conflict. For those who support Israel, quite a few show it by visiting the country at a time when that would seem unlikely, resulting in a strong showing of "solidarity travel."

"Largely it's from those bases of people that have been to Israel," Martin said. "And they are wanting to show support and volunteering. These are trips that are coming to contribute. They're not just coming to say, 'We're here.' They're saying, 'How can we help?'"

A handful of tour groups will soon add to those numbers, saying they plan to resume tours to Israel this spring.
Many of the largest tour operators have canceled Israel tours for half or most of 2024. Tauck's spring departures are canceled through May, Collette's through June, Intrepid's through August, and G Adventures has canceled all tours to Israel through December.

A major challenge to restarting itineraries is the continuing lack of airlift from the U.S. While most European airlines, including Lufthansa and British Airways, have resumed service to Israel, U.S. carriers haven't. United will return in March with Newark-Tel Aviv service.

Delta and American haven't announced an Israel return, but Martin said "all legacy carriers have indicated an interest in resuming service from New York-area airports to Tel Aviv at some point in April. They seem aware that there is strong demand for nonstop flights despite the current situation."

Israel's flag carrier, El Al, has been operating from all of its U.S. bases since the war began. In April, El Al will two launch two weekly flights from Fort Lauderdale and intends to add more flights from Los Angeles, Boston, New York and Newark.

Tour operators jumping back in

The additional flight availability is one of the reasons that Ya'lla Tours will resume trips to Israel this spring.

"As of today, most European airlines, low-cost and scheduled airlines, are flying back to Israel, and by May all U.S. carriers will do it, as well," said Ronen Paldi, president of