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tourism in Israel

Members of a group walk the Way to Jerusalem's fourth stretch, from Latrun to Abu Ghosh, November 6, 2025. (Avi Friedman)
February 7, 2026, 5:49 am
Trading security for spirituality, former official co-launches pilgrimage route to Jerusalem
After an epiphany on a dreary morning, Golan Rice quits El Al job, sets out to co-found the Way to Jerusalem for pilgrims from all walks of life to form connections and share stories
By Sue Surkes
Passengers arriving at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on April 17, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
December 29, 2024, 6:12 pm
Visitors to Israel face a new headache from Jan. 1: Applying for a travel permit
Foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries seeking to visit Israel, including those from the US and European Union, will have to apply for a travel permit and pay a $6.80 fee
By Sharon Wrobel
Damage seen to statues inside the Israel Museum in Jerusalem on October 5, 2023. (Israel Museum)
October 6, 2023, 1:10 pm
US tourist who smashed ancient statues may have ‘Jerusalem syndrome’ — lawyer
At suspect’s remand hearing, attorney says police and the man have agreed to a psychiatric examination after he caused serious damage to Roman-era sculptures at Israel Museum
By ToI Staff
Damage seen to statues inside the Israel Museum in Jerusalem on October 5, 2023. (Israel Museum)
October 5, 2023, 10:20 pm
US tourist arrested for smashing Roman-era statues at Israel Museum
Museum says artifacts damaged by 40-year-old visitor date back to 2nd century CE; police say suspect thought statues ‘go against Torah’
By Amy Spiro
Rendering of proposed wine park and surrounding homes, Zichron Yaakov, January 2023. (Courtesy: Tourism Ministry).
February 2, 2023, 12:28 am
Hotels okayed for Zichron Yaakov wine tourism complex
Planners give green light to component of well-aged Wine Park development, slated to include homes, galleries, workshops and more wine-centric attractions in the northern city
By Danielle Nagler
People bathe in the Deas Sea near a resoirt in Ein Bokek, November 2022. (Yuriy Komarov via iStock by Getty Images)
December 6, 2022, 4:57 pm
Israel welcomes over 2 million tourists in 2022 amid steady post-COVID recovery
Vacationing Israelis outpace foreign tourists in hotel stays as number of rooms increases sharply
By Danielle Nagler
Illustrative: Taglit-Birthright participants visit at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on August 18, 2014. (Flash90/File)
November 21, 2022, 6:36 pm
Birthright to cut up to a third of its free trips to Israel for young Jews
CEO Gidi Mark says decision made due to ‘significant cost increases’ in programming, barring a ‘major immediate increase in fundraising’
By Andrew Lapin
Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov impersonating James Bond as part of a tourism marketing video. (Youtube screenshot, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
October 16, 2022, 12:33 pm
Israel’s tourism minister channels James Bond in promotional video
Judoka-turned-politician Yoel Razvozov wades through water shirtless and dresses in a tuxedo similar to Daniel Craig’s take on fictional British spy
By Michael Horovitz
Tourists walk in downtown Rome, Monday, June 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
July 2, 2022, 7:55 am
After two pandemic years, world sees summer travel bounce — and chaos
Israelis and Palestinians among those hoping for a rebound from COVID woes, but the recovery is likely to take time
By Laurie Kellman
The central city of Netanya and the Mediterranean Sea, December 2020 (Alexey Firsov via iStock by Getty Images)
May 17, 2022, 7:39 pm
Away for 2 years, foreign owners flock back to Israel homes as COVID rules are eased
Non-citizens who own second homes in Israel are once again able to reach them, though many are finding time did not treat their properties well
By Danielle Nagler
Ethiopian Christian pilgrims attend a Good Friday procession in Jerusalem, Friday, April 14, 2017. (Dan Balilty/AP)
March 14, 2022, 10:10 am
Israel said barring Ethiopian Christian pilgrims from country, for fear they’ll stay
In letter cited by Israeli TV, immigration authorities tell tourism agencies not to let groups because of concerns they won’t return home due to ongoing civil war
By ToI Staff
A tourist poses for a picture while floating in the Dead Sea, on June 17, 2018. (Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto/Getty Images via JTA)
March 13, 2022, 12:30 am
Sierra Club nixes Israel trips amid pressure by progressives, anti-Zionists
US-based environmental nonprofit accused of ‘greenwashing’ Israeli-Palestinian conflict, cancels visits to Jewish state while keeping planned trip to China
By Gabe Stutman
Young visitors enjoy clambering over an old engine at ICL's new Moshe Novomieski Visitors and Heritage Center at Sdom, southern Dead Sea, on January 20, 2022. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
February 18, 2022, 8:06 am
At Dead Sea museum, chemical firm evokes past pioneers as it bids to keep mining
With movies and virtual reality, guided tour through reconstructed huts combines Zionist history with ICL’s push for renewal of mineral extraction license
By Sue Surkes
Miss Universe contestants compete on stage in swimwear during the 70th Miss Universe competition in Eilat on December 13, 2021. (Benjamin Askinas/Miss Universe)
December 14, 2021, 6:24 pm
In 2021, should Miss Universe still be a thing? Those involved weigh in
The competition, hosted this year in Eilat, was the target of vocal criticism from those who view beauty pageants as outdated, sexist and damaging to young women
By Amy Spiro
New Hope party leader and Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar speaks at the Knesset on November 8, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
November 28, 2021, 11:03 am
Justice minister: New COVID measures unwarranted without ‘very, very strong reasons’
Gideon Sa’ar says new restrictions will hurt economy; Health Ministry chief, interior minister insist Omicron variant must be stopped before it spreads
By ToI Staff
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