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Orlando Cepeda dies

Some visitors to Israel have a new stop on their tours: Hamas’ destruction in the south

For people visiting Israel, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. This is a new kind of tourism that has emerged in the country in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. (AP Video: Ami Bentov)

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit the home of the Siman Tov family on Friday, June 21, 2024. The parents and three children were killed and their home was torched by Hamas militants on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, in Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

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A group of Israelis visit a damaged house following the Oct. 7 Hamas militants attack on Israel in Kibbutz Beeri, southern Israel, on Friday, Jan. 28, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israeli soldiers watch a virtual tour of the destruction of the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel near the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted near Kibbutz Re’im, southern Israel, Thursday, May 30, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

An Israeli reservist poses for a picture with a tourist from Mexico, who is holding the soldier’s M16 rifle, at the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted during the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, near Kibbutz Re’im, southern Israel on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit a house that was torched by Hamas militants on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday, June 21, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

People look at the Gaza Strip through binoculars from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

FILE - Danny Danon, a member of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, left, and Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, visit a home torched by Hamas in Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel, Monday, May 27, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

A woman stands next to photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event to commemorate the Oct. 7, massacre near Kibbutz Re’im on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli soldiers look at pictures of revelers killed on Oct. 7, 2023 at the Nova music festival by Hamas militants during a cross-border attack, as they visit the site in Re’im, southern Israel near the Gaza border, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A woman stands next to a shelter at the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted during the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, near Kibbutz Re’im on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit the dining hall that was damaged during the Oct. 7, Hamas attack on Israel in Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday, June 21, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

People look at the Gaza Strip from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews from central Israel visit a bomb shelter where Israelis were killed during the Oct. 7 Hamas militants attack on Israel, near Kibbutz Beeri, southern Israel, on Friday, June 21, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

KIBBUTZ NIR OZ, Israel (AP) — A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza .

Jerry Seinfeld, Elon Musk , Michael Douglas, former presidential candidate Nikki Haley , and Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are a few who have visited, at times posing for photos in front of burned-out homes. Many Israelis, including soldiers and security officials, are also visiting on organized trips.

“It’s our personal story, but it’s also the story of all of the state of Israel,” said Irit Lahav, spokeswoman for Kibbutz Nir Oz, who gives many of the tours.

A quarter of the approximately 400 Nir Oz residents fell victim to the attack. Hamas militants killed more than 20 and kidnapped over 80. In the dining hall, a wall of post office boxes is plastered with stickers — red for killed, black for kidnapped, blue for released.

While it’s uncomfortable to open the community to visitors, she said it’s important for people to “come here and smell the burned smell of death, to imagine your friends or parents here.”

Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people as they rampaged through southern Israel, and kidnapped around 250. Health officials in Hamas-run Gaza say more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war that followed.

Prior to Oct. 7, Lahav ran a tourism company. Now she has turned those itinerary-building skills to the kibbutz where she grew up. Her tour includes the spot in the fence where Hamas militants stormed the kibbutz, along with small details that humanize the scale of destruction, like the candy eggs that melted when the general store was torched.

Many of the kibbutzim and towns that experienced the worst destruction are closed to the public, accessible only via organized tours like those for dignitaries or celebrities, or by invitation from a resident.

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit a house that was torched by Hamas militants on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Nir Oz decided that the guides must be residents. Rena Bazar, who lives with most of the community in temporary housing elsewhere, is among those giving tours.

At first, it was difficult to return to Nir Oz. She didn’t like the idea of strangers on the lawns and in the dining hall with its bullet-riddled windows. But eventually, she understood the importance of helping visitors understand not just what happened, but also what life had been like before Oct. 7.

“I want to make it less about the combat and more about the personal stories of people who were there,” Bazar said.

For visiting dignitaries and VIPs, trips to Israel have long included stops at famous religious or cultural sites, such as the Western Wall, Masada, the Sea of Galilee or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the national Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem. The visits to the battered kibbutzim and border towns are the latest way to build support and solidarity with Israel’s allies abroad.

Other parts of southern Israel are open to the public and encouraging visitors — both foreigners and Israelis from elsewhere.

People look at the Gaza Strip through binoculars from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The city of Sderot runs “resilience tours,” connecting groups with survivors who share their memories of Oct. 7 or highlight cultural or culinary offerings. In contrast to the hardest-hit kibbutzim like Nir Oz, most of Sderot’s residents have returned.

Hen Cohen, the city’s tourism director, estimated that about 200,000 visitors have come during the first half of 2024, compared with 100,000 total in a normal year. Most come via solidarity missions from abroad or are local visitors such as soldiers and police officers on educational tours.

Birthright Israel, an organization that provides 10-day free trips to Israel for Jewish Americans, said that nearly all of the 13,500 participants expected this summer will visit Sderot and the site of the Nova music festival, where at least 364 people died. These visits provide an economic and morale boost to residents, Cohen said.

The Sderot police station, where 10 officers were killed on Oct. 7 in a standoff that left the station in ruins, is a main attraction. Visitors stop at the local museum, and watch security footage of what happened on Oct. 7, then walk to the empty lot where the police station stood. Twisted metal remains. Israeli flags flutter in the wind. A sign says a memorial will be built there.

People look at the Gaza Strip from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

“In this dark hour, I wanted to do my part to make sure the people of Israel know that the people of the United States are with you,” former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said while visiting the site. Seinfeld later cried while talking about his own visit to a kibbutz, describing it as “the most powerful experience” of his life.

Zehava Ben Zaken, a lifelong Sderot resident, said it has taken time to adjust to seeing visitors every time she walks by. “I’m happy they come to see this place, so they can understand and stand with us,” she said.

Hearing the booms from Gaza a few kilometers (miles) away, she hoped that visitors can finally understand Sderot’s precarious security situation. “We’re totally broken,” she said.

South of Sderot, the site of the Nova music festival has become a pilgrimage site for hundreds of visitors per day. Photos of victims are arranged around what had been the main stage. Loved ones have left candles, sculptures, photos and other mementos.

Israeli soldiers look at pictures of revelers killed on Oct. 7, 2023 at the Nova music festival by Hamas militants during a cross-border attack, as they visit the site in Re’im, southern Israel near the Gaza border, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Standing there helped her understand the enormity of loss of life, said Naomi Hanan, a medical student from San Francisco. “It’s right in front of your face and there’s no denying or ignoring what you’ve been hearing or seeing through the media,” she said.

In a eucalyptus grove near the site, an organization called Triumph of the Spirit offers virtual reality tours of three kibbutzim, including Nir Oz. The tours are currently only open to soldiers on official educational visits, but an English version will be available in the coming weeks for international tourists.

“I feel like I’m in Fortnite!” one soldier said as he slipped on the headset, then went silent as images of destruction appeared.

The videos were created by Miriam Cohen and Chani Kopolovich, who had created such tours of Auschwitz for a Holocaust education experience for people who don’t travel to Poland.

“We’ve made it accessible to go on this tour without damaging peoples’ privacy,” said Pinchas Tosig, who runs the tent and has 300 to 700 soldiers visit per day.

Some residents of southern Israel are looking beyond the visitors to the future.

In the coming weeks, Nir Oz will start demolishing some buildings to make way for new construction. Residents wonder how to preserve what happened while making space for new lives. Some say part of the destruction should remain. Others don’t want reminders — or visitors.

On one tour, Bazar pointed out the safe room where she spent hours hiding on Oct. 7. Her home was mostly spared. Others were burned. She doesn’t want the destruction to remain inside Nir Oz and hopes any future memorial will be elsewhere.

“I don’t want any child to be impacted by the ruins,” she said. “Our cemetery is full. Isn’t that memorial enough?”

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

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From Soho House Tel Aviv to New Direct Flights, Israel Will Be Better Than Ever Once It Reopens to Tourists

New hotels, flights, and conservations projects have been in the works during Israel's lockdown.

While traveling to Israel isn't in the cards right now, this might also be the best time to plan a future trip.

The Israel Ministry of Tourism is hopeful that the country will be able to welcome back tourists from the U.S. and Canada as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Given the number of new and exciting projects happening in the country, tourists will also be tempted to make Israel their first post-pandemic trip.

First off, getting to Israel from the U.S. will be easier than ever in 2021. American Airlines recently announced the launch of a direct daily flight from JFK in New York City to Tel Aviv starting May 6, 2021, as well as a nonstop flight from Miami to Tel Aviv, three times a week beginning in June. Delta, United Airlines, and EL AL Airlines also have some daily options.

Once you arrive, new accommodations will be waiting for you to set down your suitcase and relax. On Aug. 5, the Six Senses Shaharut hotel will officially open in the Arava Valley of the Negev Desert. This highly anticipated hotel features 58 luxurious and sustainable suites and villas (not to mention a gorgeous views of the desert). This resort is a must-stay for adventure travelers, with an Earth Lab, camel stables, spa, and an authentic Bedouin dining experience, as well as off-roading, mountain climbing, mountain biking, rappelling, and more.

In addition, Soho House is coming to Tel Aviv sometime in the spring of 2021. This stunning spa and resort will be built within a former convent in the historic Jaffa neighborhood. With 24 bedrooms, terrace, and outdoor pool, guests can enjoy a small, boutique experience from a hotel chain with 27 locations around the world.

Other hotel openings in the country include the Nobu Hotel Tel Aviv , the Sofia Sea of Galilee Hotel (which is built in a historic, stone house from the 19th century), and the contemporary Port Tower Hotel that has a stunning view of the sea.

Outside of your hotel, there are many ancient wonders to enjoy across Israel. Many sites of interest have been renovated and upgrade while tourists were away, including the Tower of David , which is under a multi-million-dollar renewal and conservation project. In addition, the Terra Sancta Museum , a museum network that includes all the places of conservation of historical, artistic, and archaeological heritage of the Custody of the Holy Land, is undergoing renovation, while Magdala, a holy site near the sea of Galilee, has been organizing virtual pilgrimages throughout the pandemic. The Emmaus Trail, too, is being constructed to allow visitors to hike from the Saxum Visitor Center to Emmaus Nicopolis.

Throughout the country, officials have been implementing new strategies in order to ensure health and safety for travelers in the wake of the pandemic, creating a so-called "Purple Standard" for sanitation protocols. And, according to CNBC , the country's vaccination program is becoming one of the fastest in the world.

For more information and inspiration for your next trip to Israel, visit the Israel Ministry of Tourism website .

Andrea Romano is a freelance writer in New York City. Follow her on Twitter @theandrearomano.

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The Israel Ministry of Tourism maintains Israel Government Tourist Offices (IGTOs) in a number of countries throughout the world. The Ministry of Tourism's website has country-specific information for citizens of the U.S. and Commonwealth countries, as well as for many European countries. It also offers information about maps, special events in Israel, a schedule of conferences and conventions, information about tour groups, and special deals and advice for prospective visitors to Israel. On this website you'll also find the current rates of exchange vis-à-vis the new Israeli shekel.

For additional lively and very useful information, readers in the United States and Canada can contact the Israel Government Tourism Office (IGTO) North American Information Center (tel. 888/77-ISRAEL [477235]; www.goisrael.com). U.S. offices are at 6380 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1718, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (tel. 323/658-7463 ), and 800 Second Ave., New York, NY 10117 (tel. 212/499-5650 ).

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Israel Readies Troops for a Potential Escalation in Lebanon

Israeli officials toured the northern border as U.S. officials stressed the need for a diplomatic solution to tensions with the militant group Hezbollah.

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By Ephrat Livni

• June 26, 2024

Israel’s prime minister and president toured northern Israel’s border and met with military commanders there on Wednesday, amid escalating tensions with Hezbollah forces in Lebanon and mounting concerns from world leaders that a wider war could break out.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, posted a video on social media during his visit of him saying that Israeli forces were “determined and committed to the mission of achieving victory, and no less.”

The tours by Israeli officials along the border with Lebanon came as Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, concluded four days of meetings in Washington with senior Biden administration officials, who repeatedly stressed the need for a diplomatic solution to tensions with Hezbollah. The Iran-backed militia has been targeting Israel since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack set off a war with Hamas in Gaza. Tensions have flared in recent weeks.

“Hezbollah’s provocations threaten to drag the Israeli and Lebanese people into a war that they do not want,” Lloyd J. Austin III, the U.S. secretary of defense, said in a meeting with Mr. Gallant on Tuesday. Mr. Austin added that “such a war would be a catastrophe for Lebanon, and it would be devastating for innocent Israeli and Lebanese civilians.”

Mr. Gallant, in that same meeting, said Israel was working to “achieve an agreement.” But he added that Israel was “determined to establish security” in the north and change “the reality on the ground.”

“We must also discuss readiness for every possible scenario,” Mr. Gallant said.

Israeli news media on Wednesday reported that more troops were being sent to the northern border region . On Sunday, Mr. Netanyahu said in a television interview that the war in Gaza was entering a new, less intense phase , allowing the military to turn more attention to Lebanon. “We will be able to move part of our forces to the north,” he said.

On Wednesday, Herzl Halevi, the Israeli military’s chief of staff, also visited the northern border with Lebanon and held a “situational assessment” with local commanders, according to a statement from the Israeli military.

Israeli troops in the north on Wednesday trained for what the military called “extreme scenarios,” including “combat in complex and mountainous terrain, activating fire and urban warfare.” The exercise was conducted “as part of increasing readiness in the northern arena,” the military said.

The Israeli military on Wednesday said that its fighter jets struck a Hezbollah military structure and targeted several other sites in southern Lebanon.

Isaac Herzog, Israel’s president, addressed community leaders in northern Israel during his two-day visit to the region and said the international community should not be surprised if “the situation spirals out of control.” He accused Hezbollah in Lebanon of repeated violations of treaties and international agreements.

Last week, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, said the Lebanese militia did not want a wider conflict but was prepared for war. “We have prepared ourselves for the most difficult days,” Mr. Nasrallah said. He added: “If war is imposed, the resistance will fight without constraints, rules or limits.”

Both sides have sought to keep the cycle of strikes and counterstrikes from spiraling, but the rhetoric from leaders and frequency of attacks have ratcheted up in recent weeks. Civilians in Israel and Lebanon have been killed, and more than 150,000 people have been forced from their homes along the border since the latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began.

Ephrat Livni is a reporter for The Times’s DealBook newsletter, based in Washington. More about Ephrat Livni

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Breaking news, ‘wake up’: israel’s new consul general warns of ‘radical muslim occupation’.

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The Big Apple is in danger of falling under “radical Muslim occupation” like many cities in Europe, Israel’s new consul general warned in an exclusive interview with The Post.

“You know what happening in London these days, you know what’s happening in Paris these days and in Malmo, a major city in Sweden?” Ofir Akunis said. “They are under radical Muslim occupation.

“There are no-go zones and I don’t want to happen here in New York or in other places here in the United States,” Akunis warned. “They burned an American flag right here, in front of the doors of the [Manhattan] consulate.

“I’m calling on New Yorkers: wake up before it will be too late!”

In a poll taken shortly after Oct. 7, 57% of American Muslims said they believed Hamas’ attack on Israel was “justified.”

Akunis arrived in May as a wartime consul-general, replacing Asaf Zamir .

The former consul was married to the glamours billionaire Maya Wertheimer, granddaughter of industrialist Stef Wertheimer.

Zamir quit and then was fired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March 2023 — and the consulate had been without a full-time leader since.

Akunis took charge as major American universities were convulsed by pro-Hamas demonstrations and his schedule has been so packed since, he is still living out of his suitcase at a nearby hotel.

A massive image of the 9/11 terrorist attacks looms across his desk. Also nearby is a photo of his 20-year-old son serving in the Israeli Navy.

“Your September 11th is our October 7th. It’s radical Islam,” he warned.

Akunis said the antisemitism he has seen in New York City is the worst it’s ever been since Jews began arriving in the United States in large numbers in the late 19th century.

“My late grandmother — she was born in Poland 100 years ago — [told me] what happened in . . . Europe in the ’30s. I never imagined that we would see that with the young people here.”

The new consul praised Mayor Adams as a “brave leader,” and singled out Gov. Hochul, and Reps. Tom Suozzi and Ritchie Torres for their support.

He had less charitable words for the city’s Jewish elected officials — specifically Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader who called for regime change in Israel.

“The biggest problem in his speech was that he said that Israeli prime minister is an obstacle for peace. I think that was huge mistake,” Akunis said. “Even when I have disagreed with an Israeli prime minister I never said they were an obstacle for peace.”

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Akunis said he agreed with the growing number of New York leaders who have called for the state to reimpose a ban on masked protests — which was lifted during the coronavirus pandemic.

“You need to update the law about the masks. If someone uses the masks just to hide and they use it to scream ‘Death to Israel’ and ‘Death to United States,’ this is wrong,” Akunis said.

He refused to comment on the presidential race, but admitted he was “watching it closely.”

Relations between Israel and the United States have been tense for months as President Biden attempts to hold a coalition together that includes Hamas-supporting young people and Muslim Americans in swing states like Michigan.

“It’s not a secret that there is difference from time to time,” Akunis said. “I appreciate the American support for Israel.”

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Sara Mond [email protected] www.israel.travel 646-779-6758

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Tourism officer: Israel safe for Pinoy travelers amid challenging times

At a glance.

A group of Filipino travel agents recently went to Israel as part of an enriching familiarization tour organized by Royal Vacations. This tour seeks to deepen their understanding of Israel’s rich cultural tapestry, historical significance, and vibrant tourism offerings.

The Philippine office of Israel's Ministry of Tourism has assured Filipinos that high-security standards are in place for Filipino travelers who want to experience the wonders of the Holy Land amid challenges that the country is facing today.

Marketing Manager of Israel Ministry of Tourism-Philippine office Anna Aban said this as Filipino travel agents explored Israel this month.

In a statement, Aban said Filipinos are welcome to visit Israel and experience its wonders and culture that continues to be normal despite external threats, particularly the ongoing war in Gaza.

"We invite our Filipino friends to discover Israel—a land where ancient history meets vibrant culture," she said.

"Despite the challenges depicted in the news, daily life in Israel continues with normalcy. We want visitors to witness our resilience and hospitality firsthand," she added.

Aban assured her fellow Filipinos that Israel prioritizes the tourists' safety and security.

"We assure our Filipino guests that their safety and comfort are our utmost priorities," she said.

"Our tourism infrastructure is well-equipped to provide memorable experiences while maintaining high standards of security," she added.

A group of Filipino travel agents recently went to Israel as part of an enriching familiarization tour organized by Royal Vacations. This tour seeks to deepen their understanding of Israel’s rich cultural tapestry, historical significance, and vibrant tourism offerings .

During their visit, the Filipino travel agents immersed themselves in the vibrant mosaic of Israeli life. Their visit included going to the ancient streets of Jerusalem, the Western Wall, and the Old City, and tasting the flavors of traditional cuisine. They likewise floated effortlessly on the Dead Sea's mineral-rich waters.

"Our visit to Israel has been nothing short of transformative," said Margarette Lumauag, one of the participating Filipino travel agents.

"It was incredible to witness the blending of ancient history with modern life. This trip has equipped us with invaluable knowledge and insights that will enhance our ability to curate memorable experiences for our clients," she added.

The familiarization tour also highlighted Israel's potential as a prime destination for Filipino travelers seeking a meaningful cultural and spiritual experience including Tel Aviv's nightlife and Galilee's serene landscapes.

The Filipino travel agents also met the Israel Ministry of Tourism’s Asian department Marketing Administrator Taimur Mansour, who invited Filipinos to explore the diverse and enriching experiences that Israel has to offer.

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I have worked in planning trips for an international Christian businessmen's group and their help was phenomenal. I also requested someone to come to a convention to share about Israel and they were wonderful and helped us immeasurably.