2 teams arrive in Israel, heralding the return of tourism

The arrival of two tour groups in Israel last week marked the gradual reopening of the country to foreign tourists.

The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in Israel closing its borders to foreign tourists on March 21, 2020. Since then only foreign students and a few individual travelers have been admitted.

The first arrival was a Israel birthright Educational tourism group on May 24th comprised of 14 vaccinated participants from Florida, Boston, New Jersey, New York, and Texas plus two staff.

On May 24, 2021, the first group from Birthright Israel arrived since the pandemic closed Israel to foreign tourists on March 21, 2020. Photo by Erez Uzir

Each participant was required to take a negative PCR test before boarding and an antibody test upon arrival at Ben-Gurion International Airport in Israel. They will also be tested at the end of their 10 day stay if required to re-enter the US.

Before the pandemic broke out, Birthright Israel had offered trips to more than 750,000 young Jewish adults from 68 countries.

This first group, arranged by the Prime Minister’s Office, is one of dozen more birthright trips to Israel scheduled for May, June, July, August and October.

“We have thousands of young Jewish adults who have signed up for our trips. In the coming weeks we will be bringing more groups together responsibly and safely, ”said Gidi Mark, CEO of Birthright.

On May 27, a group of 12 Christian students from the Concordia Seminary in Missouri with Pastor Tom Zelt of the Prince of Peace Church arrived and launched a Department of Tourism and Health Department pilot project aimed at gradually getting tourism back on its feet bring to.

A member of the Concordia Seminar group tour receiving a PCR test at Ben-Gurion International Airport upon arrival on May 27, 2021. Photo by Michael Dimenstein / GPO

The theology students, all vaccinated, were greeted with flowers by representatives of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. You have been guided through the process of obtaining PCR testing, which is mandatory under Israeli law for all arriving passengers.

“You are the first of many tourists who I am sure will return to the Holy Land,” said Minister of Tourism Orit Farkash-Hacohen.

She said Israel is looking for ways to allow individual vaccinated tourists to visit, likely starting in July.

“I hope that you all enjoy your trip and that you encourage others to come to Israel when you return,” she told the group.