Israel Tours are now going ahead, said organisers, following the Foreign Office’s change in its travel advice.
The shift in guidance, which went from advising “against all travel” (red) to advising “against all but essential travel” (amber) to Israel, means that some 800 16-year-olds will be touring the country this summer.
Despite the change in FCDO advice, which came in just before Shabbat, areas around Gaza, the West Bank, the Golan Heights and parts of the North remain in the “red” zone.
The tours – which have become part of the traditional post-GCSE celebrations for many Jewish teenagers – were hanging in the balance following the outbreak of the Israel-Iran War.
UJIA Israel Experience and the Jewish Agency for Israel released a joint statement after the risk level was lowered, saying: “We are pleased that with the recent ceasefire, and easing of FCDO guidance, Israel Tours are now able to go ahead as planned this summer.”
They said that the change in travel advice meant that “all four of our key safety indicators, including FCDO guidance, Israeli government regulations (such as Cheder Matzav - Israeli Government Situation Room and the Home Front Command), insurance availability and commercial flight access, are now aligned and support travel”.
This summer, six youth movements have planned Israel-only trips, while three have organised Israel-Europe programmes.
Looking to reassure parents and carers, organisers added: “UJIA Israel Experience, together with the Jewish Agency for Israel, participating youth movements, and ground providers in Israel, have extensive experience in operating in ever-changing scenarios on a range of Israel programming and experiences.
“We are now looking forward to secure and meaningful Israel Experiences for summer 2025.”
