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Tourist Israel

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Best of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Walking Tour - 1 Day

Masada, Ein Gedi, and The Dead Sea from Tel Aviv

Galilee Day Tour

Jerusalem, Dead Sea, and Bethlehem from Tel Aviv

Jaffa and Neve Tzedek walking tour

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Tourist Israel - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Private Tailor Made Tours

Touring Israel offers you exceptional custom tailored private tours of the Land of Israel with your own expert tour guide. We create itineraries focused on your specific guidelines and interests. Our premium services give you the flexibility to explore Israel at the highest level of service that you deserve. Whether a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration, a synagogue or church group tour, or a special family trip, we will help make it an experience of a lifetime for all of you. We can also take care of your hotel reservations and provide all logistical support. Ask about our unique offers to make your visit to Israel one you will never forget, such as helicopter tours, desert jeep safaris, fine dining and meetings with journalists, political scientists and government officials. We do not offer prescheduled group tours or package tours. We are NOT a budget touring agency.

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Why visit israel.

Modern Israel is a beacon of light to the world around us. World leading innovators in high tech, bio-tech and agriculture await your inquisitive mind. Come and see how Israel is changing the world in these fields and then sit on one of the hundreds of Mediterranean beaches or sail the blue sea while sipping a cocktail.

Nestled between ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia in the middle of the Fertile Crescent lies the Land of Israel, crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa. There is no other place with such diverse climates, elevations, passions, ancient ruins, religions, cultures, history, nightlife, beaches and beauty in such a small compact place. Israel is the size of New Jersey or Wales and can be driven in seven hours from its snow capped peaks and ski resort in the north, to its subtropical scuba paradise in the south. Not only can you hike, bike, drive, swim, sunbathe, explore ruins, rappel, dine, pray, meditate and dive, but you can also explore your own personal history. What other place can claim the origins of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Baha'ism & Druzism? Find your spirit right here in Israel. It's waiting to be discovered.

First Time in Israel?

Bring modest clothing. While Tel Aviv, Haifa and Eilat have the feel of New York, San Francisco and Miami, Jerusalem and Tzfat are another story. When going into synagogues, churches and mosques you do not want to be wearing shorts, a mini skirt or a tank top. Ladies should bring a long skirt to throw over their shorts and a scarf or t-shirt handy in order to cover up. Most of the time you can dress as you always do, but once in a while even the men will have to wear long pants. Bring water shoes. Sometimes we will go on little walks or even hikes through a mountain stream or desert oasis over rocks in the water, sometimes in water in a cave! If you don't want to do that, at the very least you will need them when walking on sharp salt crystals as you wade into the Dead Sea before you start to bob up and down like a cork. Are you Jewish and have never had a bar/bat mitzvah? Let us know and we'll set it up. Or perhaps you would like to be baptized in the Jordan River? Please let us know ahead of time so we can set those up for you. Pack light. You will be much happier in the end, trust us. Israel is a very casual place. People go to weddings in shorts, t-shirts and sandals. Leave the suit and dinner jacket at home. You will not be needing them here! Don't get upset when the security officer at the airport grills you with a million questions that seem absurd. There is a method to the madness and don't fret when the security guard searches your purse at the bar or restaurant. It is all for your own good! The sun can be very strong here, especially in the summer. Hats, sun block and sunglasses aren't only recommended, they're essential! Even if you're from Florida. A canteen water bottle is always a good idea. Outside of July and August the evenings can be cool. And between October and May it can be downright cold and rainy. Pack accordingly. The really cold and rainy season generally begins mid November and lasts through March. Outside of the Golan Heights snow is rare, although once in a while it snows in Jerusalem and Tzfat.

Haven't Been To Israel in 20+ Years? Israel has changed immensely. You won't recognize it. We have gone from an agrarian society to a high tech mecca. Tel Aviv has grown to a city of skyscrapers and upscale bars and restaurants. The roads are in great shape, and we even have a six lane super highway stretching almost from near Haifa to Beersheba without one traffic light! Recent and ongoing archaeological digs have turned up entire cites, towns, fortresses, castles and palaces that we had only dreamed of while reading about them in the Bible... And here they are waiting for us to explore.

Israel is waiting for you! Contact Touring Israel today to start planning your fully tailor made, luxury private tour. We'll work with you - according to your dates, your interests, your physical capabilities and, most importantly, your expectations - to put together the best possible tour for you. We'll take care of you from A to Z. From the moment you land until the moment you take off for home, we'll work with you to meticulously plan every detail of your tour. WE DO NOT DO SCHEDULED GROUP TOURS OR PACKAGE TOURS. Every one of our tours is completely unique and designed from the ground up.

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To learn more about the guidelines about travel to Israel - click here

TOURIST INFO

When you travel, part of the fun is discovering new things. However, it always helps to get the inside scoop on how to get things done quickly and easily. Below are some tips and tourist information to get your trip off on the right foot!

Is Tel Aviv Gay Friendly?

Tel Aviv is known for it's gay friendly atmosphere and there is no shortage of attractions specifically for the gay community. From the awesome parties at amazing clubs and bars to the sunny chilled beaches, the gay scene in the city is hot, wild and like the city itself - definitely non stop

Since Israel is a major global tourist destination, direct flights are available from most major US and European cities. Connecting flights can be found from all major hubs.

Electricity

Electrical current in Israel is 220 volts AC, single phase, 50 Hertz. The electric outlets used are types H and C. Most H outlets can also accept type C European two-pronged plugs.

Value-added tax refunds

Foreign tourists may request VAT refunds on purchase made during their visits. Be sure to keep your receipts. More information about VAT refunds can be found  here .

Currency exchange

The local currency is the shekel, and there are plenty of places to change money at the airport throughout the city. When you exchange currency, make sure you are getting a realistic rate. You can check on the official exchange rate  here:  To find the change spot nearest you:  Click Here  Most businesses do not accept foreign currency, so we recommend that you buy shekels. You can also pay almost everywhere with international credit cards. To check the cost of things compared to the cost at home, you can do quick conversions  here:

Getting from the airport to Tel Aviv

Never fear. Getting from the airport to Tel Aviv is simple and there are several options:

•  By bus  – El AL Junction: Kavim 475 & 500, Egged 268. Service: Egged every 2-3 hours. Fare: Kavim – NIS 12.60 NIS, Egged – NIS 14.70

•  By train  – There is a train station at the airport and there are four stations in Tel Aviv: Tel Aviv Central Station, Ha’hagana, Ha’Shalom and University. Trains run every 20-30 minutes. Check with your hotel to see which station is best. Fare: about NIS 10.50.

•  By taxi  – If going by regular taxi, be sure to follow the signs and catch a cab from the official taxi stand only. Here the dispatcher can tell you the price upfront.

To help you get oriented with the layout of the city, here you can find a  map of Tel Aviv .

Getting around town

Tel Aviv has lots of options for moving about the city. For those of you who like public transportation, two bus companies operate in Tel Aviv:  Egged  and  Dan  . Both websites provide information on fares, lines and timetables. The bus drivers do not automatically stop at each bus stop, so it’s important for you to let them know when you want to get off.

Another option is renting a bike or even electric bike to ride around the city. One place to do that is Pole Position, located at 13 Ben Yehuda Street, Tel Aviv. Phone: 03-5252134. Click here to visit their  website . Another option is  Tel-O-Fun .

Just remember that when the temperatures climb, you may find it difficult to ride around the city. Be sure to take a big bottle of water with you!

Need to take a longer trip? Try the train – you can find information about tickets, timetables and rates on the  Israel Railways website .

And like in any big city, you can always hail a cab. Here in Israel, taxis have two sets of rates – a day rate and a night rate that is higher. And if you have any issues with the driver, their name and number appear on a plate positioned on the side.

The weather

The weather in Israel is one of its strongest selling points. Here’s what you can expect as the summer approaches. In May, expect temperatures of 25°C-29°C during the day and 17°C-20°C at night. In June – 29°C-31°C during the day and 20°C-23°C at night. You can find detailed information about average weather conditions  here .

When you’re out and about in the sun all day, don’t forget to drink lots of water.

useful numbers

The following are some useful numbers that are always good to have on hand.

Ben-Gurion International Airport: 03-9754260

Tel Aviv Tourist Information Office: Tel Aviv Promenade, 46 Herbert Samuel Street. Tel: 03-5166188

Jaffa Clock Tower Tourist Information Center: 2 Marzuk VeAzar St. (near the Clock Tower)

Tel Aviv Tourism Info   website

Tel Aviv, Israel’s Non-Stop City, voted as the world’s top gay destination. Isn’t it time for you to find out why? Make Tel Aviv your vacation spot this summer!

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Tourist Israel’s response to my review…

Tourist Israel’s response to my review further highlights their dishonesty. The hotels informed me they were closed and Tourist Israel were not conducting any tours yet they claim I am ‘outside the cancellation period’ for a holiday they cannot fulfil. There was no refund given, not even in part as they said they would. No refund has been put through their system as alleged. They have then disputed my claim made through my bank. Sadly it is simply lie after lie.

Date of experience : November 05, 2023

Reply from Tourist Israel

Dear Anna, We understand your frustration and want to address your concerns. We did offered options to reschedule or keep the credit for your future travels; and currently, there is a chargeback in process, preventing us from closing your case through faster ways. Please notice that we've also reached out via email to schedule a call and resolve this matter. Please check your email as we would love to assist you further and find a solution together. Sincerely, Tourist Israel

Do not book

Booked tour but country went to war. nO flights, NO hotels open, NO tours but NO refund. Do not book with this company as they already have thousands of pounds of others money for NO service.

Date of experience : October 14, 2023

Dear Annette, We sincerely apologize for the challenges faced due to the unexpected war situation. We understand your frustration, and we are actively reviewing our policies to address such situations more effectively. We will further investigate your case and explore potential resolutions. We appreciate your feedback.

physically challenging outdoor invigorating experience w/ a friendly informative guide

1. may need to tell clients how rigorous climbing up could be to 40 & above aged people. even for me who steadily exercise kendo & ballroom dancing every other days, it was tough climbing up. 2. probably that's why cable care admission fee was recommended but on sept 18th, it was NOT operative. otherwise, very interesting informative stories shared by the guide, very easy going & friendly, trip will be remembered fondly

Date of experience : September 18, 2023

We're glad you enjoyed the physically invigorating experience with our friendly and informative guide. We appreciate your feedback about the climb's difficulty, and we apologize for the cable car's non-operational status. We hope you'll cherish the trip's interesting stories and join us again for more adventures.

Well organized, great guide, rich experience

Well organized. Everything flowed smoothly. Appreciated how our guide (Yael) took time to read the scripture passages connected with the places we visited (e.g. Jesus’ baptism, temptation, etc). Nice touch! Suggestion: have signboard or banner at hotel indicating where to gather. Can be tricky with so many tour groups meeting at same place.

Date of experience : June 10, 2023

Although a tour is never long enough, this was a wonderful taste of southern Jordan. Nazir was a fantastic guide and a wealth of knowledge. Accommodations and meals were stellar. PETRA: I wish I did some physical training for this but I made it to the Monestary!! Bring ample money (cash only) for support transportation...donkey, horse, camel or cart. Well worth it because the hiking and climbing in such heat is a real challenge. Of course bring money for food and beverages

Date of experience : September 17, 2023

We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your tour in Jordan with Nazir as your guide, and that you found the accommodations and meals exceptional. Your advice on physical preparation and bringing cash for transportation in Petra is much appreciated, and we look forward to hosting you again for more adventures!

Look No Further - Stay Here!

Truly, an excellent experience. Small, Boutique style hotel, recently renovated. Super high service levels made staying at the Drisco a very pleasing experience. The breakfast buffet is truly inspiring… I couldn’t eat enough! Very well appointed rooms and in an excellent location between downtown Tel Aviv and the old city of Jaffa. I would stay here again in a heartbeat! My only suggestion is that while I appreciate the fact they make bicycles available to guests, they need to maintain them better. Most of them had defective brakes and were in poor condition. If a hotel is going to give out bikes to guests, theybsure should be in as good a condition as your hotel is. Otherwise not one bad thing to say!!

Date of experience : September 23, 2023

We sincerely appreciate your kind and feedback! We're delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us.

Amazing Service!!

Joe was amazing and super nice! He gave us so many tips and tricks for our stay here in Israel as well as advice for other parts of our trip while we are visiting neighboring countries. He was very accommodating and communicated through WhatsApp which made it easy. He provided water bottles, wifi and phone chargers for our drive! Amazing service and we highly recommend.

Date of experience : June 04, 2023

A Great Tour Day with an AMAZING guide

This was one of our favorite days in Israel, and it was largely because of Allan Younger, our outstanding tour guide for the day!! He was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, accommodating, and creative in his historical story-telling. The day flew by! He was hands-down the best guide we had all week! Allan is fantastic. The highlight for us was walking from the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem on Jesus’ “Triumphal Entry” route. Allan also took us to a delicious lunch spot that we enjoyed so much, we visited it again the next day.

Date of experience : July 20, 2023

Thank you for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that Allan Younger contributed to making this one of your favorite days in Israel with his knowledge, kindness, and captivating storytelling. We're delighted that you enjoyed the Triumphal Entry route and the recommended lunch spot. Your kind words will be shared with Allan, and we look forward to serving you again in the future!

We were pleased with both tours

We were pleased with both tours. Petra is breathtaking, beautiful and a great walking experience. Swimming in the Dead Sea and having mud spread all over was a singular experience. Wadi rum was an original experience sleeping in a Bedouin camp. The food was definitely an experience not to miss and their hospitality was great. We loved it.

Date of experience : October 02, 2023

Thank you very much for letting us know your amazing experience with us!

The Great Final

Our wonderful 7days Christian Holy Land Tour finally concluded by the punctual pickup @ our hotel @ 2am IN THE MORNING on 5/20/23. The driver was excellent; he got us @ the airport on time. We really enjoyed whole tour with Tourist Israel and definitely recommend Tourist Israel for anybody's trip to Israel. We are coming back for different tour programs in near future, probably more bigger group. I have only good words/experiences with the whole team. Thank you everyone who assisted us while we were taking tour with you. TKC+HT/NY

Date of experience : May 20, 2023

Kareem was the best tour guide one can ask for

This company definitely got the right tour guide on the Jordan side. The one we had, was called Kareem and his driver Hussein. Kareem was a very friendly and knowledgeable guide. He knew a lot about the Jordanian history, tried to bring as close to the Jordanian culture as he could. Gave us freshly baked local pida, showed us the interesting parts in petra and knew a lot of facts about it. At the end of the tour we got Jordanian cuisine to eat and as a dessert local watermelons with their version of "healthy coffee". Kareem was very keen on bringing us his culture as close as possible, can only recommend that you ask if he is available for your tour.

Date of experience : September 19, 2023

We're thrilled to hear about your exceptional experience with our tour guide Kareem and driver Hussein in Jordan. We appreciate your recommendation and will certainly pass on your positive feedback to Kareem. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back for more enriching experiences in the future!

We Recommend 100%

Guided tour by Alicia was amazing! Without her we would never have learned or seen the things we did. Be prepared for a long day, but it was totally worth the exertion. Transit to and from border was prompt. Border crossing from Jordan a bit disorganized, but that has nothing to do with this tour- just the way it is, so be patient. 10JD to exit, 10 JD for bus to cross. Border crossing from Israel a bit faster, but expensive to exit- can pay with card. Would highly recommend this company for a day tour to Jerusalem. Thank you for a wonderful experience!

Date of experience : September 14, 2023

We're delighted you enjoyed the Jerusalem from Amman day tour, especially with Alicia's guidance. Thank you for your understanding about border crossings and for your high recommendation. We're pleased to have provided a memorable experience!

An Amazing Day

From start to finish, our day was perfect. From pick-up at our place to the transfers and the driver to Petra (who stopped to treat us to some local bread), everyone was professional and wonderfully warm. Our guide in Petra, Ahmed, was engaging, knowledgable, and by the end of the tour, it felt like we had made a new friend. The perfect trip.

Date of experience : September 27, 2023

We sincerely appreciate your kind feedback about your experience with us in Petra. Your words mean a lot to us, and we're delighted to hear that you had a perfect day with our team. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back in the future.

Seamless & Awe-Inspiring

Tourist Israel made everything SO easy! Our tourguide Kareem was very knowledgeable, engaging, & fun! It was a very long day; however, that's due to the closest border entrance being in Eilat. If you're looking to go to Petra 100% recommend!

Date of experience : July 28, 2023

Thank you for your kind review, Samantha! We're delighted that you found everything easy with Tourist Israel. It's great to know that our tour guide Kareem made the trip enjoyable for you. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to having you join us again in the future!

Great tour. Don't miss it

Our guide, Abnan, & the bus driver were exceptional. Abnan was very knowledgeable, personable & professional. We appreciated how we were treated & how he strived to keep all of us together & to communicate in at least 3 languages nduring our tour. The accomodations in Wadi Rum were lovely & the meals were delicious. My wife loved the camel ride. The jeep tour was great. We highly recommend this tour.

Date of experience : April 16, 2023

Great 10-day Israel…

The whole Tourist Israel 10-day Israel Christian tour package was great (May 19-28, 2023 [with 2 days airport transfers]). Tour Guides were kind and knowledgeable. Recommended hotels were nice and clean, although a little far from the tour pick-up points. Wishing there was more time spent at significant Christian sites for personal reflection.

Date of experience : May 28, 2023

Thorough walking tour of Jerusalem with…

Thorough walking tour of Jerusalem with a knowledgeable and extremely personable guide, we learnt a lot and nothing was too much trouble. Bit of confusion with buses on the way back but we ended up in a much less crowded bus than we would have done, thank you!

Date of experience : August 08, 2023

Seemless exp even though I was an hour late

Loved that they sent detailed map of pick up location at airport the day before. Even had pics. I was an hour late coming in and I went to desk found my name and drivers number. I text him on whatsapp and he was right outside waiting. Quick ride to Jerusalem at night. Highly recommend this service.

Date of experience : September 20, 2023

We're glad you found our airport pickup service convenient and highly recommendable, especially for its detailed map, efficient communication, and quick ride to Jerusalem at night despite your delay. Thank you for your positive feedback!

Allen was fantastic

Allen was fantastic. His knowledge of the history of Jerusalem and afar was impressive. He is what we would call in Ireland a Seanchaí- a great story teller. His information and insight was balanced and unbiased catering for a group of all faiths and none. We had a fabulous day.

Date of experience : August 06, 2023

Thank you for your feedback and your kind words about Allan. We're thrilled that his storytelling and insights added to your tour experience. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back on another adventure. Thank you for choosing us!

Amazing Tour

It was a great experience, we saw anything they promised and much more. The guide made it possible on his own. Great tanks for that. I would do it again but then the greater tour. And yes there are many religions explanations, and if you’re not soooo religious enjoy the buildings former generations you will be astonished from the old engineering. Just do it 👍

Date of experience : June 01, 2023

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As American Jews speak out on Israel, some see rifts in their communities

Leah Donnella

Xavier Lopez

Dalia Mortada

Christina Cala

B.A. Parker

Lori Lizarraga

Veralyn Williams

In the wake of October 7, and the bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli government, many American Jews have found themselves questioning something that had long felt like a consensus: that Jewish safety requires unconditionally supporting the Israeli government and military. But in recent months it's become clear that that consensus does not exist — and probably hasn't for a long time. And as more and more Jews speak out against the actions of the Israeli government and military, it's exposing deep rifts within Jewish communities – including ones that are threatening to break friendships, families, and institutions apart.

In this episode, hear from some people experiencing that division first hand, and we dive deep into the long history of Jewish criticism of Israel with Marjorie Feld, professor of history at Babson College, and author of Threshold of Dissent, A History of American Jewish Critics of Zionism .

Editor's note: In a previous audio version of this story, we incorrectly stated the age of one of our guests.

This episode was reported and hosted by Leah Donnella and co-hosted by Gene Demby. It was produced by Xavier Lopez and edited by Dalia Mortada.

• Israeli government
• american jews

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Tourist clawed by bear on romanian road after stopping for photo.

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A Scottish tourist was clawed by a bear after it climbed into her car window on a Romanian highway Monday — but still managed to snag a shot of the not-so-friendly fur ball before it slashed her arm.

The woman, 72, was cruising with a friend along the winding Transfăgărășan Highway in the Carpathian Mountains when they spotted a pair of brown bears clambering along the side of the road.

She rolled down her window to take a photo of the cuties — when one reared up on its hind legs, stuck its snout through the opening, and took a swipe at her.

“I just wanted to take a picture of him,” the woman told local reporters from a hospital bed, according to the Mirror , adding that her arm was sore from the attack.

“We were in the car and we were going to take a picture. And the bears came up to the window.”

Her friend managed to drive off before the bear could do any further damage.

The tourist was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Mirror.

Romania has experienced a spate of frightening encounters between bears and humans in recent years, leading to the issue becoming a hot-button topic in the country.

The country has up to 8,000 brown bears living in its borders, which is more than any other European country aside from Russia, according to Politico .

Over five years from 2016 to 2021, there were 154 bear attacks against humans resulting in 14 fatalities, the outlet reported.

It has become such a problem that some political hopefuls have added initiatives to increase hunting quotas to their tickets.

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Since the start of the Gaza war, our budget has tripled as we hired more editors and writers. We must not stop now as the Israeli genocide against innocent civilians in the Strip is worsening. Your solidarity is more critical than ever before. %90 Funded $25,000

• ‘He Puts Obstacles’ – Israeli Official Says Netanyahu Hinders Reaching Deal on Gaza [ April 27, 2024 ]
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Taking Part in Israel’s Genocide on Tourist VISA: US Citizen’s Military Involvement in Gaza

Ben bragged on his Instagram stories about the destruction the Israeli army inflicted on residential areas of war-torn Gaza.

Sammy Ben, an American-Jewish citizen, admitted on a talk show that he served in the Israeli army after entering the occupied territories on a tourist visa. 

“I am not even an Israeli citizen, I was there on a tourist visa, and I was there on the seventh (of October – PC),” Benn said during an interview upon his return to the United States.

“Having had the training and volunteering for the army there in the past, they gave me the option to (..) do the reserves,” he added.

During his interview, Ben detailed his journey, stating that he had contacted a friend who was an officer in the Israeli army for assistance. 

An American citizen from Los Angeles, Sammy Ben, who is not even Israeli, talks about his enlistment with the Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank and Gaza. pic.twitter.com/MXx25wJY5H — Quds News Network (@QudsNen) April 21, 2024

Upon his friend’s recommendation, Ben visited an Israeli military base in the occupied West Bank before eventually entering Gaza.

“About a month and a half in, I started reaching out to my officers and said: ‘Look, I gotta get out of here, I want to get to Gaza,” he said, laughing.

“I actually found a high-up officer there who pulled me into Gaza. (..) I ended up being in Gaza for two months,” Ben continued.

He also bragged on his Instagram stories about the destruction they inflicted on residential areas in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/Z63xlMvo9K — Quds News Network (@QudsNen) April 21, 2024

A thorough investigation by Al-Jazeera revealed Ben’s social media accounts, including his Instagram profile, where he documented his travels to Israel, his entry into Gaza, and his participation in combat alongside Israeli occupation forces. 

Ben also bragged on his Instagram stories about the destruction the Israeli army inflicted on residential areas of war-torn Gaza.

On his social media accounts, Ben regularly documented his mistreatment and humiliation of Paelstinians in the occupied West Bank. 

The soldier regularly documented himself humiliating Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on his social media groups and Instagram page. pic.twitter.com/ObWaoProdF — Quds News Network (@QudsNen) April 21, 2024

According to Quds News Network, Ben filmed himself in an Instagram story while “throwing grenades into Palestinian water wells in Gaza, employing a well-known Zionist tactic aimed at poisoning Palestinian water sources.”

In an Instagram story he posted at that time, he filmed himself throwing grenades into Palestinian water wells in Gaza, employing a well-known Zionist tactic aimed at poisoning Palestinian water sources. pic.twitter.com/fhOjlLLC8F — Quds News Network (@QudsNen) April 21, 2024

Ben’s involvement in Israeli military operations against Gaza residents sparked outrage on social media platforms, with many questioning the consequences of his actions, including civilian casualties and property destruction. 

Some called for Ben and others like him to be prosecuted in international war crimes courts.

Many also criticized the US government for not taking legal action against citizens participating in the Israeli genocidal war, while cracking down on anti-war protests among university students.

(The Palestine Chronicle)

• gaza genocide
• International Law
• Israeli Army
• United States

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Scumb bags.no better than the filthy acts they carry out. Low intelligence level fed by arrogance and bully mentality. No reason to expect more from they filthy that takes joy in hurting others. At least they are such idiots and such low intelligence they film themselves! Look forward to seeing their names added to the list for international arrest warrants. Scumb will sink like it has to the level of filth they like to display..we see who you are ..you showed us yourselves…sick..I hope they get what they derverve..I’m certain they will…

There is a set of laws specifically designed for this sort of thing. They’ve been previously applied to British, Australian citizens, etc, going overseas to join ISIS, but I see no reason why they should not be applied to people like this Sammy Ben.

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The black dress: unveiling the truth about rape, sexual assault on october 7.

A recent New York Times made many claims about the ‘mass rape’ of Israeli women on October 7. But two leading Palestinian media organizations, The Palestine Chronicle and Friends of Palestine Network, conducted a joint investigation, the outcome of which resulted in the ‘The Black Dress’, a groundbreaking 18-minute documentary looking into allegations and the possible falsification of evidence.

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Thousands protest against over-tourism in Spain’s Canary Islands

Demonstrators say mass tourism is overwhelming the Atlantic archipelago.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have hit the streets of Spain’s Canary Islands to demand changes to the model of mass tourism they say is overwhelming the Atlantic archipelago.

An estimated 57,000 people joined the protests, which began at midday (11:00 GMT) on Saturday, Spanish media reports said, citing the central government’s representative in the islands.

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Flag-waving crowds packed the streets of the main towns across all of the archipelago’s seven islands, chanting and whistling, and holding placards with slogans like: “The Canary Islands are not up for sale!”; “A moratorium on tourism”; and “Respect my home”.

“It’s not a message against the tourist, but against a tourism model that doesn’t benefit this land and needs to be changed,” one of the protesters told the Reuters news agency during the march in Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Smaller marches were held elsewhere in the island group and other Spanish cities, all of them organised by about two dozen environmental organisations ahead of the peak summer holiday season.

The protests were called by some 20 social and environmental groups who say tourist overcrowding perpetuates an economic model that harms local residents and damages the environment.

They want the authorities to limit the number of visitors and have proposed introducing an eco-tax to protect the environment, a moratorium on tourism and a clampdown on the sale of properties to non-residents.

“The authorities must immediately stop this corrupt and destructive model that depletes the resources and makes the economy more precarious. The Canary Islands have limits and people’s patience [does], too,” Antonio Bullon, one of the protest leaders, told Reuters.

‘We can’t keep looking away’

The archipelago of 2.2 million people was visited by nearly 14 million foreign tourists in 2023, up 13 percent from the previous year, according to official data.

Authorities in the islands are concerned about the impact on locals. A draft law expected to pass this year – one that toughens the rules on short lets – follows complaints from residents priced out of the housing market.

Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo said on Friday that he felt “proud” that the region was a leading Spanish tourist destination, but acknowledged that more controls were needed as the sector continues to grow.

“We can’t keep looking away. Otherwise, hotels will continue to open without any control,” he told a press conference.

Anti-tourism protests have multiplied in recent months across Spain, the world’s second-most visited country, prompting authorities to try to reconcile the interests of locals and a lucrative sector that accounts for 12.8 percent of Spain’s economy.

The Canary Islands, which lie off the northwestern coast of Africa, are known for their volcanic landscapes and year-round sunshine attracting millions of visitors every year, with four in 10 residents working in tourism – a sector that accounts for 36 percent of the islands’ gross domestic product (GDP).

Before the coronavirus pandemic brought the global travel industry to its knees in 2020, over-tourism protest movements were already active in Spain, notably in Barcelona.

After travel restrictions were lifted, tourism surged, with Spain welcoming a record 85.1 million visitors last year.

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India Police Arrest 2 Jewish Women for Tearing Down Pro-Hamas Poster

Two Austrian Jewish women were detained Tuesday night by Fort Kochi (Cochin) police after one of them tore down a pro-Hamas poster and her friend filmed her on her phone, The Week reported.

The poster was put up in December 2023, after the Hamas atrocities of October 7, by the Students Islamic Organization of India (SIO), the student wing of the Pakistani political party Jamaat-e-Islami. It features an Arab child throwing a rock at a tank, under the slogan “Silence is Violence, Stand up for Humanity…”

SIO activists lodged a complaint with the Fort Kochi police, urging them to file against the women a First Information Report (FIR), a common preliminary document filed by police in Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan in response to a complaint.

A video of an Austrian Jewish tourist is viral, claiming she was summoned by Kerala Police after a video of her tearing down a pro-Palestinian mural in Fort Kochi in Ernakulam district went viral on social media. pic.twitter.com/WqE87vkP4y — Megh Updates ?™ (@MeghUpdates) April 17, 2024

In the video, which went viral in countries where one watches these things while consuming juicy slices of mango, the Austrian Jewish woman is arguing with the SIO activists, telling them, “You are promoting propaganda and lies.”

She stressed that she was tearing down the poster for the Jewish people.

Although I have no doubt that Jewish people everywhere heaved a sigh of relief knowing the offensive poster was no longer up there in Kochi, spreading lies and whatnot, I’m also certain most of us Jews would prefer it if our sisters in Southeast Asia did not provoke Indian crowds, especially since many of us have watched the mob chase scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

If you’re curious about Indian law, the FIR was registered under Indian Penal Code Section 153, deliberately provoking with intent to cause a riot. The two women were interrogated at the local station and released on bail. They were planning to stay in Kochi through Saturday, and the local cops promised to do their darndest to conclude their investigation by then.

On Shabbat, the two Austrian ladies may choose to visit the local Paradesi Synagogue, which is gorgeous but has a very small community.

Cochin Jews are the oldest group of Jews in India, with roots that date back to the time of King Solomon. The first post-biblical Jews arrived in Cochin as early as the 12th century.

#Kerala : An Australian Jewish tourist was summoned by Kerala Police for tearing down a Pro-Palestine mural in fort Kochi in #Ernakulam dist. The video of her tearing the mural had gone viral on SM. Also posting the Pro-Palestinian mural she tore down. pic.twitter.com/iHtLvmykWb — Saba Khan (@ItsKhan_Saba) April 17, 2024

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Venice tests a 5-euro entry fee for day-trippers as the Italian city grapples with overtourism

Under the gaze of the world’s media, the fragile lagoon city of Venice launches a pilot program Thursday to charge day-trippers a 5-euro (around $5.35) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more liveable for its dwindling residents. (AP Video by Paolo Santalucia)

Stewards check tourists QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy’s Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

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Tourists line up to enter at the at St.Mark bell tower in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

A steward shows the QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy’s Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Stewards check a tourist QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy’s Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Citizens and activists confront police during a demonstration against Venice Tax Fee in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy’s Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Tourists arrive outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Tourists enjoy a ride on gondolas in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Marco Bettini, director of Venis Informatics System, gestures as he talks to reporters at the police Venice control room, in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Workers prepare the tourist tax cashier desks outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Venice councillor Simone Venturini speaks with reporters in front of a tourist tax totem in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Tourists enjoy a sunny day at St.Mark square in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

A citizen shows a ticket with the writing ‘Veniceland’ during a protest against Venice Tax Fee in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy’s Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Citizens and activists stage a protest against Venice Tax Fee in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy’s Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Under the gaze of the world’s media, the fragile lagoon city of Venice launched a pilot program Thursday to charge day-trippers a 5-euro ($5.35) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents.

Visitors arriving at Venice’s main train station were greeted with large signs listing the 29 dates through July of the plan’s test phase that also designated separate entrances for tourists, and residents, students and workers.

“We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents,’’ said Simone Venturini, the city’s top tourism official. “We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”

Not all residents, however, are persuaded of the efficacy of the new system in dissuading mass tourism , insisting that only a resurgence in the population will restore balance to a city where narrow alleyways and water buses are often clogged with tourists.

Hundreds of Venetians protested against the program, marching festively though the city’s main bus terminal behind banners reading “No to Tickets, Yes to Services and Housing.” Protesters scuffled briefly with police with riot gear who blocked them from entering the city, before changing course and entering over another bridge escorted by plainclothes police officers. The demonstration wrapped up peacefully in a piazza.

Tourists arriving at the main station encountered almost as many journalists as stewards on hand to politely guide anyone unaware of the new requirements through the process of downloading the QR code to pay the fee.

Arianna Cecilia, a tourist from Rome visiting Venice for the first time, said she thought it was “strange” to have to pay to enter a city in her native country, and be funneled through separate entrance ways for tourists. She and her boyfriend were staying in nearby Treviso, and so downloaded the QR code as required. But she was still caught off-guard while soaking in her first view ever of Venice’s canals by the sight of the entrance signs and her boyfriend telling her to get out the ticket.

On the other side of the entrance ways, workers in yellow vests carried out random checks at the train station. Transgressors face fines of 50 to 300 euros ($53 to $320), but officials said “common sense” was being applied for the launch.

The requirement applies only for people arriving between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside of those hours, access is free and unchecked.

Tourists take pictures at the St. Mark square in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Venice has long suffered under the pressure of overtourism, and officials hope that the pilot project can help provide more exact figures to better manage the phenomenon.

The city can track the number of hotel visitors, which last year numbered 4.6 million and is down 16% from pre-pandemic highs. But the number of day visitors, which make up the majority of the crowds in Venice, could only be estimated until recently.

A Smart Control Room set up during the pandemic has been tracking arrivals from cellphone data, roughly confirming pre-pandemic estimates of 25 million to 30 million arrivals a year, said Michele Zuin, the city’s top economic official. That includes both day-trippers and overnight guests.

But Zuin said the data is incomplete.

“It’s clear we will get more reliable data from the contribution” being paid by day-trippers, he said.

Venturini said the city is strained when the number of day-trippers reaches 30,000 to 40,000. On peak days, local police set up one-way traffic for pedestrians to keep the crowds moving.

Residents opposing the day-tripper tax insist that the solution to Venice’s woes are to boost the resident population and the services they need, limiting short-term rentals to make available more housing and attract families back from the mainland.

Last year, Venice passed a telling milestone when the number of tourist beds exceeded for the first time the number of official residents, which is now below 50,000 in the historic center with its picturesque canals.

“Putting a ticket to enter a city will not decrease not even by one single unit the number of visitors that are coming,’’ said Tommaso Cacciari, an activist who organized a protest Thursday against the measure.

“You pay a ticket to take the metro, to go to a museum, an amusement park. You don’t pay a ticket to enter a city. This is the last symbolic step of a project of an idea of this municipal administration to kick residents out of Venice,” he said.

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro declared the launch day, coinciding with an Italian holiday, a success, registering 15,700 paying visitors, 50% more than anticipated.

More than 97,000 others had downloaded a QR code denoting an exemption, including to work in Venice or as a resident of the Veneto region. Hotels in Venice, including in mainland districts like Marghera or Mestre, provided a QR code for visitors to attest to their stay, which includes a hotel tax — accounting for 40,000 of those.

Venturini, the tourist official, said that interest in Venice’s pilot program has been keen from other places suffering from mass tourism, including other Italian art cities, and municipalities abroad such as Barcelona, Spain, and Amsterdam.

But Marina Rodino, who has lived in Venice for 30 years, doesn’t see the fee as the cure-all. Neighboring apartments in her residential building near the famed Rialto Bridge once inhabited by families are now short-term apartment rentals.

The corner butcher shop closed. Yet she noted that the new entrance fee requirement will still allow young people to flood the city in the evening for the traditional aperitivo, which can grow rowdy.

She was passing out mock European Union passports for “Venice, Open City,” underlining the irony of the new system, and challenging its legal standing with citations from the Italian Constitution guaranteeing its citizens the right to “move or reside freely in any part of the national territory.”

“This is not a natural oasis. This is not a museum. It is not Pompeii. It is a city, where we need to fight so the houses are inhabited by families, and stores reopen. That is what would counter this wild tourism,’’ Rodino said.