escorted tours israel

• Israel Tours
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Israel Escorted tours and Guided trips

Our Israel-guided tours cater to discerning travelers who seek personalized service and convenience. With knowledgeable guides leading the way, take a tour of Jerusalem 's Old City to explore the ancient streets, and journey to the magnificent fortress of Masada. Discover the tranquil beauty of the Sea of Galilee, where you can walk in the footsteps of biblical figures and experience the serenity of its shores. In Tel Aviv, travel like a local with the suggestions of your guide, exploring its eclectic neighborhoods and indulging in the tantalizing flavors of its renowned culinary scene. As you venture beyond the well-trodden paths, our guided tours in Israel offer the opportunity to embark on thrilling treks through picturesque landscapes, uncover hidden gems, and engage in specialized activities that cater to your interests. Get ready to embark on a guided tour that will not only take you to the wonders of Israel but also create lifelong memories and deep connections to this remarkable land. You will find our guided tours to Israel below.

• Best Time to Visit Israel

162 guided tours in Israel

• Starts Tel Aviv, Israel
• Ends Jerusalem, Israel

Biblical Israel

• Trip customizable
• Best price guaranteed
• Tour Type Group Tour
• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites & Art and architecture 'data-more-tripid='17955'>+1 more
• Accommodation Hotel
• Transport Boat
• Age Range 8-95 yrs
• Operated in English
• Apr 18 10+ seats left
• View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

• Ends Tel Aviv, Israel

Biblical Lands - 8 days

• No booking fees
• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Art and architecture & Museum and gallery visits 'data-more-tripid='15860'>+2 more
• Transport Coach & Private Vehicle
• Age Range 18-80 yrs
• Jul 15 Only 8 seats left
• Jul 22 Only 8 seats left

• Starts Jerusalem, Israel

Discover Israel & the Palestinian Territories

• Tour Type Small Group Tour
• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites & Art and architecture 'data-more-tripid='3118'>+1 more
• Transport Private Vehicle, Train & Minibus
• Age Range 15-99 yrs
• Oct 19 Only 10 seats left
• Nov 09 10+ seats left

Classic Israel

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Museum and gallery visits & Art and architecture 'data-more-tripid='17953'>+2 more
• Transport Private Vehicle & Boat
• Apr 21 10+ seats left

Israel & the Palestinian Territories Real Food Adventure

• Activities Food tours
• Transport Private Vehicle
• Oct 16 10+ seats left
• Dec 11 10+ seats left

• Ends Bethlehem, Israel

Heritage & Holy Land - 8 days

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Art and architecture & Museum and gallery visits 'data-more-tripid='15968'>+2 more
• Transport Private Vehicle & Coach
• Jul 11 Only 8 seats left
• Aug 01 Only 8 seats left

Five Days in Israel & the Palestinian Territories

• Activities Adventure
• Accommodation Hostel
• Transport Bus & Flight
• Age Range 18-35 yrs
• Sep 25 10+ seats left
• Oct 23 10+ seats left

Best of Israel

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Honeymoon
• Transport Coach & Boat
• Age Range 5-99 yrs
• Jan 02 Only 7 seats left
• Jan 16 Only 7 seats left

Jerusalem, the Dead Sea & Tel Aviv Experience 5D/4N

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites
• Age Range 18-99 yrs
• Apr 19 10+ seats left

8 Days Highlights Of Israel

• Activities Art and architecture
• Transport Private Vehicle, Boat & Coach
• Age Range 10-99 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,283
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 342
• Total Price from: US$ 1,941
• May 12 10+ seats left
• May 26 10+ seats left

Classic Israel & the Palestinian Territories

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Art and architecture & Walking tours 'data-more-tripid='18180'>+2 more
• Transport Private Vehicle & 4WD Jeep
• Oct 17 10+ seats left
• Nov 28 10+ seats left

• Activities Art and architecture & Spiritual or religious tours
• Transport Minibus & Boat
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,370
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 356
• Total Price from: US$ 2,014
• May 13 10+ seats left
• May 27 10+ seats left

Christian Israel Tour Package, 4 Days From Jerusalem

• Activities Sightseeing Tours & Explorer Sightseeing Tours , Explorer & Spiritual or religious tours 'data-more-tripid='38468'>+1 more
• Age Range 4-99 yrs
• May 01 10+ seats left
• May 02 10+ seats left

Christian Israel Tour Package, 5 Days From Tel Aviv

• Activities Sightseeing Tours & Spiritual or religious tours Sightseeing Tours , Spiritual or religious tours & Honeymoon 'data-more-tripid='38487'>+1 more
• May 04 10+ seats left

Going to Israel? Chat with a local travel specialist in Israel who can help personalize your own escorted trip to Israel.

Israel Guided Tour Reviews

• Karen Clancy

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Israel upcoming departures

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Tours to the Holy Land: Trips & Israel Tour Packages 2024, 2025

"Every place we visited was breathtakingly beautiful, with stunning landscapes and rich historical and cultural heritage. We highly recommend visiting Israel to anyone who wants to experience an unforgettable journey. We had a life-changing time there and are already planning to return." Simon L. and Beatriz G. – Tour to Israel/Egypt/Jordan February 2024 "I had a wonderful time in Israel. I felt while I was there the precautions that were taken for our safety were well in hand. I still got to experience many holy sites and be blessed by walking the path that Jesus walked. Every day was started in prayer, singing, or scripture reading which also extended the blessing of the trip." Quincie L. – Tour to Israel/Egypt/Jordan February 2024

Our Israel tours & Holy Land tours of 9-24 days for the Evangelical Protestant Bible believer are what Pilgrim Tours does best. Prepare yourself for a life-changing journey to walk where Jesus walked and visit Jerusalem, Galilee, & Samaria. Each of our Israel tours is led by a local guide who is an experienced expert on the historical, cultural, scenic, and spiritual history of the Holy Land. If you travel with 10 or more people, a private group tour can easily be arranged. Pilgrim Tours can customize an itinerary to fit your group needs with many options to choose from.

Concerned about safety? As a Christian tour operator, the staff at Pilgrim Tours takes a Biblical perspective regarding the current situation in the Middle East. We do not believe that peace in Israel is something that will occur until the Prince of Peace comes to restore His kingdom. Please do not make a reservation with us based on the hopes of a calm future. If you long for the special blessings only available in Israel, we will take you there. An expert driver and guide will carefully keep you from any areas that could present a problem and treat you to the riches of Israel as our special guest.

Below is a large variety of Israel tour packages departing in 2024 and 2025 year-round.

View Our New Israel Tour Highlights Video! Click Here

Reserve your tour at least 6 months in advance for an early booking discount, groups and parties of 6 or more click here for special rates, scheduled 2024 & 2025 israel tours.

View our Israel tours ranging from 9-24 days.

Take a tour of a lifetime and bring the Bible to life.

Featured Sites in Israel

Explore a vast selection of beautiful historical and Biblical locations throughout Israel with our Israel Holy Land tour. You can visit Jerusalem, Galilee, and parts of Samaria, getting the life-changing opportunity to see where Jesus and many other Biblical figures lived and walked. We even offer Holy Land tours that allow you to see the Dead Sea, the Garden Tomb, and the Jordan River Baptism Site. Like all of our Europe tours , our Israel Holy Land tours are led by local guides who have extensive knowledge of the area and its history. If you want to experience the history of Israel and see the Bible come to life, our Holy Land tours give you that opportunity.

The city of Jerusalem offers a unique convergence of Judaism, Christianity, and the Muslim faith. For Christians who visit Jerusalem, you will learn about many stories of the Bible while walking her streets. Many actors in the Bible such as Abraham, King David, King Solomon, the twelve disciples and Jesus all lived, visited, or spent time there. The Passion week of Christ will be highlighted during our stay as we visit the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Western Wall, the Way of Suffering, and the Garden Tomb.

Sea of Galilee

Nowhere in Israel does the Bible come to life more than along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Pilgrims who visit the Galilee region have the opportunity to imagine what life was like 2,000 years ago and what Jesus and the twelve disciples experienced while fishing on the Sea of Galilee. The peaceful setting and the natural wonders of the Golan Heights to the east and Mt. Arbel to the west make for a great way to start your morning in quiet reflection. During our tour, we explore the Biblical towns of Capernaum, Magdala, and Nazareth and take a meaningful cruise on the Sea of Galilee.

The Dead Sea is not only the lowest and most lifeless lake in the world, but also nearly 10 times saltier than the ocean. Travelers will enjoy the beautiful colors of the blue water and the red mountains of Jordan to the east. Take time to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Dead Sea “float” either in the sea itself or at one of the warm salt water pools at our hotel. The Dead Sea experience is truly a bucket list visit you won’t want to miss!

Garden Tomb

Our visit to the Garden Tomb and its surrounding gardens is normally one of the highlights of our tour to Israel. The Garden Tomb is a rock-cut tomb in Jerusalem that was unearthed in 1867 and is considered by some Protestants to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus. Our visit offers a unique time of prayer, reflection, communion, and praise, which will be a special life-long memory for many travelers.

Jordan River Baptism Site

The Jordan River Baptist Site or “Yardenit” is a baptism site located along the Jordan River just south of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. This site is frequented by Christian Pilgrims who enjoy imagining the setting of the baptism of Jesus. For anyone who would like to be baptized in the Jordan River, Yardenit has been developed to be a peaceful setting with beautiful gardens, clean colored water, changing facilities, showers, and a nice souvenir shop.

Caesarea Philippi

To many Pilgrim travelers, Caesarea Philippi is a special surprise while on their tour. Located along the rushing springs of Mt. Hermon, the beautiful and natural setting is where Jesus asked his disciples “Who do men say that I am?” He asked this question while observing the pagan worship of the god Pan as worshipers offered their sacrifice at the “Gates of Hell.” Our time at Caesarea Philippi is one of many opportunities throughout our tour to see the lessons and message of the Bible come to light in a special way.

Israel Tours: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month for the Holy Land tour?

Taking a trip to Israel during the spring or fall offers the most enjoyable weather of the year but normally has the largest crowds. If you want to enjoy a peaceful tour with fewer crowds, consider visiting between December and February or June and August. We offer Israel and Jordan tours throughout the year, so you can select a trip that works for your schedule.

How many days do you need for a Holy Land tour?

We offer several types of tours of the Holy Land, so the duration of your tour depends on the tour package you choose. The Best of Israel Tour is our most basic offering and includes a Sea of Galilee boat ride, a trip to the Jordan River Baptism Site, the Dead Sea, and many opportunities to walk on the same land Jesus walked on. This is our shortest trip at just 9 or 10 days. Our most involved trips allow you to experience a wide range of historical locations over the course of a few weeks. Egypt tours are included in some of these packages, as well as tours in Greece and other countries. These tours can take up to 24 days, giving you the chance to spend an extended period of time learning about and visiting different parts of the world. From our Turkey tours to all of our Israel Christian tours, all of our tours feature a first-class hotel rating for the country you visit. We do offer some upgraded tours that offer better lodging options. You can review our hotel categories at https://www.pilgrimtours.com/company/hotelcomparison.htm . Check out any of our tours to view a day-by-day itinerary and see what amenities are included with each tour.

What is the dress code in Israel?

The dress code in Israel is different from other parts of the world. There are a few dress code basics you should understand before booking Israel tours: When you’re in Israel, there is no strict dress code. You can wear what you feel comfortable wearing. However, both men and women should try to dress conservatively and cover their shoulders and knees when visiting any of the religious sites throughout Israel. Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid tank tops and shorts. Men need to cover their heads when visiting the Western Wall. Pilgrim Tours provides a Pilgrim Tours ball cap upon arrival in Israel, but you might consider purchasing an affordable kippa that you can bring when you visit Jewish sites. Some places may offer a free kippa, but these are generally low quality. (Women are not required to cover their heads at any sight.) You can figure out what you need to pack and how to dress each day by looking at the itinerary for our Holy Land tours. Guides normally offer guidance on how to dress for the next day while on tour. We also suggest looking at the extended weather forecast as you prepare and pack for your trip.

Is there a lot of walking involved on an Israel Tour?

Our Israel tours do require a significant amount of walking each day and you should be able to walk unassisted 3-4 miles per day on average. Make sure you have a comfortable pair of shoes that provide adequate support. While there are bus and boat rides during these tours, you have to walk quite a bit to explore some of the Biblical sites. Our tour guides normally give the group a few options at sites for those that have physical limitations. One thing to keep in mind is that there are many hills and valleys in Israel which can make walking even more taxing. The amount of walking you have to do may vary based on the tour you take, so look at the itinerary before choosing your tour. The good news is that Israel is a beautiful country to see on foot, and you’ll have several opportunities to sit down and give your feet a rest. As long as you have a good pair of shoes and comfortable clothes, it’s easy to forget about all the walking you’re doing and enjoy the tour.

What passport & visa information do I need for your Israel tours?

U.S. citizens need a valid U.S. passport with at least six months validity beyond their intended stay to enter Israel. Make two photocopies of your passport. Leave one copy at home and carry the other separately from your original. Israel: U.S. and Canadian Citizens do not need a Visa when entering Israel. Non U. S. /Canadian Citizens are responsible to fulfill appropriate entry requirements of destination. Contact your Consulate office for requirements.

What common languages will be spoken during your Israel tours?

Hebrew, Arabic and English.

What currency can I use on your Israel tours?

The U.S. dollar is widely accepted across Israel, and we suggest bringing about $30 for each day you’ll be on tour. U.S. dollars are recommended for use for small purchases and lunches. Lunches typically cost $15-20. It is important to bring about 20 $1 bills as some bathrooms charge a small fee for use. Credit cards may also be used for larger purchases. ATMs in Israel are all connected to European and American banking systems. Please be advised that the ATM machines dispense money in SHEKELS – NOT U.S. DOLLARS. Please notify your bank before traveling overseas.

Do I need to bring a converter for the Israel tour?

Israel uses the European plug with two round pins. You will need to bring along the necessary converters and adapters to operate any 120 volt appliances such as hair dryers and electric razors as well as camera and cell phone chargers. Electricity in Israel is 220 volts 50 Hz.

What is the time zone for your Israel tours?

The time zone for Israel is seven hours ahead of EST and two hours ahead of GMT.

What climate should I expect during your Israel tours?

In Israel the climate is temperate, and temperatures all year-round are reasonable. Israel has two main seasons: winter (from November to March) is cold and rainy in most parts of the country; summer (from April to October) is hot and dry with little or no rainfall. The desert areas can be extremely hot in summer time.

Recent Reviews on Trustpilot, BBB, & Google

View what others are saying about our Israel tours on Trustpilot , BBB , and Google !

"Pilgrim tours is who I'll be recommending people to travel with. We've been trying to get to Israel for two years and finally made it!! Great company from booking to on the ground with great guides. All details taken care of with great hotels, bus, and the best guides!! Wonderful experience!"

"We had a great experience in Israel with Pilgrim Tours. Everything went very well and there were no glitches or problems of any kind. The bus and driver were top notch as were the hotels and daily breakfast buffets. Our tour guide was great as his depth of knowledge of the people, history and languages Israel was quite amazing. We will very likely use Pilgrim again in the future."

"We have toured with Pilgrim Tours three times and what a blessing. Accommodations, excursions, information and food were all high quality. Post pandemic, we were so thankful to return to Israel."

"I couldn't have asked for more for a trip to the Holy Land than what Pilgrim Tours provided me. It was the perfect balance of spiritual reverence, history, geography, and social issues. I am so grateful for the experience that I had on this trip."

"Our church group just returned from taking a "Best of Israel" ten day tour. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I am so glad we chose Pilgrim tours. From our excellent hotel accommodations, to our wonderful tour guide, we enjoyed everything. Our trip exceeded our expectations. I would recommend Pilgrim Tours to anyone who is planning a trip to the Holy Land. We definitely plan to travel with them again."

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Fully Guided Tours & Trips in Israel

Find the right fully guided tour for you in Israel. There are 223 trips to choose from, that range from 2 days in length, up to 15 days. The month with the most departures is September, making it the most popular time to visit Israel.

223 Fully Guided tour packages in Israel with 931 reviews

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Jewish Israel Tour Package, 5 Days

This tour was wonderful. Our tour guide, Ami was extremely knowledgeable and nice, he made the entire tour really fun and answered every single question we had. We got to see everything we wanted and more.

Heritage of the Holy Land

Itinerary covered all the places we wanted to see. The accommodation for tourist class was a little too far from the main city centre especially in Jerusalem (we were at Rimonim and had to take tram plus additional bus or taxi to get to and from the main centre of Jerusalem) and also Tiberias (stayed at Prima where we had to walk up and down a hill for 25 minutes to get to the seafront). We took half board option and the hotel buffet dinners provided every night was delicious and well worth the cost! Breakfast was also good. Would recommend going outside of summer time as the heat can get quite unbearable at times especially with the outdoor sites included in the itinerary. Transportation to and from sites and airport transfers were excellent. Guide was knowledgeable. Overall, good experience!

Jewish Israel Tour Package, 7 Days

Very knowledgeable and pleasant guides. Made the days interest and showed a lot of care. Great ambassadors of the company.

• Coach / Bus

Heritage & Holy Land - 8 days

Fantastic tour with a fantastic guide (Eyal)!

Discover Israel

Informative and interesting historical and biblical sites. Accommodations and food were very good and guides and drivers were friendly. Only real glitch was pairing English speaking and Spanish speaking tourists together. Lead tour guide had to repeat everything in both languages. Both sets of tourists were frustrated as it slowed things down. Queue line control at the church of the holy sepulcher was lousy, allowing people to cut lines; and at one point the line didn’t move at all from 3:00 until 4:15. By 5:00, they rushed everyone through — if they maintained flow speed throughout the day instead of just at the end and had more queue line discipline, people could get through faster and suffer less frustration. Jordan river— site near Jericho had putrid looking water; should use a site closer to the Sea of Galilee where the water is cleaner. Dead Sea was disappointing— staff would not allow people to swim or float — only wading.

The Story of the Israeli State - 10 Days

My husband and I had never been to Israel and booked this tour as a “bucket-list” event. Our tour guide, Efraim Native, was the best - he was a history professor, knew philosophy, religion, politics, economics, abd engineering - answering every question we had. He was friendly, helpful and made excellent food recommendations. Our tour covered Tel Aviv (our new favorite city), Haifa, the Golan (do not miss the Hula Nature Preserve), and Jerusalem (Old and New). We added the Masada/Dead Sea tour at the end. Finally, we chose the 5-Star hotel option and stayed in true luxurious accommodations). We will use Tour Radar and Click Tours again!

Past to the Future - The Story of the Israeli State - 11 days

The tour is very well-planned and paced. It gives one exactly what it promises: a chance to view the history of the Jewish people and the state through the major sites and cities.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Galilee, Golan, Caesarea and Nazareth 4 days

We had a fantastic tour to Galilee, Golan, Caesarea, and Nazareth, the guide Tomer was extraordinarily knowledgeable and answer any questions we had. We highly recommend him for your visit to Israel. The communication and the booking process with the booking-tours company were smooth, and all pickup was on time.

Highlights of Israel 5 star - 8 days

Jewish Israel Luxury Tour 10 days

We booked a 10-day Luxury Private tour of Israel. Overall, we enjoyed the trip, but there were some disappointments and several surprises that were not clear in the offering materials. The best part was that the guides were quite good. Our guide on the second day seemed to be willing to stay with us until 7 pm, but we had not energy for that. Perhaps he was paid by the hour! The connections to and from the airports were flawless. One flaw was that none of the guides offered us a map of the country or locations we were visiting. We had to get our bearings on our own. On the first three days, our guides (Gil and Eli) charged us for parking fees and entry fees. Thankfully, you have refunded these fees. We wonder if these two guides were reimbursed by the tour company as well as collecting from us. Our fourth guide (Sarah) paid for all fees. On the last day, Moti also paid for all fees. Our guide on the third day, Gil, skipped the visit to the Dead Sea Scrolls. Instead, he just summarized it verbally while driving past it on the highway. When we said that the visit was on our itinerary, he replied: “It’s optional.” Ha Ha! He evidently wanted to get home early that day, as he dropped us off at our hotel at the Dead Sea at about 2:30 pm. Thus, we did not get the full-day tour for which we paid. Gil had incorrect information about which was our hotel at the Dead Sea, but it was cleared up by phone calls just prior to our arrival. We did not understand that we would have no continuity of service from Bookings. Tour guides picked us up in the morning and returned us to our hotel at the end of the day. We did not have the names of our guides in advance, and were not provided with a telephone number to reach them. As a private tour we were to have some discretion over sites visited. Some guides understood this while others did not. The itinerary in the offering materials for the days in the Galilee made little sense, but our guide (Moti) was able to construct tours that worked. Our major complaint is that you promoted this as a luxury tour, yet there was little luxurious about it. Our Jerusalem and Dead Sea hotels were good. Our Tel Aviv hotel was less than good. Our 3-day kibbutz stay was not good. At the kibbutz, the room was not properly cleaned when we arrived. The TV was tiny and barely functional. We were nowhere near places to eat the evening meal and transportation to/from dinner was not easy. We tipped someone to drive us to and from dinner one night. However, the kibbutz breakfast was excellent. We think you owe us a partial refund for the three nights we spent at the kibbutz. In the evenings, we wanted to watch the French Open tennis at the hotels, but the hotel in Tel Aviv did not offer that channel. Also, at that hotel, I asked at the desk clerk if they could change a 100 NIS bill. The answer: “No.” Also, in that hotel, the thermostat was set to a temperature that was too cold for us, but it COULD NOT be changed. The hotel desk clerk advised with a smile: “You could turn it off.” Though the location was good, the breakfast at that hotel was plentiful but not the best. We added a day trip to Petra, expecting it to be of the same quality as the rest of our trip. Far from it! We traveled on 40-person buses and toured with the same large group. The walking tour was long, and we had to pay $50 for a return golf-cart ride.

Tailor-Made Private Israel Tour with Daily Departure

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Tailor-Made Best Israel Tour with Daily Departure & Private Trip

7 Day Jewish Heritage Israel Tour Package

6 Day Classic Israel Tour Package

Israel's Rich History and the Dead Sea Experience (Private Tailored)

What people love about fully guided tours in israel.

Ami, Dima and all guides were excellent! And overall very well organized and thanks to Oksana for prompt response!

Mark was great tour leader!

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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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"Created as a state for the Jewish people after the Second World War, Israel is a fascinating confluence of nationalities, cultures and religions"

Peter, Travel Director

Explore the sacred city of Jerusalem

Delight in the culinary, artistic and religious cultures that blend together in the Old City, before tasting modern influences in the New City. You will find a wealth of inspiration here in the divided lands of Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world.

Relax at the Dead Sea

Take a surreal float in the naturally buoyant waters of the Dead Sea, landlocked between Jordan and Israel. With some of the greatest depths and salt levels of any lake in the world, allow time to absorb the magnificence of the experience and the dense minerals, long praised for their healing powers.

Soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Tel Aviv

Explore the metropolis of Tel Aviv and its 1930’s Bauhaus buildings, which reflect the warmth of the city’s sultry temperatures. Watch the sun fade at one of many beach bars and taste delicious vegetarian cuisine on a rooftop with views of the pristine Mediterranean coastline. The party capital of the Middle East has a special buzz.

Walk through the bustling Israeli market stalls

Be awakened by the vibrant colors and aromas found in the labyrinth of market stalls in Israel. Walk between spices, nuts, fresh fruit, and delicacies from all over the Middle East, picking up handmade treasures crafted by local artisans to take home and treasure forever.

See the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount

The iconic Islamic shrine, the Dome of the Rock, is an important site of pilgrimage for any visitor on an Israel vacation. Stand in awe of one of the oldest examples of Islamic architecture, complete with a majestic gold-plated dome and Byzantine tiles.

Our top 5 things to do in Israel

Lush valleys and saline lakes meet ancient spiritual sites and boutique bars. The spectacular setting of Israel holds no shortage of soul-stirring moments. Here are just a few of the things you'll do in Israel with Trafalgar.

Israel Museum

With treasures dating from pre-history to the present day, the Israel Museum dives deep with collections ranging from fine art to biblical archeology. Witness the revered knowledge of the Dead Sea Scrolls, bask in an oriental art garden and admire works by names like Pablo Picasso and Henry Moore.

Tel Aviv Museum of Art

The brutalist box structure of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art is a masterpiece in itself. Inside, marvel at a prominent Israeli art collection and works spanning from the 16th century to the contemporary across various mediums. Don’t miss the Department of Photography or Old Masters collection.

Bible Lands Museum

An archeological museum chronicling the culture of those mentioned in the bible, this private collection aims to use artefacts as evidence of biblical events. Spark your intrigue over Egyptian sarcophagi, Neolithic fertility figures and an array of antiquarian art.

Best museums in Israel

Israel’s antiquity is any archeologist’s dream, and its museums pay tribute to this fact, bearing treasures of its people from well into the B.C.E. Visit Israel with Trafalgar, and you will journey into the country’s indigenous art and contemporary sensibility via these museums.

To visit Israel without indulging in lightly fried chickpea balls would be the ultimate sin. The falafel has traveled far from its native shores, but nothing can compare to eating it here in its homeland, well seasoned and stuffed into a pita with pickled vegetables, tahini and hummus.

Israeli Salad

An accompaniment to most meals enjoyed in this part of the world, an Israeli salad is usually made up of diced cucumber, tomatoes and onion, drizzled with fresh lemon, olive oil and sumac or tahini depending on the time of day. It’s so delicious, you will eat it as a meal of its own.

First brought to Israel by the Sephardic Jews who cooked these delights in their native countries, Börek pastries are filled with salty cheese, mashed potato, mushroom, olives and more, typically finished with a sprinkling of sesame seeds. Test the temperature before you bite in, they are often served piping hot.

Best food in Israel

A tantalizing blend of Middle Eastern flavors, you’ll enjoy every second of your Israel trip with Trafalgar. We’ll show you how to eat your way around this eclectic culinary scene, savoring each destination along the way.

What to pack for Israel

A light scarf or shawl

If you plan to visit a synagogue, church or mosque, it’s a good idea to pack a light scarf or shawl to wrap around your head and shoulders out of respect. Clothing for men and women at these sacred sites should be of the modest variety – longish, preferably over your knees and elbows.

For those with tender feet, sandals may be a necessity for navigating the pebbles around the Dead Sea. Otherwise, go barefoot and enjoy the natural pressure-point massage they will give you before you float.

Considerate clothing

T-shirts with political statements or bold humour are better left at home on most trips, but particularly to the spiritual lands of Israel. Avoid feeling out of place by wearing simple, humble clothing at all times.

A market bag

Whether a humble backpack, a woven basket or your favorite shop’s tote, an easy to carry market bag is always an ethical and pragmatic way to haul around your market finds. In Israel, we guarantee there will be many.

A reusable water bottle

For those traveling in the dryer months, a water bottle is a necessity, as you will traverse much of the Holy Land by foot under the dense sun. Even though tap water is generally considered safe to drink, a bottle with built in filtration will help avoid illness.

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13 Day Classic Israel & Petra Experience Group Tours

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13 Day Classic Israel Tour Runs Every Friday! Experience Israel’s Coast, Golan Heights & Sea of Galilee, Mystical Tzfat, Holy Jerusalem, and Ancient Petra!

Day 1 friday (assist & transfer), arrive in holy israel, assistance at ben gurion airport.

After clearing passport control a Shalom Israel Tours representative will be waiting to welcome you, assist with your luggage, and escort you to your waiting chauffeur.

Arrive in Tel Aviv

Stretching along a beautiful beach strip of the Mediterranean Sea, Tel Aviv is considered the face of modern Israel. Nicknamed “The White City” for its abundance of Bauhaus style architecture, Tel Aviv was declared a UNESCO World Heritage City in 2003.

Overnight: Tel Aviv Hotel Options

Day 2 saturday (free day – relax), tel aviv – free day at leisure, day at leisure in tel aviv.

Visit the “Soho” of Tel Aviv and stroll Dizengoff St., Shenken St. & Rothschild Blvd. Filled with funky street vendors, boutiques and coffee shops, kiosks and local fast food stalls, Tel Aviv brings out the urban hipster in anyone who walks down these streets.

Day 3 Sunday

Israel’s coast – ancient ports, ancient city of caesarea ruins.

The Caesarea National Park contains the remains of a prestigious port city established by Herod the Great, which flourished during the Byzantine period. Visit the Roman Amphitheatre, the Hippodrome horse racing arena, and the impressive Roman Aqueducts.

Megiddo National Park

Get ready to learn about one of the most fascinating cities in the Middle East, where Egyptian, Assyrian and Israeli leaders have all fought for control. Dating back near 5,000 years you learn about this important site while enjoying views of the Lower Galilee.

Mount Carmel Lookout Point

We’ll end our day by standing atop Mount Carmel for a lovely view of the Haifa Bay…

Dinner & Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Southern Galilee

Day 4 monday, the golan heights & tzfat – battlefields & kaballah, tzfat old city & artist quarter.

Tzfat is one of the four holy cities in Israel. It has served as a spiritual center since the 1600s, when famous Kabbalists roamed here. Tzfat awaits art lovers, soul-seekers and historians to cobblestone alleys, medieval synagogues, and a mystical atmosphere.

Golan Heights Lookout

From Israel’s Independence in 1948 until the 6-Day War in 1967, Syrian troops stationed in the Golan Heights fired relentlessly on communities below. Jewish farmers plowed fields from behind tanks and children played, studied and slept inside shelters.

Golan Heights Winery Tour & Taste

Located high in the planes of the Golan in the small, ancient town of Katzrin, you will find this famous winery that exports to over 25 different countries. Take part in a tour and wine tasting to learn how the Yarden, Gamla, Mount Hermon and Golan lines are produced.

Day 5 Tuesday

The sea of galilee & jordan valley – ascend to jerusalem, village of nazareth.

After breakfast we’ll start our day with a short drive to Nazareth, the town where Jesus spent his childhood.  Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary’s Well and the Church of St. Gabriel.  Visit the Blessed Cave, view Mary and Joseph’s house.

Sea of Galilee & Capernaum National Park

Visit the remains of a Second Temple period fishing village and imagine the lives of those who lived there. We’ll learn about the location where Jesus selected his Apostles and the modern day church that stands where the house of Peter once stood.

Mount of Beatitudes

The Mount of Beatitudes sits on a hilltop at the northern point of the Sea of Galilee, this is where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.  A Byzantine church was erected near the current site in the 4th century, and it was used until the 7th century.

Ancient Beit Alfa Synagogue

Built during the Byzantine era, this excavated synagogue is most well-known for its miraculously well preserved mosaic filled with intricate artistic detail. The mosaic vividly portrays the Binding of Isaac, the Zodiac, and the Temple of Jerusalem.

Ascend to Holy Jerusalem

Welcome to the holiest city in the world! Here you will touch the Western Wall, walk through the diverse and beautiful streets of “new” Jerusalem, and enjoy the city’s sounds, smells, and tastes; experience the people of Jerusalem, their diversity and vibrant culture.

Overnight: Jerusalem Hotel Options

Day 6 wednesday, jerusalem’s old city – the eternal capital, mount of olives.

Located on the eastern slopes of the Jerusalem mountains, near the Temple Mount, this peak is named after the olive trees that covered its grounds in biblical times. Today, camel rides, monasteries and ancient tombstones dot these scenic slopes.

Old City Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter remains one of the single most-visited spots in all of Israel. Nestled within one square kilometer of land lay millennia of ancient history. The Old City dates back to the 8th century BCE and is home to numerous historical landmarks.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Located in the Old City’s Christian Quarter, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the holiest site in Christian faith. It is here that Jesus was crucified and later buried. At the center of the church is the Stone of Unction, the location where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial.

King David’s Tomb

Located on Mount Zion in a 1,000-year-old building, people come here to pay tribute to the great King David, who is most notably famous for composing the Book of Psalms and establishing a unified capital for Israel. A medieval tradition places his tomb at this location.

Last Supper Room

Visit the Last Supper Room, built in commemoration of the Last Supper shared by Jesus and his disciples the night before his crucifixion. Though the room is mostly empty, it does have some decorations dating back to the Ottoman period.

Bethlehem Holy Sites

Next we’ll see Bethlehem, the place of the birth of Jesus in the Grotto of the Nativity.

Day 7 Thursday

United jerusalem – the new city, yad vashem holocaust museum.

In 1963, the Yad Vashem Museum was established as the world center for Holocaust research, education and commemoration. With survivor testimonies, powerful displays, and artifacts, this museum embodies one crucial message: Never again.

Mount Herzl National Memorial

A burial place for prominent Zionist figures such as Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin, here you will also find an expansive military cemetery; one quite full for a country so young. The loss of the soldiers who fought for the land of Israel is palpable.

Israel Museum & Dead Sea Scrolls

This museum is the largest cultural institution in Israel and one of the world’s leading art and archaeology museums. Here you will find the oldest existing biblical manuscripts in the world, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are housed in the Shrine of the Book.

Day 8 Friday

The judean desert – king herod’s fortress, masada mountain & cable car.

Ride via cable car to the top of Masada and explore what remains of King Herod’s palace. Take a peek into history as you view the preserved baths, cisterns and barracks. It was here that leader Eleazer Ben Yair kept the Roman Legion’s siege at bay for three years.

Dead Sea Float & Mud Experience

Yam Hamelach, literally meaning “Sea of Salt,” is 417 meters below sea level; the lowest place on earth. Its salty water contains unique healing properties, which, combined with the nutrient-filled mud found on its shores, creates one luxurious and healthy day.

Sunset at the Western Wall  – evening recommendation

Here stand the sacred remnants of the ancient Jewish Temple. On Friday night come to the Wall and join the joyful event together with soldiers and people from all over the world dancing together in lively in celebration of Shabbat, a truly unforgettable experience.

Day 9 Saturday (Free Day)

Shabbat in jerusalem – day at leisure, shabbat morning.

Finally some time to rest!  Enjoy a morning at leisure at your hotel and relax…

Ben Yehuda Street  – evening suggestions

Here you’ll find all the character-filled restaurants, shops, street vendors, and street performances you could ask for. Sip a latte at one of Ben Yehuda’s many sidewalk cafes, grab a delicious, chocolate fro-yo, invest in some Judaica, and relax!

Day 10 Sunday

Timna & eilat – desert & the red sea, timna national park.

Travel back in time when you venture into this geological wonderland! See the ancient copper mines, King Solomon’s Pillars and the huge multi-colored rock formations. A man-made lake in the middle of the desert offers shaded areas to enjoy the panoramic view.

The Underwater Observation Marine Park

Enter the amazing world of the Red Sea, one of our most exquisite seas in the world. The Park maintains an extensive exhibition of fish and other living creatures from the Red Sea, including aquariums, a Shark Tank, Turtle & Stingray Pool and underwater observatories.

Overnight: Eilat Hotel Options

Day 11 monday (optional day tour), day at leisure or optional petra tour, petra- the red sand stone city.

Counted amongst the wonders of the ancient world, Petra is an archaeological, anthropological and geological phenomenon. Your guide will explain the history, legends, myths and truths of this city carved 2,000 years ago from the red Sandstone Mountains.

Day 12 Tuesday

The negev – israel’s flourishing desert, mitzpe ramon crater.

Enjoy spectacular views of the desert and witness this geological phenomenon. Israel’s largest national park, the crater is located at the peak of Mount Negev.  At first sight the crater appears as if it was formed by a meteor impact but in truth is a natural formation.

Ben Gurion’s Hut

Visit the preserved home of the first Prime Minister of Israel; learn about his life on Kibbutz Sde Boker and his relationship with settling the Negev Desert after serving his country.

Day 13 Wednesday (Farewell Transfer)

Farewell transfer…we’ll miss you.

Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure from Israel…Bye for now!

More Touring in Israel for the Lowest Price Anywhere - Pricing Guarantee!

Hotels included, enjoy your stay at some of israel’s finest hotels.

• 3 nights hotel in Tel Aviv, The Modern City
• 2 nights Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, Northern Israel
• 5 nights hotel in the Holy City of Jerusalem
• 2 nights hotel in the Beach City of Eilat

SERVICES INCLUDED

Ensuring that your visit is easy, comfortable, and fun.

• Welcome Assist at Ben Gurion Airport
• Arrival & Departure Airport Transfers
• 8 Days Touring in an Air-Conditioned Coach
• All Touring with a Professional Licensed Guide
• Israel Tours Hats/Israel Maps/ Bottle Carriers
• All Group Touring & Sites as per Tour Program
• Optional Petra Tour is $289/ person + Jordan Visa Fee

MEALS INCLUDED

Get a taste of authentic israeli cuisine.

• Daily Breakfast Buffet at each Hotel
• 2 Nightly Dinners at the Kibbutz Lavi Hotel

The Below Pricing is the Full Land Tour Package, per Person, Double Occupancy. Email Us for Single Traveler, Triple & Children Rates & Special Group Discounts!

Fill out the contact form below and we'll send over further tour details, upgrade to a 100% private tour, private tour upgrade.

Same great tour, but 100% private! Your own private guide & vehicle work for you!

• Private 2 person tour: $3460 per person supplement
• Party of 4 travelers: $1920 per person supplement
• Party of 6 travelers: $1220 per person supplement
• Party of 8 travelers: $1020 per person supplement
• Party of 10 travelers: $980 per person supplement
• Party of 12 travelers: $880 per person supplement
• Party of 14 travelers: $640 per person supplement

Book Your Tour Now!

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2023/2024 Israel Tours & Holy Land Tours

Take part in an unforgettable journey when you join one of Holy Land Tours . We offer Christian tours and Jewish tours, as well as short tours, daily Israel tours and much more. From the northern Galilee, through to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Eilat down south – experience the beauty of these cities – and much more – with our fully guided tours to Israel.

Christian Israel Tours More Tours

The Roots of Your Faith Tour

The most popular of our journeys, this Christian tour offers 5 star accommodation.

Into The Promised Land Tour

Explore all biblical & historical sites of Egypt, Jordan & Israel, while enjoying 5 star hotels.

Both Sides of the River Jordan

Visit the most important biblical and historical sites in Israel and Jordan.

Greece & Israel Journey Tour

Visit the most important biblical sites in Israel and experience the beauty of Greece.

Israel & Rome Journey Tour

Visit the Holy Land, the Roman ruins and Vatican City in this spiritual journey.

Israel & Greece with Greek Island tour

Experience the beauty of Greece and Israel. Also enjoy an unforgettable cruise to the Greek islands.

Jewish Israel Tours More Tours

The New Jewish Heritage Tour

Join our vacation packages and connect with your Jewish heritage.

In Depth Jewish Heritage Tour

Travelers will become acquainted with Israel’s most important cultural, biblical and historical sites

Grand Jewish Heritage Tour

The Grand Jewish Heritage Tour will lead you through the land of Israel from a Jewish Heritage perspective.

Ultimate Jewish Heritage Tour

An incredibly popular tour for anyone who wishes to explore every inch of Israel from north to south.

New Classical Israel Tour

A nondenominational tour that will lead you through the land of Israel.

In Depth Classical Israel Tour

Travelers on this tour will become acquainted with Israel’s most important cultural & biblical sites.

Ultimate Classical Israel Tour

A 16 day nondenominational tour that will lead you through the land of Israel.

2023/2024 ISRAEL TOURS - HOLY LAND TOURS

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While we continue to pray for our entire AIT team in Israel, as well as their families and all innocents affected in Israel, we remain thankful for all passengers who returned home with us safely. We will be updating each of our passengers on the status of their October 2023 tours. Please check your email for updates from our Staff, and email or call us at 877-248-8687 with any questions, or if you don’t think you have received an email update(s). We appreciate your patience while we work with our many passengers.

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Israel and Jordan

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Uniquely Tauck

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

A special farewell dinner in Petra – a Bedouin-style traditional feast featuring a sword dance

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

Guided visits to diverse sites such as the Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Sephardic Synagogues, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Mt. Nebo, and Jezzar Pasha Mosque

Premium accommodations – including Pool View rooms at Movenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, and Junior Suites at Movenpick Resort Petra

Walking tours exploring Israel's and Jordan's antiquities, guided by local experts & professional Tauck Directors; modern-day discussions including a "Prophet Sharing" panel discussion

A cruise on the Sea of Galilee aboard a working replica of a 2,000-year-old fishing boat

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Active components such as hiking, bicycling and walking longer distances may be included, and hills and/or uneven terrain may be encountered on several days. Guests should be able to walk two to three miles and stand for long periods of time with no difficulty.

Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.

Experiences of a lifetime

When you travel to Israel and Jordan with Tauck you explore all the threads – civilizations, cultures, history, traditions, religions and the arts – that are so intricately woven together throughout this compelling area of the world.

Visit the bahá'i shrine and gardens, the tomb of the báb in haifa.

On the slopes of Mount Carmel in Haifa stands one of the holiest places on Earth for followers of the Bahá'í Faith, which teaches that no religion has a monopoly on the truth. It is the beautiful Baha'i Shrine and Gardens, home to the Tomb of the Báb (Baha'i Allah), the Persian-born 19th-century former merchant who founded the Bábí Faith in the 1840s. The Báb is revered as the herald and one of the central figures of the Bahá'í Faith, which was established years after his death by one of his followers, Bahá'u'lláh. A succession of 19 immaculately manicured garden terraces lead to the golden-domed tomb of the Báb.

Dine at The Eucalyptus

The eucalyptus offers a modern interpretation to the dishes of biblical passages.

Tonight, you'll have an opportunity to taste the flavors of the ancient world, forgotten for centuries, as chef and owner, Moshe Basson, takes you a culinary journey inspired by biblical passages and his modern interpretations of them. Passionate about biblical culture, it was this very passion that drove Chef Basson to resurrect the recipes, spices and herbs of centuries past (all of which can be found in the surrounding hills of Jerusalem and Judea) and helped him create the menu that you will feast on this evening. The Eucalyptus offers a variety of dishes utilizing fish, lamb, duck, beef and vegetables for your enjoyment. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.

Movenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea

Nights 9 and 10

Luxury at the lowest point on Earth

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea is nestled amidst lush gardens in a traditional village setting on the northern shores of the Dead Sea. Designed with your well-being and balance in mind and featuring world-class dining options and spa services, this luxurious resort is an oasis of tranquility at the lowest point below sea level on Earth.

Kudos to the creators of this tour – they provided the very best hotels, activities and local guides.

Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Huchital

Tauck Traveler Review

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Where you stay is an important part of your journey – with Tauck, accommodations have been handpicked and carefully selected for their location and ambiance, enhancing the destinations you explore. Download accommodation details and your travel plans begin!

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Overnight Accommodations

Extend your stay

Arrive Early

Intercontinental david tel aviv.

Tel Aviv, Israel

Dan Carmel Haifa Hotel

Haifa, Israel

Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Israel

Nights 9-10

Movenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea

Dead Sea, Jordan

Nights 11-12

Movenpick Resort Petra

Petra, Jordan

Four Seasons Hotel Amman

Amman, Jordan

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Travel Documents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally , you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Israel and Jordan. You do not require a visa to visit Israel for a short stay of 3 months or less however, you will need a visa for Jordan. The Jordanian visa will be issued at the border on day 9 of the tour. 

If you are citizen of another country traveling internationally, please contact an embassy or consulate of Israel and of Jordan to determine what travel documentation is required.

Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

All guests are required to provide their passport information to us at time of booking.

In addition to a valid passport, U.S. citizens are also required to have a visa to enter Jordan.  The Jordanian visa will be issued at the border on Day 9 of the tour. Non-U.S. citizen should check with the Israeli and Jordanian Embassies or Consulates to determine necessary travel documents. We will be crossing the border to Jordan from Israel at Allenby Bridge (also known as the King Hussein Bridge).

Your coach will arrive at the Israel border where all guests will disembark the coach to have their passports stamped – the exit fee will have been prepaid by Tauck. After processing, all guests will re-board the Israeli coach, which will then proceed across the border to the Jordan side. Once the coach is on the Jordan side, all guests will again disembark the coach and proceed to the terminal building while all luggage is transferred from our Israeli coach to our Jordanian coach. The Tauck Director, along with our Jordanian guide, will use a passport manifest to pay the visa fees for all guests, and then lead you through immigration and the security checkpoint. Passports will then be individually stamped and all guests will board the Jordanian coach. Upon exit, you may or may not have to take luggage off the coach to be scanned. The entire process will take just over an hour.

We strongly recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

Security Screening for U.S. citizens

You are advised that all persons applying for entry to Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza are subject to security and police record checks by the Government of Israel, and may be denied entry or exit without explanation. U.S. citizens whom Israeli authorities suspect of being of Arab or Muslim origin are likely to face additional, often time-consuming, and probing questioning by immigration and border authorities, or may even be denied entry into Israel.

Israeli-Americans: The Government of Israel considers U.S. citizens who also hold Israeli citizenship or have a claim to dual nationality to be Israeli citizens for immigration and other legal purposes. For example, a U.S. citizen child of an Israeli parent will be considered an Israeli citizen by Israeli immigration officials and Israeli law will apply to the child's travel to, and departure from, Israel. U.S. citizens who are also citizens of Israel must enter and depart Israel using their current Israeli passport. Israeli citizens are currently not permitted to enter Gaza and are generally restricted from traveling to parts of the West Bank under Palestinian Authority control. Contact the Israeli Ministry of Interior or your nearest Israeli Embassy or Consulate for more information on citizenship and travel restrictions for Israeli citizens.

Palestinian-Americans: U.S. citizens who have a Palestinian Authority ID number or who are considered by the Government of Israel to have residency status in the West Bank or Gaza are advised to read this section very carefully. It is possible that Israeli authorities would consider as Palestinian anyone who has a Palestinian Identification number, was born in the West Bank or Gaza, or was born in the United States but has parents or grandparents who were born or lived in the West Bank or Gaza. Any such U.S. citizens may be required to travel to Israel using their Palestinian Authority passport, regardless of whether they hold U.S. citizenship. Without the Palestinian Authority passport, these Americans may be barred from entering or exiting Israel, the West Bank or Gaza, or they may face serious delays at the ports of entry.

Individuals who hold a Palestinian Authority ID, as well as persons judged by Israeli authorities to have claim to a Palestinian Authority ID by virtue of ancestry, will be considered subject to Israeli law and to regulations that Israel applies to residents of the West Bank and Gaza, regardless of whether they also hold U.S. citizenship. In most cases, such individuals will be required by Israeli authorities to enter the West Bank via the Allenby Bridge (also known as King Hussein Bridge) border crossing with Jordan, rather than entering Israel via Ben Gurion International Airport unless they obtain a transit permit for that purpose in advance. Even if they have entered Israel via Ben Gurion Airport, they may be required to depart via the Allenby Bridge. Upon arrival at any of the Ports of Entry, such persons may wish to consider asking Israeli immigration authorities from where they will be required to depart.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposits & Final Payment

Deposits and fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $600 per person

Final Payments:

Final Payment is due to Tauck  90  days before departure for lands trips, and  120  days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Guest Protection

Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.
• Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by CareFree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $769 per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person 

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

90 days or more before departure = $600 per person

89-8 days before departure = $1250 per person

7-1 days before departure = $2000 per person

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage – General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Additionally, guests are limited to one small carry-on bag per person, which should not exceed 17" in length, 12" in width, and 10" in height, or the size of a small backpack, due to space restrictions in overhead storage bins aboard motor coaches; larger carry-ons will be stowed in the luggage compartment under the coach.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Throughout the tour, we will provide you with clean and safe drinking water.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Some of the countries visited on this itinerary may require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter the country.  These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside in different areas, and it is therefore crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey.

For the most current information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by clicking here  and the World Health Organization (WHO) by clicking here . You may also wish to visit the web sites for the embassies of the countries you will be visiting.  Besides providing details on vaccination requirements, these sites can also provide information on vaccinations that may be recommended (but aren't required) and other potential health issues for which no vaccines are available.

Any decisions relating to your health, of course, should not be based solely on information provided by a web site.  It is critically important that you consult with your personal physician prior to your journey to obtain any required vaccinations and to review any optional recommendations offered by the CDC or other sources.

Please be sure to discuss your journey with your physician at least four to six weeks in advance of your departure, as certain vaccinations take time to become fully effective.  Also, be certain to ask your physician for proof of any vaccinations you receive, and to pack this proof along with your other travel documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked luggage).

Researching and complying with vaccination entry requirements for the countries visited on this itinerary is the responsibility of the traveler and not Tauck. Tauck is therefore not responsible for any expenses incurred or disruptions to travel caused by improper or incomplete vaccinations, or by the failure to provide proof of required vaccinations.

If you do not obtain the necessary vaccinations and proper documentation, you may be denied entry into one or more countries, or temporarily quarantined until the necessary vaccinations are administered, or until proper documentation is provided. 

Israel and Jordan is an active tour. You should be in good health, able to climb into and out of a small boat and walk reasonable distances over unpaved and uneven terrain. Many of our walking excursions are in and around ancient sites and old city quarters.The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion.

PLEASE NOTE:  We regret that this Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters.  Likewise, we regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs.  The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list  here.

In Israel, from December through February, the average temperature in Tel Aviv ranges from 41-65°F (5-18 °C), although it may get colder around the Jerusalem. From March through April, temperatures in Tel Aviv range from 61-75 °F (16-24 °C). Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are approximately 5.5 °F (3 °C) colder, and Eilat is usually 5.5 °F (3 °C) warmer. From June through August/September, the weather is hot and humid. Temperatures range from 75-95 °F (24-35 °C). On very hot days in Tel Aviv, which occur in August, temperatures may rise to 108 °F (42 °C) mixed with 95% humidity. In Jerusalem, those days are as hot, but without the humidity, and in Eilat temperature may even climb to 122 °F (50 °C), but without the humidity. From September through November, temperatures in Tel Aviv range from 61-75 °F (16-24 °C). Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are approximately 5.5 °F (3 °C) colder, and Eilat is usually 5.5 °F (3 °C) warmer.

Jordan is approximately 90% desert, with an annual rainfall below 8 in (203 mm) and falling as low as 1-2 in (25-50 mm) in some places. Jordan is a very sunny country with average daily sunshine hours ranging from six to seven hours per day in winter and as many as twelve to thirteen hours per day in the summer. Although summer temperatures are high in the desert, the heat is usually moderated by low humidity and a stiff daytime breeze while the nights are cool and pleasant. You should expect hot and dry summers with cool evenings.

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.

What To Pack

Your journey through Israel and Jordan is casual. Comfortable, cotton clothing is suggested. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Please be aware that some of the sights we visit, require both men and women to have their knees and shoulders covered, and in some cases wear long pants. Once on tour, your tour director will advise you on appropriate attire.

For travel from February through early June and late September through November, you will need a light jacket or fleece, a light sweater and a rain jacket or poncho. No special attire is required for dining, although you may wish to dress more formally for fine dining experiences in metropolitan areas.

Most importantly, bring comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in. It is important that your shoes have good ankle support, as we visit some ancient sites where paths and stairs may be uneven and unpaved.

In Jerusalem, you should dress conservatively, your knees and shoulders covered, when visiting the Old City and ultra-orthodox Jewish neighborhoods.

Jordan is primarily a Muslim country, although the freedom of all religions is protected. Muslim women's clothing often covers their arms, legs and hair. Western women are not subject to these customs, but very revealing clothing is never appropriate and conservative dress is advisable for both men and women in the old part of Amman (downtown), and outside the cities. Shorts are rarely worn by either sex, and would be out of place in the downtown Amman area. Topless sunbathing is prohibited and one-piece swimsuits are preferred, although two-piece swimsuits are acceptable at hotel pools.

Valet laundry services are available at all the hotels.

Beyond your normal wardrobe and personal grooming items, we suggest you also bring along:

• Comfortable walking shoes (VERY IMPORTANT)
• Rainwear, such as a raincoat and rain hat, plus a collapsible umbrella
• Short and long-sleeved shirts/tee shirts (for the warmer, summer months. Extra tee shirts are always a good idea). Please make sure you have your shoulders covered for monuments. Sport jacket for men (suggested but not required) and slacks/dress for women for evening wear
• Long shorts and pants (many of the sights require both men and women to have-shorts that cover their knees and in some cases require you to wear long pants)
• Sweater; lightweight for summer, and medium weight for spring/fall
• Camera, lenses, batteries, chargers and extra memory cards
• Sunscreen and hat
• Small flashlight
• Insect repellent
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
• Prescription medicines (an adequate supply to last your journey), and written

Copies of your prescriptions from your doctor. While it may be possible to refill prescriptions during your journey, the availability of refills cannot be guaranteed. What's more, refilling prescriptions in foreign countries can be difficult and time-consuming.

Please refer to the Necessary Gear website at  www.necessarygear.com  as one option available to you for renting and purchasing apparel, PPEs, and other items appropriate for your journey.

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Discover Israel

The essence of israel.

Stretching from northern highlands to the southern Negev desert, between coastal plains in the west and the last miles of the Great Rift Valley to the east, Israel is as varied in its terrain as it is complex in its history and heritage and culture.

Why choose a tour in Israel?

A paradoxical mix of past miracles and present political volatility, Israel is the hub of the Holy Land, at the heart of the three Abrahamic faiths; its history and culture interwoven in the tapestry of its landscapes, dotted with ancient city ruins, and sprinkled with the sacred sites of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Jerusalem today is a much-contested city, but for every era since biblical times it has been a primary place of pilgrimage. With the 4 th -century Christian Church of the Holy Sepulchre, 7 th -century Islamic Dome of the Rock, and ancient Western (Wailing) Wall the holiest of Jewish sites, the capital straddles the centuries and the Israeli/Palestinian border with Old City souks and a contemporary downtown.

Unabashed modernity takes its place in the uber-cool metropolis of Tel Aviv, with seafront skyscrapers hemming its sweeping promenade, convivial roof bars, live music clubs, and a 24-hour culture. Heritage comes in the form of the thousands of Bauhaus buildings of the White City.

Haifa looks out to sea from multi-tiered streets on Mount Carmel’s slopes, known for its merged Arabic / Jewish cultures, the pretty façades of the German Colony, and the UNESCO listed Baha’i Gardens.

Ottoman architecture marks the maze of alleyways in Old Jaffa, and forms the walled city of Acre, hemming the Med with mosques and subterranean Crusader structures. Ancient ruins include the Roman/Byzantine town of Beit She’an, and King Herod’s fort of Masada, on a clifftop by the Dead Sea.

Spreading between the sea and the eponymous lake, Galilee is Israel’s most beautiful landscape; home to biblical sites from Nazareth, now the country’s largest Arab city, to Jordan River baptisms, the House of St. Peter in Capernaum, and the miracle sites of Cana (water to wine), and Tabgha (loaves and fishes).

Jules Verne teams Israel with Jordan to visit the Red Sea and Dead Sea shores, the desert wilderness of Wadi Rum, the fantastic façades of Petra’s ‘pink city’, Madaba’s mosaics, and ancient Jarash; and we combine Israel with Cyprus on a luxury cruise, blending the highlights of the Holy Land with the island’s medieval sites in Limassol and Larnaca, and the Archaeological Park in Paphos.

When to go on Israel holidays

Temperate in the interior hills, with a Mediterranean climate on the coast, Israel typically has hot and sunny summers with temperatures around 32°; balmy warmth in spring and autumn, averaging 26°; and mild winters with some rainy spells.

Jules Verne tours are timed for the seasons which best suit the journeys’ destinations.

Who are Israel tours suited to?

With its ancient ruins, medieval towns, and modern cities; historic places of worship marking the milestones of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faiths; and the waters of the River Jordan, Dead Sea and Lake Galilee; a tour in Israel displays every aspect of the country and its culture, the landscapes and their legends, resulting in an all-round experience and meeting the varied interests of travellers on our small-group tours.

Why book Israel tours with Jules Verne?

With 45 years’ experience and a passion for creating extraordinary adventures, Jules Verne takes you to iconic landmarks and lesser-known sites, with expert tour guides who share their local knowledge, and show you hidden gems. Special experiences on our journeys in the Holy Land include an authentic Shabbat dinner at the home of a Jewish family in Jerusalem, a visit to Bethlehem University for an insight of Palestinian life, and wine tasting with the Catholic priests of Cremisan Winery.

All our guided tours to Israel are ABTA and ATOL protected, and we offer a 100% price guarantee, so you can book with complete confidence.

From Jerusalem to Petra

A journey through time, where past and present seem intertwined, this intriguing tour visits Roman ruins and biblical cities, desert camps and mystical monuments, and Red Sea and Dead Sea shores, on its crossing of Israel and Jordan, landmarks and legacies

Treasures of the Holy Land

From Tel Aviv, Haifa and ancient Acre, all on Israel’s Mediterranean shore, to Nazareth, the Dead Sea, biblical sites by Lake Galilee, and sacred sights in Jerusalem, this tour through the centuries dips into Palestine for Bethlehem and the world’s oldest city, Jericho

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40 Years of Experience Makes All The Difference!

Mazada Tours is one of Israel’s leading tour operators and has amassed over four decades of exceptional, first-hand travel experiences in the Holy Land.

We offer an array of VIP experiences in Israel, Jordan, and Egypt and create tailor-made journeys for discerning travelers. We are a one-stop-shop solution for all your travel needs in the region, organizing visas and private luxury transport, as well as booking guided tours and anything else you may need during your journey.

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We Offer A Seamless Solution To Booking Your Tours And Activities With Mazada Tours.

Your Initial Contact

Your message will be promptly answered by one of our representatives, who will become your Personal Travel Assistant throughout the entire booking process and during the duration of your trip.

Customizing Your Itinerary

With your detailed guidance, your Personal Travel Assistant will ensure your itinerary is customized to include all the services you specifically request.

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We offer multiple payment options, including with Visa, AMEX, Mastercard, and Diner’s Club credit cards. Secure payment transaction via private SSL Link, the highest in cybersecurity standard.

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One week before the start of your tour, You will receive a complete list of all the relevant contact information for your private drivers and guides, as well as the hotels we have booked for you.

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Guided Tours Israel

Private & small-group excursions in the land of israel.

If you are looking for safe, comfortable, and quality tours in Israel then look no further! We are happy to offer you high-standard excursions at affordable prices. We will personally pick you up from your hotel or cruise ship in a new and air-conditioned vehicle, and you can sit back and relax while we take care of everything for you while you are on tour with us. Expect top professional service from start to finish – or your money back.

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Our guarantee.

We will do everything possible to ensure you have an enjoyable time!  If for any reason you are not pleased with our service we will offer you up to 50% refund if you contact us directly after the tour.  We offer exceptional customer service in Israel and we are pleased to backup our commitment with this money-back promise!

Travel safely and get the real insight on the places you visit. We will give you expert guidance on the history and current affairs of the places you visit. We are very experienced with cruise visitors and will make your shore excursion in Israel an unforgettable experience. Thank you for visiting our website and we hope to see you in the beautiful and sunny land of Israel very soon. Toda Raba and Lehitraot! (Thank you and see you)!

E: [email protected] T: +972 772 285 363

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Are you looking to tour Israel?

Gems in Israel   specializes in guided tours of Israel, particularly private tours of Israel, with an emphasis on Israel's lesser known tourist attractions, the Gems. 

We can plan a Jewish tour of Israel, a Christian tour of Israel, or a combined Israel itinerary, that will highlight both faiths. Our custom tours of Israel will focus on both biblical and modern history of Israel. Contact us ,   to discuss your private tour of Israel.

We can design anything from a 3-14 day guided tour of Israel. Repeat visitors to Israel will find our tours especially enticing. See what our clients have to say about our p rivate tours of Israel.

With our custom private tours of Israel, you tour at your own pace and get to see the 'must see' places in Israel. The tours are tailored to clients' wishes and are based on the season, special areas of interest (archaeology of Israel, biblical Israel, art of Israel, architecture in Israel and much more).

In preparing your Israel itinerary we'll take into account the makeup of the party (young, old, or both) and incorporate age appropriate activities that will be fun for the whole family.

We take care of you from the time you arrive in Israel until you leave. We book an  Israeli tour guide , hotel reservations, transportation and any other necessary logistical support.

A recent client said, " We really appreciated Baruch from the start. We felt free to ask any questions and he answered freely. You could tell from some of his comments he was ex Israel military. He was very knowledgeable and was able to convey some complex issues into concepts that we could understand. Yousef, was again a winner ..."., read more .

Each of Gems in Israel's tours will also include Israel's lesser-known tourist attractions,  the Gems , so that you get to see Israel, like the locals.

For a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tour of Israel visit one of our sister sites,  Bar Mitzvah   in Israel    or Bat Mitzvah in Israel , 

Contact us today, to begin planning your unforgettable private tour of Israel.

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+1-800-901-0228.

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Israel Airfare Included Tours & Trips

238 israel trips. tours from 83 tour companies. 492 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating..

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Small Group

Self-Guided

Small Ship Cruise

Israel: Modern Life & Ancient History

Dead Sea, Jaffa

• 8 nights hotel accommodation
• Round trip transfers
• Breakfast daily
• Comprehensive city tour of Tel Aviv and Old Jaffa
• Meander the streets of Rothschild Boulevard and learn more about the White City of Tel Aviv

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"My friends and I had a wonderful, wonderful Italian vacation this spring. Our Sky Vacations consultant put together an amazing package for Rome, Florence and Venice. This was our first trip so we experienced everything that a first trip should include. Each hotel was perfect! Thank you!"

Egypt & Israel in 12 days - The Enigma of the Pyramids & The Holy Land - LUXURY

Abu Simbel, Aswan, Cairo, Dead Sea, Jaffa, Jerusalem, Luxor, Tel Aviv, Valley of the Kings

50 plus, Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

"The trip was well laid out. Tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable. The only complaint is some of our travel documents that were sent out were not in English. If your sending documents out correspondence should be in both the native language and the language of the people the correspondence to. Other than that a great first time experience."

Yoga In Israel

Dead Sea, Jaffa, Tel Aviv

• 7 nights hotel accommodation
• Daily morning yoga sessions plus evening sessions

Cultural, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness

All Israel , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Israel

Egypt & Israel in 12 days - The Enigma of the Pyramids & The Holy Land - SUPERIOR

Jordan & Israel in 12 days - Hashemite Kingdom & Holy Land Highlights - Luxury

Amman, Dead Sea, Jaffa, Jerusalem, Little Petra, Petra, Tel Aviv, Wadi Rum

• Ajloun Castle

Jordan & Israel in 12 days - Hashemite Kingdom & Holy Land Highlights - Superior

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Jordan & Israel in 12 days - Hashemite Kingdom & Holy Land Highlights - Charm

Fascinating Israel

"Great Value did an amazing job with the basic outline for the itinerary and the hotel choices were excellent."

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:.

• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

The Grand Epic of Egypt, Jordan, and Israel

Amman, Aswan, Bethlehem, Cairo, Dead Sea, Jerash, Jerusalem, Luxor, Petra, Tel Aviv

• Discover the mysterious pyramids, Great Sphinx, and Kings Valley
• Cruise leisurely along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor
• View the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo and the Mosaic Map of the Holy Land
• Trace the footsteps of Jesus and explore the old and new cities of Jerusalem

Cultural, Religious

"I didn’t take this tour exactly, but made some changes based on my schedule and interests and travel dates. It was my first time in Southeast Asia and I was a traveling solo female. Liz my trip consultant and contact person was so helpful and responsive to any and all my concerns and questions. It was a trip of a lifetime. I can not gush enough about the itinerary and experiences. I am completely impressed with is company and this person. Ya ya in Chang Mai and Sam in Bangkok are top notch guides. The diving in Phuket was arranged with Siam diving, a small private boat not an over stuffed crowded one. It felt like we were the only people in the ocean. Goo, GO, GO!!!!"

Jordan Discovery

Amman, Aqaba, Dead Sea, Jerash, Jerusalem, Madaba, Petra, Wadi Rum

• A journey through the best of Jordan, from Roman ruins to the Red Sea
• Spend two full days exploring the tombs and temples of The Rose Red City of Petra
• Experience Bedouin living at a secluded traditional camp on the sands of Wadi Rum

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

"Very pleasant and helpful. Prompt service."

Health Safety +

Best of Israel Jordan and Egypt Family Tour

Amman, Aswan, Cairo, Dead Sea, Hurghada, Jerusalem, Luxor

• Explore the Great Pyramids and Sphinx in Giza
• Float effortlessly in the Dead Sea as you experience the healing powers of its mineral-rich waters.
• Witness the mesmerizing El-Tannoura Performance
• Discover the Nile aboard a traditional dahabiya
• Uncover the Holy City of Jerusalem

Cultural, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

"I've just returned from my trip to China, a week ago. I've seen many-many interesting places of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. But most of all i liked my 2-days trip to Longshen villages with my guide Frank from chinahighlights. The day before our trip has started, in Guilin, Frank met me in hotel and told about our journey. Next 2 days we visited traditional ancient chinese villages (the biggest from them are Ping'an and Dazhai), walking around them, saw the rice-terraces landscape (it was really unbelievable). Also we had a hiking between villages, and stayed at night at ZhongLiu village. I haven't seen any tourists in this village, even chinese tourists. It was fantastic cause we've seen real chinese life of local people, including, for example, planting vegetables, collecting tea). Very quiet, fresh air, natural food. Yes, in this village almost no shops, no souvenirs, but you dont need them. All around you a hundred times better. I advice all, who wants to see real chinese life, visit this place, especially this village, stay at night there. Thanks very much to my guide Frank and chinahighlights for this trip!"

Generous cancellation

Best of Egypt, Jordan and Jerusalem Tour

Abu Simbel, Amman, Aswan, Cairo, Dead Sea, Jerash, Jerusalem, Kom Ombo, Luxor, Petra, Sphinx, Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings

• Enjoy Cairo Sightseeing
• Abu Simbel Temples
• Aswan Nile Cruise Tours
• Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples
• Jerash and Dead Sea Tour

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

"Egypt – June 10 to June 16 We had planned this trip over almost two years. After looking at offerings from various vendors, we selected Memphis Tours. In a brief high-level summary, they did NOT disappoint! In rating this adventure on a 5-star scale, 5. One of my bucket list is to see the ancient wonders of the world. I’ve been to the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, the Acropolis in Athens, Colosseum in Rome, Machu Pichu, Great Wall of China, Stone Henge and now the antiques of Egypt. We structured this trip to see a lot; the Pyramids of Giza; The temples of Aswan and the temples of Luxor including the Valley of Kings. In a word WOW! To be up close, touch and otherwise experience these monuments some almost 5,000-year-old, is mind blowing. To understand the context in human history is amazing. Our trip included a mini-cruise on the Nile (WOW!). The boat the “Minerva” was good; including accommodations, staff and food. We flew from Cairo to Aswan, caught the boat, sailed from Aswan to Luxor; then flew back to Cairo to go home. Flights were included in our package. In the hope of not botching names, I’d like to call out three people: “Menna” who was our coordinator and overall “boss” of our trip. This young lady can do it all. “Mai” who was our guide in Cairo/Giza, so smart, feisty and knowledgeable in all things ancient Egypt. Lastly, but NOT least is “Waled” who took us to Aswan and Luxor. His passion and knowledge are amazing. I’m just glad there wasn’t a test after. Their in-depth knowledge of not just facts, but the whys are incredible. Memphis Tours – be glad you have these folks on your team!"

Israel's Rich History and the Dead Sea Experience

Caesarea, Dead Sea, Haifa, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, Tiberias

• Delve into Jerusalem’s rich culture and history with a guided walking tour
• Explore the Israel Museum and see the Dead Sea Scrolls
• Visit Caesarea National Park with Roman Amphitheater and Crusader Fortress
• Experience floating in the Dead Sea
• Discover the ancient port of Jaffa, one of the oldest in the world

Best Israel Tours by Duration

Tours, Cruises & Private Trips

Best Israel Tours by Price

Related Tours

Israel reviews & ratings, a perfect trip.

17 days to Egypt, Jordan and Israel was our first booking with Odynovo , and Susan, our Rep.There were 6 of us traveling. We had planned our way there and our way ou...

Tour:   The Grand Epic of Egypt, Jordan, and Israel

Top Notch Private Tour of Israel, Egypt and Jordan

First time using Odynovo, and the experience was flawless. We traveled to Israel, Jordan and Egypt by private tour with 5-star hotels. It was an action-packed itiner...

Tour:   Jordan Discovery

See all Israel reviews

Israel Tour Selection Trips

• Periodic violence has plagued Israel from its birth, but it’s usually safe to visit there; check the latest U.S. State Department warnings as well as news reports.
• Approach your visit to Israel with an open mind; what you find there may surprise you. 
• Because Israel is such a small country, you can see much of it in a week’s tour.
• If you’re visiting Israel primarily for religious reasons, look for special interest tours that bring various religious groups to visit sites of special interest. 
• The border between Israel and Jordan is peaceful; many Israel tours offer optional add-ons for visits to Jordan’s ancient rock city of Petra, which is not far from the Israeli city of Eilat. 
• If you plan to travel elsewhere in the Middle East besides Israel, make a mental note to ask the Israeli immigration authorities to stamp your passport on a separate piece of paper, and don’t forget. 
• The Israeli desert can be intensely hot in daytime but cool off at night; pack accordingly.

Additional details

Types of Israel Guided Tours

Tours of the Holy Land Holy Land Tours combine the historical, archaeological, religious and cultural elements of the region. Most tours that emphasize the Holy Land concentrate on its religious and historical sites. And many of Israel’s attractions and cities are significant religious sites for more than one religion. Nazareth, Calvary, Bethlehem, Jerusalem and its Old City are the key places that reside within Israel.

Significant points of interest within Israel includes the Western Wall, Bethlehem, Mount of Olives, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Mount Zion, Dolorosa, Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, and Qumran Caves. Israel is one of the key regions that encompasses the Holy Land and captures its religious, cultural and historical significance.

Israel Group Guided Tours Group guided tours usually range from 12-18 people. Most tours to Israel include lodging, main meals, and transportation between sites. The type of tours range from two stars (Basic) to five stars (Luxury) which is mainly reflect lodging style. Most tours through Israel emphasize its cultural, religious, and historical significance.

Group guided tours to Israel include visits to Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Tel Aviv and Galilee. When taking a tour to Israel, you should look at the different type of activities available on each tour. Some guided tours offer unique activities homestays, cultural immersions, and hiking.

Israel Private Guided Tours Private tours of Israel essentially have the same amenities as other tours, but the group consists of just your party. This allows a more personal experience with the country and its historic sites. It should also be noted that most private tours are more luxurious than just a regular group tour. This entails upscale hotels, private guides at each attraction, and personal transportation. Private tours are on average more expensive, but they are great for people who want a more personalized trip.

Israel Pilgrim Tours There are also multiple ways to experience Israel in a religious way, especially in a small group tour. Whether you are Jewish, Muslim, or Christian, there is a religion-focused guided tour aimed toward the significant sites important in your religion. For example, if you want to go on a Christian trip in Israel, you may focus on the places Jesus visited. There will also be time for prayer and reflection worked into the itinerary on pilgrimage tours.

Other Tours in Israel

For those looking for a more secular tour in Israel, or a balanced mix between holy sites and other activities , there are still plenty of options for you.

The Great Outdoors To begin with, Israel has dozens of great outdoor experiences. Many tours of Israel offers plenty of great hiking opportunities, for example. If you love desert landscapes, you will have your pick on a tour of Israel. There are multiple ways to hike around the Sea of Galilee, Negev, Makhtesh Ramon, and Mount Carmel National Park. If you still want to see these natural sights, and don’t want to walk, why not try riding a camel ? Or if things get a lot hot on the surface, try going caving . 

LGBTQ Scene Israel is a particularly LGBTQ-friendly country, especially in the Middle East, and often ranks as one of the best LGTBQ travel destinations . Tel Aviv, in particular, is known for its pride parades. The Israeli Army is LGTBQ friendly, and all of the main cities are very accepting.

Food Israel is renowned for its wide variety of drool-inducing cuisines, and the good news is that, no matter your dietary restrictions, there is going to be plenty you can eat. Falafel, shawarma , and hummus are some obvious things to taste, but don’t be afraid to try some lesser known foods. In Israel’s markets, trying “shopping the shuks” for some tasty street food, and make sure to sample the country’s amazing fresh produce and vegetables. Of course, the best way to make sure you don’t miss any delicious staples is to embark on a culinary tour of Israel .

Solo Tours in Israel Israel is a popular destination to travel solo, especially on a group tour that is single traveler friendly. One reason it’s such a popular spot is because there are many ways to get group tours at a budget or value rate , this is because of the variety of housing. From hostels to homestays, there are many ways to travel Israel cheaply and also connect with local people and their cultures.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 238 trips to Israel and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

Israel and the Palestinian Territories Tours & Vacations

Intrepid does not currently operate any tours in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

Our Israel and the Palestinian Territories trips

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Israel and the Palestinian Territories tour reviews

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Articles of Israel and the Palestinian Territories

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‘X’ marks the spot: What it’s like to be an agnostic in Jerusalem

27 surprising facts about Israel and the Palestinian Territories

What it’s like to travel in Israel and the Palestinian Territories as a solo female traveller

9 unique experiences in Israel and the Palestinian Territories

Israel and the Palestinian Territories at a glance

Capital city.

Jerusalem (population approximately 875,000)

Approximately 8.7 million

Hebrew, Arabic

(GMT+02:00) Jerusalem

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type C (European 2-pin) Type H (Israeli 3-pin)

Learn more about Israel and the Palestinian Territories

Culture and customs.

There are many annual events marking important dates in religious and cultural calendars across Israel and the Palestinian territories. Jerusalem, also known as the Holy Land, is touted as the historical and religious center of the Western world, with followers of Christianity, Judaism and Islam all holding the city sacred.

As you would expect from such a destination, there are daily displays of devotion and pilgrimage that happen on the streets and in public arenas, as well as a wide range of things to see. Take note of any traditions or events that occur which might affect your travel plans.

Shabbat , or the Sabbath, is a weekly day of rest recognized by the religious and non-religious Jewish populations, as well as some others across the region. The resting period lasts from 20-30 minutes before sundown on Friday to an hour after sundown on Saturday night, and depending on which part of the country you are in, you will notice different levels of impact on public transport and businesses.

In Tel Aviv, for example, Friday night is one of the city’s busiest nights, so you shouldn’t be too affected. In Jerusalem, however, many restaurants close until Saturday night, and your hotel front desk may close for Friday evening and the next day as workers may be observing Shabbat. If you find yourself in Jerusalem and parts of Galilee during Shabbat, ensure that you have researched places to eat and things to see that will be open and available over this time. In other parts of the country, like the North Coast, Negev Desert, Dead Sea and Tel Aviv, your stay should be mainly unaffected; however, it’s best to have a back-up plan just in case your preferences aren’t open.

It is important to understand how Shabbat could affect your visit, as you may find yourself without many restaurant or cafe options, or having to walk or take an expensive taxi (if you can find one) to get around.

During the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar (the Gregorian, or ‘Western’, calendar equivalent dates of which change each year) Ramadan is observed by Muslims across the world as a time of spiritual rejuvenation. For this month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset – refraining from eating and drinking during daylight hours. The period of Eid marks the end of fasting with three days of feasting and celebration. For the duration of Ramadan, expect almost all restaurants and some other establishments in Muslim areas to be closed during daylight hours, with the exception of hotels.

History and government

Ancient history.

The roots of Israel extend back thousands of years, and many stories of origin stem from the Hebrew Bible and trace back to Abraham, who is considered both the father of Judaism (through his son Isaac) and Islam (through his son Ishmael). Descendants of Abraham are said to have been held captive in Egypt for centuries before settling in Canaan, located where some of Israel and the Palestinian Territories’ contested regions are today. These sites, and especially Jerusalem, have been besieged and ruled by many empires over the centuries of their history – Babylonian, Persian, Greek Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, among others.

20th century

Fast-forward to the 20th century, when Great Britain supported an establishment of a permanent Jewish state in the region then recognized as Palestine. British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour stated intentions to set up a ‘national home’ in Palestine for Jewish populations under the Balfour Declaration. In late 1947, the United Nations approved a plan for the partition of Palestine. On 14 May 1948, Israel proclaimed its independence under the rule of the head of the Jewish Agency, David Ben-Gurion. For Palestinian Arabs, this meant a mass exodus from what was to become Israel.

Since then, as over many points during the region’s history, there has been a series of conflicts regarding control in the territories. Currently, parts of Israel and the Palestinian Territories are still contested, and complex political relationships exist in the country to navigate administration over certain regions, whether the responsibility of Israel, Palestine, or a combination of both. Israel has peace agreements with Jordan and Egypt , but not some other Middle Eastern neighbors, so border crossing can be complicated.

Eating and drinking

These regions are full of delightful things to taste. Whether you’re fine-dining in Tel Aviv or having a street-side snack at Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem, there's no shortage of Middle Eastern cuisine to keep your mouth watering.

Found in food stands on street corners and in markets all around the country, falafel is touted as Israel’s national dish and, despite competing stories of where they were invented, these snacks are now a staple in Israeli cuisine. Made from fava beans, chickpeas or a combination of both, enjoy them as either part of a Middle Eastern mezze, or stuffed into a pita with hummus, tahini, pickles and salad.

Shakshuka accurately translates as ‘a mixture’, describing a dish of eggs baked in a spiced tomato, chili, pepper and garlic sauce and served in a traditional pan. Every street food vendor or shakshuka master believes they’ve got the best recipe, so it’s a good idea to taste a broad sample in order to decide for yourself!

Can anything be more perfect? This silky chickpea dip is a pita’s best friend, and can be lathered on nearly anything and everything, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To take things up a notch, order a hummus masabacha (topped with chickpeas, paprika, lemon and tahini) or hummus kawarma (topped with lamb mince, onions and parsley).

The Greeks have got souvlaki, the Turkish have got doner, but in these parts, it’s called shawarma. This type of local kebab is all about the traditional spices used and the ingredients that get stuffed inside – think hummus, salad, pickled turnips and tahini. An easy on-the-go lunch.

Obviously, many Middle Eastern classic dishes are hard to trace back their origin; however, sabich is one that definitely finds its roots as Jewish Israeli. Brought here in the 1950s by Jewish immigrants from Iraq, this pita stuffed with fried eggplant, hard boiled eggs, salad, hummus and tahini is now one of the country’s most popular street food dishes. Sabich is often topped off with a drizzle of amba – a spicy sweet mango chutney.

Lechem bread

If you haven’t realized already, Israeli cuisine is big on bread. In particular, lechem bread plays not only an important role in the country’s diet, but is also of religious significance in Jewish cultures – often breaking two loaves of this bread signifies the start of a meal during Shabbat.

A sweet dessert found all around the Middle East, knafeh is a cheese pastry soaked in sugar syrup, often flavored with rosewater or orange blossom. Perfect for an after-dinner snack, or an afternoon pick-me-up.

This part of the world is also known for growing wine grapes. The biggest wine-growing region, the Sharon Plain near the Mount Carmel range, boasts perfect conditions – a temperate climate and sediment-rich soils on slopes that face the Mediterranean Sea. Visit Zichron Yaakov, a town in this region, on an Intrepid Real Food Adventure for a day of wine tasting.

Geography and environment

With beaches and chalk cliffs on the Mediterranean coastline, parched desert in the north, mountains (and more desert!) in the south and fertile valleys in the center, Israel and the Palestinian Territories boast an astounding amount of diverse landscapes to travel through in a small area, meaning you can bounce from one geographic wonder to another with minimal travel time.   Sharing borders and cultures with Egypt , Jordan , Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, you can find modern cities, like Tel Aviv and remote villages in the mountains.

From the ultra-modern shopping malls of Tel Aviv to the laneway markets of Jerusalem’s Old City, there’s no shortage of shopping spots in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. In Tel Aviv and some parts of Jerusalem, expect to see some big global brands, as well as local favorites, such as Hamashbir and Castro.

During your time here, you’ll have opportunities to walk around and shop at local markets. For purchases under roughly USD 8 (ISL 30), it's best to carry small denominations of currency, as stallholders or retailers likely won’t accept credit cards as payment.

Outside of markets and Jerusalem’s Old City, bartering is usually not accepted, and most stores have fixed prices for their products. If you do have any questions about shopping at markets or stores during your time in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, ask your group leader who’ll be able to let you in on the dos and don’ts.

Israel and the Palestinian Territories travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Do I need a visa to travel to Israel and the Palestinian Territories?

Israel and the Palestinian Territories grant on-arrival visas to tourists of most nationalities. If you have evidence in your passport of visits to certain Islamic countries, Israeli border officials will scrutinize you regarding the purpose of your visit to Israel. The delay can be difficult and lengthy; however, patience and a friendly demeanor are advised when dealing with officials. Instead of an entry stamp, you will receive a loose entry card on arrival. Keep this in your passport until you leave, as this is evidence of your legal entry into Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

It is important to be aware that many Arab and Islamic countries deny entry to any person that has evidence of a visit to Israel. Syria, Iran, Libya and several other countries are included in this list. If you wish to travel to other countries in the region after Israel, please note that you may be refused entry if your passport, luggage or possessions indicate you have been to Israel.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Check the Essential Trip Information section of your tour itinerary for more information.

Is tipping customary in Israel and the Palestinian Territories?

Tipping 10-15% for good service is standard practice in restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as on tours. Taxi drivers and other service workers like hotel staff generally don't expect tips. Tipping is not compulsory in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, but if you are satisfied with the services provided, a tip is appropriate.

What is the internet access like in Israel and the Palestinian Territories?

Internet access is widespread in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, so accessing the internet via wi-fi hot spots is easy in Israel's cities. Rural areas will have less internet connectivity, so beware of this when traveling through remote regions of the country.

Most accommodation and some eateries offer wi-fi networks, which are usually free to use with an access code. If you wish to stay connected for the majority of your trip, it may be wise to purchase a prepaid SIM card with a data package or a wi-fi hotspot.

Can I use my mobile/cellphone while in Israel and the Palestinian Territories?

Cell phone coverage is excellent in Israel and the Palestinian Territories’ major cities and built-up areas. Expect limited to no phone coverage in more isolated areas like the Negev Desert.

Global roaming can also be activated when traveling through Israel and the Palestinian Territories; however, be sure to check with your service provider to find out about any fees you may incur when using this option, as sometimes this can be expensive.

What are the toilets like in Israel and the Palestinian Territories?

Most toilets in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are of the modern, flushable variety, but if you’re traveling in remote areas, you may still find squat toilets in use.

What will it cost for a…?

Israel and the Palestinian Territories' unit of currency is the shekel. Prices here are approximate and shown in US dollars for ease of comparison.

• Can of soft drink = USD 1.70–2.30
• One hour in an internet cafe = USD 4.50
• Takeaway snack or light lunch = USD 7–8.50
• Simple dinner at a cafe or restaurant = USD 17–29

Can I drink the water in Israel and the Palestinian Territories?

Tap water is considered safe to drink in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, unless marked otherwise. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water instead.

Are credit cards accepted widely in Israel and the Palestinian Territories?

The vast majority of large hotels, restaurants and shops will accept credit cards. For smaller purchases, such as bus and taxi fares, markets and paying for something less than roughly USD 8 (ISL 30), it is advised to have cash on you to cover these costs.

What is ATM access like in Israel and the Palestinian Territories?

ATMs are easily found in Israel and the Palestinian Territories' cities and major towns. They’re less common in rural areas, so prepare accordingly before traveling out of urban centers. In general, ATMs in Israel offer a more competitive exchange rate for local currency than buying Israeli shekels outside of the country.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

What public holidays are celebrated in Israel and the Palestinian Territories?

• Passover (8 days, usually in April)
• Easter (March or April)
• Israel Independence Day/Yom Haatzmaut (April)
• Palestine Independence Day (15 November)
• Ramadan (ninth month of the Islamic calendar, usually May)
• Eid Al Fitr (end of Ramadan, May or June)
• Shavuot (Pentecost, sixth day of Shivan – May or June)
• Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year – usually September)
• Islamic New Year (usually August, September or October)
• Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement – September or October)
• Sukkot (Tabernacles – usually October)
• Simchat Torah (September to October)
• Hanukkah (December)
• Christmas Day (25 September)

For a current list of public holidays in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, including the movable dates noted above, go to worldtravelguide.net Israel and Palestine .

When is the best time to travel to Israel and the Palestinian Territories?

Israel and the Palestinian territories offer diverse experiences throughout the year, so there’s really no one ‘best’ time to visit. The shoulder seasons of April–May and September–October are ideal in terms of weather – pleasantly mild temperatures and little to no rainfall. However, many people choose to travel to the area over Christmas to experience winter festivities in Bethlehem, or in summer when coastal hubs like Tel Aviv and Haifa come alive at beach resorts and with outdoor nightlife. There’s a range of things to do in any weather, from skiing in the highlands to enjoying the sun near the Red Sea, so no matter what time you choose to go, it's a great place to take a vacation year-round.

Above all, it's important to note that travel will be affected during religious holidays, with the majority of shops, businesses and public transport shutting down for major public holidays and events. Be sure to consider how Jewish or other religious holidays, like Ramadan, may affect your stay.

What is the weather like in Israel and the Palestinian Territories?

Israel and the Palestinian Territories generally share a Mediterranean climate, with the summer months providing loads of sunshine and scorching temperatures that can reach upwards of 100°F. June to August usually sees the highest temperatures, with milder weather prevailing during autumn (September–October) and spring (April–May). Winter (around November–March) means cooler temperatures and light rain. Snowfall can sometimes occur in the highlands and even in Jerusalem

Are Israel and the Palestinian Territories safe for LGBTQIA+ travellers?

Compared to many of its Middle East neighbors, Israel is quite progressive when it comes to a stance on LGBTQIA+ rights. Homosexuality is legal and some protections are in place regarding gender identity discrimination. Although same-sex marriages are not performed here, they recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Since 2015, the Israeli Health Ministry has allowed transgender people to change their registered gender legally without sex reassignment surgery.

Tel Aviv has a thriving gay scene, with many of the bars and nightlife geared towards this. Tel Aviv also hosts a Gay Pride Parade each year in the second week of June, which attracts over 250,000 attendees from across the world.

In the Occupied Palestinian Territories the law does not provide any explicit protections for LGBTQIA+ persons, but there are no formal laws against same-sex sexual activities. Officially, same-sex relations are not illegal but social and cultural attitudes towards homosexuality can be conservative and laws against ‘indecency’ are sometimes used, on an irregular and unpredictable basis, to criminalize same-sex acts.

There are still many conservative regions around Israel and the Palestinian Territories, so be aware of the situation you find yourself in when you are traveling. In these areas, public displays of affection are not encouraged.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex – Israel and  Palestine – or ILGA before you travel.

If you are traveling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travelers who do not wish to share a room.

Are Israel and the Palestinian Territories accessible for travellers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Visitors to Israel and the Palestinian Territories with mobility issues will find most areas accessible and easy to get around, with modern infrastructure, despite the old architecture and ancient sites.

Many of Tel Aviv’s beaches can be accessed by ramps, and some hotel beaches have beach wheelchairs available for use. In Jerusalem, the Old City has an accessible trail for those requiring a wheelchair, and many of the sites are wheelchair-friendly.

If you do live with a visual, hearing or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

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Trump’s Call for Israel to ‘Finish Up’ War Alarms Some on the Right

Recent remarks he made urging an end to the Gaza conflict, with no insistence on freeing Israeli hostages first, were another departure from conservatives’ support for Benjamin Netanyahu.

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By Jonathan Swan

Reporting from Washington

Two Israeli journalists traveled to Palm Beach, Fla., a little over a week ago, hoping to elicit from Donald J. Trump a powerful expression of support for their country’s war in Gaza.

Instead, one of them wrote that what they heard from Mr. Trump at Mar-a-Lago “shocked us deeply.”

“Both U.S. presidential candidates, Biden and Trump, are turning their rhetorical backs on Israel,” concluded Ariel Kahana, a right-wing settler who is the senior diplomatic correspondent for Israel Hayom. The newspaper is owned by the billionaire Republican donor Miriam Adelson; Ms. Adelson herself arranged the interview with Mr. Trump, according to a person with direct knowledge of the planning.

What had Mr. Trump said that so alarmed Mr. Kahana?

He told the interviewers that Israel was losing public support for its Gaza assault, that the images of devastation were bad for Israel’s global image and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should end his war soon — statements that sounded far more like something President Biden might say than the kind of cheerleading Mr. Netanyahu has come to expect from Washington Republicans.

“You have to finish up your war,” Mr. Trump said. “You have to get it done. We have to get to peace. We can’t have this going on.”

That statement apparently troubled Mr. Kahana even more than Mr. Biden’s warnings to Israel. Mr. Biden has called for a six-week cease-fire in exchange for Hamas releasing Israeli hostages. In the interview excerpts released by Israel Hayom, Mr. Trump did not qualify his call for Israel to finish the war by insisting on the release of hostages.

“Trump effectively bypassed Biden from the left, when he expressed willingness to stop this war and get back to being the great country you once were,” Mr. Kahana wrote in Hebrew. “There’s no way to beautify, minimize or cover up that problematic message.”

Trump aides insisted this was a misinterpretation. A campaign spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, said that Mr. Trump “fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself and eliminate the terrorist threat,” but that Israel’s interests would be “best served by completing this mission as quickly, decisively and humanely as possible so that the region can return to peace and stability​.”

But there is no getting around the division between Mr. Trump and congressional Republicans, who seem to be competing to see who can more ostentatiously demonstrate support for Mr. Netanyahu’s government. They are flying to Israel to meet with Mr. Netanyahu , planning to invite him to address Congress and generally urging Israel to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to annihilate Hamas.

In contrast, Mr. Trump’s hedging commentary to Israel Hayom is only the latest in a long line of public statements he has made to undercut Mr. Netanyahu, whom he has still not forgiven for congratulating Mr. Biden as the winner of the 2020 election.

In 2021, Mr. Trump told the Axios journalist Barak Ravid that he had concluded that Mr. Netanyahu “never wanted peace” with the Palestinians.

Mr. Trump’s first reaction to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack was to criticize Mr. Netanyahu and Israeli intelligence services. Advisers privately pleaded with him to clean up his comments and he quickly turned to standard lines of support for Israel’s right to defend itself.

The ambiguity of Mr. Trump’s rhetoric about the Israel-Hamas war has let different audiences hear what they want in his public statements. He has said nothing of substance about what he would do differently from Mr. Biden on Israel policy if he were president, and his team again refused to get into specifics when questioned by The New York Times.

Given that void, right-wing supporters of Israel and Israelis like Mr. Kahana are parsing every utterance from Mr. Trump, worried that in a second term he might not be as reliable an ally as he was in his first term, when he gave Mr. Netanyahu nearly everything he wanted, including moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

“Those who support Trump and also are deeply supportive of Israel’s efforts to win the war with Hamas have to reconcile themselves with the fact that at a crucial moment when the administration seems to be speaking out of both sides of its mouth, and creating a sense of instability in the relationship between the United States and Israel, Trump exacerbated that instability as the putative nominee of the other party,” said John Podhoretz, the editor of Commentary magazine and a former speechwriter for Ronald Reagan.

“The only difference between Trump and Biden — and I say this as somebody who is not a supporter of Biden — is that Biden has put his money where his mouth is. He’s been sending arms,” Mr. Podhoretz added. “So that would seem to suggest that operationally, the problem with Biden is rhetoric and not policy. And all Trump is is rhetoric, and he’s not laying out any policy that should make anybody feel good.”

Mr. Trump’s former ambassador to Israel, David M. Friedman, insisted in an interview that people were misreading Mr. Trump’s statements.

While he said he respected Mr. Kahana, Mr. Friedman suggested the reporter had over-interpreted Mr. Trump’s remarks: “I understand the fear of Republican isolationism, because there is a vein within the Republican Party that moves in that direction, but I didn’t hear him to say what he said. I heard him to say, ‘Finish the job’ — meaning defeat Hamas, defeat them decisively, defeat them as quickly as possible. And then move on.”

Some of Mr. Trump’s former advisers have filled the Trump policy vacuum with their own ideas to resolve the conflict. His son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has pursued foreign deals using relationships he built during the Trump administration, said at a Harvard University forum in February that “Gaza’s waterfront property could be very valuable” and that Palestinians should be “moved out” and transported to an area in the Negev Desert in southern Israel that would be bulldozed to accommodate them.

Mr. Friedman has gone much further than Mr. Kushner, who seemed to be only musing. Mr. Friedman has developed a proposal for Israel to claim full sovereignty over the West Bank — definitively ending the possibility of a two-state solution. West Bank Palestinians who have been living under Israeli military occupation since 1967 would not be given Israeli citizenship under the plan, Mr. Friedman confirmed in the interview.

It’s far from clear whether Mr. Trump would support this, though he did tell the Israeli interviewers that he planned to meet with Mr. Friedman to hear his ideas. Mr. Friedman said he had not yet discussed his plan with Mr. Trump.

Unlike Mr. Friedman, Mr. Trump has long clung to the possibility of a grand bargain between Israel and the Palestinians, insisting that only he can broker the “deal of the century.” Still, while in office, Mr. Trump acted so lopsidedly in favor of Israel that a two-state solution that would be acceptable to the Palestinians was never realistic.

John R. Bolton, a former national security adviser to Mr. Trump, who has become a sharp critic, said that Mr. Trump’s interview with Israel Hayom “proves the point that I’ve tried to explain to people: that Trump’s support for Israel in the first term is not guaranteed in the second term, because Trump’s positions are made on the basis of what’s good for Donald Trump, not on some coherent theory of national security.”

“What he said in this most recent interview was ambiguous to a certain extent, but it seemed to me to be verging on negative about Israel’s conduct of the war,” Mr. Bolton said in an interview. “And I think there’s more there than meets the eye.”

“What matters to Trump more than anything else is how you look in the press. So forget the justice of it,” he added. “It just looks bad.”

The way Mr. Bolton sees it, when his former boss warns Mr. Netanyahu that his image is failing, “he’s not worried about Israel’s image. He’s worried about his if he has to defend it.”

Jonathan Weisman contributed reporting.

Jonathan Swan is a political reporter covering the 2024 presidential election and Donald Trump’s campaign. More about Jonathan Swan

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The Latest | Israel says it opened new aid crossing into hard-hit northern Gaza

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

Israel said Friday it had opened a new crossing for aid trucks into hard-hit northern Gaza as it ramps up humanitarian deliveries to the besieged enclave. However, the United Nations says the surge of aid is not being felt in Gaza because of persistent distribution difficulties inside the war-torn territory.

Six months of fighting in Gaza have pushed the besieged Palestinian enclave into deepening a humanitarian crisis, with more than 1 million people on the brink of starvation .

In the occupied West Bank, an Israeli raid killed two Palestinians, including a Hamas militant. Later Friday, dozens of angry Israeli settlers rampaged through a West Bank village, shooting and setting houses and cars on fire. The rampage killed a Palestinian man and wounded 25 others, Palestinian health officials said.

Over 460 Palestinians have been killed by Israelis in the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Israeli bombardments and ground offensives in Gaza have killed more than 33,600 Palestinians and wounded over 76,200, the Health Ministry said Friday. The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its tally, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

The war started on Oct. 7 when Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis in a surprise attack, mostly civilians. Around 250 people hostage were also taken hostage by Palestinian militants.

— Israel promised to ramp up aid to Gaza dramatically , but days later there are few signs of any impact.

— Poland says aid worker’s killing in Gaza should be brought before Israeli court.

— Muslim leaders are ‘out of words’ as they tire of the White House outreach on the war in Gaza.

— An Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills 3 sons and 4 grandchildren of Hamas’ top leader.

— Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war .

Here's the latest:

BIDEN SAYS U.S. IS ‘DEVOTED’ TO DEFENDING ISRAEL, AND ‘IRAN WILL NOT SUCCEED’

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden says the U.S. is “devoted” to defending Israel and “Iran will not succeed.”

Israel is bracing for a possible Iranian attack after an airstrike killed two Iranian generals in Syria last week. Iran has blamed Israel for the airstrike and vowed revenge. Israel has not commented on the strike.

Biden answered a couple of shouted questions at the White House on Friday, after delivering a virtual speech to the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network Convention on racial justice in New York.

Asked what his message was for Iran, the president's only reply was: “Don’t.”

He was asked about the possibility of deploying additional U.S. troops to the Middle East and said, “We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel.”

“We will help defend Israel, and Iran will not succeed,” Biden added. He ignored a question about what would trigger a direct U.S. military response.

Asked how imminent an Iranian attack on Israel was, Biden said he didn’t want to get into secure information, “but my expectation is sooner than later.”

The apparent Israeli airstrike and promised Iranian retaliation has raised concerns about the U.S. being pulled into deeper regional conflict.

Since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began six months ago, there have been near-daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group along the Israel-Lebanon border.

U.S. officials have recorded more than 150 attacks by Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria on U.S. forces at bases in those countries since war began on Oct. 7.

One attack in late January killed three U.S. service members in Jordan. In retaliation, the U.S. launched a massive air assault, hitting more than 85 targets at seven locations in Iraq and Syria. There have been no publicly reported attacks on U.S. troops in the region since that response.

ISRAELI MILITARY SAYS IT'S PREPARED FOR A POSSIBLE IRANIAN ATTACK

JERUSALEM — Israel’s military says it has prepared plans to respond to a possible Iranian attack.

The army’s spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said late Friday that Israel is ready for a “wide variety of scenarios” that include both defensive and offensive actions. He also said that Israel’s military chief has completed a situation assessment with the head of the U.S. Central Command, Gen. Erik Kurilla, who is visiting Israel.

“Our defenses are ready and know how to deal with every threat separately,” Hagari told reporters. “Next to defense, we are prepared to attack. We are ready to attack with a range of capabilities and we know how to act and protect the people of Israel.”

Israel has been bracing for a possible Iranian attack since an airstrike killed two Iranian generals in the Syrian capital of Damascus last week.

Iran has blamed Israel for the airstrike and vowed revenge. Israel has not commented on the strike.

Iran has a number of proxy groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen that are all capable of striking Israel. Iran also possesses long-range missiles that can reach Israel. Israeli leaders have threatened to strike Iran directly if it attacks, and President Joe Biden has said the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad.

Hagari said the visit by Kurilla is meant to “guarantee that the coordination between us is tight.”

ISRAELI SETTLERS IN WEST BANK RAMPAGE THROUGH PALESTINIAN VILLAGE; 1 DEAD AND 18 WOUNDED

JERUSALEM — Dozens of Israeli settlers rampaged through a Palestinian village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Friday, Palestinian medics and an Israeli rights group said. Palestinian health officials said the rampage killed a Palestinian man and wounded 25 others.

Settlers stormed the village of al-Mughayyir in search of a missing 14-year-old Israeli boy, according to rights group Yesh Din. The group said that settlers were shooting and setting houses on fire in the village.

Videos posted to X, formerly Twitter, by the rights group showed dark clouds of smoke billowing from burning cars as gunshots rang out.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said that one man was brought dead to a hospital and 25 were treated for wounds. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said eight of the injured were hit by live fire.

Israel’s military said it was looking into the reports.

The episode comes as tensions flare in the West Bank, where over 460 Palestinians have been killed by Israelis since Oct. 7.

ISRAEL OPENS NEW AID TRUCK CROSSING INTO NORTH GAZA

JERUSALEM — Israel said Friday it had opened a new crossing for aid trucks into northern Gaza as its efforts to ramp up aid to the besieged enclave came under criticism from a top United Nations official.

Israel, facing mounting U.S. pressure to improve the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, has pledged this week to dramatically increase aid to the strip.

The military said that trucks carrying food passed the newly opened northern crossing Thursday. It said the aid was inspected at its Kerem Shalom crossing near the Egyptian border before being transported inside Israel to the crossing. The new system is meant as an alternative to the challenging and dangerous process of transporting aid from northern to southern Gaza.

In the coming days, Israel says it will also open its port in the southern city of Ashdod for more aid shipments. Most aid is currently delivered by land from neighboring Egypt.

COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of Palestinian civilian affairs, said Friday it has sent 1,903 trucks into Gaza over the last week, with 221 truckloads of aid reaching the north over that same timeframe.

However, the U.N. says the surge of aid is not being felt in Gaza because difficulties persist in distributing the aid.

“It’s very easy for Israel to say, ‘We’ve sent you 1,000 trucks so please deliver them inside Gaza,’” said Jamie McGoldrick, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories.

The U.N. says aid distribution within Gaza is dangerous and mired in long holdups at inspection checkpoints. Bringing aid to the north of the territory — where the U.N. says famine is near — is particularly difficult, McGoldrick said, with only one or two roads north open at a given time.

Several aid organizations have suspended their convoys north after an Israeli strike on a World Central Kitchen aid mission killed seven aid workers.

BRITISH-PALESTINIAN SURGEON SAYS GERMANY BLOCKED HIM FROM ENTERING COUNTRY TO JOIN PRO-PALESTINIAN CONFERENCE

BERLIN — A prominent British-Palestinian surgeon who volunteered in Gaza hospitals during the first weeks of the Israel-Hamas war said he was denied entry into Germany on Friday, where he was due to take part in a pro-Palestinian conference.

Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta said he arrived at Berlin airport on Friday morning before being stopped at passport control where he was held for several hours and then told he had to return to the U.K.

Police at the airport said he was refused entry due to “the safety of the people at the conference and public order,” Abu Sitta told The Associated Press by phone.

The ban will last until Sunday, covering the duration of the Berlin conference he was to attend, he said. The gathering, entitled the Palestine Congress, was to discuss a range of topics including German arms shipments to Israel and solidarity with what organizers called the Palestinian struggle.

Police at Berlin airport could not immediately be reached for comment.

Germany has traditionally held a staunchly pro-Israel position, and during the Gaza war emerged as one of Israel’s fiercest supporters, even amid growing international outrage over the soaring Palestinian death toll.

German authorities have repeatedly clamped down on displays of support for Palestinians.

Abu Sitta has worked during multiple conflicts in the Palestinian territories, beginning in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian uprising. He has also worked in other conflict zones, including in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

He spent 44 days in Gaza hospitals during the current war as a volunteer for Doctors Without Borders.

Throughout his most-recent stint in Gaza, he gave numerous interviews to international media outlets about the deteriorating humanitarian and health situation in the besieged enclave.

EUROPEAN COUNCIL SANCTIONS THREE PALESTINIAN MILITANT GROUPS OVER THEIR ROLE IN OCT. 7 ATTACKS

BRUSSELS, Belgium — The European Council has slapped sanctions on three Palestinian militant organizations, citing their role in the “brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks” on Oct. 7 against Israel.

The sanctions will freeze the groups' assets and prohibit anyone from giving funding or economic resources to the groups or for their benefit, either directly or indirectly, the council said in a statement Friday.

The newly sanctioned groups are Hamas' military wing, the Qassam Brigades, as well as Hamas’ elite Nukhba forces and the Al-Quds Brigades, the military arm of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad entered southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages.

“Hamas and other armed groups must immediately grant humanitarian access to all remaining hostages,” the European Council statement said.

The U.S. State Department, the European Union and other Western countries already consider Hamas and Islamic Jihad as terrorist groups. The European Council is the body that brings together the 28 EU countries’ leaders.

BODIES OF 89 PEOPLE KILLED IN GAZA TAKEN TO HOSPITALS, OFFICIALS SAY

RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Gaza health officials said Friday that 89 bodies were taken to hospitals over the past 24 hours, raising the Palestinian death toll in the territory to 33,634 since the Israel-Hamas war erupted more than six months ago.

The total number of wounded has reached 76,214, said the ministry, which is part of a Hamas government that continues to operate in some parts of Gaza.

The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its count, but says that two-thirds of the dead are women and children. It says many bodies across devastated Gaza remain under the rubble.

Israel’s military says it has killed thousands of Hamas militants since the start of the war. The war was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel in which the militants killed about 1,200 people and took some 250 hostages.

2 PALESTINIANS ARE KILLED IN THE ISRAELI-OCCUPIED WEST BANK

JERUSALEM — Two Palestinians were killed early Friday in confrontations with Israeli forces in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian medics and the military said. The Islamic militant group Hamas said one of those killed was a local commander.

The raid took place in the town of Tubas and the adjacent refugee camp of al-Faraa. The Palestine Red Crescent Society confirmed the two deaths and said three people were wounded, including one who sustained serious injuries.

The military said the target of the raid was Mohammed Daraghmeh, a local Hamas commander. It said Daraghmeh was killed in a shootout with Israeli soldiers who discovered weapons in his car. The army alleged that Daraghmeh was planning attacks on Israeli targets, but provided no evidence.

In subsequent confrontations between soldiers and armed Palestinians, a second Palestinian was killed Friday. The army said assailants also hurled explosives at soldiers.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said one of its ambulances was fired at by Israeli forces as medics were trying to treat one of the wounded.

Palestinian health officials say 460 Palestinians, including several dozen children and teens, have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, triggered by a deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. Most were killed in confrontations with Israeli forces who have stepped up raids in the West Bank in recent months, targeting suspected militants. Several other Palestinians have been killed in attacks by militant Israeli settlers.

FRANCE WARNS CITIZENS AGAINST TRAVELING TO ISRAEL, IRAN, LEBANON, AND PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

PARIS — France’s foreign ministry has warned citizens against traveling to Israel, Palestinian territories, Iran and Lebanon in the coming days due to a heightened risk of military escalation in the Middle East.

Iran has been threatening to avenge the deaths of two of its generals killed in an airstrike in the Syrian capital, Damascus, last week. Tehran blames Israel for the strike, although Israel has not commented. Israel has called up additional defense units in anticipation of an attack by either Iran or the many proxy groups it supports in the region.

Faced with risks of a military escalation, the French foreign ministry called on citizens in a statement Friday “to completely refrain” from traveling to the three Middle Eastern countries and the Palestinian territories. The ministry also ordered families of diplomats in Tehran to return to France and suspended all foreign ministry sanctioned missions to Israel, Lebanon, Iran and the Palestinian territories after a crisis meeting Friday, the statement said.

SPAIN AND NORWAY SUPPORT RECOGNIZING A PALESTINIAN STATE

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that Spain has “publicly committed to recognizing Palestine as a state as soon as possible when the conditions are appropriate and in a way that can have the most positive impact to the peace process.”

Sánchez was in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, as part of a tour that also includes Ireland, to push for peace in Gaza and seek support for recognition of Palestine. His Norwegian counterpart, Jonas Gahr Støre, said that “Norway stands ready to recognize the state of Palestine and to recognize this place, appropriate place in the United Nations.”

The traditional position of the United States and European allies had been that recognition of a Palestinian state should come at the end of successful negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. However, since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, some European leaders have called for such recognition as an interim step that would create a political horizon for Palestinians, especially at a time when Israel’s right-wing government is adamantly opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state. Sanchez has been one of the most vocal advocates of early recognition.

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No progress made at Cairo ceasefire talks, says Hamas, as Israel pulls troops out of southern Gaza – as it happened

Israeli defence minister says withdrawal forms part of preparations for later attack on Rafah

• 5d ago Closing summary
• 5d ago Iranian foreign minister visits Syria after consulate strike
• 5d ago 33,207 Palestinians killed since 7 October
• 5d ago Lunchtime summary
• 6d ago Israel kills Hezbollah field commander in Lebanon
• 6d ago No progress made at Cairo ceasefire talks, says Hamas official
• 6d ago Truce talks in Cairo have made 'significant progress'

No progress made at Cairo ceasefire talks, says Hamas official

A Hamas official told Reuters on Monday that no progress was made at a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo also attended by delegations from Israel , Qatar and the United States.

“There is no progress yet,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, Egypt’s state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV channel quoted a senior Egyptian source as saying progress had been made in the talks, after a deal was reached among participating delegations on issues under discussion.

Israel and Hamas sent teams to Egypt on Sunday after the arrival on Saturday of CIA Director William Burns, whose presence underlined U.S. pressure for a deal that would free hostages held in Gaza and ease the humanitarian crisis there.

Israel and Hamas, at war in the Gaza Strip since October, have failed so far to resolve disagreements over their main demands.

Closing summary

A Hamas official told Reuters on Monday that no progress was made at a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo also attended by delegations from Israel , Qatar and the United States. “There is no progress yet,” he added. Earlier on Monday, Egypt’s state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV channel quoted a senior Egyptian source as saying progress had been made in the talks, after a deal was reached among participating delegations on issues under discussion.

An Israeli strike on southern Lebanon early on Monday killed a field commander in the heavily-armed Lebanese group Hezbollah, as the United Nations warned that shelling was spreading and urged a halt to the violence. Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been exchanging fire across Lebanon’s southern frontier in parallel with the Gaza war, adding to fears of a wider regional conflict.

Nicaragua has called on the United Nations’ top court to halt German military and other aid to Israel , arguing that Berlin’s support was enabling acts of genocide and breaches of international humanitarian law in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. While the case brought by Nicaragua centres on Germany, it indirectly takes aim at Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the deadly attacks when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, AP reports.

Israel is yet to provide a satisfactory explanation for the death of seven aid workers last week, prime minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday as Australia appointed a senior former military official to study Israel’s inquiry into the incident. Israel said on Friday its soldiers mistakenly believed they were attacking Hamas gunmen when air strikes killed the mostly international group of World Central Kitchen staff, including Australian “Zomi” Frankcom. Two officers have been dismissed and others reprimanded, Reuters reported.

Palestinians have begun returning to the devastated city of Khan Younis, a day after Israel’s unexpected withdrawal of forces from southern Gaza. Those returning to the city, which has been under a relentless Israeli military assault for the past four months, described widespread destruction and the stench of death from under the rubble.

A Palestinian official close to mediation efforts told Reuters that deadlock continued to reign over Israel’s refusal to end the war, withdraw its forces from Gaza, allow hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians to return to their homes and lift a 17-year-old blockade to allow speedy reconstruction. These steps take precedence over Israel’s prime demand for a release of hostages in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Lebanon’s prime minister Najib Mikati and visiting Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides on Monday discussed the Syrian refugee crisis, Beirut said, as Nicosia pushes the Lebanese authorities to stem boat departures. Cyprus says the Israel-Hamas war since October, which has triggered a flare-up on the Israel-Lebanon border, has weakened Lebanon’s efforts to monitor its territorial waters and prevent migrant vessel departures, reporting a surge in Syrian arrivals.

The commander of a European Union naval mission in the Red Sea wants to significantly increase its size to better defend against possible attacks by Houthi rebels based in Yemen, as just four warships are patrolling an area twice the size of the 27-nation bloc. The EU mission — dubbed Aspides, from the Greek for “shield” — has escorted 68 ships and repelled 11 attacks since it was established less than two months ago, AP reported. It only defends civilian vessels and does not take part in any military strikes. The southern part of the Red Sea is deemed a high-risk zone.

Israel “abides by the rule of law”, a UK cabinet minister insisted as the government continued to refuse to publish legal advice on whether the offensive in Gaza has broken international humanitarian rules. Mel Stride said advice from UK government lawyers to ministers on the situation will remain confidential but stressed the UK’s support for Israel is not “unconditional”, PA Media reported.

An all-female group of charity volunteers from Birmingham, England, have sent gender-specific products to the women in Gaza to “give a little bit of dignity” to those living in the war-torn region. The team of eight women, working with the charity ISRA-UK, arrived in Cairo, Egypt, on 1 April, where they spent a week in a warehouse packing and loading around 3,000 hygiene kits onto a lorry which will be driven across the Rafah border into Gaza.

Downing Street has insisted the UK government is “completely united” over the conflict in Gaza despite claims of a Cabinet split, PA Media reports. Divisions appeared to have emerged over the weekend with the foreign secretary, Lord Cameron, taking a more strident approach to criticism of Israel than some of his colleagues, including deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden.

Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian left Oman to visit Syria’s capital Damascus a week after Iran’s consulate there was targeted in a suspected Israeli attack, state media reported on Monday. Iran has vowed to avenge the death of seven of its Revolutionary Guards commanders who were killed in the attack, with a senior adviser to the Supreme Leader saying on Sunday that Israeli embassies were no longer safe, Reuters reported.

CIA director Bill Burns and Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will join the negotiators from Egypt, Israel and Hamas in Cairo, according to some media reports. An Israeli delegation will also take part in the talks, an Israeli official said. However, the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, also said on Sunday that Israel would not agree to a ceasefire until the hostages being held in Gaza were released.

Three people were killed, including a field commander in Lebanon’s Hezbollah elite forces Al Radwan, in an Israeli strike on Al Sultanya village in southern Lebanon, two security sources told Reuters early on Monday.

None of Israel’s embassies was safe any more, a senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader said . Tehran viewed confrontation with Israel as a “legitimate and legal right”, Yahya Rahim Safavi was quoted by the semi-official Tasnim news agency saying on Sunday. He was speaking after a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on 1 April for which Tehran has vowed retaliation.

That’s all from me, Tom Ambrose, and the Middle East crisis live blog for today. Thanks for following along.

The commander of a European Union naval mission in the Red Sea wants to significantly increase its size to better defend against possible attacks by Houthi rebels based in Yemen, as just four warships are patrolling an area twice the size of the 27-nation bloc.

The EU mission — dubbed Aspides, from the Greek for “shield” — has escorted 68 ships and repelled 11 attacks since it was established less than two months ago, AP reported. It only defends civilian vessels and does not take part in any military strikes. The southern part of the Red Sea is deemed a high-risk zone.

“Just a single transit of one of our ships between the two larger distances to the area might take about 10 days, and also to cross the high-risk area takes almost two days,” Greek navy rear admiral Vasilios Gryparis, the commander of the mission, told reporters in Brussels on Monday.

He said the high-risk zone “has seen multiple attacks in the past months” ranging from threats and intimidation to “complex attacks” using “shore, air and sea-based assets, drones and ballistic missiles.” No one has been hurt.

Nineteen of the 27 EU nations are involved in the mission but only four frigates are patrolling.

Downing Street has insisted the UK government is “completely united” over the conflict in Gaza despite claims of a Cabinet split, PA Media reports.

Divisions appeared to have emerged over the weekend with the foreign secretary, Lord Cameron, taking a more strident approach to criticism of Israel than some of his colleagues, including deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden.

Dowden suggested on Sunday that Israel is being held to an “incredibly high standard” compared with other nations and claimed there is “a bit of relish from some people about the way in which they are pushing this case against Israel”.

But on Monday, the prime minister’s official spokesman denied there is a split, saying Lord Cameron’s and Dowden’s words are “consistent” with Rishi Sunak’s statement on Sunday.

In that statement, marking six months since Hamas’s 7 October attack on Israel, Sunak said:

We continue to stand by Israel’s right to defeat the threat from Hamas terrorists and defend their security. But the whole of the UK is shocked by the bloodshed, and appalled by the killing of brave British heroes who were bringing food to those in need. This terrible conflict must end. The hostages must be released. The aid - which we have been straining every sinew to deliver by land, air and sea - must be flooded in.

Palestinians have begun returning to the devastated city of Khan Younis, a day after Israel’s unexpected withdrawal of forces from southern Gaza.

Those returning to the city, which has been under a relentless Israeli military assault for the past four months, described widespread destruction and the stench of death from under the rubble.

The retreat of Israel’s 98th division from southern Gaza, on the day that marked the six-month anniversary of the war, baffled many Israeli commentators, who struggled to interpret official explanations for the previously unannounced move.

The departure of the forces leaves only two Israeli brigades inside tasked Gaza with maintaining the physical separation of the northern and southern halvesof the strip.

Although senior Israeli military and political officials insisted the withdrawal did not mark the end of the conflict or the postponement of Israel’s threatened assault on the city of Rafah, it came alongside conflicting messages of progress from ceasefire talks in Cairo over the weekend, with some describing significant progress.

Iranian foreign minister visits Syria after consulate strike

Iran’s foreign minister visited the Syrian capital on Monday, local media reported, a week after a deadly strike blamed on Israel destroyed Tehran’s Damascus consulate, sending regional tensions skyrocketing.

Tehran, a key Damascus ally, has vowed to avenge last Monday’s airstrike on the Iranian embassy’s consular section that killed seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members, including two generals.

The strike came against the backdrop of Israel and Hamas’s ongoing war, which began with the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group’s unprecedented 7 October attack on Israel.

Damascus and Tehran have blamed Israel, which has not commented on the raid.

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian began a regional tour a day earlier in Oman, long a mediator between Tehran and the west, where Muscat’s foreign minister called for de-escalation.

Amir-Abdollahian is to meet Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and foreign minister Faisal Mekdad during the visit, while Syria’s information ministry said he was to inaugurate a new Iranian consular section.

Syria’s pro-government newspaper Al-Watan said the officials’ talks would be “mainly focused” on repercussions of last week’s strike.

An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader warned on Sunday that Israeli embassies were “no longer safe” after the attack.

Lebanon’s prime minister Najib Mikati and visiting Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides on Monday discussed the Syrian refugee crisis, Beirut said, as Nicosia pushes the Lebanese authorities to stem boat departures.

Cyprus says the Israel-Hamas war since October, which has triggered a flare-up on the Israel-Lebanon border, has weakened Lebanon’s efforts to monitor its territorial waters and prevent migrant vessel departures, reporting a surge in Syrian arrivals.

Lebanon hosts two million Syrians, with 800,000 registered with the United Nations – the world’s highest number of refugees per capita.

In Beirut, Mikati and Christodoulides emphasised “the importance of finding a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the Syria displacement crisis”, a statement from the Lebanese premier’s office said.

“Lebanon’s army and security forces are doing their best to stop illegal immigration,” Mikati said in the statement. “But this cannot be achieved without the return of those seeking safety to safe areas in Syria or securing their residency in third countries,.”

33,207 Palestinians killed since 7 October

In its regular update on casualty figures, the Gazan health ministry reports today that at least 33,207 Palestinians have been killed and 75,933 wounded in Israel’s military offensive since 7 October.

The UK opposition leader Keir Starmer has once again called on the government to publish legal advice it has had on whether Israel’s actions in Gaza have violated international law.

The Labour leader said:

Yesterday was the six-month anniversary of this awful conflict, and we’ve seen the continual withholding of hostages, we’ve seen 33,000 people killed in this conflict, many of them women and children, so we need the conflict to end. We need that ceasefire. On the question of arms sales, there’s a legal test for when sales should be suspended. The government’s got advice on that and so what the government should do is to publish that legal advice, or at least a summary of it. They’ve published summaries before in response to the Houthi attacks, to publish that so we can all see it and that appropriate action can then be taken in relation to the sale of arms.”

Lunchtime summary

Israel “abides by the rule of law”, a UK cabinet minister insisted as the government continued to refuse to publish legal advice on whether the offensive in Gaza has broken international humanitarian rules.

Mel Stride said advice from UK government lawyers to ministers on the situation will remain confidential but stressed the UK’s support for Israel is not “unconditional”, PA Media reported.

The government has come under increased pressure to suspend arms sales to Israel and to publish its legal advice following an attack which killed seven aid workers, including three Britons.

The Israeli military has withdrawn its forces from the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis but could still mount an offensive against Hamas’s last stronghold in Rafah - despite the UK and US leading international pleas for restraint.

Nicaragua has called on the United Nations’ top court to halt German military and other aid to Israel , arguing that Berlin’s support was enabling acts of genocide and breaches of international humanitarian law in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

While the case brought by Nicaragua centres on Germany, it indirectly takes aim at Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the deadly attacks when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, AP reports.

More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza , according to the territory’s health ministry. Its toll doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants, but it has said women and children make up the majority of the dead.

Israel strongly denies that its assault amounts to genocidal acts, saying it is acting in self defence. Israeli legal adviser Tal Becker told judges at the court earlier this year that the country is fighting a “war it did not start and did not want.”

But Nicaragua rejected that defence, in a reference to Germany’s support for Israel.

A Palestinian official close to mediation efforts told Reuters that deadlock continued to reign over Israel’s refusal to end the war, withdraw its forces from Gaza, allow hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians to return to their homes and lift a 17-year-old blockade to allow speedy reconstruction.

These steps take precedence over Israel’s prime demand for a release of hostages in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Regarding the exchange of prisoners, Hamas was and is willing to be more flexible, but there is no flexibility over our...main demands,” he told Reuters.

Israel has ruled out winding up the war shortly or withdrawing from Gaza , saying its forces will not relent until Hamas no longer controls Gaza or threatens Israel militarily.

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• Middle East crisis live
• Palestinian territories
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