Organisers of summer tours are waiting for restrictions on travel to Israel from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to ease before confirming they can go ahead.
800 teens are due to take part in educational tours across the Jewish State in July and August.
In a new statement from UJIA, the UK’s largest Israel charity says while the “majority of factors” are in favour of the rite-of-passage trips for youth movements to go ahead, their key consideration is the FCDO guidance “which currently advises against all travel to Israel. Until this guidance eases, Tours will not be able to go ahead.”
The organisation says it is “pleased and hopeful” that the recently agreed ceasefire appears to be holding, and life is returning to normal in Israel, adding:
“There are number of factors that we take into account when considering the viability of running Israel tours. These include security guidance from our partners on the ground in Israel, insurance provision, the return to regular flights in and out of Israel, and several other risk factors. At this time, the majority of these factors are in favour of Israel Tours being able to run safely and securely. Pikud HaOref (Home Front Command) guidance has been returned to normal, with schools and educational trips now running again with no restrictions.”
UJIA says it is “supporting each youth movement through their decision-making process and as they navigate a complex and changing environment. Each movement is working hard to find the best outcome for their participants, which may include Israel Tours running with delayed departures, adjusted dates, or as planned for those departing later in the summer. The movements are also working hard on contingency planning, including alternative programming should Israel Tours not be able to go ahead.”
The statement concludes: “Each movement is working towards a timeline based on their movements’ specific criteria and departure dates and will update you as soon as it becomes clear what is or isn’t possible. The safety and security of participants will always be central to any decisions we make, and we continue to do our utmost to protect funds and then recover as much as possible for you in the event of cancellation.”
UJIA Israel Experience is a joint initiative with The Jewish Agency for Israel and partners with a broad network of youth movements including BBYO, Bnei Akiva, Ezra, FZY, Habonim Dror, JLGB, LJY-Netzer, Noam, RSY-Netzer, Sinai Youth and Tribe.
