Israel tour applications ‘already exceeding last year’s numbers’ - The Jewish Chronicle

Within ten days of opening, applications for Israel Tour have already exceeded the total number of participants in last summer’s programme, organisers said this week.

Nine youth movements are taking groups out to Israel, compared to six last year, and sign-ups were “significantly higher” than the 500 16-year-olds who went in July, Adam Waters, director of Israel Experience, told the JC.

“Since launching Israel Tour 2025,…we have already seen huge interest from the Jewish community in returning to Israel this summer. With...spaces filling up fast, numbers are already significantly higher than last year’s total, and we encourage those who have not yet applied to do so quickly to avoid disappointment.”

Amidst security concerns among parents and participants, figures for July 2024 dropped 60 per cent from 2023, when a bumper year saw 1,200 teenagers sign up. But usually, 1,000 to 1,100 people went on tour annually, said UJIA, which oversees most post-GCSE Israel trips.

Of this year’s nine movements, Bnei Akiva, Ezra, FZY, Noam, Sinai, Tribe are only going to Israel, whereas Habonim Dror, LJY-Netzer RSY-Netzer are including an Israel element as part of a wider summer trip.

The opening of applications for the tours in the summer of 2025 coincided with the foreign office relaxing its travel guidance for Israel, which, said Waters, should “help to reassure those parents who still had concerns for this summer”.

Last Friday, the Foreign Office returned to pre-war advice and is no longer advising against “all travel” or “all but essential travel” to the majority of Israel, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Eilat, the Dead Sea, Haifa, and the Galilee.

The FCDO is continuing to warn against travel to certain areas, including Gaza, the West Bank, and regions within 500 meters of the Syrian border in the Golan Heights, where the security situation remains more volatile.

Waters said: “As with every year, UJIA Israel Experience works closely security experts on the ground in Israel to ensure all tours can be run safely and securely. We welcome the updated FCDO guidance that acknowledges the safety of Israel travel.”

New travel guidelines could also potentially broaden itineraries as insurance would now cover for travel to the Western Negev region. Waters said that many youth movements were now exploring “age appropriate, educational, and volunteering activities that can take place in this area to ensure our community can best support those still trying to rebuild their lives and livelihoods over a year after the devastating attacks of October 7, 2023”.

For the first time ever, UJIA is partnering with Mosaic Teens to offer a £2,200 subsidy to applicants who had only had limited prior experience of Israel and the Jewish community. They are also continuing to offer means-tested bursaries and interest-free loans. Eligibility for a UJIA bursary or interest-free loan would not be affected by receiving a new subsidy, said the organisation.

Waters said that UJIA aimed “to remove as many barriers-to-entry as possible so that every young person can experience a transformational experience in Israel”.

Mandie Winston, UJIA CEO, said: “Thanks to the hard work of colleagues across UJIA, the Jewish Agency, UJIA Israel Experience, the youth movements and partners on the ground in Israel, we are confident of a successful summer ahead.

“The impact of Israel Tour is felt on many levels throughout a person’s life, and communally, it is often the start of engagement and leadership in Jewish life and organisations.”

To apply for Israel tour, go to: ujia.org/israel-tour-2025 or click here

To apply for subsidies and bursaries, go to: ujia.org/israel-tour-subsidy/ or click here

Timeline for Israel Tour applications

Jan 20 – applications must be submitted to qualify for Mosaic Teens subsidy

Jan 31 – applications close

Feb 10 – bursary and interest-free loan application deadline