Israel tours are cancelled again over Covid issues
ISRAEL TOURS for UK teenagers have again been cancelled this year, UJIA Israel Experience citing “ongoing factors relating to the pandemic”.
In a letter to prospective participants and their parents, the organisation said that, along with youth movements, it had explored all avenues to make the tours happen, assessing the situation on a daily basis.
Although issues relating to travel were easing, things had not improved sufficiently to proceed.
“UK and Israeli borders are still closed to unvaccinated group tourism, while issues including insurance, quarantine protocols upon arrival, testing regimes and group isolation in the case of a positive test remain unresolved,” UJIA explained. “As a result, and in order to provide clarity and certainty to families,
UJIA Israel Experience is announcing this decision now.”
UJIA chief executive Mandie Winston added that although the decision had been taken “very reluctantly”, it was “the only safe and responsible course of action.
“It is inconceivable that teenagers under 18 who wish to participate will all have been vaccinated by July.”
With its youth movement partners, it will be planning a range of alternative summer activities given, for example, that UK-based residential activities will be possible. Once again, it will support youth programmes across the community with a £140,000 Summer Engagement Fund. It is also preparing a range of resources that families can use if able to visit Israel.
Beyond the summer, the charity has pledged to invest “significant additional funds into Israel experiences with extra bursaries for Israel Tour 2022, more places on Birthright and Onward Israel, increased subsidies for gap years and a new scheme to support post-university career development programmes.
“We remain absolutely committed to supporting young people build their connections to Israel and the Jewish community and we appreciate the community’s support as we develop programmes to do just that,” Ms Winston said.
In summer 2019, more than 1,200 young people went on an Israel tour. Even more had signed up for summer 2020.
It was the only safe and responsible course of action’