Tel aviv / Jerusalem

There are moments in history when a nation’s collective will rises above tragedy. Israel has once again demonstrated that resilience. Walking through the streets of Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem — two years after the horrors of October 7, 2023 — one can sense that spirit everywhere.

Markets bustle. Nightlife is back — bars pulsing with live music, tourists blending effortlessly with locals. And if you are an Indian visitor, you are greeted with unmistakable warmth.

“We love India,” says Peter, a hotel receptionist in Tel Aviv, smiling broadly. “Even when we were in a state of war for two years, even when things were difficult, we kept the lights on. Tel Aviv does not stop.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also do not ask you any questions once they know you are from India. At many checkpoints, IDF personnel stopped our car and asked, “Where are you from?” When we replied that we were from India, they immediately let us go. They did not even want to check our documents. “No need. You can go,” came the reply.

The journey across Israel’s timeless landscapes — from the ancient fortress of Masada to the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, where one floats effortlessly — is a reminder of the country’s eternal perseverance.

That spirit is alive on the streets as well. The White City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, gleams with its Bauhaus architecture. Galleries overflow with visitors. The Carmel Market bursts with the aromas of spices, shawarma, and sweet halva. And at dusk, the historic Jaffa Port hums with music and the sea breeze.

As night falls on Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean wind drifts through the cafés, one is reminded of the inscription outside the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation: “Dream Big.” In Israel today, that dream has found its wings — in conversations over coffee and in the call to prayer echoing over Jerusalem’s ancient stones.

The Peres Center, overlooking the sea and dedicated to the memory of Shimon Peres, stands as a testament to coexistence. Peres believed that “peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of opportunity.”

“Shimon Peres understood that politicians sign agreements around nice tables, but if that doesn’t trickle down to the people, it probably doesn’t work for them. So he decided to establish this center to conduct projects that bring communities together. The idea was to create it as Israel’s innovation hub,” explains a guide at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation.

Tel Aviv’s innovation corridors tell a story. Green buildings, electric-bike lanes, solar rooftops, and smart museums define the urban landscape. In the Negev, AI-driven irrigation sustains desert agriculture.

The attacks of October 7 by Hamas shook Israel to its core. “The pain was immense, the losses unbearable,” says Vered, who runs a restaurant near the Sea of Galilee. “But life — somehow — found a way to return.” And with it, tourism, once crippled, is rising again.

“After the ( US- brokered ) ceasefire with Hamas began on October 10, things have started to improve slightly. Although people know it is fragile, many tourists and companies have resumed flying to Israel. As people see that the ceasefire is holding, the tourism sector is expected to keep getting better,” says Amri Wandel, a tour guide.

Reena, who runs an Indian restaurant on Jaffa Beach, recalls the dark months. “We saw missiles. The beaches were empty. Only those seeking refuge came.” Today, she says, “life has come full circle.”

Indeed, this is the time to rediscover Israel — not as a land of conflict, but as a cradle of civilisation, creativity, and coexistence. Consider Caesarea, built by King Herod 2,000 years ago — its amphitheatre, aqueduct, and harbour still bear witness to Roman engineering brilliance.

Across Israel, the offerings are rich and varied: the Hula National Park with its migratory birds, spiritual pilgrimages in Jerusalem, adventure trails, culinary innovations, and a thriving tech ecosystem. The potential for tourism is immense.

Jerusalem remains the world’s most extraordinary crossroads. The golden Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque — Islam’s third-holiest shrine stand beside the Western Wall, the most sacred remnant of the Jewish Temple. Just metres away rises the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected. For thousands of years, these sacred spaces have coexisted within the same ancient quarters — a city where faiths converge, collide, and ultimately coexist.

An hour from the city stands Masada — the mountain fortress that symbolises Jewish resistance. At the Dead Sea, the mood is serene; travellers from around the world arrive to float, rest, and heal. The Old City’s bazaars, artisans, and pilgrims form a living mosaic, culminating in The Night Spectacular at the Tower of David Museum — a 40-minute sound-and-light show that brings the city’s 3,000-year history to life on its ancient walls.

Israel’s story is also told in its museums — from the Haganah Museum in Tel Aviv, narrating the evolution of the defence forces, to the archaeological wonders of Magdala near the Sea of Galilee, where 2,000-year-old synagogues have recently been unearthed.

The Haganah Museum, for instance, chronicles the birth of Israel’s defence forces through rare artefacts and personal stories. It later gave rise to the IDF, symbolising the nation’s enduring spirit of resilience.

Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city, represents coexistence in real time. Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Bahá’ís live in harmony. The Bahá’í World Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its cascading gardens on Mount Carmel, embodies unity and stands as a symbol of hope in a fractured world.

And then there is Jerusalem — the city of faith, fire, and forgiveness. The alleys echo with prayers from the Western Wall, the call to prayer from Al-Aqsa, and the solemn chants from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Despite heightened security, pilgrims and tourists walk shoulder to shoulder, their faces lit with reverence. Life continues — resilient, respectful, radiant.

Needless to say, for Israel, tourism now goes beyond economics. Every visitor becomes a messenger — witnessing a nation far more nuanced than headlines suggest.

If one looks at the figures, in 2023, Israel recorded nearly three million tourist arrivals, but the number dwindled considerably after the Israel–Gaza war erupted. However, the country attracted 118,200 tourists in August this year alone, marking a 39 per cent increase from July. Between January and August 2025, there were 814,000 tourist entries, compared to 672,400 during the corresponding period in 2024 — a 21 per cent increase. This includes 7,800 visitors from India, making it the largest source of tourists from the Asian market, followed by Indonesia, China, and the Philippines. Projections for 2026 point higher, driven largely by India and Asia.

India sits at the heart of this revival. With Air India set to resume direct Delhi–Tel Aviv flights from January 1, 2026, the bridge between the democracies strengthens further. The five-and-a-half-hour Dreamliner journey will once again bring Israelis and Indians closer — deepening cultural, spiritual, and commercial ties.

“The return of Air India’s direct flights is a genuine game-changer and a huge win for us,” says Galit Hoffman, Consul for Tourism Affairs, Israel Ministry of Tourism, India. “This direct link is our biggest priority to fuel tourism from India.”

The Israeli Ministry of Tourism lists India as a “priority market,” investing in digital campaigns, Bollywood tie-ups, and brand-building. E-visa facilities have eased travel.

Security is firm, transport efficient, and hospitality warm. Many visitors are surprised by the normalcy. “I expected tension,” a tourist in Jaffa said. “But I found calm — and life as usual.”

Israel has quickly returned to normalcy after the war. The resolve is palpable: to live, to heal, to welcome guests again.

That sentiment — raw, real, resolute — is the foundation of Israel’s tourism renaissance.

BOX 1: 

Dream Big

“Dream Big” greets every visitor at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation — a philosophy that defines Israel. Named after Nobel laureate Shimon Peres, the center showcases start-ups and groundbreaking innovations that have reshaped global technology. At any certain time, there are about 9,000 start ups working on new ideas in Israel.

Standing by the Mediterranean shore, the center is more than a museum of inventions; it is a testament to Israel’s defining strength — the power of knowledge. From life-saving medical devices to water-tech and AI solutions, each exhibit reflects a nation that has learned to convert adversity into achievement.

BOX 2:

A Land That Lives Its Faith

Despite its modernity, Israel remains anchored in faith — not just religious faith, but faith in endurance. From Jerusalem’s Old City to Haifa’s green slopes, one senses continuity: the belief that life, despite everything, is sacred.

Visitors come not merely to sightsee but to feel — to touch stones that have witnessed empires rise and fall, to walk paths once taken by prophets, poets and pioneers. The ceasefire has given Israel breathing space, but peace remains a work in progress. Yet the nation’s message to the world is quiet yet firm: even after unimaginable pain, renewal is possible.

AI to Resume Direct Delhi–Tel Aviv Flights from Jan 2026

In a major boost to India–Israel connectivity, Air India has announced the resumption of its direct New Delhi–Tel Aviv service from January 1, 2026. The non-stop Dreamliner flights will operate five times a week, significantly reducing travel time through the new air corridor over Saudi Arabia. Israeli carrier Arkia Airlines has also indicated plans to reconnect Mumbai, Bengaluru and Goa with its Airbus fleet.

“The return of Air India’s direct flights is a game-changer,” said Galit Hoffman, Israel Ministry of Tourism, India. “It will make it easier than ever for Indians to explore Israel’s rich culture, history and landscapes.” 

BOX3: 

Art in the Times of War

If Tel Aviv is Israel’s pulse, its art is the heartbeat. The Ilana Goor Museum in Old Jaffa embodies resilience — each sculpture and installation a testament to survival and creativity. At the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, works created during the conflict stand stark and unflinching. Yet beneath the grief is hope. “Art,” an Israeli guide says “is how we breathe through the darkness.”