Pilgrim

Israel turns to Christian pilgrims, diaspora ties, AI to reboot post-war tourism

Government officials believe Christian pilgrims, Evangelical travelers, and Jewish communities overseas can form the backbone of a gradual recovery, even as broader tourism remains constrained.

 Ben Gurion Airport
 TRAVELERS COME and go at Ben-Gurion Airport last month

Tourism rebounds with 1.3 million visitors in 2025, led by US, France and UK

Christmas in Nazareth

Christmas returns to Nazareth, marking a gradual revival of the city's Christian tourism

 Israel Police, Border Police, and IDF reinforce security in Hebron amid Passover pilgrimages to the Tomb of the Patriarchs, April 2025.

Ben-Gvir visits Hebron amid increased security deployment at holy site


One hundred Druze sheikhs to be allowed into Israel from Syria to visit shrine - report

According to the security decision, over a hundred Druze sheikhs will be able to arrive in Israel from Syria and will be housed in Israel for one night.

 Elder Israeli Druze men attend the celebrations of Nabi Shuayb Druze holiday at the tomb of Nabi Shuayb (meaning "the Prophet Jethro"), the site in the destroyed village of Hittin not far from Tiberias, where the tomb of the Islamic prophet Shu'ayb (Biblical Jethro) is believed to be located

Israeli troops escort hundreds of hassidic pilgrims to rabbi's tomb inside Lebanon

The pilgrims were reportedly escorted by IDF soldiers early on Friday morning to hold the Shacharit prayer at the site of Rav Ashi's tomb.

  Ultra-Orthodox Jews pray at the tomb of Rav Ashi,on the Israeli border with Lebanon, March 7, 2025

Ten-year-old boy finds 100-year-old golden cross medallion in Jerusalem

“This cross medallion is not considered an antiquity by law as it is ‘only’ 100-200 hundred years old or so, but it is a unique object," said Dr Re'em of IAA.

 Cross medallion inset with glass and tiny precious stones.

Why is Thanksgiving a holiday of celebration for American Jews? - opinion

American Jews have celebrated Thanksgiving, acknowledging the gift of freedom of religion and a secure and safe home. 

 Thanksgiving

'He who travels puts himself at risk': Rabbi, Ukrainian officials warn of annual Uman pilgrimage

Uman is a pilgrimage site that is visited by thousands of religious Israeli Jews annually, despite the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia and safety concerns pertaining to travel in the country.

 Jewish men in the street during Tikkun HaKlali near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in Uman, on eve of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, September 15, 2023.

Soaring temperatures scorch pilgrims on Hajj in Saudi Arabia

Muslim pilgrim deaths pile up due to harsh weather conditions at Hajj

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque ahead of annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 16, 2018

Israel says it is discussing possible direct Haj flights to Saudi Arabia

Muslims from Israel and the Palestinian territories currently travel to Mecca through third-party countries, which can spell additional expense and bother.

 An airplane takes off from Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands June 16, 2022

Graffiti of knight from Middle Ages discovered in King David's Tomb

IAA researchers discovered an inscription bearing the name and family emblem of a Swiss noble who made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1466.

 An inscription bearing the name of Swiss noble Adrian von Bubenberg, discovered in King David's Tomb in Jerusalem

As COVID-related shutdowns pass, Christians pilgrims return to Israel

The presence of thousands of non-Jews who have come to Jerusalem for the holiday enables us to come closer to the true fulfillment of Sukkot.

 THOUSANDS OF Christian pilgrims march in the center of Jerusalem in celebration of Sukkot 2018

10,000 Israelis to make Uman pilgrimage despite Ukraine-Russia war

Over 2,000 Israelis are already in Uman as of Sunday, despite severe warnings from both Israeli and Ukrainian officials.

Ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jewish pilgrims pray at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov on the eve of the Rosh Hashanah holiday, the Jewish New Year, in the town of Uman, Ukraine September 20, 2017