Jerusalem (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) January 27,
2026 – Israel's Tourism Ministry has prepared contingency plans to evacuate
tourists in the event of an Iranian attack. Ministry head Amichai Eliyahu
confirmed readiness for mass departures via air, sea, and land routes. The
measures respond to heightened regional tensions involving US carrier
deployments and Iranian rhetoric.
The announcement came during a briefing on January 26, 2026,
as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group entered the Middle East region.
Eliyahu stated commercial airlines, cruise lines, and charter flights stand
ready to transport visitors out within hours of activation. Coordination
involves El Al, Arkia, and international carriers with existing flight
schedules.
Tourism Ministry Evacuation Protocols Established
Israel's Tourism Ministry developed the evacuation framework
following security assessments linking Iranian threats to tourist safety.
Protocols prioritise Ben Gurion Airport operations, with contingency hubs at
Ramon Airport and Haifa Port. Over 1.2 million tourists visited Israel in 2025
despite regional conflicts.
Eliyahu detailed tiered response levels corresponding to
threat indicators. Level 1 activates travel advisories and voluntary
departures. Level 2 triggers subsidised repatriation flights. Level 3
implements mandatory evacuations with government-chartered aircraft. Maritime
options include ferries to Cyprus serving as transit points.
Coordination with Airlines and Travel Operators
El Al Israel Airlines confirmed capacity for 50,000 passengers daily under emergency protocols. Arkia and Israir allocated 20 per cent of fleets for evacuation duties. International partners including Lufthansa, easyJet, and Ryanair agreed to priority landing slots. Travel insurance providers notified of coverage extensions.
Hotels received instructions for orderly guest assembly and
transport to departure points. Major chains like Dan, Isrotel, and Leonardo
maintain emergency kits and multilingual briefings. Tourist police units
expanded to 500 officers for crowd management at key sites.
Background of Regional Security Threats
Plans respond to US deployment of USS Abraham Lincoln
carrier strike group on January 25, 2026, amid US-Iran rhetoric escalation. President
Trump warned Iran against provocations while Tehran vowed retaliation. Iranian
protests reporting over 6,000 deaths provide regional context.
Israeli security establishment elevated alert status across
all fronts. Intelligence assessments cite Iranian missile capabilities reaching
major tourist areas. Previous Houthi attacks on Eilat underscore southern
vulnerabilities.
Tourist Demographics and Evacuation Priorities
Current visitor composition includes 35 per cent Americans,
20 per cent Europeans, 15 per cent from India and China. Ministry prioritises
families, elderly, and disabled in initial waves. Digital registration systems
track nationalities and locations via hotel check-ins.
Mobile apps provide real-time updates in 12 languages.
Embassy hotlines operate 24/7 with dedicated lines per country. US State
Department coordinates with 80,000 American travellers registered through STEP
programme.
Infrastructure Readiness at Key Airports
Ben Gurion Airport maintains full operational capacity with reinforced shelters accommodating 20,000 during alerts. Secondary runways enable simultaneous military and civilian flights. Ramon Airport south expansion supports 10,000 daily evacuees.
Haifa and Ashdod ports equipped roll-on/roll-off ferries for
rapid vehicle and passenger loading. Cyprus Larnaca Airport serves primary
transit hub with pre-positioned Israeli liaison teams. Greek islands provide
secondary Mediterranean options.
Government Statements on Tourist Safety Measures
Tourism Minister Amichai Eliyahu emphasised "Israel
remains open and safe" while preparing contingencies. Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu received daily security briefings including tourism impacts.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar activated consular rapid response teams
globally.
National Security Council approved NIS 200 million emergency
tourism fund. Knesset approved expedited legislation covering evacuation
liabilities. Bank of Israel assured currency exchange facilities at departure
points.
Impact on Current Travel Bookings and Cancellations
Global booking platforms report 12 per cent drop in
January-February reservations post-carrier deployment news. European operators
issued flexible cancellation policies. US tour groups maintained schedules
pending State Department guidance.
Israel Hotel Association reported 92 per cent occupancy in
Tel Aviv, 85 per cent in Jerusalem. Eilat resorts sustained 95 per cent
bookings due to Red Sea positioning. Inbound charter flights continued from 40
cities worldwide.
Historical Precedents for Tourist Evacuations
Israel evacuated 25,000 tourists during 2023 Hamas conflict
via expanded Ben Gurion operations. 2006 Lebanon War saw 15,000 sea departures
to Cyprus. COVID-19 repatriations peaked at 80,000 in one month.
Operation Moses in 1984 airlifted 14,000 Ethiopian Jews
using similar rapid protocols. IDF Home Front Command maintains civilian mass
movement expertise from annual drills.
International Embassy Coordination Efforts
US Embassy Jerusalem activated Crisis Management Team with
24-hour operations centre. UK Foreign Office updated travel advice citing
regional tensions. German and French consulates issued voluntary departure
recommendations for non-essential staff families.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs assured airlift capacity
for 18,000 nationals. Chinese embassy registered 12,000 visitors through WeChat
platform. Australian Smart Traveller programme issued "high degree of
caution" advisory.
Economic Dimensions of Tourism Preparedness
Tourism generated $8.5 billion in 2025, employing 250,000
directly. Ministry projections estimate 10 per cent GDP contribution under
normal conditions. Emergency fund covers hotel refunds and flight subsidies.
Export Institute data shows $2.1 billion inbound spending
through November 2025. Central Bureau of Statistics tracks monthly visitor
arrivals. Finance Ministry allocated supplementary budget for security
enhancements.
Operational Details of Evacuation Logistics
Home Front Command designated 150 assembly points nationwide
with water, medical, and communication provisions. IDF allocated 200 buses for
ground transport to departure nodes. Magen David Adom positioned 300 ambulances
strategically.
Communications Ministry ensured satellite phones and radio
backups. Electric Authority guaranteed 72-hour power at critical facilities.
Ministry of Health stockpiled medications for chronic conditions.
Media and Public Information Campaigns
Tourism Ministry launched multilingual websites detailing
procedures. Social media campaigns reached 5 million impressions daily. CNN,
BBC, and Al Jazeera aired ministry briefings. Condé Nast Traveler published
protocol guides.
Travel advisories updated hourly via
interactive maps. influencers received official briefings for audience
dissemination. Knesset Channel broadcasted continuous coverage.
Travel Insurance Industry Responses
Allianz, AXA, and Generali confirmed coverage extensions for
security evacuations. Chubb activated global assistance networks. Israeli
insurers Clal and Harel issued emergency policy riders.
American Express Global Assist coordinated with 2 million
cardholders. Tour operators Intrepid and G Adventures offered full refunds.
Cruise lines MSC and Costa maintained Eastern Mediterranean itineraries.
Airport Security and Passenger Screening Enhancements
Israel Airports Authority implemented biometric fast-track
for evacuees. Shin Bet approved expedited security protocols maintaining
standards. Passenger manifests transmitted real-time to destination
authorities.
Cyber Command protected booking systems from interference. Drone surveillance monitored approach corridors. El Al flight crews received threat awareness refreshers.