Vanishing Tourists: How Israel's War on Gaza Ruined its
Own Travel Industry The mesmerizing and historically significant nature of occupied Palestine has long held a captivating allure for many tourists. The tourism industry is a cornerstone of the Israeli economy, with an average of 3.4 million tourists visiting occupied Palestine annually, providing a substantial 15 billion shekels to the regime's coffers. However, the unfolding developments surrounding Operation Al-Aqsa Storm have cast an ominous shadow over this sector, projecting a bleak forecast for the fiscal year 2024, as the Israeli regime is expected to welcome a mere 1.2 million visitors—a dismal figure similar to the levels recorded in 2004, during the throes of the second intifada. These statistics make one thing very clear: Israel has, in the eyes of foreign tourists, become synonymous with a state-sponsored terrorism that murders women and children in Gaza.
