New Entry Law Costs Israel Tourists

A newly enacted law that prevents those who support boycotts of Israel from being admitted to the country has begun to show impact in the form of the loss of tourism with cancellation of a 30-year old program operated by the left-wing Peace Now organization. On Sunday, the daily Haaretz ran a story based on a letter from the Americans for Peace Now board to prospective tour participants explaining that until the organization receives assurances from Israeli officials that its personnel and tour members will not be turned away from the Jewish state, it will not operate the program. The newspaper quoted the letter regarding APN’s position in opposition to boycotts of Israel and Israeli institutions but in favor of boycotts of anything related to the Jewish Israeli community living in the West Bank in areas the Palestinians claim for statehood. Many expect Birthright, the largest source of tourism to Israel, offering free trips to Jewish students, to cancel some of its trips as well. Some 575 students have sent a letter to the organization asking for clarifications about the Birthright policies and possible Israeli government actions relative to its groups. Some have suggested that the response posted on the Birthright website – “Birthright Israel does not inquire about the political views of its applicants’’ — is insufficient.