Airlines have issued travel waivers on routes to Israel, allowing travellers to either push their flights to a later date at no charge or cancel for a full refund, depending on the carrier. “We are advising people travelling in the next few weeks to postpone to November or a future date,” says Susan Weissberg, a travel specialist at Wyllys Professional Travel. “This will change. Each day we’ll continue to monitor the situation as it’s very fluid.”
Travel advisors agree that postponing – not cancelling – is currently the best plan of action. “Now is not the time to visit Israel,” says Rose. “Delaying, instead of cancelling, is one way to show your support following these tragic events.”
Weissberg hopes the conflict won’t deter travellers in the future: “Do not give up on visiting Israel,” she says. “It is the most fascinating country in the world, no matter what your religion is.”
How to help
The following organisations have been calling for peace and are offering aid to victims on both sides of the conflict.
In order to protect innocent civilians, the International Red Cross is calling for an end to the violence between Hamas and Israel. “The violence directed against civilians is appalling and cannot be justified,” says a statement from the group. “If the situation continues to escalate, then civilians on both sides will suffer immensely.” The organisation “responds quickly and efficiently to help people affected by armed conflict,” and collects donations online.
Magen David Adom is Israel’s national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service. It is officially recognised by the International Committee of the Red Cross as the national aid society of the State of Israel under the Geneva Conventions, and a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. You can support its efforts here.
International Rescue Committee
The IRC focuses on offering on-the-ground support to regions in crisis. “We are dismayed by the dramatic escalation of violence and mourn the extensive loss of civilian life in Israel and Gaza today,” said an IRC statement released on Saturday. “We are focused on the humanitarian needs of civilians in the coming days.” You can support the IRC on its donation page.
The Jewish Agency of North America’s Fund for Victims of Terror
This American charity has a special arm dedicated to supporting survivors in the wake of tragedy. They are accepting donations to help with their mission of providing immediate assistance to victims in Israel, as well as follow-ups for long-term recovery and rehabilitation.
The United Nation’s Relief and Works Agency
UNRWA has mobilised in Gaza to provide relief to the hundreds of thousands of civilian Palestine refugees. The organisation is asking for donations to support its work “providing Palestine refugee families with shelter, emergency health care, remote psychosocial support and psychological first aid.”
The Alliance for Middle East Peace
A coalition of over 170 organisations, which is made up of tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis, the Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP) goals include “building people-to-people cooperation, coexistence, equality, shared society, mutual understanding, and peace among their communities.” The organisation is accepting donations and has called for “the immediate protection of civilian life, for urgent steps to be taken to de-escalate this situation, and for all actors to prevent this situation from spiralling toward even further tragedy.”
Run by former president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, the Carter Center works to resolve conflicts and advance human rights around the world. The not-for-profit “strongly condemns the targeting of Israeli and Palestinian civilians and calls for genuine dialogue as well as international collective action to halt hostilities in the region.” The organisation accepts support on its donation page.
