day tour from jerusalem

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15 Best Day Trips from Jerusalem

Jerusalem is a multicultural city that holds significance for three of the world’s major religions – Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

As such it is a popular site for pilgrimages, as well as cultural tourism.

Divided between Israel and Palestine, there are also interesting political tours across the city.

Aside from the religious and historical sites, visitors are also attracted to the surrounding natural beauty, bustling atmosphere and unique culture of the city.

Israel and Palestine are both packed with historical attractions, and the relatively small size of both states make these great options for day trips.

Please keep in mind that if you do decide to visit any of the sites in the West Bank, you will need to cross security checkpoints, so factor this into your timings.

If possible, we suggest any day trips to the Palestinian Authority should be made with guided tour organisations.

Here are the top 15 best day trips that can be made from Jerusalem.

1. Ramallah

A short trip from the bus station in East Jerusalem, Ramallah is the de facto capital of the Palestinian Authority.

Many tourists to the region are concerned about the safety of the West Bank region, but Ramallah is one of the safest and most liberal cities in the Arabic speaking world.

You can partake in cultural and political tours, organised by knowledgeable tour guides with your safety in mind.

There are also plenty of great, authentic Palestinian restaurants and cafés where you can try falafel and hummus.

Locals are very friendly and usually well educated in English, so it is a good place to learn a more local perspective – though we advise you do a lot more listening than talking just to keep on the safe and respectful side.

2. Bethlehem

Also located in the West Bank, Bethlehem is famed as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

You can visit a number of religious sites in the city – from Catholic Churches to Greek Orthodox places of worship.

It is also the birthplace of King David – King of the Ancient Kingdom of Israel – and there are many attractions in the city which depict the centuries of history of the region.

The Church of the Nativity was built to commemorate the birth of Christ and is one of the oldest churches in the world to have run continuously since it opened.

Manger Square is in the city centre and is said to be the place where Jesus was born, though most historians trace his actual birth to a cave nearby, which can also be visited.

Recommended tour : Best of the West Bank Full-Day Tour from Jerusalem

Located on top of a mountain in the Judean Desert, Masada is an ancient fortress that provides breathtaking views over the region.

Masada is an important site to the Israeli people as it is the place where the Jewish uprising against the Roman Empire is said to have started.

It became synonymous with the fall of the ancient state of Israel and has more recently come to symbolise the establishment of the modern state.

It can be reached on foot – the best option if you want to visit during the sunset – or by cable car if you would rather skip the stairs.

It has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

Suggested tour : Masada & The Dead Sea Full-Day Tour from Jerusalem

4. Ein Gedi

Also located in the Judean Desert, Ein Gedi National Park overlooks the Dead Sea Valley and is packed with great activities for natural history lovers.

There are two main attractions in the area – Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and Ein Gedi Eco Park.

The Nature Reserve is filled with hiking trails, native desert birdlife and cave walks.

The Eco Park has a zoo, natural mud sculptures and a great tour about the impact of the environment on modern Israel and the technology being developed to fight it.

There is also a kibbutz (community established using collectivist principles) nearby with a botanic garden.

Available tour : Masada at Sunrise, Ein Gedi, & Dead Sea from Jerusalem

5. Dead Sea

The lowest point on earth – at 1269ft below sea level – can be found on the eastern border of Israel and the West Bank.

The second saltiest body of water in the world, it is impossible to sink in the Dead Sea and is a popular tourist attraction for photo opportunities and relaxing along the edge.

The mud surrounding the sea is claimed to have therapeutic purposes, so you can test this out by covering your torso in the mud.

There are also large salt flat areas that are worth exploring.

The nearby settlement of Qumran also has some ancient caves and is the area where the oldest ever Bible scrolls were found.

6. Nazareth

The childhood town of Jesus Christ, Nazareth is a popular pilgrimage site for Christians.

It contains the largest Catholic Church in the Middle East – the Church of the Annunciation.

This was named after the Annunciation of Mary – or when the Angel Gabriel delivered a message to her.

There are also two Greek churches and an impressive Franciscan church located within the town.

Aside from the churches, Nazareth is also home to the largest Arab population in Israel proper, and has an eclectic mix of cultural activities such as markets and restaurants.

Suggested tour : Nazareth, Tiberias & Sea of Galilee Tour from Jerusalem

7. Sea of Galilee

Located in the north of the country, the Sea of Galilee is another popular destination for Christian pilgrimages.

The main city, Tiberias, is packed with historical sites, restaurants and hiking trails.

There are ruins of synagogues from the ancient Kingdom of Israel, as well as a number of sites associated with Christianity including the Jesus Boat Museum and the birthplace of three of Christ’s apostles.

For the more adventurous you can try kayaking on the Jordan River, and hiking in the surrounding mountains.

There are also plenty of opportunities to visit Neolithic sites and learn more about this part of Levantine history.

Jericho is an important religious site for both Christians and Jews, and can easily be visited in half a day or as part of an extended tour that continues onwards to Jordan.

You can visit the Good Samaritan Inn, a converted building from the Ottoman Empire that now pays homage to the story of the Good Samaritan from the bible.

Jericho claims to be the oldest inhabited city on the planet, and gives you a good insight into the ancient cultures of the Judean Desert.

The Mount of Jericho is said to be where the first civilisation in the area began, and provides great views over the desert.

You can also visit the Mount of Temptation where some Christians say Jesus was tempted by the devil.

Available tour : Half Day Jericho Tour from Jerusalem

Located across the border in Jordan, Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been named one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.

This trip will require a lot more travel than other places on this list, however it is well worth it.

The former capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, you will be able to discover an ancient civilisation located within the Jordanian Desert.

The entire city was carved out of the natural red rocks, and you can also visit some important areas for natural history nearby such as Wadi Rum.

You can make your way around Petra on foot, or opt to take a camel ride through the site.

Recommended tour : Petra, Jerash and Amman: 2-Day Tour from Jerusalem

Also located in Jordan, Amman is the capital and very easily accessible from Jerusalem.

The city centre area is very modern and vibrant, and there are also more historic areas in other parts of the city.

The city is quite hilly, so take plenty of water and good shoes if you plan on walking a lot once you are there.

You can try a variety of traditional Jordanian dishes in the city’s restaurants for reasonably cheap prices, and visit Roman ruins just a few minutes from the centre.

At the old Citadel you can check out the Temple of Hercules.

If you are more adventurous, you can opt to spend the night with Bedouin nomads in the desert surrounding the city.

Located on the Mediterranean coast, Haifa is the third largest city in Israel and very easily accessible from Jerusalem either by private car or public transport.

A very modern city, it is an important site for the Bahá’í Faith and the Bahá’í Gardens and World Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can be found here.

Haifa is a multicultural city with German, Arab and Jewish neighbourhoods all within walking distance.

The National Museum of Science and the National Maritime Museum are both based here, and there is an impressive beach along the coast of the city.

12. Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is also on the Mediterranean coast and is the second largest city in Israel.

Due to the status of Jerusalem, it acts as the de facto capital and most international embassies are based here.

Tel Aviv is probably the most liberal city in the whole country, with thriving gay communities and feminist movements.

There are a whole host of museums, cultural attractions and historical monuments to discover.

The nearby town of Jaffa is also worth a visit whilst you are in the area as it is one of the oldest port towns in the world.

Tel Aviv itself is quite a modern city and is comparable to most European capitals.

13. Caesarea

Located roughly halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa, Caesarea is a wealthy town on the coast.

The main attraction in the town is the Caesarea National Park which is filled with archaeological artifacts and brims with ancient history.

Originally built by the Phoenicians, Caesarea was later developed by the Romans and contains many monuments from the era including one of the largest remaining Roman amphitheatres.

There is also a Roman aqueduct, and houses that have been excavated to reveal ancient mosaic designs.

If you are a keen golfer, there is also a large 18-hole golf course within the town.

The southernmost city in Israel, Eilat is the only city in the country located on the coast of the Red Sea.

It is a popular tourist destination for both international and domestic visitors thanks to its glamorous beaches and surrounding natural beauty.

The southern beach allows visitors to enjoy snorkelling in a small coral reef where you can get up close with some of the native marine life of the Red Sea.

If you would rather stay dry, you can visit the Underwater Observatory which functions as an aquarium and viewpoint into the coral reef.

There is a nearby mountain nature reserve for hiking opportunities, and the coastline is lined with restaurants and bars.

15. Be’er Sheva

Located north of Eilat in the Negev region, Be’er Sheva is another important historical site in Israel, and a gateway to the natural beauty of Negev.

The town itself is widely spread out thanks to its desert location, and is surrounded by a few nomadic villages.

The Old Turkish Town is one of the main highlights of the town proper and has a number of artifacts from the Ottoman Empire and Turkish settlements.

You can also visit the Municipal Market to pick up some local food, handicrafts and souvenirs.

For nature lovers, there are natural desert spas and scenic hiking trails surrounding the town.

15 Best Day Trips from Jerusalem:

• Sea of Galilee
• Be’er Sheva

The best day trips from Jerusalem

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There are so many things we love about traveling to Israel, but one of the best is how quick and easy it is to get around the country – you can see a huge variety of sites without sitting in the car for much more than an hour! From the lowest point on Earth to lush green hills, there’s a huge range of day trips from Jerusalem that showcase some of the country’s most unique sites.

Read on for a few of our favorite Jerusalem day trip options, how to choose the right one for you and the important logistics you need to know. If you’re thinking of renting a car in Israel, be sure to read this article as well so you’ll know what to expect.

Want to skip all the planning and access my detailed Israel itinerary complete with daily schedules, awesome activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

Jerusalem to the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi

One of Israel’s most famous sites is the Dead Sea, which straddles the border between Israel and Jordan. It’s the lowest elevation on Earth and the water is so salty that humans are naturally buoyant. Unfortunately the Dead Sea has been shrinking so make sure to go see it on your next trip to Israel – before it’s gone.

The good news is that it’s a pretty easy day trip from Jerusalem. You can drive your own rental car, take Egged Bus 486 or even hop on a tour. There are a few places where you can experience the Dead Sea and they’re all a little different. The closest is Kalia Beach, which can best be described as “basic”. There are some shades and there’s a visitors center that sells some food and souvenirs; however, due to the Sea’s recession you’ll need to walk pretty far through hot mud to get to the water.

PSA about visiting the Dead Sea: Yes, it’s good to visit the Dead Sea at least once to experience it… but this isn’t a Jerusalem day trip for the faint of heart. The extremely salty water can be searingly painful on any open wound, no matter how small. Ladies, don’t shave your legs that morning or even the day before. And it might be best to postpone any “adult activities” until after your swim in the world’s biggest salt bath. While it’s tempting to slather yourself in Dead Sea mud, be careful putting it on your face to make sure you don’t get any in your eyes when you rinse it off.

Once you’ve had your fill of floating in the Dead Sea, it’s just a quick hop to one of the desert’s surprising treasures: the Ein Gedi nature reserve. This oasis is fed by a natural spring and feels absolutely glorious after a day romping through the broiling desert! You don’t even need to go all the way to the top to enjoy a cool dip, just find an inviting spot that isn’t fenced and hop in. 

The trail at Ein Gedi is in good shape but a bit rocky, and the pools are very rocky. I wore these shoes , but these would be a great pick too. 

Dead Sea tour options

If you’d rather not manage the logistics yourself of renting a car or taking the bus, there are some excellent full-day tours that will take you to the Dead Sea and other nearby sites: – Dead Sea only – Masada, Ein Gedi and Dead Sea daytrip – Masada sunrise, Ein Gedi and Dead Sea daytrip

What to bring to the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi:

-proper footwear ( water sneakers , sport sandals or even just cheap water shoes ) -swimsuit – travel towel – sunscreen – sunglasses – water bottle (or read reviews of the best collapsible water bottles for travel ) – waterproof phone pouch

The following three Jerusalem day trip options are a little more off of the typical tourist path, but they’re really popular with locals! These are all located in the Jerusalem Hills, so you’ll need to have your own rental car. We usually get ours from RentalCars.com thanks to the bargain pricing and easy interface that compares all of the possible options.

>>> MUST READ tips for renting a car in Israel

If you have a full day available, you can theoretically combine some of them into the same day. Whatever you choose, we’d recommend stopping by the Arab-Israeli village of Abu Gosh on your way back into the city for a dinner of hummus and falafel. Some people say that Abu Gosh is home of the best hummus in Israel – as of this writing there are more than a dozen hummus spots to choose from in this tiny hamlet! Abu Gosh is a hot spot on Saturday for non-religious Jerusalemites looking for open restaurants, so you won’t be alone on the weekend.

Wine tasting near Jerusalem

Israel has one of the world’s oldest wine scenes, at nearly 3,000 years. But Israeli wine today is a far cry from what you might imagine – over the last twenty years it’s grown to include hundreds of wineries all over the country, spanning a huge range of sizes and styles. Only 15% of that wine is for religious ritual, with the rest of it being for everyday enjoyment.

Some of the countries best wines are within an easy drive of Jerusalem, in the Judean Hills region. Our favorite among these is Tzora, which regularly wins accolades for both their whites and reds. You can easily spend an entire day visiting Tzora and their colleagues at the other boutique wineries of the Judean Hills Quartet consortium – just make sure to schedule your appointments about a week in advance to ensure that they have availability and are open.

Make sure that you moderate your wine drinking if you plan to DIY a day of wine tasting near Jerusalem. Spit, split your tastings, take turns at each winery or go on a wine tour so that someone else does the driving for you.

Avshalom cave (Soreq cave)

The Judean Hills surrounding Jerusalem are rich in soft, water-soluble limestone. After millions of years of rainfall, a multi-layered system of caverns has developed and have only been discovered in recent decades due to mining operations in the area. 

Today visitors can enjoy Avshalom cave (also known as Soreq cave or “the stalactite cave” by Jerusalemites) on a guided tour as part of the national parks system. The visit starts with a movie (available in English or Hebrew depending on the audience) that explains the cave’s formation and discovery. 

It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon, especially in the hottest part of the summer. The cave is always cool and showcases some of nature’s finest handiwork. The swanky lighting inside shows off the most impressive features!

Shai Seltzer Goat Farm

Spectacular views, delicious cheeses and adorable baby goats? Sold! We’ve made quite a few pilgrimages to Shai Seltzer’s goat farm high up in the Sataf Forest. It’s a place where families and couples roll up on Shabbat afternoon to drink wine, eat cheese and relax in the charmingly rustic space.

Cheese is served at any time of day in Israel (check out some other traditional and not-so-traditional Israeli foods you might now know about), but most people come here before 2pm on Saturday to watch the goats being herded in from the pasture for milking. 

While you wait for the herd, step into the cave that houses the cheese counter and choose from dozens of varieties, all made on-site from their own goats’ milk. Options range from drinkable yogurt to tomme to ash-laden hard cheeses. Whatever you prefer, you can order it by weight to eat on the spot or bring home. The farm also offers platters with olives and sundried tomatoes in addition to breads and crackers. You’re welcome to bring the rest of your picnic – wine, fruits, vegetables and more.

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Tel Aviv here

Haven’t booked your accomodations yet? Let us help you pick where to stay in Jerusalem with this in-depth guide.

Day trip from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv

Sometimes it just makes sense to pick one base and stay there on vacation rather than packing up and moving every few nights. While Israelis might talk about Jerusalem and Tel Aviv like they’re on opposite sides of the world, in reality they’re just under an hour apart if you drive yourself. We’ve done plenty of day trips from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv and vice versa, it’s really not a big deal as long as you don’t drive in the middle of rush hour.

What can you do with one day in Tel Aviv? Plenty! If the weather is nice, it’s hard not to be drawn in by Tel Aviv’s miles and miles of inviting beaches. Enjoy a lounge chair and an umbrella in between dipping into the warm waters of the Mediterranean. Once you’re ready, take a stroll along the promenade all the way to old Jaffa. There you can window shop the galleries, artisan shops and even the very active flea market. Jaffa also has a few great places to stop for a meal; some of our favorites are Onza (gourmet Turkish-fusion) and Old Man and the Sea (classic Israeli fish restaurant, starting with a dozen different salatim ).

Alternatively, Tel Aviv is a great place for museum lovers as well. The Yitzhak Rabin Center in northern Tel Aviv weaves together Israel’s modern history, Rabin’s life story and the ongoing efforts to bring peace to the tumultuous region. The multimedia approach is engaging and uses a huge range of primary source materials. 

Another great choice is the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, which showcases modern art from Israel and around the world. The art museum is also in a fantastic area of Tel Aviv among the city’s great boulevards. Head a few blocks south to Rothschild Boulevard, where you can grab an iced coffee and walk along the grand leafy street that the modern city’s founders built to remind them of the European cities from which they came.

For great eats in that part of Tel Aviv, head to the new(ish) Sarona Market. This gourmet food hall features options from all over the world, reflecting modern Israelis’ love of travel and good cuisine.

Also check out these daytrips from Tel Aviv – Israel is a small country, so driving times are just a little longer from the other side!

Tours to Petra from Jerusalem

This final Jerusalem day trip to consider isn’t for those who like a leisurely pace or get car sick. But it’s amazing for travelers with a bigger bucket list than travel schedule and a great sense of adventure.

Back on my first trip to Israel more than a decade ago I took an incredible day trip from Eilat (Israel’s southernmost city) to the stunning ancient city of Petra, today located in Jordan. If you’ve seen Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade , you’ll have a sense for what a treat Petra is. The city was carved into the ravine by the Nabateans almost 3,000 years ago and remains extremely well-preserved today.

What’s the catch? Getting to Petra from Eilat isn’t a big deal. You can’t drive your rental car across the border and the transit time with a tour group is only two hours each way. But Eilat itself is a big schlep from Jerusalem and doesn’t warrant a stop on a typical jam-packed Israel trip; there just isn’t enough time.

The solution if you really want to visit may be a day trip to Petra from Jerusalem. The drive time is about six hours each way so prepare yourself for a long day, but a rewarding one. Some tour operators actually fly their participants to Eilat and then drive from there. Either way, make sure to bring plenty of cash for your visa, border crossing fee, expected tips and a possible “exit fee” that you may be obliged to pay. Learn more about crossing the border between Israel and Jordan .

Other Jerusalem day trip options

We haven’t gone on these day trips yet, but have heard great things about them from other travelers. They’re especially good options if you’re interested in Jerusalem Christian tours or in deepening your understanding of the geopolitical conflicts of the region. – Hebron full-day tour * **We haven’t done this tour but have heard it’s incredible. You’ll spend half of the day with an Israeli guide and half with a Palestinian guide, exploring both parts of this divided, contested, holy city and hearing both sides of the story. It’s a must! – Bethlehem half-day tour – West Bank full-day tour

Plan your trip to Israel

Prefer to carry a paper guide book or map? Check out these great options:

If you plan on driving, a paper map will be one of the most important things to take on vacation to Israel!

Money-saving travel resources: – Find the cheapest flights on Skyscanner – Book your discounted rental car on RentalCars.com – Compare travel insurance options – 4 simple hacks to save more money on booking.com Check out these helpful articles to plan your upcoming trip to Israel: – The perfect 10 day Israel itinerary – 3 days in Jerusalem itinerary – 2 days in Tel Aviv itinerary – Where to stay in Israel – 50 things to know before you visit Israel – What to pack for Israel in each season – When is the best time of year to go to Israel? – 10+ must-read tips for renting a car in Israel – 20 foods you have to try in Israel – 25+ best books about Israel – Where to stay in Jerusalem – What to do in Jerusalem on Shabbat – Israel with kids: the complete guide – Visiting Jerusalem with kids – Visiting Tel Aviv with kids – Best day trips from Tel Aviv – Best day trips from Jerusalem – Your Israel itinerary for (more or less) 10 days – Visiting the Bahai Gardens in Haifa, Israel

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Jerusalem in a Day Tour with Church of the Holy Sepulchre

• Temple Mount
• Church of Holy Sepulchre
• Jewish Quarter
• Christian Quarter
• Western Wall

• A comprehensive view into interlacing histories and religions of the holy city — includes a visit to the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim sites of Old City
• Led by an local expert specializing in history or religion

• Church of Holy Sepulcher
• Roman Cardo
• Dome of the Rock (security permitting)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ .

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Destination Daydreamer

7 Awesome Jerusalem Tours Definitely Worth the Money

Jerusalem is by far my favorite city in the whole world. I spent 4 months studying in and exploring Jerusalem so I’d say I have the experience to confidently say that. You know when people tell you to ‘picture your happy place’ I set myself on the Mt. of Olives with sweeping views of the Old City of Jerusalem while listening to the sounds of the Muslim call to prayer echoing over the city’s many minarets. That’s how much I love this city.

What makes Jerusalem so amazing is the immense amount of culture you can take in all within one city. Three main world religions (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity) all view Jerusalem as a holy and important city with areas and sites dedicated to each group. And no matter your religious views, or lack thereof, it is fascinating to witness these three cultures intersecting within one area. And what better way to do this than on one of these Jerusalem tours!

I have since returned to Jerusalem with my husband so he could have some of the same amazing experiences I had while exploring the city. As I guided him through the bustling streets of Jerusalem and crowded walkways of the Old City he said to me over and over, ‘This is so crazy that you know your way around Jerusalem without a map.” And I totally agree, it’s crazy to know a city like Jerusalem well enough to be able to navigate from memory.

*There may be affiliate links in this post.  Read my  privacy/disclosure policy  to learn more.

Why Book a Walking or Guided Tour in Jerusalem?

Even though I had 4 months of experience living in Jerusalem, and could so confidently create an itinerary and navigate my husband and myself through the city, there were still certain experiences that I chose to book a tour for during our travels.

Jerusalem (especially the Old City) can be a little overwhelming. There are so many different cultures/religions colliding that it almost feels like you need to learn how to navigate multiple new countries but all within walking distance of each other 😅.

Besides touring the city and the Old City of Jerusalem itself, there are quite a few amazing sites to see in the surrounding area. For example, did you know Bethlehem is only a few miles away from Jerusalem? Or that you can float in the Dead Sea just an hour away?

The thing is, these places can be a little tricky to get to because you’d either need to rent a car and navigate military checkpoints along the way or figure out a potentially confusing and inconvenient public transit system.

So, because of these reasons, we decided to book a few tours in and from Jerusalem to make the most of our time in this amazing place. We paid ourselves for these tours and I am convinced we found the best Jerusalem guided tours.

So now, after 4 months of living experience and countless hours of research upon our return, I’m here to give you my recommendations for the best Jerusalem tours to book to make your time in Jerusalem amazing and as carefree as possible.

Which Company is the Best to Book Tours in Jerusalem With?

Before my husband and I traveled back to Jerusalem and the surrounding areas, I spent HOURS researching to find the best tour company in Jerusalem. I wanted to find reliable, engaging, and affordable groups to join. I kid you not, I wouldn’t be surprised if I spent over 100 hours looking just at different Jerusalem tour packages, different walking tours in Jerusalem, and the best way to complete day trips from Jerusalem.

And after booking and completing multiple tours with Abraham Tours , I am convinced I found the best group to take tours within the Holy Land. They have so many tour options to choose from! Plus I feel like the prices are very reasonable where you couldn’t do it much less expensive on your own. And you can even search by departure location of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Nazareth, or Eilat.

Abraham Tours is a tour group connected with Abraham Hostels, however, you don’t need to be staying at the hostels to participate. Personally, I’m not a hostel person so we stayed at an Airbnb in West Jerusalem but still participated in multiple Abraham Tours. I would say that the vast majority of all our tour groups were staying at other places than the hostel.

And if you are thinking that these tours will only be filled with single 20-year-olds, don’t worry! Our groups had a great mixture of different types of people. There were solo travelers, couples, families with teenagers, LGBTQ, and retirees. So basically, no matter your travel situation, you can feel comfortable on an Abraham Tour !

Quick Guide to the Best Tours to Book in Jerusalem

Walking tours in jerusalem:, 1. holy city tour jerusalem (old city).

Since I lived in Jerusalem for 4 months prior to my return with my husband, I definitely knew my way around the Old City. I had ventured countless times through the streets and alleyways, so much so that I felt very confident in being able to be my husband’s tour guide during that portion of our trip.

Because of my experience, we didn’t opt for a Jerusalem Old City tour , however, I definitely recommend it for someone who has never been before. Having a local Jerusalem tour guide will enhance your experience SO much.

This Holy City Tour is a guided half-day walking tour that covers the amazing religious sites of the three main religions represented (Islam, Judaism and Christianity) in the Old City of Jerusalem.

You’ll enter the temple mount and see the Islamic mosque ‘Dome of the Rock’ (which is literally one of my favorite buildings in the whole world… I mean those blue, green and yellow tiles 😍). The temple mount has very specific opening hours that can easily be missed if you don’t pay attention correctly. That is one reason it is great to visit on this tour .

*The temple mount is always closed on Fridays and Saturdays. If you book the tour on a Friday or a Saturday you will visit a site with an overlook of the Dome of the Rock rather than getting up close. I recommend making sure you book on a day other than those two days to ensure you get to get up close and personal with the gorgeous Dome of the Rock.

Also on this tour , you’ll visit the Western Wall (sometimes known as the Wailing Wall-but its name is actually the Western Wall). This is the last remaining wall from thousands of years ago that surrounded the Jewish temple and is now a holy site/outdoor synagogue. Here you will get to observe many faithful Jews praying and reading scripture along the wall.

Plus you will visit holy Christian sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Via Dolorosa (the path of Christ and the cross). A benefit of a guided tour to all of these different sites is that you will definitely gain a better understanding of the significance of Jerusalem and why this area is called the ‘Holy Land’ to so many different faiths. Plus you’ll get help navigating the sometimes confusing and crowded paths and alleys of the Old City (a big plus in my opinion).

2. Mount of Olives Tour

This Mount of Olives tour covers an area that can be easily overlooked in Jerusalem but it has some great things to see. Just to the east of the old city is the Mount of Olives (which is actually where my university was located during my time in Jerusalem). The best part about visiting the Mount of Olives is that you get some awesome views of Jerusalem.

The view from up there overlooking the bright blue, yellow, and green tiles of the Dome of the Rock and the blue and green domes of ancient churches is just amazing. And to top it all off, you may be up there while the Islam Call to Prayer is echoing over the city, it is just seriously the best. But that’s coming from me- I’m a total sucker for a good view.

Plus you’ll get to get up close and personal with beautiful, ancient olive trees and visit important sites. My favorite places visited on this tour are the Garden of Gethsemane and the huge Jewish cemetery on the hillside.

3. Meet the Ultra-Orthodox Jews Tour

If you are looking for one of THE most interesting and unique tours in Jerusalem, you for sure need to check out this ‘ Meet the Ultra-Orthodox Jews Tour ‘. To me, one of the best things about visiting Jerusalem is getting to see how different devout people practice their religions.

You’ll the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem which is home to Ultra-Orthodox Jews. It is like stepping into another world/time. Almost everything feels different in this neighborhood like the religious clothing worn, the incredibly high modesty required, and the behavior of the Ultra-Orthodox community.

Obviously, people living their life shouldn’t be a tourist attraction. That’s why I appreciate that this tour is led by a member of the local Ultra-Orthodox Community who gives great information and insights about the local community.

If you are interested in visiting the Mea Shearim neighborhood , I definitely recommend booking this ‘Meet the Ultra-Orthodox Jews Tour’ . If you want to visit the area on your own, be sure to wear extra-modest clothing (long sleeves and pants) and don’t try to drive through the neighborhood on Shabbat (sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday) because they do not drive on the sabbath.

Day Trips from Jerusalem:

4. bethlehem tour.

I feel like you can’t travel all the way to Jerusalem and then not visit Bethlehem. Did you know that Bethlehem is only a short 15-20 minute drive from Jerusalem? However, a slightly tricky thing about visiting Bethlehem is that it is located in the West Bank on the other side of the separation wall (which is a different discussion for a different time).

But this means you will go through a security checkpoint to enter Bethlehem and will need your passport on you. Taxis are unable to cross into Bethlehem but there are some buses that are available. Personally, I didn’t want the stress of figuring out the best way to cross into the West Bank, so this Bethlehem tour from Jerusalem was totally perfect for us. Abraham Tours even makes sure to employ a local Bethlehem tour guide to ensure tourism money is still going into the city.

We met up at the desk of the Abraham Hostel which happened to be the meeting point for this Bethlehem tour , boarded a van with other group members, and made the quick drive to Bethlehem and met up with our local tour guide.

We walked through Bethlehem and learned a little bit about the history of the city and the negative effects on the city since the separation wall was built. Then we visited the Church of the Nativity which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the spot where it’s believed that Jesus Christ was born. Obviously, the church wasn’t there at the time of Christ 😅, but it was built in about 500 AD around the supposed site of the birth of Christ.

We also visited the Milk Grotto (a Catholic church in Bethlehem), a couple of shops where you can purchase beautiful olive wood nativity sets and other trinkets, and a shepherd field overlook.

I personally liked walking around the city of Bethlehem and being in the same general areas Christ may have been more than the specific holy sites we visited in Bethlehem. But I still think they are worthwhile to visit to have your own experience.

Our tour guide let us make a quick stop at a Banksy graffiti piece on the separation wall (I think someone in our group asked about it). The itinerary does not include any Banksy stops- but if you ask nicely maybe your tour guide will make a quick stop for you also :). There are multiple Bansky pieces in Bethlehem all of which are very thought-provoking.

5. Dead Sea, Masada & Ein Gedi Tour

In my opinion, the Dead Sea, Masada & Ein Gedi tour is one of the best day tours from Jerusalem you can take. This specific tour is interesting because it includes 3 great destinations all located just over an hour away from Jerusalem. The Dead Sea (think water so salty you can float in it and mineral-rich mud you can cover yourself in), Masada (think 2,000-year-old, giant, hilltop fortress), and Ein Gedi (think lovely nature walk to an oasis in the desert).

This is a ‘self-guided’ tour where the entrance price to Masada and Ein Gedi are not included. Basically, this means it is a shuttle that will take you to these three destinations and provide you with some audio tours (if you want). This may sound kind of basic, but for me, this was an amazing option to be able to not have to think about how to get to the Dead Sea on public transit.

I have a friend who was visiting Jerusalem and she tried to take the bus to Masada and then the Dead Sea. Because of their tight schedule and their confusion about the bus stops, they, unfortunately, got off at the wrong Dead Sea stop and then had to take the next bus back to Jerusalem because they ran out of time.

I so did not want that to happen to us and really wanted to enjoy the day without thinking much. And I’m so glad we booked this experience ! It made the day super smooth and fun.

We started out with some time at Ein Gedi (and saw some adorable little critters along the trail called a Rock Hyrax). The walk is easy and ends at a waterfall and pool of water.

Then we went to Masada and rode the cable car to the top of the mountain. There are some awesome views of the Moab Mountains and the Dead Sea, not to mention the tons of ancient ruins atop the mountain to see. They even offer a Masada sunrise tour if that is something you are interested in!

Then we ended the day hanging out at the beach of the Dead Sea aka the lowest point on earth! Be sure to bring your swimsuit to float in the water. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can roll all around in the water and not sink.

You can even pick up some Dead Sea salt to take home as a souvenir to think of your trip every time you cook (that’s what we did 🥰). Also, maybe don’t plan on shaving the morning you visit because the salt can really sting recently shaved areas 😬.

If you are short on time or are only interested in visiting the Dead Sea, no worries, they also offer a one-stop Dead Sea tour .

Jerusalem to Jordan Tours:

6. 2-day jerusalem to petra tour.

Okay, okay, okay I know, you are in the midst of planning a trip to Jerusalem, not Jordan. However, I think you should heavily consider adding this 2-day Jerusalem to Petra tour to your itinerary. The country of Jordan neighbors Jerusalem to the east and has some amazing sites that you can easily fit into a quick 2-day road trip from Jerusalem. The drive from Amman to Jerusalem is only 1 hour and 50 minutes!

Once again, I had already visited Jordan when I was studying in Jerusalem. However, once my husband realized we could visit Petra on this trip which is not only one of the 7 New Wonders of the World but also a filming location of Indiana Jones he was sold on us visiting.

And even though I’d already been, I was still logistically lost on how we would do it. Because on my prior visit, I was not responsible for any planning or logistics. Thankfully, I found this amazing 2-day Petra tour from Jerusalem and I’m so glad we participated in it!

How can you not add one more night to your itinerary to get to see the country of Jordan? It’s so close! Plus, if you do have more time, they also have a 3-day tour option or an 8-day Israel/Jordan tour option. (Spoiler alert-the 3-day tour option includes Petra PLUS a desert Jeep tour).

One con I’ll admit is that I would have enjoyed more time in Petra. We had to move pretty quickly to see the things we wanted to see within our allotted time frame. However, the ease of transportation, an awesome local Jordanian tour guide, the extra sites we saw in Jordan, and the super unique experience of staying overnight in the desert at a Bedouin camp totally made booking the 2-day tour to Jordan from Jerusalem it all worth it.

However, if you do want more time than we had in Petra, just book the 3-day tour to Jordan from Jerusalem instead (problem solved!). Plus you’ll get to visit Wadi Rum and experience a Jeep tour through the desert!

Jerusalem Tour From Tel Aviv:

7. jerusalem day tour from tel aviv.

If you are staying in Tel Aviv but are interested in seeing Jerusalem, this is the tour for you! The ‘Jerusalem Day Tour from Tel Aviv’ includes all of the major highlights of Jerusalem that anyone needs to see. Like visiting the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and visiting an overlook of the Dome of the Rock.

Plus you get to see one of Jerusalem’s hidden gems, the Mehane Yehuda Market which is full of delicious baked goods, produce spices, and more. Mahane Yehuda market is located outside of the Old City which means you will be surrounded by many locals shopping rather than only tourists.

If you are planning a trip to Tel Aviv, I definitely recommend making time in your itinerary to take a day trip to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. And this Tel Aviv tour to Jerusalem is my top pick for that.

These two cities are only about one hour apart but are so different and unique that you need to see both. This Jerusalem tour from Tel Aviv is the perfect way to experience Jerusalem during your travels to Tel Aviv.

And those are the guided tours to Jerusalem that I recommend (and the surrounding areas)! Please  let me know  if you have any questions in the comments below. I really did love my experience with Abraham Tours (which btw did I mention I paid for all of those tours myself-they weren’t a collaboration). Book one- if not all of these tours now- like, right now! You won’t regret it.

Check out this other post, I know you’ll love it:

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Hi there Jenessa! We are taking a mediterranean cruise that stops in Jerusalem, (Ashdod) and in Tel Aviv (Haifa) do you know if any of these tours with Abraham tours are available to cruisers? Or how would a traveler get to a meeting point from the cruise port? Thanks in advance! Tara

Hey Tara, sounds fun! To take a tour with Abraham Hostels you’ll need to get to the meeting point which is the Abraham Hostel in Tel Aviv (or Jerusalem, but I think the Tel Aviv one may be easier to get to). Here is a good article on another site that give directions for either a taxi or a bus line from Ashdod Port to Tel Aviv. Good luck!

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Yellowstone with kids: the ultimate 2 day itinerary.

90 Day Fiancé: Loren and Alexei Brovarnik's trip to Israel faces safety issues

90 Day Fiancé star Loren Brovarnik and her husband Alexei Brovarnik recently went on a trip to Israel. Loren shared updates about visiting her hometown with her fans through Instagram. She shared along with one of the posts:

"No better than feeling than being home. Am Israel Chai."

However, she also shared various safety issues they faced. Loren explained how things have been in Israel, and because of that, they had to change their travel plans. She added that they didn't bring their kids on the trip due to these concerns.

Loren and her husband wanted to visit many popular spots, but they couldn't explore all the places according to their plans. She also shared that it was important for them to come and visit her family in Israel.

90 Day Fiancé : Why Loren and Alexei Brovarnik are in Israel

Loren and Alexei's relationship started in Israel. However, she lived in Florida at the time, and met Alexei, who is a Ukrainian, when she went to her hometown. They decided to be together after falling in love on 90 Day Fiancé .

At the time, Alexei was working as a medic. Soon, he moved to the United States to live with Loren.

Since both of them share a close bond with Israel, they decided to move back home after a few years. They want their children to stay connected with their cultural roots and heritage. Keeping their moving plans postponed, for now, earlier this month, the couple flew to Israel.

Loren shared the news with her 90 Day Fiancé fans via Instagram. Later on, Alexei also shared the trip details through his Instagram. He shared a post, tagging his wife, and captioned it:

"48 hours in."

However, their trip didn't go as planned. Loren shared through Instagram stories that they couldn't entirely explore the spiritual city of Tzfat, also popularly known as Safed.

"Unfortunately, though, tourism basically has closed down there because of everything happening up north."

She also shared further stories and mentioned how rockets and sirens around the place have affected their recent trip to Israel.

90 Day Fiancé : Loren and Alexei Brovarnik's journey throughout the franchise

Loren Brovarnik and Alexei Brovarnik married in 90 Day Fiancé season 3. After they appeared on TLC's dating reality show, they became one of the most popular couples. The two had many differences; however, despite various challenges throughout their relationship, they have been together.

While Alexei works as a warehouse manager, Loren used to work as an executive administrative assistant.

In 2020, they welcomed their first child, Shai Josef, and they later had two more children, Asher Noah and Ariel Raya.

The couple have also been part of 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? season 8. During the eighth season, they shared how they navigated their lives and more about their plans.

Loren also opened up about her decision to go under tummy tuck and fat transfer surgeries, which are also known as a Mommy Makeover.

Lauren's reason behind the surgery was that she wasn't happy with her looks, especially her physique, after three deliveries. She had three babies in under three years. At first, Alexie didn't agree with Loren's decision; however, later on, he came around.

June 26, 2024 | Flash Brief

Gallant underscores u.s.-israel bond during multi-day trip to washington, latest developments.

Following a series of high-level meetings in Washington, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized the enduring bond between the United States and Israel in remarks on June 26. “In every family — and we consider the American people our family — disagreements may arise,” Gallant said, referencing recent tensions between Washington and Jerusalem. “Yet like all families, we discuss our disagreements in-house, and remain united.” That familial bond “reflects a simple truth: our nations are tied by shared interests and more importantly, values,” Gallant added.

Gallant offered his observations one day after he met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The two defense chiefs discussed “efforts to de-escalate tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border,” the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and Iran’s “destabilizing activities throughout the Middle East,” according to a readout from the U.S. Department of Defense. Austin also warned that war in Lebanon would be “catastrophic” and “devastating,” emphasizing that “principled diplomacy is the only way to prevent any further escalation of tensions in the region.”

Expert Analysis

“Secretary Austin’s comments during Gallant’s visit crystallized the disconnect between Washington and Jerusalem. Austin said he wants Israel to avoid a war with Hezbollah, which he says could expand to a regional war. Gallant knows that Hezbollah is already at war with Israel and that Iran’s regional war continues to play out on multiple fronts.” — Richard Goldberg , FDD Senior Advisor

“American support for Israel is essential during wartime, particularly with a conflict shaping up to be as complicated as the one with Hezbollah. While Israel remains committed to defending itself by itself, it will need both diplomatic backing and a consistent supply of weapons from the United States to prosecute this potential war to completion.” — David Daoud , FDD Senior Fellow

Netanyahu, White House Spar Over Weapons Shipments

Gallant arrived in Washington in the shadow of a rift between the Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During a cabinet meeting on June 23, Netanyahu referenced a “dramatic decrease in the munitions coming to Israel from the U.S.” He said the slowdown began about four months ago but noted, “In light of what I have heard over the past 24 hours, I hope and believe that this issue will be resolved in the near future.”

Days earlier, Netanyahu posted a video on X in which he accused the Biden administration of withholding weapons from Israel. White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters on June 20 that the video was just as “vexing and disappointing to us as much as it was incorrect.” Netanyahu then said that he was “ready to suffer personal attacks” so long as Israel “receives from the U.S. the ammunition it needs.”

Gallant’s Washington Meetings

Gallant met with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein shortly after arriving in Washington on June 23. The two discussed the Lebanese front, including “the actions required to ensure the safe return of Israeli communities to the north.” Gallant noted that “Israel is preparing for every scenario both militarily and diplomatically.”

The next day, Gallant met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Gallant and Blinken “discussed ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of all hostages and alleviates the suffering of the Palestinian people,” the U.S. State Department said . Blinken also emphasized the importance of developing plans for postwar Gaza and resolving tensions along the Lebanese border diplomatically.

Gallant also met with CIA Director Bill Burns , White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan , and several members of Congress while in Washington. Gallant reiterated on June 26 that Israel is not at war with the Palestinian or Lebanese people but with “Hamas, Hezbollah, and their backer — the Iranian regime.” He further maintained that Israel is “committed to bringing the hostages home,” defending the people of Israel, and “facilitating the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

Related Analysis

“ Israel Expects U.S. Arms Shipment Hold-Up Will Be Resolved Soon ,” FDD Flash Brief

“ U.S. Envoy Arrives in Israel Amid Growing Focus on Hezbollah Escalation ,” FDD Flash Brief

“ Reports Claim U.S. Delaying Munitions to Send Message to Israel ,” FDD Flash Brief

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The day-after plan for gaza on israeli leaders’ desks.

A paper circulating in Israeli government offices calls for the total defeat of Hamas, initial Israeli control of the territory and an overhaul of the Palestinian education system — along with a path for Gazan self-rule

Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images

Palestinians are seen in Deir Al Balah, Gaza on June 20, 2024.

With continuing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to present a postwar plan for Gaza, a document has been circulating around the upper echelon of Israel’s government and security establishment.

“From a murderous ideology to a moderate society: transforming and rebuilding Gaza after Hamas” is a 28-page paper, obtained by Jewish Insider , outlining four academics’ recommended dos and don’ts for ensuring Hamas and Gaza are no longer a threat to Israel.

Israeli academics Netta Barak-Corren of Hebrew University, who is currently at Princeton University, Danny Orbach of Hebrew University, Netanel Flamer of Bar-Ilan University and Harel Chorev-Halewa of Tel Aviv University teamed up in November, on a volunteer basis, to combine their expertise in law, military history and the Middle East and compile their recommendations, which they have said all members of Israel’s now-defunct war cabinet read.

According to the document, “Israel’s ability to achieve its goals depends not only on the military and diplomatic campaign taking place these days, but also on its ability to rehabilitate and transform a nation that was led by a murderous ideology, to produce stable institutions and an Arabic culture that does not educate for jihad, a culture that accepts the existence of the State of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people.”

The paper’s authors analyzed post-World War II Germany and Japan as successful cases, and Iraq and Afghanistan after the U.S. invasions as unsuccessful cases.

The first precondition is the total defeat of Hamas, the paper states.

”If there is no total defeat, there is no point in starting the attempts at deradicalization, rehabilitating systems, building new governing infrastructure and so on. History teaches us that rehabilitation under fire will fail,” the paper states, citing American nation-building attempts in Iraq and Afghanistan while the wars were still ongoing.

As such, they point to three parameters for total defeat: A loss of territory, a loss of sovereignty – meaning no Hezbollah-like situation where Hamas maintains de facto control – and public trials for Hamas leaders and Oct. 7 perpetrators.

The public trials are “critical for the long-term and historic memory in Israel and internationally,” Barak-Corren told the Israeli weekly Makor Rishon , which first reported on the document on Friday, “but also from the perspective of creating a narrative for the Palestinians themselves about what happened because there is a lot of denial.” 

The authors pushed back against the argument that Hamas is an idea that cannot be defeated.

“One cannot totally defeat ideologies,” Barak-Corren said on Dan Senor’s “Call Me Back” podcast , “but ideologies can be either very central or very peripheral. We see the Nazi idea hasn’t passed away – it’s still out there – but it isn’t what it was in World War II.”

While total destruction of Hamas means removing the upper echelons of its governing structure and anyone with blood on his hands, the authors recommend leaving Hamas’ middle management in place to run Gaza. “The ‘technocrats’…who will be willing to accept the new reality will not be harmed and will be rewarded. Whoever resists with force will be severely punished.”

The researchers argue that “the window of opportunity for transformation and rehabilitation is short,” meaning a few years. As such, the work towards changing Gazan society must start immediately after Hamas’ defeat.

This “requires civilian management, and the urgency of the timeline means that we must immediately start planning and establishing an effective and agreed-upon system for managing the Palestinian population in areas under Israeli control,” the paper states. The local governing apparatus in this initial stage would need to build trust with the local population and treat them in a dignified manner, which is necessary for the rehabilitation of Gaza to succeed. The paper suggests partnering with moderate Arab states.

The authors of the paper describe a delicate balance by which “successful transformation requires the creation of a positive horizon for the defeated nation,” while “the option of Israeli military rule must float in the background.” 

Independence of some kind – avoiding the political debates about Palestinian statehood, the paper says only “an autonomous Palestinian entity” – would come only when concrete and measurable goals are met, including education for peace, distancing itself from violence and terror and effective governance. 

However, if Israel makes clear that it will leave Gaza at some point regardless of its progress — similar to the U.S. setting a date to leave Afghanistan — Gazans will have less of an incentive to come up with an alternative to Hamas. As such, the goals Gazans need to meet must not have a rigid schedule attached to them.

Physical rehabilitation of Gaza is not enough; the paper calls to build its spirit as well by “eradicating jihadist ambitions” through overhauling the education, religion and media systems, including reforming the schools’ curriculum. 

This would include “purifying the education system” of extremist educators and current textbooks, and establishing bodies to supervise school content and media to ensure they do not include radical content.

In that vein, the authors call to “take advantage of the acts of rebuilding to push UNRWA out of the [Gaza] Strip,” referring to the embattled U.N. body responsible for aid to Palestinians. According to Makor Rishon , they were told by the IDF higher brass that this is unrealistic.

The new narrative created for the Palestinians in Gaza would “lean on Sunni Muslim Arab tradition … in its moderate versions in education and culture and grant the Palestinians a concrete, positive vision to latch onto for demilitarized Palestinian self-rule at the end of the process.”

“It would be very bad for Israel to do that directly,” Barak-Corren said on Senor’s podcast, and suggested that the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Egypt be involved.

The paper discourages Israel’s leadership from setting a goal of democratization for Gaza, saying that this is “a move that has failed in every place it was tried in the Arab world. The goal should not be turning Gaza into a Western democracy, but an Arab-Muslim entity that is moderate and not jihadist.”

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90 day fiancé: cleo corraine's stunning before & after photos reveal how much her face changed after surgery, 90 day fiancé’s david toborowsky asks for prayers as annie undergoes critical procedure.

• Loren and Alexei Brovarnik hoped to visit the spiritual city of Tzfat, but due to safety concerns, they wouldn't be able to fully explore it.
• Loren defends her trip to Israel, emphasizing the importance of visiting family and friends.
• The reality of the situation in Israel may alter Loren's plans to relocate there with her husband and three children.

Alexei and Loren Brovarnik from 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? recently explained why they suddenly changed their travel plans during their vacation in Israel. The couple got married in 90 Day Fiancé season 3 , and they welcomed their first child in 2020, followed by a son and a daughter in the subsequent years. Alexei and Loren had also planned to move to Israel but postponed their plans due to the situation with the Israel-Hamas war. In June 2024, Loren and Alexei surprised fans by sharing photos from their Israel trip , though they didn't bring their children along with them.

90 Day Fiancé 's Loren Brovarnik posted an update about her and Alexei's trip to Israel, saying they had to modify their plans because of " sirens and rockets. "

Recently, Loren posted a few Instagram Stories detailing her ongoing trip to Israel. She talked about her plans to visit the spiritual city of Tzfat (also known as Safed) and shared why she wouldn't be able to fully explore it as she had hoped. Loren stated, "Unfortunately, though, tourism basically has closed down there because of everything happening up north." The 90 Day Fiancé star explained that the "sirens and rockets" had affected tourism in the city . She reassured fans that she and her husband were staying safe while traveling in Israel.

Reality TV is more popular than ever. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best reality TV shows to stream or watch right now.

Loren Brovarnik Denies She & Alexei Are “Bad People”

Loren & alexei were eager to see their family during this challenging period.

Loren and Alexei's social media posts about Israel have received criticism for allegedly being insensitive to Israeli issues and using their trip for attention. However, Loren believes she has done nothing wrong by sharing photos and videos from the war-torn country. She feels that people are mistaken in their criticism of her and Alexei. Loren responded to her critics, stating, "Alex and I are not bad people despite what people are thinking and saying." She maintains that her primary goal for the trip was to spend time with family and friends .

Loren has the right to defend herself against critics and their baseless assumptions. She knows that many people consider her a bad person for leaving her children in the United States. However, she also knows that people didn't know the real reason behind her visit and wanted to clarify that in her Instagram Story. Loren didn't visit Israel to have a good time. She is there to meet her relatives and friends who have been living in stressful situations for months. Loren and Alexei aim to document their trip and make memories with their family members.

Loren's recent trip to Israel is going to be a reality check for her.

Over the years, Loren has consistently stated that she would one day permanently relocate to the Middle Eastern country and raise her children there . However, Loren's current trip is slowly opening her eyes to the reality of the situation. She's becoming more aware of the alarms and rockets, and how the ongoing war has significantly affected every aspect of the country. Hopefully, this trip will help the 90 Day Fiancé cast member realize that moving to Israel may not be as easy as she had anticipated.

90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? season 8 airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EDT on TLC.

Source: Loren Brovarnik /Instagram

90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After

90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? is one of the many spinoff shows to TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé. Happily Ever After? provides viewers with a follow-up to some of the most popular couples from the original show. The companion series reveals if lovers ended up staying in their marriage and explores any major life events or issues they may be facing.

• Loren Brovarnik

• X (Twitter)

‘Operation al-Aqsa Flood’ Day 265: UN agency says Gazans face ‘catastrophic’ food insecurity

Casualties 

• 37,765 + killed* and at least 86,429 wounded in the Gaza Strip. Among the killed, 27,706 have been fully identified. These include 7,779 children, 5466 women, and 2418 elderly. In addition, around 10,000 more are estimated to be under the rubble.*
• 553+ Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. These include 135 children.**
• Israel revised its estimated October 7 death toll down from 1,400 to 1,140.
• 666 Israeli soldiers have been killed since October 7.***

* Gaza’s Ministry of Health confirmed this figure on its WhatsApp channel on June 23, 2024. Some rights groups estimate the death toll to be much higher when accounting for those presumed dead.

** The death toll in the West Bank and Jerusalem is not updated regularly. According to the PA’s Ministry of Health on June 23, this is the latest figure.

*** These figures are released by the Israeli military, showing the soldiers whose names “were allowed to be published.” The number of Israeli soldiers wounded, according to declarations by the head of the Israeli army’s wounded association to Israel’s Channel 12, exceeds 20,000, including at least 8,000 permanently handicapped as of June 1. Israel’s Channel 7 reported that according to the Israeli war ministry’s rehabilitation service numbers, 8,663 new wounded joined the army’s handicap rehabilitation system since October 7, as of June 18.

Key Developments 

• Israel has killed 167 Palestinians and wounded 397 across Gaza since Thursday, June 24. This raises the death toll since October 7 to 37,765 and the number of wounded to 86,429, according to the Gaza health ministry.
• U.S. says it does not want a war on the Lebanese border at the conclusion of the tour of Israeli war minister Yoav Gallant.
• Gallant says Israel prefers diplomatic solutions rather than war with Lebanon but can’t accept Hezbollah presence on northern border.
• U.S. special envoy Amos Hockstein tells Lebanese officials that U.S. will not stop Israel from attacking Lebanon.
• Israel transfers troops to Lebanese border, begins military drills.
• Israel begins new onslaught on Shuja’iyyah neighborhood in Gaza City for second time since December last year.
• Gaza’s Government Media Office says that 25,000 Palestinian patients have been denied treatment outside of Gaza due to Israel’s closure of the Rafah crossing.
• Government Media Office says that 15,000 humanitarian aid trucks are stuck on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing.
• Israel kills 11 people, mostly women and children in strike on UNRWA school in al-Shati’ refugee camp in Gaza City.
• Half of Gaza’s families have sold or exchanged their clothes for food since October, one out of five go through several days without food, according to UN report.
• Israel arrests over 120 Palestinians in West Bank in under 24 hours. 
• Israeli army admits to the death of one officer and the injury of 16 soldiers in an ambush by Palestinian fighters during a night raid on Jenin.
• Human rights groups say Israel has significantly reduced food quantity for Palestinian prisoners. Ben-Gvir admits that the move is part of a “deterrence policy.”
• Israel bombs town of Aitaroun in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah attacks Israeli army base of al-Matalleh in the Galilee.

War possibilities remain high after Gallant’s U.S. tour

Israel’s war minister Yoav Gallant said at the conclusion of his top-level meetings in Washington that Israel does not want an all-out war with Lebanon and that it prefers the diplomatic route for a solution. However, he added that Israel can’t accept the presence of Hezbollah’s units at its northern border.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the Biden administration was angry over Netanyahu’s public remarks about the U.S.’s withholding of the delivery of arms to Israel. According to reports, the White House told Israel that the delivery of arms would not be completed even after the end of Israel’s operations in Rafah, which Israel has announced to be nearly over.

Reports indicated that Washington is concerned that Israel could use the arms, mainly precision bombs with high payloads, to attack Hezbollah on the Lebanese front. Meanwhile, cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel have decreased since last week, although continue to occur on a daily basis. On Thursday, Israel conducted air strikes on the town of Aitaroun in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah attacked an Israeli army base near al-Matalleh in the upper Galilee. The Israeli army admitted two soldiers wounded. Israel and Hezbollah’s low-intensity cross-border fighting escalated to unprecedented heights weeks ago when Israel assassinated Hezbollah senior commander Taleb Abdallah in an airstrike on a southern Lebanese town. Hezbollah responded with over 250 rockets at Israeli positions in the Galilee. The mutual attacks were followed by an exchange of threats of all-out war and a wave of international calls for de-escalation.

Understanding Israel’s threats of war with Hezbollah

Hezbollah insists that it will only stop its operations against Israel once it ends its genocidal war on Gaza. Israel insists that Hezbollah must withdraw its fighters from the border to north of the Litani River in order to ensure security for the more than 120,000 Israelis who have fled northern towns since the start of the war.

Starvation sweeps across Gaza as Israel continues to close Rafah crossings

A report by the UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) showed that the risk of a large-scale famine in Gaza is imminent as a majority of the population suffers “catastrophic” levels of food insecurity.

According to the report, half of Palestinian families in Gaza have sold or exchanged their clothes for food since the beginning of the war in October. The report also indicated that one out of five families in Gaza live entire days without food.

Warnings of famine in Gaza have recently increased as 34 people, including 28 children under the age of five, have already died of starvation in Gaza.

Israel imposed a complete siege on Gaza in the early days of the war, blocking the entry of food, water, electricity, and fuel. Humanitarian aid that Israel has allowed into Gaza has not exceeded, according to reports, more than 50 trucks per day on average. Before the war, Gaza received an average of 500 trucks of goods per day, still under Israeli blockade.

On Tuesday, Gaza’s Government Media Office said in a statement that 15,000 aid trucks are stuck at the Egyptian side of the border and unable to enter due to Israel’s closure of the crossing.

The entry of aid dropped to near zero after Israel’s closure of the land crossings into the Gaza Strip in Rafah after its invasion of the city in early May.

Two million Palestinians live in the Gaza Strip, half of whom are under 18. Before October 7, 80% of families relied on humanitarian assistance for basic needs, including food, according to the UN.

Jenin resistance exacts its price

Meanwhile, in the northern West Bank, armed Palestinian resistance groups in Jenin attacked Israeli military vehicles in a “double ambush” using improvised explosives during an army invasion of Jenin’s refugee camp on Thursday, June 27. The complex operation resulted in the death of an Israeli soldier, the injury of 16 others, and the immobilization of an armored troop carrier known as “the Panther.”

A year ago, the same type of troop carrier was immobilized by an IED in Jenin refugee camp during a raid in June 2023. At the time, the Israeli army was forced to call for backup and the summoning of an Apache attack helicopter to provide cover for rescue teams to retrieve the immobilized vehicle.

Israeli officer killed, 16 other soldiers injured in Jenin refugee camp during army invasion

During Thursday’s raid, the Israeli army said that the IED’s had been buried over 1.5 meters deep under an army exit route, which is what prevented the detection of the explosives by Israeli D9 bulldozers that performed “sweeping” operations of the area ahead of the invasion. Once the first IED was detonated, it caused the immobilization of one vehicle, which led to the summoning of a rescue team that was also targeted by a second explosive.

In an exclusive interview with Mondoweiss contributor Shatha Hanaysha, a resistance fighter from the Jenin Brigade said that the explosion was a small part of what the resistance had prepared for the Israeli invaders.

“Jenin will be the graveyard of the Panther,” he told Mondoweiss , referring to the previous incidents in which Israeli military vehicles were targeted.

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Orlando Cepeda dies

Some visitors to Israel have a new stop on their tours: Hamas’ destruction in the south

For people visiting Israel, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. This is a new kind of tourism that has emerged in the country in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. (AP Video: Ami Bentov)

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit the home of the Siman Tov family on Friday, June 21, 2024. The parents and three children were killed and their home was torched by Hamas militants on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, in Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

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A group of Israelis visit a damaged house following the Oct. 7 Hamas militants attack on Israel in Kibbutz Beeri, southern Israel, on Friday, Jan. 28, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israeli soldiers watch a virtual tour of the destruction of the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel near the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted near Kibbutz Re’im, southern Israel, Thursday, May 30, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

An Israeli reservist poses for a picture with a tourist from Mexico, who is holding the soldier’s M16 rifle, at the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted during the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, near Kibbutz Re’im, southern Israel on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit a house that was torched by Hamas militants on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday, June 21, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

People look at the Gaza Strip through binoculars from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

FILE - Danny Danon, a member of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, left, and Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, visit a home torched by Hamas in Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel, Monday, May 27, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

A woman stands next to photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event to commemorate the Oct. 7, massacre near Kibbutz Re’im on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli soldiers look at pictures of revelers killed on Oct. 7, 2023 at the Nova music festival by Hamas militants during a cross-border attack, as they visit the site in Re’im, southern Israel near the Gaza border, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A woman stands next to a shelter at the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted during the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, near Kibbutz Re’im on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit the dining hall that was damaged during the Oct. 7, Hamas attack on Israel in Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday, June 21, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

People look at the Gaza Strip from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews from central Israel visit a bomb shelter where Israelis were killed during the Oct. 7 Hamas militants attack on Israel, near Kibbutz Beeri, southern Israel, on Friday, June 21, 2024. A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

KIBBUTZ NIR OZ, Israel (AP) — A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza .

Jerry Seinfeld, Elon Musk , Michael Douglas, former presidential candidate Nikki Haley , and Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are a few who have visited, at times posing for photos in front of burned-out homes. Many Israelis, including soldiers and security officials, are also visiting on organized trips.

“It’s our personal story, but it’s also the story of all of the state of Israel,” said Irit Lahav, spokeswoman for Kibbutz Nir Oz, who gives many of the tours.

A quarter of the approximately 400 Nir Oz residents fell victim to the attack. Hamas militants killed more than 20 and kidnapped over 80. In the dining hall, a wall of post office boxes is plastered with stickers — red for killed, black for kidnapped, blue for released.

While it’s uncomfortable to open the community to visitors, she said it’s important for people to “come here and smell the burned smell of death, to imagine your friends or parents here.”

Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people as they rampaged through southern Israel, and kidnapped around 250. Health officials in Hamas-run Gaza say more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war that followed.

Prior to Oct. 7, Lahav ran a tourism company. Now she has turned those itinerary-building skills to the kibbutz where she grew up. Her tour includes the spot in the fence where Hamas militants stormed the kibbutz, along with small details that humanize the scale of destruction, like the candy eggs that melted when the general store was torched.

Many of the kibbutzim and towns that experienced the worst destruction are closed to the public, accessible only via organized tours like those for dignitaries or celebrities, or by invitation from a resident.

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit a house that was torched by Hamas militants on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Nir Oz decided that the guides must be residents. Rena Bazar, who lives with most of the community in temporary housing elsewhere, is among those giving tours.

At first, it was difficult to return to Nir Oz. She didn’t like the idea of strangers on the lawns and in the dining hall with its bullet-riddled windows. But eventually, she understood the importance of helping visitors understand not just what happened, but also what life had been like before Oct. 7.

“I want to make it less about the combat and more about the personal stories of people who were there,” Bazar said.

For visiting dignitaries and VIPs, trips to Israel have long included stops at famous religious or cultural sites, such as the Western Wall, Masada, the Sea of Galilee or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the national Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem. The visits to the battered kibbutzim and border towns are the latest way to build support and solidarity with Israel’s allies abroad.

Other parts of southern Israel are open to the public and encouraging visitors — both foreigners and Israelis from elsewhere.

People look at the Gaza Strip through binoculars from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The city of Sderot runs “resilience tours,” connecting groups with survivors who share their memories of Oct. 7 or highlight cultural or culinary offerings. In contrast to the hardest-hit kibbutzim like Nir Oz, most of Sderot’s residents have returned.

Hen Cohen, the city’s tourism director, estimated that about 200,000 visitors have come during the first half of 2024, compared with 100,000 total in a normal year. Most come via solidarity missions from abroad or are local visitors such as soldiers and police officers on educational tours.

Birthright Israel, an organization that provides 10-day free trips to Israel for Jewish Americans, said that nearly all of the 13,500 participants expected this summer will visit Sderot and the site of the Nova music festival, where at least 364 people died. These visits provide an economic and morale boost to residents, Cohen said.

The Sderot police station, where 10 officers were killed on Oct. 7 in a standoff that left the station in ruins, is a main attraction. Visitors stop at the local museum, and watch security footage of what happened on Oct. 7, then walk to the empty lot where the police station stood. Twisted metal remains. Israeli flags flutter in the wind. A sign says a memorial will be built there.

People look at the Gaza Strip from an observation point in the town of Sderot, southern Israel, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

“In this dark hour, I wanted to do my part to make sure the people of Israel know that the people of the United States are with you,” former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said while visiting the site. Seinfeld later cried while talking about his own visit to a kibbutz, describing it as “the most powerful experience” of his life.

Zehava Ben Zaken, a lifelong Sderot resident, said it has taken time to adjust to seeing visitors every time she walks by. “I’m happy they come to see this place, so they can understand and stand with us,” she said.

Hearing the booms from Gaza a few kilometers (miles) away, she hoped that visitors can finally understand Sderot’s precarious security situation. “We’re totally broken,” she said.

South of Sderot, the site of the Nova music festival has become a pilgrimage site for hundreds of visitors per day. Photos of victims are arranged around what had been the main stage. Loved ones have left candles, sculptures, photos and other mementos.

Israeli soldiers look at pictures of revelers killed on Oct. 7, 2023 at the Nova music festival by Hamas militants during a cross-border attack, as they visit the site in Re’im, southern Israel near the Gaza border, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Standing there helped her understand the enormity of loss of life, said Naomi Hanan, a medical student from San Francisco. “It’s right in front of your face and there’s no denying or ignoring what you’ve been hearing or seeing through the media,” she said.

In a eucalyptus grove near the site, an organization called Triumph of the Spirit offers virtual reality tours of three kibbutzim, including Nir Oz. The tours are currently only open to soldiers on official educational visits, but an English version will be available in the coming weeks for international tourists.

“I feel like I’m in Fortnite!” one soldier said as he slipped on the headset, then went silent as images of destruction appeared.

The videos were created by Miriam Cohen and Chani Kopolovich, who had created such tours of Auschwitz for a Holocaust education experience for people who don’t travel to Poland.

“We’ve made it accessible to go on this tour without damaging peoples’ privacy,” said Pinchas Tosig, who runs the tent and has 300 to 700 soldiers visit per day.

Some residents of southern Israel are looking beyond the visitors to the future.

In the coming weeks, Nir Oz will start demolishing some buildings to make way for new construction. Residents wonder how to preserve what happened while making space for new lives. Some say part of the destruction should remain. Others don’t want reminders — or visitors.

On one tour, Bazar pointed out the safe room where she spent hours hiding on Oct. 7. Her home was mostly spared. Others were burned. She doesn’t want the destruction to remain inside Nir Oz and hopes any future memorial will be elsewhere.

“I don’t want any child to be impacted by the ruins,” she said. “Our cemetery is full. Isn’t that memorial enough?”

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

• Summer Sports

Canadian cyclist Derek Gee carries momentum into upcoming Tour de France debut

Ottawa native fresh off 3rd-place finish in 8-day criterium du dauphine stage race.

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Ottawa's Derek Gee is headed to his first Tour de France, alongside fellow Canadians Hugo Houle and Guillaume Boivin on the Israel-Premier Tech team.

Gee is coming off a third-place finish in the Criterium du Dauphine, an eight-day stage race considered a key warm-up for the Tour. It marked his first WorldTour general classification podium.

"I'm unbelievably excited to be lining up at my first Tour," Gee said in a statement. "It's truly a childhood dream to race the Tour de France, and I can't wait to experience the atmosphere of the biggest race in the world.

"The dream would be to win a stage and try to follow what Hugo and Mike [Woods] have done for Canada at this race in the last few years."

An emotional Houle won Stage 16 of the 2022 Tour, pointing to the sky as he crossed the finish. Houle dedicated the win to younger brother Pierrik, who died in December 2012 when he was hit by a drunk driver while jogging. He was 19.

Woods, who finished third behind Houle that day, went on to win Stage 9 of the 2023 Tour.

Israel-Premier Tech is after more of the same in this year's race, a 3,498-kilometre trek that starts June 29 in Florence and ends July 21 in Nice.

• Canadian rider Derek Gee celebrates podium finish in Criterium du Dauphine

"The main goal is to win a stage," said sports director Steve Bauer, a fellow Canadian who raced in the Tour nine times between 1985 and 1995. "It's a clear goal that certainly 21 other teams have as well. We have a strong, balanced and versatile team with riders able to shine in different terrains, giving us potential to be competitive throughout the race as the Tour evolves stage by stage. The competition will be fierce, but I believe in the group we are bringing to this Tour."

"The Tour is never easy, but we know we have guys who can win," added Bauer.

Canadian connections

He should know. Bauer fourth overall in 1988, winning Stage 2 and spending five days in the leader's yellow jersey. In 1990, he wore the yellow jersey for nine consecutive days.

Israel-Premier Tech has plenty of other Canadian connections.

Canadian-Israeli entrepreneur Sylvan Adams is one of the team's owners. Canadians Jean Belanger, president and CEO of Premier Tech based in Riviere-du-Loup. Que., and Kevin Ham are also partners in the team.

Canadians Paulo Saldanha is the team's performance director. Israel-Premier Tech is also home to Canadian rider Riley Pickrell.

Gee won Stage 3 of the Criterium du Dauphine earlier this month, earning the right to wear the yellow leader's jersey in the general classification. He became the first Canadian to wear the leader's jersey since David Veilleux, who won the first stage in 2013 and held onto the lead for three days.

• Canadian cyclists Derek Gee, Riley Pickrell injured in separate crashes in Belgium

Houle finished 64th overall behind Gee. The 33-year-old from Sainte-Perpetue, Que., will be making his sixth straight appearance in the Tour.

It's a fourth consecutive Tour ride for the 35-year-old Boivin, from Montreal.

Gee was promoted to Israel-Premier Tech's WorldTour squad from its academy in May 2022. He signed a new long-term deal in June 2023 following his breakout performance at the Giro d'Italia.

Giro's 'super combative rider'

Competing in his first Grand Tour race, Gee finishing second four times and fourth twice in the 2023 Giro. He placed 22nd in the final general classification standings and was runner-up to Italy's Jonathan Milan in the points race and France's Thibaut Pinot in the King of the Mountains standings.

The Canadian was also honoured as the Giro's "super combative rider."

Israel-Premier Tech's other Tour riders are Germany's Pascal Ackermann, Denmark's Jakob Fuglsang, Latvia's Krists Neilands and Britain's Jake Stewart and Stevie Williams.

Stewart, making his Tour debut and Boivin are set to help Ackermann in the sprints, while Fuglsang and Neilands help in the mountains.

Williams, making his Tour debut, won the Tour Down Under and Fleche Wallonne earlier this season.

Ackerman is also making his Tour debut but already has stage wins in the Spanish Vuelta and Giro d'Italia.

• More cycling coverage

"I am pleased with our roster for this year's Tour," Adams said in a statement. "It was one of the toughest team selections we have ever had to make which speaks of the depth of our rider roster. Ultimately, our performance team was unanimous in making these selections, knowing we wanted a team geared toward hunting for individual stages, rather than a high placing on GC [general classification].

"For the third consecutive year, our roster will boast three Canadians, cementing our position as both Israel's and Canada's home programs."

Woods, who crashed out of the Giro, is healthy again and will race in the Spanish Vuelta, the third Grand Tour. He is due to compete in the Canadian Road Championship this weekend in Saint-Georges, Que.

Due to the Paris Olympics, the Tour will not finish in the French capital for the first time. This year's race will take the 176 riders through Italy, San Marino, Monaco and France.

The race features prize money of 2.3 million euros ($3.4 million US) with 500,000 euros ($731,640) going to the general classification winner.

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• Gee 22nd in overall standings after 21-stage Giro d'Italia race in 2023

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