This page will be regularly updated to reflect the status of active Passages programs. Please email trips@passagesisrael.org if you have further questions.
Update 07.22.2024
We are grateful for a successful trip to Israel that navigated the dynamics on the ground as they came up, thanks to our incredible partners. All participants returned by July 17th, and the Passages team is focusing on our next program which is our Washington, D.C. experience on July 24-28.
The war is ongoing, and military activity will continue. We’re constantly monitoring ongoing developments in anticipation of winter trips.
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During and in advance of trip seasons, our team is closely monitoring the region for safety. Passages puts the health, safety, and security of its staff, participants, and partners above all else. Our internal Crisis Response Team at Passages is led by Breton Oesch (Sr. Director of Israel Operations), Talia Spear (Managing Director of Passages International), and Mattanah DeWitt (VP of Communications). This team works closely with partners in Israel to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all participants. These partners include:
- Security consultants
- Industry-leading tour providers
- Ground operators and field coordinators
- Israeli government contacts
With the help of these partners, we are constantly reviewing the latest information and making decisions daily about any changes to trip itineraries and travel necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.
Update 07.11.2024
The Passages team on the ground in Israel is currently working to facilitate a life-changing experience for many students. The trip is going really well so far.
For those who have a student on this trip sharing their location with you, you may notice inconsistencies (e.g., GPS showing that the student is in Cairo rather than Jerusalem). This is known as GPS scrambling, and it is used by the Israel Defense Forces as a defensive measure. It means that precision location tracking is disabled for parts of the country at this time, which can cause a person’s location to appear as being Beirut or Cairo, when they’re really in Nazareth or Jerusalem.
There is no cause for concern, as all students are with their groups, trusted Israeli tour guides and Passages leaders, and accompanied by trained medics.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to trips@passagesisrael.org if you have any questions, and remember to reach out to your student directly if you have any questions about their personal experiences on the trip so far.
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During and in advance of trip seasons, our team is closely monitoring the region for safety. Passages puts the health, safety, and security of its staff, participants, and partners above all else. Our internal Crisis Response Team at Passages is led by Breton Oesch (Sr. Director of Israel Operations), Talia Spear (Managing Director of Passages International), and Mattanah DeWitt (VP of Communications). This team works closely with partners in Israel to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all participants. These partners include:
- Security consultants
- Industry-leading tour providers
- Ground operators and field coordinators
- Israeli government contacts
With the help of these partners, we are constantly reviewing the latest information and making decisions daily about any changes to trip itineraries and travel necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.
Update 07.07.2024
In light of the current escalation of tensions near the Sea of Galilee, Passages and our partners on the ground have decided to replace “Ministry of Jesus” day scheduled for Tuesday (07/09) with “Hometown of Jesus” day in Nazareth. Our team has made this decision out an abundance of caution, as the safety and security of our participants is our highest priority. If you have any questions about this decision, please reach out to trips@passagesisrael.org. Thank you!
Update 07.01.2024
Global awareness of a potential escalation with Hezbollah in Lebanon has increased. However, the current situation in Israel gives us reason to believe that activity in the north should stay minimal and shouldn’t pose a risk to our upcoming travel in July.
We are monitoring US assessments to determine safety and security factors affecting the “Ministry of Jesus” day on our itinerary, which requires the group’s presence along the Sea of Galilee.
Our next round of travel to Israel begins Sunday, July 7. Everything will continue as planned, and our team is excited to introduce many new students to Israel soon!
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During and in advance of trip seasons, our team is closely monitoring the region for safety. Passages puts the health, safety, and security of its staff, participants, and partners above all else. Our internal Crisis Response Team at Passages is led by Breton Oesch (Sr. Director of Israel Operations), Talia Spear (Managing Director of Passages International), and Mattanah DeWitt (VP of Communications). This team works closely with partners in Israel to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all participants. These partners include:
- Security consultants
- Industry-leading tour providers
- Ground operators and field coordinators
- Israeli government contacts
With the help of these partners, we are constantly reviewing the latest information and making decisions daily about any changes to trip itineraries and travel necessary to ensure everyone’s safety. If you are scheduled to go to Israel during this summer season, please reach out to us with any questions at trips@passagesisrael.org. Updates will be provided to participants regularly via email to those who are planning to travel with us. Thank you!
Update 06.24.2024
Since last week’s travel update, we’ve seen a significant decrease in rocket activity in the North of Israel, as well as the Gaza border communities. We are closely monitoring the areas where our itinerary will be taking us. As of this week, those areas remain relatively quiet.
We are also monitoring escalations that may affect certain locations where we’ve planned to stop for site visits. We monitor any potential escalations in these locations within a 7-day window of the planned visit. The goal is to ensure the stability of the area and safety of all participants, staff, and partners.
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During and in advance of trip seasons, our team is closely monitoring the region for safety. Passages puts the health, safety, and security of its staff, participants, and partners above all else. Our internal Crisis Response Team at Passages is led by Breton Oesch (Sr. Director of Israel Operations), Talia Spear (Managing Director of Passages International), and Mattanah DeWitt (VP of Communications). This team works closely with partners in Israel to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all participants. These partners include:
- Security consultants
- Industry-leading tour providers
- Ground operators and field coordinators
- Israeli government contacts
With the help of these partners, we are constantly reviewing the latest information and making decisions daily about any changes to trip itineraries and travel necessary to ensure everyone’s safety. If you are scheduled to go to Israel during this summer season, please reach out to us with any questions at trips@passagesisrael.org. Updates will be provided to participants regularly via email to those who are planning to travel with us. Thank you!
Update 06.17.2024
During and in advance of trip seasons, our team is closely monitoring the region for safety. Passages puts the health, safety, and security of its staff, participants, and partners above all else. Our internal Crisis Response Team at Passages is led by Breton Oesch (Sr. Director of Israel Operations), Talia Spear (Managing Director of Passages International), and Mattanah DeWitt (VP of Communications). This team works closely with partners in Israel to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all participants. These partners include:
- Security consultants
- Industry-leading tour providers
- Ground operators and field coordinators
- Israeli government contacts
Update 06.12.2024
- Security consultants
- Industry-leading tour providers
- Ground operators and field coordinators
- Israeli government contacts
Update 06.10.2024
In the last week, the most notable incidents include increased activity in the north and a special operation in the Gaza Strip. On Saturday, Israeli forces rescued 4 hostages from the Gaza Strip while under fire. Passages celebrates their safe return, and we continue to monitor the situation both in the Gaza Strip, and on Israel’s borders.
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During and in advance of trip seasons, our team is closely monitoring the region for safety. Passages puts the health, safety, and security of its staff, participants, and partners above all else.
Our internal Crisis Response Team at Passages is led by Breton Oesch (Sr. Director of Israel Operations), Talia Spear (Managing Director of Passages International), and Mattanah DeWitt (VP of Communications). This team works closely with partners in Israel to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all participants. These partners include:
- Security consultants
- Industry-leading tour providers
- Ground operators and field coordinators
- Israeli government contacts
With the help of these partners, we are constantly reviewing the latest information and making decisions daily about any changes to trip itineraries and travel necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.
If you are scheduled to go to Israel during this summer season, please reach out to us with any questions at trips@passagesisrael.org. Updates will be provided to participants regularly via email to those who are planning to travel with us. Thank you!
Update 06.03.2024
This week’s update covers the past two weeks, given the Memorial Day holiday.
The situation in the south of Israel has improved overall, despite the escalation following Israel’s operation in Rafah. Most headline generating activities are isolated to Gaza proper, with heightened security at the border between Israel and Gaza.
The situation in the north has also improved. Activity has become less frequent in the last week and is generally isolated to northern border communities a safe distance from the Passages itinerary.
In the past two weeks, the most notable incidents include a cruise missile fired from Iraq into the Golan, and a second by the Houthis toward Eilat. Both of these locations are a safe distance from stops on the Passages itinerary.
_____
During and in advance of trip seasons, our team is closely monitoring the region for safety. Passages puts the health, safety, and security of its staff, participants, and partners above all else.
Our internal Crisis Response Team at Passages is led by Breton Oesch (Sr. Director of Israel Operations), Talia Spear (Managing Director of Passages International), and Mattanah DeWitt (VP of Communications). This team works closely with partners in Israel to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all participants. These partners include:
- Security consultants
- Industry-leading tour providers
- Ground operators and field coordinators
- Israeli government contacts
With the help of these partners, we are constantly reviewing the latest information and making decisions daily about any changes to trip itineraries and travel necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.
If you are scheduled to go to Israel during this summer season, please reach out to us with any questions at trips@passagesisrael.org. Updates will be provided to participants regularly via email to those who are planning to travel with us. Thank you!
Update 05.20.2024
Activity increased last week in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. This includes communities on the border, near Haifa, and one case west of the Sea of Galilee. We are monitoring this situation very closely and working with security consultants, ground operators, and field coordinators to assess and modify our itinerary as necessary.
We are planning the alternative days we may need and are also setting internal deadlines to determine the status of trips and if/when itinerary changes would need to be implemented. Those itinerary changes would entail moving activities either to the center of the country or the coast.
Passages reserves the right to change the itinerary to protect participant safety up to and including on the day of planned activities.
Update 05.13.2024
The IDF has begun an operation inside the Gaza Strip’s southernmost city, Rafah. Intensified fighting within the Gaza Strip and in southern Lebanon should be expected for the next couple weeks. The location of the fighting does not impact our current itinerary or travel plans, but we will continue to monitor the overall situation closely.
Update 04.29.2024
Yesterday, northern Israel saw sporadic fire from southern Lebanon. The locations hearing an alert were, with one exception, at least 45-90 min drive from all locations on our itinerary’s visit to locations like the Sea of Galilee. We are closely monitoring both the situation on the Lebanese border and specific sites as we continue to plan for our summer trips.
Update 04.22.2024
On Thursday evening, April 18, Israel responded to Iran’s airborne attack which took place the weekend before. Israel’s actions showed restraint and marked a deescalation. Iran’s response indicates that currently, they do not plan to attack Israel again. Together, those gestures suggest greater regional stability and security. We will continue monitoring the situation closely and actively planning for our summer trips.
Update 04.15.2024
Saturday night, April 13th, Israel experienced a coordinated airborne attack from Iran. The attack, a definite anomaly, was meant to retaliate for the assassination of an Iranian general accused of coordinating support for terrorist organizations.
With the help of allies such as the U.S., UK, France, Jordan, and others, Israel successfully repelled 99 percent of the attack, and the damages caused were minor. Israel plans to respond, believing it must do so to restore an effective deterrent. Next steps will be critical, but this does not mean a regional war is inevitable.
At this point, Passages is still planning for our summer Israel trip season. We are evaluating the security situation on an ongoing basis with the input of our contacts in Israel. For those who are considering participation in our programs this summer, we encourage you to proceed with your application and registration in order to secure your spot. If Passages determines that we cannot provide a safe trip for you, we will cancel and your trip registration fee will be fully refunded.
Update 03.14.2024
What is Passages doing this summer?
In January 2024, Passages successfully brought a delegation of our leadership, partners, and select alumni on a solidarity trip to Israel. During this trip, our group visited two communities in the Gaza envelope—Kfar Aza and Netiv Ha’Asara. These are villages where Passages participants have visited during their Israel trips since Passages’ inception in 2016. The delegation saw the locations where these atrocities occurred and presented a $250,000 donation to each community on behalf of Passages’ sacrificial supporters. The funds are being used to help these communities recover from the trauma of October 7 and rebuild when the time is right.
Delegates who participated in this solidarity trip attest to the life-changing nature of the experience. And many of our friends in Israel expressed to us how encouraged they were that Christians would come to bear witness to the suffering and offer support and care.
As we look toward future travel experiences in Israel, we want to continue to serve our participants and our friends in Israel in this way.
To that end, we are facilitating a smaller scale Summer 2024 trip season —which will focus on additional solidarity trips that will expose students to the realities facing Israel. These experiences will include volunteer opportunities, exclusive briefings on the impact of October 7, visits to significant biblical sites, and interfaith dialogue such as Shabbat dinner with a Jewish host family in Jerusalem. Thanks to our generous supporters, this ‘Return to Israel’ experience will be possible for many new students this summer.
We are also launching another travel experience this summer in Washington, D.C. that will prepare new students to travel to Israel with us during our upcoming Winter 2024 trip season.
The D.C. experience will include VIP access to the Museum of the Bible, a group tour of the Holocaust Memorial Museum, and exclusive access to briefings about the war. The weekend’s program will touch on themes that will be covered more in-depth in our Israel trip. These themes include:
- The roots of the Christian faith in the land of Israel
- The calling of Christians to identify and stand up for what’s right in society
- The ways in which Christians can stand with the Jewish people in solving the problem of global antisemitism
Our mission is to come alongside emerging Christian leaders and equip them to understand the world around them through the lens of their faith and to be courageous and compassionate voices for what’s right, beginning with the challenges facing Israel and the Jewish people.
If either of these experiences are of interest to you or your students, please reach out to trips@passagesisrael.org.
Update 11.2.23
Passages places the safety and security of our trip participants, chaplains, guides, and staff above all else. With this in mind, and after thoughtful discernment, Passages has decided to cancel the entire winter 2023 trip season. We are confident that Passages will make a triumphant return to Israel, but at this time, we unite to pray for our Jewish friends and the State of Israel.
Due to the cancelation of our 2023 winter season, we are working diligently to increase our summer 2024 trip options. Based on the most up-to-date information we have available, we are optimistic that the summer rounds will take place safely.
It has been an honor to plan this life-changing experience for you, and Passages apologizes for any inconvenience the unexpected cancellation has caused. We hope that you will consider traveling with us again, and that we will stand together in Israel soon.
Update 10.11.23
Early Saturday morning in Israel, Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack with over 2,000 rockets and an infiltration into communities surrounding the Gaza border. Israel responded late on Saturday and declared war on Hamas. Hundreds of Israelis have been killed and thousands wounded as the fighting continues.
Please be in prayer for the families of those who have lost loved ones and that peace would come quickly.
During and in advance of trip seasons, our team is closely monitoring the region for the safety and security of our students, staff, and partners. Passages puts the health, safety, and security of its staff, participants, and partners above all else. We are working closely with our partners in Israel to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all participants. With the help of our industry-leading tour provider, partners in the Israeli government, and security experts, we are constantly reviewing the latest information and making decisions on a daily basis about any changes to trip itineraries and travel that may be needed to ensure everyone’s safety.
If you are scheduled to go to Israel this winter trip season please reach out to us with any questions at trips@passagesisrael.org. Updates will be provided to participants regularly through their email.
Current COVID Requirements
Passages has been closely monitoring developments surrounding Israel’s changing travel policies in light new COVID-19 developments. For more information on our response to COVID-19, click here.
Please note that any and all COVID-19 guidelines are subject to change.
Testing for Travel: No testing is required to travel to Israel.
Vaccination & Boosters: Currently no vaccinations or boosters are required to travel to Israel.
For official press, please click HERE.
Masking: No longer required in public spaces in Israel.
Isolation: If you test positive for Covid while in Israel there are currently isolation requirements of approximately 5 days with guidance from the CDC. If you are required to isolate in Israel, Passages will arrange all housing and travel logistics and provide support throughout the duration of your isolation.
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