Over 600 Israeli tourists cut short vacation in Himachal and return home amid ongoing conflict with Hamas
The Newz Radar
KULLU: Over 600 Israeli tourists who had been enjoying the picturesque landscapes of Himachal Pradesh have returned to Israel amidst the ongoing conflict with terrorist outfit Hamas.
The tourists, who were holidaying in popular destinations like Manali and Parvati valley in Kullu district and Dharamshala in Kangra felt the need to be with their families and show support as tensions escalated following a Hamas attack on Israel.
The majority of Israeli tourists had gathered in Kasol, located in the scenic Parvati Valley, to celebrate the Simchat Torah festival, which took place from October 6 to 8. During this festive period, their country came under attack by the terrorist organisation, prompting deep concern and a strong sense of national duty among the tourists.
In response, most of them decided to cut short their vacation and return to Israel. On the night of October 8, many tourists departed from Kasol for Delhi, using taxis as a mode of transportation. Others opted for flights departing from Bhuntar.
The exodus of Israeli tourists from Himachal Pradesh continued on October 9 and 10, with an additional group of about 20 tourists leaving from Bhuntar to Delhi via a Volvo bus operated by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation. In total, it is estimated that around 500 Israeli tourists left the Kullu district between October 8 and 12.
The Kullu police confirmed that the majority of the tourists from the district had now returned to Israel. Currently, only a small group of 20 to 30 Israelis are reported to be remaining in the area. In Dharamshala, about 100 Israeli tourists have already departed, while 50 have decided to stay, expressing their solidarity with their home country during this turbulent time.
Israeli tourists are a common sight in Kullu district from April to October each year, after which they typically move on to other destinations such as Goa and Pushkar. This period is marked by various festivals celebrated in Manali and Kasol, with the Simchat Torah festival being the final one in the lineup.
This year, around 3,000 Israeli tourists had visited the Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh by October. More than half of them had already returned home during the monsoon season, and now the remaining tourists have joined the ranks of those showing solidarity with their country during these challenging times.
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