Supporting Israel’s Evacuees

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority has been conducting numerous nature excursions to help displaced residents from the north and south regions. Starting in mid-October, these tours have been offered in national parks and nature reserves for residents who have been evacuated from their homes. So far, over 70 tours have been conducted, with 60 buses transporting more than 5,000 displaced individuals, including senior citizens and their families. These tours are four hours long and include bus transportation, free entry to the national parks, and guided tours by certified guides.

Evacuees from Kiryat Shmona at Herodium National Park, photographed by Yoel Oren, Evacuees-from-Kiryat-Shmona-at-Herodium-National-Park-photographed-by-Yoel-Oren-1.jpeg

The project, managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, is funded by the Ministry of Negev and Galilee Development, the National Resilience Ministry, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The displaced residents have enjoyed tours in national parks like Masada, Ein Hemed, Caesarea, Gan HaShlosha, Tel Dor, Hamat Tiberias, Beit She’arim, Kokhav HaYarden, Beit Guvrin, and Apollonia, as well as in nature reserves like Nahal Taninim, Einot Zukim, Hai Bar Yotvata, Stalactite Cave, Ein Gedi, and Ein Afek. More tours are planned in additional national parks and nature reserves.

Evacuees from Shlomi at Khan Sha’ar HaGai and Castel, photographed by Hazi Granit, Evacuees-from-Kiryat-Shmona-at-Herodium-National-Park-photographed-by-Yoel-Oren

Displaced residents from Kiryat Shmona, Shlomi, Metula, Ashkelon, Sderot, Netivot, Ofakim, and other surrounding northern communities have participated. They enjoyed every moment of the trip, sharing, hugging, walking the trails, and even smiling. There was also a restorative tour for evacuees from Yad Mordechai in the Nahal Taninim Nature Reserve.

Additionally, Sha’ar Hanegev School, which students from 23 surrounding communities attend, hosted a special event at Gan HaShlosha National Park on November 21, 2023. The students, who had not met their friends since the war began due to evacuations to different locations, enjoyed a day of fun activities, including swimming and a tour of the park’s springs. The day concluded with a delightful performance by singer Hanan Ben Ari. The entire event, including entry to the site, was done voluntarily.

Hanan Ben Ari performing for the students of Sha’ar Hanegev School at Gan HaShlosha National Park, photographed by Sarit Flacci from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority., Hanan-Ben-Ari-performing-for-the-students-of-Shaar-Hanegev-School-at-Gan-HaShlosha-National-Park-photographed-by-Sarit-Flacci-from-the-Israel-Nature-and-Parks-Authority

This initiative reflects the commitment of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and its partners to provide support and a change of scenery for displaced families during these challenging times.