Tourism expert Dr. Eran Ketter, head of the Tourism and Hospitality Management Department at Kinneret College, highlights a growing concern among Israelis. "The prevalent questions on social media these days are about how much Israel is hated or liked," he said. "They are as common as asking for hotel recommendations."
Recent incidents underscore this tension. Last week, an Israeli couple was evicted from a Paris hotel in the middle of the night, their reservation denied by the manager on duty. Days earlier, a hotel in Japan rejected an Israeli guest's reservation, citing alleged war crimes committed by the IDF in Gaza.
Travel blogger Ohad Navon continues to visit countries worldwide, noting the heightened awareness of the Gaza war. "Since the war, the world is aware, for better or worse, of what is happening in Gaza," he said.
"I was recently in Athens, where pro-Palestinian protests occurred and Israeli tourists encountered unpleasant incidents. Although it was not perfect, I did not hide the fact that I was Israeli. I just behaved wisely. I noticed quite a few Israelis on the streets there, without fear."
Navon advises Israelis to take necessary precautions, including purchasing insurance, carrying a satellite phone in remote areas and keeping in regular contact with family at home. "I know people who returned from Colombia, Bolivia, and the Maldives—all places in the headlines for anti-Israel sentiments," he said.
"In Chile, for example, even before the war, a rumor spread that Israelis were trying to take over the country, making visitors from Israel unwelcome. The worst antisemitism I experienced before the war was from the Scots and the Irish. Israelis should practice caution and avoid unnecessary confrontations. They can explain that what is reported in local media does not always correspond with the truth on the ground."
Ela Keinan, founder of the BrightMind travel blog and an advocate for Israel online, agrees. She believes that while some Israeli tourists face hostility, it is not widespread. "I think there are such cases, but they are not widespread," she said.
"Israelis should not be drawn into arguments unless there is some proximity where a debate can be had. My advice is not to be aggressive despite emotions running high. People do not know our background and may not agree with us. It is important to remember that minds can be changed by moderate speech."