Israel's Benjamin Region Sees Tourism Boom During Holiday

Tens of thousands of Israelis visited tourist sites, trails, and springs across the Benjamin region within just two days during the intermediate days of the Passover holiday. Many locations reported full capacity, with ongoing holiday activities and tours throughout the area.

Key sites like Ancient Shiloh and Biblical Gibeon experienced massive turnouts, with thousands of visitors flocking to Shiloh on the first day and Gibeon filling up early on the second. Biblical Gibeon, a significant city in the territory of the Tribe of Benjamin, was opened for public tours for the first time in years. It is identified with the biblical story of the sun standing still and the period of the Tabernacle.

Other major attractions drawing crowds include the Hasmonean Palaces, the "Farm Road" in the Ofra-Har Hatzor-Kochav Hashahar area, and strategic farms like Ein Lotzion. These are complemented by numerous springs, observation points, and hiking trails, connecting biblical history, the Hasmonean era, natural landscapes, and contemporary Israeli settlements.

Activities in the Benjamin region are set to continue throughout the remainder of the holiday, offering options for families and avid hikers, including farm tours, visits to springs and heritage sites, and events at Ancient Shiloh. While some popular tours are fully booked, many opportunities remain for visitors.

Israel Gantz, head of the Benjamin Regional Council, described the holiday tourism as an "unprecedented bloom," noting that tens of thousands of Israelis are choosing to visit the region with their families to experience its biblical heritage, landscapes, and settlements. He expressed excitement at the full sites and anticipates thousands more families will visit.