Israel’s Tourism Minister, Haim Katz, is sounding the alarm over proposed budget cuts to his ministry, warning that continued reductions will severely damage the country’s tourism industry, which he says is already facing an “unprecedented crisis”.

In a statement, Katz argued that now is precisely the time for significant investment to ensure the industry’s future. He called the cuts a “mockery of the poor man’s lamb”, a Hebrew idiom emphasizing that the most vulnerable are being unfairly targeted.

Katz highlighted his efforts to secure a dedicated budget for tour operators to help preserve jobs and expertise within the industry. He stressed, “If the State of Israel wants tourism for the day after, now is the time to invest in the tourism industry, strengthen it, and ensure its contribution to Israel’s economy and its standing in the world”.

The Tourism Minister described the industry as a key growth engine for the Israeli economy and a crucial tool for public relations on the international stage. He believes that weakening the sector now would be a severe mistake.

“Tourism in Israel is in the most severe crisis it has ever known, and the ministry’s budget is extremely meager,” Katz stated. “Tourism is a key economic growth engine and a strategic public relations tool”.

As discussions on the national budget continue, Minister Katz remains a vocal advocate for his ministry, pushing for investment to help the tourism industry recover and thrive.