(JTA) — Following its German sister company’s lead, the Dutch branch of Europe’s TUI travel giant has called off all tours of Israel due to the rocket fire there.
TUI Nederland, which is Holland’s largest travel group, on Tuesday announced the cancellation of its tours and flights to Eilat, Israel’s southern port city and holiday destination, following a similar move over the weekend by the much larger German branch, which is Germany’s largest travel group and the operator of the TUIfly airline.
While the German company suspended all flights and tours until July 31, the Dutch company will reevaluate next week, the Dutch NOS broadcaster reported.
The cancellations in Holland affected only a few dozen passengers with flight tickets and vacation reservations, according to NOS, which noted that TUI Nederland organizes flights through its Benelux subsidiaries Arke and Kras.
In its announcement, the German company wrote, “TUI Germany is reacting to the current situation in Israel and has cancelled all tours in the country until 31 July inclusive. Holidaymakers who have booked a TUI tour through Israel in the next three weeks will be contacted.”
The company said it would accept no new bookings for Israel with departure dates in the next three weeks.
A German Foreign Ministry travel advisory notes there have been “massive rocket and mortar attacks on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip in recent days,” adding that the Tel Aviv region also has been targeted.
On Friday, Hamas officials warned airlines not to fly to Israel because Hamas would be targeting its airports.
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