Fearing the loss of their loved ones and driven by patriotic fervour, most Israelis have returned to their country.
CHANDIGARH
About 600 Israeli tourists returned home from Himachal Pradesh to protect their country amid the war with Palestine. These tourists, who had come for sightseeing in Manali, Parvati Valley and Dharamshala in Kullu district, were worried about their country and their families after the Hamas attack on Israel.
Most Israelis gathered in Kasol in the Parvati Valley for the Simchat Torah festival, celebrated from 6 to 8 October.
Meanwhile, their country was attacked by Hamas. Fearing the loss of their loved ones and driven by patriotic fervour, most Israelis have returned to their country. Many tourists left for Delhi from Kasol by taxi on the night of 8 October, while some left by plane from Bhuntar.
Most Israelis returned to their homeland on 9 and 10 October. Apart from this, on October 12, about 20 tourists from Bhuntar left for Delhi in a Volvo bus of Himachal Road Transport Corporation. According to information, about 500 Israeli tourists have left for home from district Kullu from 8 to 12 October.
Superintendent of Police Kullu Sakshi Verma said that most of the tourists from the district have returned to their homeland. At present, only 20 to 30 Israelis are reported to be staying here. On the other hand, about 100 Israeli tourists went back from Dharamshala, while 50 are still staying in Dharamshala.
Israeli tourists stay in Kullu from April to October. After this, they usually move towards Goa and Pushkar. During this period, five festivals are also celebrated in Manali and Kasol of Kullu. The Simchat Torah festival is the last one.
About 80% of foreigners come to visit Parvati Valley here. Concern was clearly visible on their face after hearing the news of attack on Israel. Around 3,000 Israeli tourists had come to visit Kullu district, famous for tourism, till October this year. More than half of them had returned during the rainy season. The tourists who stayed here have also now returned to their country.