Bnei Brak Cultural Tours See Significant Drop Amid Conscription Tensions
Secular tourism in Bnei Brak drops by nearly half amid military service tensions and societal friction, though culinary and cultural tours continue on modified routes.
The tours of Bnei Brak that once drew curious secular Israelis seeking culinary and cultural encounters are facing a noticeable decline. Tour operators report drops of up to 50% in participation, driven by rising tensions over military conscription and broader societal friction following the October 7 attacks.
Dr. Yosef Speizer, a historian and owner of Israel-2GO, has been running Thursday night tours in Bnei Brak for over a decade. The walks typically include visits to synagogues, yeshivas, and local bakeries offering traditional cholent and kugel. However, Speizer notes that many secular Israelis are now reluctant to visit.
"People say they just don't have the energy for it," Speizer explains. "While some come with significant resistance, these tours offer a direct encounter that helps break down walls and address complex issues like yeshiva deferments and military service."
Similar sentiments are shared by Moti Kahlon, owner of Buka Food Tours. Kahlon observed that interest began to wane during the judicial reform protests and dropped further after October 7. In response to safety concerns and hostility from extremist factions, some operators have shortened routes and avoided less-lit alleys.
Despite the challenges, operators emphasize that most residents in Bnei Brak remain welcoming. Writers and guides like Shaul Meislish and local resident Chilik Rosenberg continue to offer tours, noting that while domestic secular tourism has dipped, foreign interest from international television crews and global travelers has noticeably grown.
