Birthright Israel announced recently that it will resume its free 10-day educational trips to Israel in January, following a suspension during the conflict with Hamas.

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Approximately 350 participants, primarily students and young adults from the United States, are expected to travel to Israel starting the week of January 5, 2024.

This is a smaller number than the initially planned 23,000 Birthright participants for the year. The decision to resume the trips was made after careful consideration and discussions with local partners in Israel.

The trips will operate under strict safety and security standards set by the Israel Defense Forces' Homefront Command. Birthright CEO Gidi Mark stated that the educational focus will include discussions about the recent Hamas attack and its impact on Israeli society and global Jewish communities.

The resumption of Birthright trips is seen as a symbol of a potential return to normalcy for Israel, despite ongoing military operations in Gaza and recent security concerns. Birthright had previously canceled trips only once before, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and had recently launched volunteer programs in Israel for its alumni.

The organization aims to continue both regular programs and volunteer trips simultaneously, allowing participants to extend their stay for additional volunteering experiences. Birthright Israel has brought around 850,000 young Jewish adults to Israel on free tours since its inception in 1999.