Today marks a monumental day for the United States as Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President. During his inaugural address, President Trump discussed key goals and plans, including trade policies, immigration, and foreign affairs—with a special emphasis on Israel.
Over the past 471 days, we’ve received numerous calls and emails regarding Israel—debating safety concerns, the status of travel plans, and speculating when a ceasefire agreement might be reached. To our surprise, it was announced last Wednesday, January 15, just before President Trump’s inauguration, that a multi-stage ceasefire was set to begin.
Israel has made multiple attempts to negotiate such an agreement, and while past efforts have failed, this one appears promising. President Trump acknowledged during his speech that just one day before he assumed office, several hostages were released—an act aligned with his pre-inauguration assurances.
Key Details of the Ceasefire Agreement:
- Phase One: All Israeli hostages are to be returned within six weeks of the agreement’s effective date (January 19).
- Phases Two and Three: Currently under negotiation, with discussions set to begin 16 days after implementation (expected on February 4).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to President Trump (from X, formerly Twitter) for his role in facilitating this agreement. Officials remain optimistic that the ceasefire will hold.
What This Means for Travelers:
With the northern region reopened, a ceasefire in the south, and the return of hostages underway, we anticipate a resumption of travel to Israel for pilgrims and visitors from around the world. This is a hopeful moment for those eager to experience the Holy Land and walk in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior.
We want to thank our clients for their trust and patience as we navigated this uncertain period together. With many groups set to depart in the coming weeks, we look forward to hearing your positive experiences and stories.
Stay Updated
As we continue to receive updates, we’ll be sharing them on our News page here. Additionally, we’re resuming our weekly Tuesday livestream, Imagine That. To stay up to date on all things Israel, follow us on YouTube and Facebook, where we’ll host live Q&A sessions. Join us tomorrow afternoon at 3 PM Eastern / 2 PM Central for a deeper discussion on this exciting development.