By Kate Nathan and Adele Mackenzie

Israeli carrier, El Al, has announced that direct flights between Israel and South Africa will be halted at the end of March.

According to Israeli news service israelhayom.com, the downgrade in relations between the two countries – resulting from the attack on Israel and subsequent war in Gaza – have led to diminishing numbers of passengers on the route. The airline has thus decided to cease flights.

This decision was announced today (Friday, January 26) just hours before the International Court of Justice –the principal judicial organ of the United Nations – delivered its Order on the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel) at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

Delivering the ruling by the panel of 17 judges, ICJ President Judge Joan E. Donoghue did not grant Israel’s request to dismiss the larger genocide case.

Stopping short of calling for an immediate ceasefire – as requested by South Africa in its provisional request – she said Israel should take measures to prevent its forces from committing acts of genocide against Palestinians.

The ICJ further said Israel must allow humanitarian aid to the Palestinians and not destroy any evidence related to the case.

There was a further order for the freeing of the 240 hostages taken during the October 7 attack on Israel by the terrorist group, Hamas.

Judge Donoghue said the court had ordered these provisional measures because "the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is at serious risk of deteriorating before the court reaches its final judgement”.

Demand decreasing

According to a report by israelhayom.com, the number of Israelis who planned to visit South Africa has been steadily decreasing since the war began, and commercial concerns plus diplomatic uncertainty have both played a part in the decision.

Tourism Update reported earlier this month that while Israel’s National Security Council had warned its citizens against all non-essential travel to South Africa – implementing a level-three threat level – the inbound tourism industry had issued assurances that South Africa remained a peaceful travel destination for Israeli and Jewish travellers.

Inbound industry association, SATSA, issued a messaging statement for its members and the industry at large, if queried about the safety of Israeli travellers.

The statement highlighted: “We understand travellers may be concerned about potential unrest due to these political issues. Political debates like these don't lead to hostility or violence within our borders. Our commitment to providing a safe and enriching experience for visitors remains unchanged.

“South Africa continues to value dialogue and peaceful exchange.”

Inbound tourism implications

Tourism Update has spoken informally to operators and DMCs who have had concerns from customers about their safety in travelling to South Africa – especially when flying via the Middle East from Europe.

A DMC said some of her Italian clients had cancelled bookings as there was not a direct flight from Italy – they usually fly via Jordan.

In an informal Tourism Update poll, 11% of participants said they had lost bookings due to the Gaza conflict while 36% (by Friday) said they hadn’t lost bookings yet but were concerned that this could still occur.