Israel opened up to vaccinated visitors November 1 after 20 months of closure, with Jews and Palestinians reliant on tourism voicing cautious hope the pandemic's economic devastation will gradually ease.
Rami Razouk, a Palestinian souvenir shop owner in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem's Old City, said he was very happy at the prospect of increased revenue, but conceded his store was not quite ready for an influx.
"We are far from the complete opening of the skies," Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum told reporters, saying it will become clearer in coming weeks how many tourists will visit under current rules.
As of 1 November, foreigners can enter Israel with a negative Covid test from the previous 72 hours and if their last vaccine dose was administered less than six months ago. Unvaccinated children remain subject to quarantine rules.
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