While Israel’s ongoing war with the Hamas terror group in Gaza has harmed many businesses in the tourism sector, the Abraham chain of hostels has found a creative way to keep its Jerusalem branch going.

After shutting its doors this summer due to a lack of visitors, the iconic hotel, popular with young travelers, has been repurposed as a dormitory offering affordable housing for students studying in Jerusalem.

“With occupancy down by about 90% since the war started last October 7, the cost of rent and salaries was too heavy for us, and we decided in June to close down,” said Yaron Burgin, a partner in the Hostel chain. “But through a connection made by the city’s Hitorerut (Awakening) political party, we started speaking with the NGO Tene Yerushalmi about taking over the building and offering rooms to students.”

Tourism in Israel has all but dried up since the beginning of the war in October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israeli towns, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Most airlines have canceled flights to Israel, and the pirce of travel has gone through the roof.

Under the arrangement, Tene operates the building, located on Haneviim Street in the city’s center, and rents out private rooms to students for prices ranging from NIS 1,700 ($475) to NIS 2,000 ($560) per month. This is in a........

© The Times of Israel