update- thurs 26 june
11:58 AM
Dear Israel Tour Families,
We are writing to update you on the status of FZY’s Israel Tour 2025.
We are pleased to share that three of the four key criteria required for the programme to proceed have now been met, including confirmation of insurance, flights, and security guidance from our Israeli partners. However, as you may know, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all travel to Israel. While this guidance remains in place, we are not able to move forward with the Israel Tour programme.
With a ceasefire newly in place and clear signs of progress, we strongly believe there is still a real possibility that the final piece, the FCDO guidance, will change in the coming days. As such, we have made the decision to delay our final call until the end of the day on Tuesday 1st July.
If the guidance changes before then, we are ready to proceed with Israel Tour as originally planned, and will communicate that with you immediately.
Why we are waiting
We understand that families were expecting a final decision this week. However, we are committed to doing everything in our power to give your children the opportunity to participate in the Israel Tour they’ve been looking forward to, one that is safe, enriching, and unforgettable.
Our responsibility is to act both cautiously and hopefully. Waiting just a few more days gives us the chance to confirm the programme our movement is built around, without compromising on safety or legality.
What if we choose not to wait?
We respect that each family’s comfort level is different. From today, if you choose to withdraw, we will treat this as though FZY has cancelled and will refund all recoverable costs. We are not yet able to confirm the exact amount, as we are still in active discussions with our suppliers to recoup funds. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to minimise any financial loss.
What happens next?
Information Update (this evening): We will have a briefing at 8pm this evening led by FZY and UJIA Israel Experience to explain our current position and next steps. This information evening will be recorded and sent out for those who will be unable to attend live. You can join the information evening via this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/kMYWzdV7ccA
Final Decision (Tuesday 1st July): We will be in touch by the end of this day with our confirmed position and share information of the next steps.
Information Evening (Tuesday night): An additional information evening will follow Tuesday’s announcement to answer your questions and share all necessary information.
Cancellation Option: If you wish to withdraw now, please send an email to office@fzy.org.uk clearly stating this request with the full name of your child.
Please find enclosed with this email an FAQ sheet which hopefully can provide you with the answers to many of the questions you may have in regard to this decision. We hope to be able to answer any additional questions in the information update this evening.
Thank you for your continued support, your partnership, and your trust as we navigate this together. Our absolute priority remains delivering a safe, high-quality, and inspiring summer for your child, and we continue to hope that will be in Israel.
Warm regards,
FZY Team
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1:08PM
Dear FZY Parents,
Thank you for bearing with us as we navigate this incredibly complex and emotional situation.
We want to clarify a point from our earlier email, as we appreciate it may have caused some confusion. While we know many families remain hopeful that Israel Tour will be able to run this summer, we also fully understand that others may feel uncomfortable sending their child to Israel at this time, even if the FCDO guidance changes by Tuesday.
In light of this, and as a gesture of goodwill, we have updated our cancellation policy. Families may now choose to cancel their place on Israel Tour and receive a refund of all monies that FZY is able to recoup. This option is available from now until the date of departure, with no fixed cancellation deadline.
That said, please note that the later we receive a cancellation, the greater the risk that some additional costs may become non-refundable. However, we want to reassure families that there will be no financial difference between cancelling now and waiting until after Tuesday’s final decision, so families who wish to wait for that clarity before deciding are welcome to do so.
Thank you again for your continued patience, trust, and understanding.
Warm regards,
The FZY Team