When Oleh Ben Zion Bokser’s family asked him to join them for a week in Switzerland this past August, he politely declined. “It didn’t feel right to leave Israel this summer,” he said.  Bokser, a 28-year-old tour guide who made Aliyah from New York in 2010, was not alone in his decision.

Since the beginning of this summer’s conflict, veteran Israelis and new Olim who were not serving in the army, sought to find alternative ways to support the country. While many took part in collecting goods for soldiers and purchasing items from vendors in southern Israel, the region most affected by the rockets, many others decided to take their summer vacations in Israel.

“We are fighting on two fronts in this war – the military front, with our finest conscript and reserve soldiers, and the economic front, in which every citizen in Israel is engaged, either as employees who are driving the economy or as consumers in every branch of the economy,” said Tourism Minister Uzi Landau.

In order to encourage Israelis to vacation, or rather, “staycation” in Israel, the Ministry of Tourism launched the summer campaign, “Davka Achsav Chufshah B’Israel” (“Precisely Now — a vacation in Israel”), which offers Israelis lower-cost options for hotels, restaurants, and attractions throughout Israel.  Israelis who live in southern Israel may receive even greater discounts.

James Kushner, an Oleh from England, was considering a trip to Italy with his family this summer before the conflict started.  “We normally book our trips at the last minute and this summer, we decided that it important to stay in Israel,” he said.

With his wife and three children, ages 2, 4, and 10, Kushner, a tour guide who lives in Maaleh Adumim, planned a five-day trip to the North, which included hiking near the Kinneret, camping at Chamat Gader and staying with friends at Mitzpeh Netufa, a community near Kibbutz Lavi.

The family also took a few day trips to Gush Etzion. “People have been nervous to go there because that’s where the three Israeli boys were kidnapped,” said Kushner.  “But, its residents are having a tough time and it was important for us to show our support.”

As tour guides, both Kushner and Bokser knew where it was safe to travel. Bokser chose to hike in Nachal Chalilim in Mevaseret Zion and through the Jerusalem Forest.

Though Kushner’s family chose to vacation in their new home, there was more than enough things to do and see. “We were busy all day.  We don’t just sit around on holidays,” he said.