Tel Aviv-Yafo, typically bustling as Israel’s vibrant hub of business, commerce, and entertainment, has taken on an eerie quiet as residents and business owners grapple with fear and uncertainty amid threats of retaliation from Iran.
Normally, the city’s streets are teeming with shoppers, its beaches crowded with sunbathers, and its nightlife thriving with parties and events. Tourists flock to the markets, cafés, and cultural landmarks that make Tel Aviv a top destination. But today, the scene is starkly different.
The streets are unusually empty, stores are closing early, and an anxious silence has replaced the usual lively atmosphere. The fear is palpable, creating a tense mood throughout the city.
Yana Levitan, who owns Alternative Souvenir in the old city of Yafo, expressed her concerns: “People are worried to be here, to be in Israel, especially in the old city of Yafo. I don’t know what will happen, but we will remain here despite everything.” The looming threat from Iran has exacerbated the situation.
The impact is being felt across various industries. Sadi, an Arab Israeli taxi driver, described the severity of the situation: “People don’t want to come to the Middle East right now; they don’t feel safe. I’ve never seen anything this bad before. We’re barely surviving.”
Despite the fear and uncertainty, the spirit of resilience endures. Yoel, a Tel Aviv resident, noted, “There is fear, but the people of Israel are resilient… we’re outside, and we haven’t stopped living.”
This period in Tel Aviv’s history brings forth stories from all walks of life. Mahmoud, a Palestinian Jerusalemite visiting Yafo, hopes for peace: “When the war ends, everything may return to normal.” Yoav, a resident of Kiryat Shmona temporarily staying in Yafo, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the impact of war on both Jewish and Arab communities: “We can live together peacefully without political issues. The only problem is the radicals on both sides. Without them, life would be better.”
Even as Tel Aviv contends with the war’s effects, its people continue to push forward. Tourists like Michael and Kyara from France offer a complex view of the city during wartime—where life feels both disrupted and oddly familiar. While they observed closed shops and quieter streets, they also saw a city determined to keep its spirit alive.
For locals and visitors alike, the ongoing conflict has brought daily life to a near standstill. Yet, despite the uncertainty, Tel Aviv’s resilience remains unbroken, with hope that the city will soon return to its vibrant self.
