An eerie stillness permeates streets, shops, and hotels that until recently swarmed with tourists from all over the globe. People have been forced from their homes by Kassam and Katyusha rockets. Many have lost everything. The war has brought the economy to a standstill. The government has been forced to divert resources to the military, and this after years of terrorism has taken a human toll. People scrounge garbage bins and abandoned market stalls for a few morsels of food.
    Grief, hunger and hopelessness transcend political boundaries. Never before have the moral imperatives seemed so very clear as Hezbollah purposely targets civilians and Israel is censored for showing tremendous restraint in the face of hatred and aggression.  Israel now needs our help.
    Tourism has all but been suspended by the current conflict. Hotels, restaurants, retail shops and other related industries in the north are simply closed but throughout the country they are experiencing a steep decline in business. Furthermore political instability curtails foreign capital investment.