War in Iran disrupts once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimages to Jerusalem

AAA urges travelers to take extra precautions by purchasing travel insurance.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 1:50pm

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The war in Iran is disrupting once-in-a-lifetime plans for Christians wanting to visit Jerusalem. For the faithful, a trip to the holy land is a religious pilgrimage. The conflict in Iran and the missile attacks on Israel have clients postponing trips from the busy spring season to the fall, as flights to Israel have been canceled. Travel companies are working to reschedule trips and protect customer payments, while urging travelers to purchase travel insurance to protect their investments.

Why it matters

A trip to Jerusalem holds deep religious significance for many Christians, allowing them to connect with the origins of their faith. The disruption caused by the war in Iran threatens to prevent these once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimages, impacting the spiritual and emotional experiences of the travelers.

The details

Noam Matas, president of America Israel Tours, Inc., said his California-based company that helps organize church travel to Israel has had to reschedule March groups due to the closure of the airport in Israel, even if there are no direct missile attacks. Matas assured customers that their payments are 100% protected and they can move their trips to the end of the year or 2027 if desired, with no penalties. AAA is urging travelers to purchase travel insurance to protect against cancellations, delays, and other issues that may arise during international travel, especially in unstable regions.

  • The war in Iran has entered its third week.
  • An Iranian missile hit the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad yesterday.

The players

Noam Matas

President of America Israel Tours, Inc., a California-based company that helps organize church travel to Israel.

Montrae Waiters

Spokesperson for AAA of Atlanta, who advises travelers to purchase travel insurance and seek the help of travel agents for international trips.

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What they’re saying

“They want to see where Jesus was born, was crucified. The whole story becomes much more vivid to them, much more understandable.”

— Noam Matas, President, America Israel Tours, Inc.

“We told them that whatever you paid is 100% protected. You can move your money to the end of the year if you wish. You can go to 2027, if that's a better year that you prefer to travel. Nobody's losing a dime.”

— Noam Matas, President, America Israel Tours, Inc.

“Look here's the deal. As travel picks up, you know the message is simple: protect your trip. Travel insurance helps with things like cancellation delays or lost bags and even medical emergencies. Sometimes people don't think about.”

— Montrae Waiters, Spokesperson, AAA of Atlanta

“Having access to a possible travel agent is a staple when you're going to be traveling overseas, especially during these times.”

— Montrae Waiters, Spokesperson, AAA of Atlanta

What’s next

AAA also recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program or STEP for short, a free service for U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency.

The takeaway

This disruption to once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimages to Jerusalem highlights the importance of travel insurance and working with experienced travel agents, especially when visiting unstable regions. It also underscores the deep spiritual significance of these trips for many Christians and the disappointment they face when their plans are upended by global conflicts.