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Western Galilee, Israel, July 9, 2026 — Jewish National Fund-USA's Western Galilee Now (WGN) small business consortium continued to strengthen northern Israel's tourism economy during the second quarter of 2026, supporting dozens of local entrepreneurs through festivals, business development programs, community initiatives, and regional partnerships that are helping businesses grow.
“By providing support for small businesses across the North of Israel, Jewish National Fund-USA is helping people who call this region home,” said Michal Shiloah Galnoor, CEO of Western Galilee Now. “Our work is creating opportunity, support, and growth.”
From April through June, WGN supported 76 active tourism entrepreneurs, helped organize 113 events, welcomed 738 visitors to the Jewish National Fund-USA Tourist Information Center in Akko, and brought 12 organized groups to the region. Signature events included the 13th Spring Festival, which featured 20 culinary, cultural, and outdoor experiences throughout the Western Galilee, and the Wine Time Festival, which brought together six boutique wineries and hundreds of visitors after being postponed due to security concerns.
Beyond tourism, Jewish National Fund-USA’s WGN creates meaningful opportunities for both residents and local businesses. Respite activities for residents of the Matte Asher Regional Council connected families with local tourism businesses through workshops and community experiences, while the organization's ongoing cooking project prepared thousands of meals for soldiers serving on Israel's northern border, simultaneously supporting those defending the country and providing valuable business to local culinary entrepreneurs.
Marketing efforts remained a critical driver of recovery, generating more than 56,000 visits across WGN's digital platforms and more than 1,100 direct inquiries to local businesses and tourism activities. At the same time, organizational partnerships generated more than 75,000 NIS in sales for member businesses, demonstrating the growing importance of diversified income streams as tourism continues its gradual return.
Looking ahead, WGN is preparing for a busy summer season featuring the July Art Festival, cultural programming, outdoor experiences, and expanded tourism offerings designed to bring even more visitors back to the Western Galilee.
“We will continue to promote local businesses, expand exposure for the region, and bring audiences to the various tourism activities, with the hope that this summer will bring visitors back to the Galilee as in the years before the war,” said Shiloah Galnoor.
As Israel continues moving forward after years of uncertainty, Jewish National Fund-USA remains committed to ensuring the region's entrepreneurs, communities, and local economies have the support they need not only to recover, but to thrive for generations to come.
Learn more about Western Galilee Now here.
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About Jewish National Fund-USA
For 125 years, Jewish National Fund-USA has helped strengthen the land and people of Israel by investing in the communities, infrastructure, and leadership that shape the country’s future. Our work is focused on making Israel’s North and South places where families can build full, vibrant lives with access to medical care, emergency response, water solutions, parks, playgrounds, jobs, and economic opportunity. Working with our donors and partners, we support underpopulated communities, help attract new residents, improve quality of life, and create the conditions for long-term growth. Our work reaches beyond projects on the ground. Through education, travel, and leadership opportunities, we connect Americans of all ages to Israel in meaningful and lasting ways. That vision continues with the World Zionist Village in Be’er Sheva, a global center that will bring people together to live, learn, lead, and strengthen the next generation of Zionist leadership. From urgent relief to long-term transformation, Jewish National Fund-USA is helping build a stronger future for Israel and creating lasting legacies for generations to come. Learn more at jnf.org.
