Abstract
Analysis of cross-sectional data on tourism to Israel during the Intifada reveals some factors driving international tourist behaviour. Much of the heterogeneity in the observed response of different nationalities can be explained by socioeconomic characteristics, some of which suggest differences in attitudes towards the risk associated with violence in Israel. Analysis of time-series data reveals the importance of different dimensions of violence in explaining tourism decline, distinguishing between violence affecting perceptions of risk and violence that might influence tourists with strong political views. We also see why variations in conflict intensity are more important than variations in road accidents.