This article appeared in Global Atlanta on June 18, 2025. View the article here: https://www.globalatlanta.com/stuck-in-israel-how-iran-war-is-affecting-business-travel-and-the-overall-psyche/
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(Photo: Guy Tessler, center, visited the Ra’anana Business and Innovation Admnistration to meet with Vice Mayor Zehava Landman, left, and Hedva Alfie Polanski, head of the organization. Credit: Guy Tessler)
Editor’s note: Guy Tessler of the Atlanta-based Pendleton Group was traveling back to his native Israel to deepen Atlanta’s ties with its Israeli sister city, Ra’anana, when Israel launched its attacks on Iran. With Israeli airspace closed, the former president of Atlanta’s Israeli chamber is stranded with no way to return, becoming one of many business travelers and investors affected by the outbreak of a war that feels different, even in a country accustomed to confrontation. Mr. Tessler reflected in an email interview on the current mood in an Israel under Iranian missile barrages — and the potential effects of another conflict on business. Pendleton Group is Global Atlanta’s Israel Channel sponsor.
Global Atlanta: You’re stuck in Israel right now: What is the mood now, where are you spending your time in order to stay safe, and how does this feel different from other conflicts?
I arrived in Israel on June 6 scheduled to return on June 14. After Israel attacked Iran, all flights in and out of Israel were canceled with flights en route asked to return to their origin. The Pride Parade with the special guest Caitlyn Jenner, a major event in the Tel Aviv social calendar, was cancelled hours before it even started. So now I’m “stuck”.
The mood in Israel today is mixed. On one hand there is great pride in the performance and ingenuity of the military and the intelligence forces. On the other, there is realization that the cost in life and property will be significant. Also there is a fear that the new war will reduce the efforts to release the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
This war (and it’s an actual war, not a conflict or an operation) is different than most of the other altercations that Israel has been involved in.
– Iran is a huge country with 10 times the population of Israel and the size larger than Spain, France, and Germany combined.
- The attack by Israel was preemptive and not a response to direct aggression by the adversary. Therefore, the timing and decision-making process is being questioned by some.
- Israel’s military and reserve units are stretched thin and there is a general sense of fatigue since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the Gaza war that followed.
- If considering the period of COVID, the Israeli society has not been in a “normal” state for 5 years. Add to that the controversy over the judicial reform, it takes a toll on families, education, small businesses, tourism and especially on the psyche of the country. The most used words in conversations I had with educators, business people, elected officials, and friends are trauma and post-trauma.
The Home Front Command’s mobile application is the key tool for the population to know when it is time to take shelter. The large distance between Iran and Israel is an advantage for civil defense. It allows time to alert the people to take shelter. This basically necessitates that people, wherever they are, always know where the nearest shelter is.
Global Atlanta: At this point, I think people doing business in Israel are used to disruption and risk. How do you think this compares to previous times, and what do you think the longer-term fallout will be?
The closing of Israel airspace has not only left people like me that cannot return home, it also left many Israelis, over 150,000 of them, traveling abroad for business and leisure stranded across the world. This obviously has a short-term impact but adds to the general hysteria. It is still too soon to estimate how companies will manage their operations moving forward. Delegations to international conferences (and sports tournaments) can’t leave the country. Add to that, a backlash on Israel over the war in Gaza is already affecting participation in international conferences and perhaps even more. As for incoming conferences, this has already started taking its toll with a major international Cyber Security Week scheduled for late June canceled.
If looking long term on the Israel economy, the compounded and increasing damage to property and infrastructure resulting not only from the Iranian missile attacks but also the war with Hamas in the south and Hezbollah in the north will put a strain on the economy and the deficit.
Having said that, Israel and Israelis are known for their resiliency and ability to adapt to changing circumstances and increased challenges. Industry organizations such as the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, Ecomotion and others have already reached out to their member companies to offer support.
You were in Israel presumably to deepen relationships between Atlanta and Ra’anana. For companies, cities or economic development organizations that have ongoing ties with Israeli cities, towns, municipalities or the national government, how do you suggest a) Showing solidarity, and b) Keeping these collaborations going amid what is going to be a turbulent few weeks and months, at the very least?
My meetings with the Ra’anana (Atlanta’s Sister City in Israel) elected officials and economic developers happened before the escalation with Iran and explored ways to pour even more mutually beneficial activities into this relations. We reviewed and set plans for multiple channels including ties between the innovation communities, working on community projects helping the community with their post-COVID / post-war mental strength, youth delegations and more. I found a community that wants a fully reciprocal relationship between our two cities.
They say that friendship is measured in troubled times. This is such a time. We hope that our people in Atlanta will contribute and participate in joint activities as they will be announced. Please follow the Atlanta Sister Cities Commission LinkedIn page where I post about the visit and our joint activities.
