Dark Tourism

There’s nothing new about war tourism. European elites came out to watch battles in the 18th and 19th century. Armies gathered at Gettysburg before audiences of spectators. Warfare in the Middle East is now a draw for adventurous tourists.

The Golan Heights has been a favorite spot for watching Syria’s civil war. One operator lures customers with this tease: “If your idea of a good time is driving through a Hezbollah rally then going to get some sushi, Beirut is definitely the edgy Mediterranean destination for you.” In the Atlantic, Debra Kamin has written about contemporary war tourism from her post as a freelance reporter in Tel Aviv.