All wars exact a heavy price. Soldiers are killed. Families are devastated. Cities are destroyed. Economies are ruined. In direct economic cost, Israel’s war against Hamas is estimated to come out at $67 billion. But there is a mounting hidden cost which is likely to plague Israeli society for some time to come. I mention these points so that when we pray for Israel, we might not only pray for their war effort but also for many of the societal challenges they face as a result of the wars they are fighting.
Tourism
Aside from the overall population itself, the sector which has been hit the hardest is tourism. In peak years, where Israel usually expects close to five million tourists, the value to the economy is in the billions of dollars.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, a little over three million tourists entered Israel during 2023. That is, until October 7, 2023. Since the war began, tourist numbers have plummeted. For those who rely heavily on tourism income, it has been devastating, particularly since they were just starting to recover from the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Fluctuating violence is nothing new to tour operators. Nor is the last-minute cancellation of incoming tour groups due to unexpected war and terrorism. They usually have a financial reserve to help them survive challenging times. However, the COVID-19 lockdowns depleted those reserves and as a result, many businesses are now in a very precarious position. Although many pivoted to helping with relief efforts, if tourism does not recommence soon, many will face financial ruin. […]
— Read More: harbingersdaily.com
At Last, a Company With Integrity in the Gold IRA Industry
For several years, I’ve been vetting out precious metals companies in search of the best. I believe in gold and silver but it’s hard to find integrity in the Gold IRA industry. The vast majority operate with shady tactics and gigantic spreads that take advantage of Americans who simply want to protect their life’s savings.
I’ve found a handful that I like and I’ve worked with some of them. By no means would I “unrecommend” them because, again, I vetted them out and found them to be above the fold. Unfortunately, it isn’t hard to be better than the rest when the rest are so darn awful.
After years of searching, I finally found a company that truly operates with integrity. Augusta Precious Metals has three important attributes that set them far above the competition:
- Non-Commissioned Sales Team: I cannot stress how important and unique this is. With just about every other company in the Gold IRA industry, the sales teams make commission from every account they open. This means they steer their clients toward the gold and silver products with the highest commission. With Augusta Precious Metals, the team is solely focused on putting the best gold and silver for their clients into their IRA. They get paid to serve the best interests of the Gold IRA client, NOT their own commission pay.
- Incredibly Low Fees: Most Americans would be shocked if they knew the spread other Gold IRA companies charge. Augusta charges just 5% versus up to 45% elsewhere.
- No Pressure, No Gimmicks: There’s an understanding among most in the Gold IRA industry that fear and pressure is the way to go. Augusta Precious Metals takes a sober approach when working with clients because they hold integrity in the highest possible regard. This is why they don’t offer gimmicks like “free” or “bonus” silver. It’s also why they do not apply pressure tactics to get quick sales. Their educational and transparent approach to doing business is exceedingly rare in the Gold IRA industry.
