The Trump Organization was exploring a luxury hotel management deal in Tel Aviv's Sarona district just weeks before Iranian missiles struck the upscale neighborhood during the recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, according to reports and company statements.
Eric Trump, who runs the family business, had discussed a potential branding and management agreement for what would become Tel Aviv's tallest hotel tower in the weeks leading up to the June 13 missile strike that hit the Sarona area, home to Israel Defense Forces headquarters and luxury developments. The Iran-Israel ceasefire took effect June 24 after a conflict that displaced more than 9,000 Israelis and killed 28 people.
The Sarona hotel project, developed by Israeli real estate firm Nitsba Group, reportedly "had the feel of a Trump property," Eric Trump told Israeli executives during an April virtual meeting1. He expressed interest in adding residential floors and wanted to finalize at least one Israeli deal by year-end, according to The New York Times1.
"Israel has always been a market we would love to explore, but we have no plans at this time and any discussions have been strictly preliminary," Eric Trump said in a statement1.
The Trump Organization has been pursuing Israeli hotel deals since before the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, including projects in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv23. Talks were suspended following that attack, with Eric Trump explaining that proceeding "would have seemed trivial and tone-deaf in light of the horrific things that the country and region were experiencing"3.
The recent conflict devastated Israel's tourism sector, with major hotel chains reporting sharp declines and numerous cancellations1. Several hotels in Haifa, Tiberias, Tel Aviv, and Eilat have closed operations, while others converted to emergency housing for displaced families1.
Iran launched approximately 550 ballistic missiles and 1,000 drones during the 12-day war, with about 90 percent intercepted by Israeli and American defenses2. Multiple buildings in Tel Aviv suffered damage from missile strikes34.
The proximity of potential Trump-branded properties to military targets raises security questions. Experts told The New York Times that any Trump-branded property in the region could become a political or military target1. The proposed Tel Aviv hotel sits near IDF headquarters, while height restrictions near Ben Gurion Airport could complicate expansion plans1.
The Trump Organization continues exploring Middle East opportunities in Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, countries with strategic ties to U.S. foreign policy12. Eric Trump indicated the company would "definitely" pursue Israeli deals "when the current situation that we're all witnessing on TV every day is resolved"2.
