The Journey

Communication - In order for you to get the very most out of your time in The middle Eat, be sure to let us know when you’ll be coming and for how long. Then we can try our best to include anything you find interesting or useful during your stay. It’ll definitely help us to plan better so let us know – today!

Getting to Jerusalem – As already stated, we’ll no longer be travelling to Jerusalem together overland. We want to focus on welcoming as many people onto the project as possible and will need to spend a month or so in Jerusalem preparing for the beginning of the project. People will be meeting in Jerusalem for varying periods of time from September 1st. How you make your way to Jerusalem is up to you but here are some ideas:

Overland travel:

It is theoretically possible to travel from Europe to Israel providing you have no evidence of a previous visit to Israel in your passport. If you do then you will not be permitted to enter Syria. If you travel through Syria you should be able to enter Israel although the border guards may find you suspicious for having travelled though Syria and there are no guarantees on entry. You could get to Egypt or Jordan by other mean and enter Israel from there or it may be possible to find a cargo ship that goes to Israel from Athens or Cyprus. Again, there are no guarantees of entering Israel this way so be aware! It would, however, be a wonderful trip if you manage it and an amazing way to arrive in the Holy Land. For any advice or information on getting to Israel overland, contact us and we’ll help as much as we can.

Flights:

Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport is serviced by many airlines from all over the world and it is becoming much easier to get cheap flights into Israel. Ovda and Eilat in the south of the country also receive international flights.

ISSTA travel are one company who have cheap deals so have a look at their website www.issta.com .

Shop around a bit as it’s usually possible to find a good deal and try to book your flights as soon as possible as it will help to keep the cost down.

Don’t forget the environmental impact of flying. Plant some trees! You may want to travel overland to Greece or Turkey before getting a flight, which could make a difference to the environmental impact of your journey and will certainly be more interesting.

Visas - Those who arrive by plane will be issued with a three-month tourist visa and those coming overland will probably receive a one-month visa. This is provided you can show you have a return ticket, sufficient funds and that you are not ‘undesirable’. When asked for your reason of travel to Israel be sure to say that you simply want to see the sites, spend some time shopping in Tel Aviv and go home again. If you’re suspected of looking for work, joining any peace groups or visiting the West Bank or Gaza, it’s possible you’ll be denied entry. You will also have a hard time from border officials if you have passed through Syria or Iran on the way.

Visa’s can be extended fairly easily at the ministry for the interior in most towns and cities. If you decide to spend a few months on a kibbutz, they will arrange a volunteer visa for you.

What to do before leaving – The first and most important thing to do is let us know when you’ll be joining us. Let us know what you’re interested in doing and whether there’s anything you really don’t want to do. Then we’ll do all of the arranging for you. If you’d like to stay in the small steps apartment (see ‘The Destination’ section) then let us know. If you’d like to make your own arrangements for accommodation, that’s fine too. We may be able to help so tell us what you’re looking for.

If you like, you can read up on Israel and Palestine or on the concept of non-violence.

As far as what to bring, that depends on how long you’ll be away and on how you’re travelling. We’ll email you a list of essentials for the project.

Introduction to The Plan »»» The Destination: Israel & Palestine » Other Information