The Destination – Israel and Palestine – two months

What we’re doing in Israel and Palestine –

We hope to be able to learn about Israel and Palestine as a means to understand the world in which we live today. By delving into ourselves and sharing with others we hope to find out what the average person can do to help to make this world a better place for all.

We will be looking at the landscapes, cultures and political climates of the region and observing our own reactions to our experiences. We will learn from the great religions, the people and various organisations that work in the area. We hope that while on this project, everyone involved will be open to trying new things and to suggesting their own ideas as to what we can do. We all hope to be able to step out of our comfort zones and learn about new things.

• Visiting Kibbutzim – Here we have a rare opportunity to see how communal, socialist living can indeed work. Around 10% of Israelis live in these agricultural communities and they provide a model for existence you’d be hard pushed to find anywhere else in the world. We will learn about the history of the kibbutz movement and speak with kibbutz members so as to gain a greater understanding of life in a community. We hope to volunteer on the environmental “Green Kibbutzim” of the south, situated in the Arava rift valley in return for board and lodging and spend a fair amount of time exploring the desert environment and taking in the incredible views. From here we have good access to Eilat and the Red Sea coast. We’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the various projects of the local kibbutzim. These include nature sanctuaries, organic gardening and permaculture, alternative building and energy, and various steps towards peace and coexistence with both their Palestinian neighbours and the desert environment.
• Spending time with the Bedouin – The Bedouin are tribal people who are indigenous the land of the Levant. For centuries they have roamed as semi-nomadic herdsmen and traders. Now, in modern day Israel they face forced urbanisation, lack of public resources, a decline in traditional ways and forced removal from their homes. The story of the Bedouin of the Negev is not dissimilar to that of other indigenous people from all over the globe – the Australian aborigines, Native Americans, Amazonian tribes and others. However two of the major differences are that no one really knows (or cares) about their plight and that this plight is happening right now and it’s not yet too late to do something. We hope to work alongside organisations such as Bustan to learn more about their work and how the Bedouin’s story fits into the greater picture of the region.
• Searching for God - This is a land held Holy to many faiths. It is the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We will have the opportunity to learn about the religious aspect of the current conflict and delve further into the views of those affected by it. We will have the opportunity to spend time with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Druze, Black Hebrews, Sufis, Kabbalists, and Baha’is, visiting their holy places and discovering more about these faiths. We will begin to gain a deeper understanding of these faiths, the complexities of the conflict and the depth of the feelings involved. We hope to spend time in prayer and meditation in solidarity with the various groups in the region and in the process, learn about the world, and ourselves. We going to focus on making small changes in our own lives in order to make changes in the world and will spend a significant portion of our time exploring this.
• Working with Peace groups - Due to the fact that the area is constantly in conflict, there are many groups and organisations that are dedicated to lasting peace and non-violence. We will spend a significant amount of time working with these groups and learning about the various methods they undertake to reach their common goal. Some groups are faith based; others work by integrating communities so that the necessary bridges can be built. Some work with specific communities and some refuse to work with anyone. There are also many environmental, political, spiritual, animal rights and other groups from whom we could learn a lot. Israel has an extremely strong movement for alternative education that could be relevant to our project. We’ll have the opportunity to spend time with a range of these and come to our own conclusions about the effectiveness of the various methods. We’ll focus specifically on groups who use non-violence methods so that we are able to find out more about it. We are likely to be involved in talks, lectures, tours and volunteering in whatever way we can. There are festivals throughout the year where many groups come together to celebrate, learn and share their work. There are many organisations working all over Israel and Palestine so we will try to put together a schedule that fits with where we hope to be at certain times. The research begins now so try doing some and let us know if you find anything interesting going on.
• Getting to know the places and people - A great deal of our experience will be simply getting to know more about the way of life for the people who live in this region. We’ll be getting to know the land and her people, taking in all the new sights and smells, getting used to hearing the various languages being spoken and the foods that are eaten. It means connecting with the place we are in and taking it all in. This is an ongoing process but by the time you return home, you’ll be surprised how much of a grasp you have of the various cultures in the area. We intend to be actively learning as well as simply taking in what’s around us. We will speak with various experts on the conflict and with normal people, hearing their stories and of their experiences. We hope to document this in some way and will frequently share what we have learnt with those around us. We’ll ask questions, to ourselves and to others. We’ll have questions in mind so that we’re open to learn. Most of all, we’ll come together and share our findings as it is precisely this sharing that is lacking between Israelis and Palestinians.
• Being tourists – As visitors to the region we will find ourselves overwhelmed by the vast array of things to do and things to see. We’ll be visiting various places of historical, religious, political, geographical and cultural interest in order to enhance our understanding of the land. It is all part of our learning process and lets face it, who would want to visit Israel without floating on the Dead Sea, visiting the holy sites of Jerusalem or relaxing in the bustling cafés of Tel Aviv? From taking in the desert landscapes of the south to climbing the shrine of the Bab in the bustling port town of Haifa. From museums and volcanic springs to dazzling Bauhaus architecture and “the best hummous in Israel”. One thing’s for sure; we won’t have time to get bored! For more information about the plethora of things to see and do in the Holy Land click here.
• Scaling Sinai – Because the Visa you acquire when entering Israel overland lasts for only one month, we have the choice of either cueing for a visa extension or popping over the Egyptian border and spending a few days relaxing on the shores of the red sea in Sinai. It’s where Moses received the ten commandants and is one of the most relaxing places around – perfect for chilling after a busy few weeks in Israel and Palestine. There, we will be able to stay in small huts on the beach with a view of spectacular coral reefs, white beaches and the stunning sunrise over the Red Sea. Here we can hang out and play backgammon with the local Bedouin people and chill out in the bars of Dahab… which is also the perfect place to try our hands at scuba diving and camel riding!

Jordan is also just a stone’s throw away from Israel and Palestine and if you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the lost city of Petra, vacating the cool café’s of Amman or spending the evening under the stars at Wadi Rum Oasis then you should definitely consider some time in this amazing country.

Accommodation – Being as we intend to spend two months or more in the region, we are going to rent a small house or apartment in Jerusalem. As the claimed capital of both Israel and Palestine and at the heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem seems a fitting home for our group. It is also located in the centre of the region and hence provides the perfect headquarters for our work. The size of building will depend upon the number of people coming with us but however big, it is sure to be far cheaper than staying in hostels or hotels. It also means that we’ll have to eat out less frequently and will have somewhere to keep our valuables. In short, while in Israel and Palestine, we hope to have a secure home from where we can begin our adventures.

During busier times it’s unlikely everyone will have a room to themselves so do be prepared to share your room with others!

When we are in other areas of Israel and Palestine we will have the option of camping, staying with friends and organisations or staying in cheap hostels. We may also have the opportunity to spend time in more rural areas where we’ll be able to set up camp for the night.

In Israel we’ll also be able to spend some time volunteering our services on a kibbutz in exchange for board and lodging. We’ll arrange this beforehand too so that any kibbutz will be able to prepare for us. It’ll probably mean working for about six hours a day while having the opportunity to learn more abut communal lifestyle and learn from the kibbutzniks, a unique and influential part of Israeli society.

It is also hoped that we will be able to find a bed for a couple of nights while working with various organisations. It is possible for instance that we will be able to stay with Bedouin families in the Negev desert while working with Bustan. In situations like this it would be nice to be able to bring a gift or teach English to the family you stay with.

Certain religious organisations may also be prepared to help us find a safe place to sleep. The Baha’is and so-called “Black Hebrews” are well known for opening their doors to travellers, as are many monasteries and convents.

We’re hoping to be able to arrange homestays for those who would be interested in spending a few nights with an Israeli or Palestinian family. Let us know if this is something you’d like to do.

As with any travel experience, situations not planned for are sure to arise and you may meet someone who offers you a place to stay for a night or two. Provided you’re confident in your safety, go for it! It’s a great way to be able to immerse yourself in a new culture and gain experiences that will stay with you for your lifetime.

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