A 25 year old man, who is active in a faith-based social justice organization said, “I thought I was well informed about the religious and political issues in Israel and Palestine, but this tour has given to me more hard fact and cultural interpretations than 10,000 books. People have to see it to believe it—the Wall, the bombed out churches, check-points, soldiers everywhere, settlements and among it all, some of the holiest sites on earth.”

 In Jerusalem, the group had a bus tour of Ein Kareem, which in Arabic means, “Spring of the Vineyard”.  It is a Palestinian village, which was forcibly depopulated during the 1948 war.  Deir Yassin is also such a village. 

 The participants had a chance to visit Yad Vashem, the Jewish people’s living memorial to the Holocaust. 

 They heard views from modern Orthodox Jews and other Jewish representative of religious Zionism.  Interesting facts came from Rabbis for Human Rights, who are dedicated to human rights in Israel and the Occupied Territories.  In addition to the Rabbis’ perspective, the group met with ICAHD, the human rights and peace organization dedicated to ending the prolonged Israeli Occupation over the Palestinians.

 The group had the opportunity to visit Masada, an ancient fortification situated on top of an isolated rock plateau, overlooking the Dead Sea.   Herod the Great built palaces for himself on the mountain.  The participants had the unique experience of swimming in the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth!

Back in Jerusalem, they visited Harem al-Sharif - Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, as well as the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  They had Bible Study and Communion at Sabeel, as well as a presentation on Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land.

 In Bethlehem, they visited the Tent of Nations to learn about Israeli practices which deprive Palestinians of their land, later went to the Mosque of Omar and met with Imam Maher Assaf, and after that visited the Nativity Church, and finally the Bethlehem University.

 In Hebron, they explored the Ibrahim Mosque and tombs of the Patriarchs.  They had a walking tour of the Old City, and then were able to visit the Hebron Glass Factory.

 The farewell dinner was in Beit Sahour at a traditional restaurant where the participants had the chance to enjoy watching Palestinian youth performing traditional Dabkeh dances.

One of our participants raved, “This has been the most eye-opening experiences of my life. For my entire life, I have lived in America protected from what threatens other nations, but also isolated and ignorant of other people. I am so grateful for this tour. At my age, it is about time to have a life changing experience.” [She was 68 years old.]

 A 25 year old  man who is active in a faith-based social justice organization said, “I thought I was well informed about the religious and political issues in Israel and Palestine, but this tour has given to me more hard fact and cultural interpretations than 10,000 books. People have to see it to believe it—the Wall, the bombed out churches, check-points, soldiers everywhere, settlements and among it all, some of the holiest sites on earth.”