7-Hour Jerusalem Political Guided Tour from Jerusalem
Description
This is our flagship tour, and can set the stage for further exploration of the country. The experience is intended for anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, to go a little beyond the 'Them and Us' discourse, and to learn from a guide who has in-depth knowledge of the issues as well as an alternative perspective.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The first step of the tour brings us to the Old City where you will receive a detailed briefing, learning about one hundred years of history from the late Ottoman period to the present time. You will also get a brief introduction to Israeli occupation and settlement efforts in the Old City and the nearby Holy Basin. The morning tour will focus on the centrality of the Old City of Jerusalem to the three monotheistic religions while we explore some of the visible icons of the Israeli Occupation including Jewish settlements in the Christian Quarter and Muslim Quarter, with discussion of their history and implications.
Then we'll take a walking tour of the Old City, entering at Damascus Gate through the bustling markets and learning about the division of the city while also visiting some of the sites. We visit the Western Wall Plaza in the core of the Old City which was created over the site of the destroyed Mugrabe neighborhood in the aftermath of the 1967 war. You will also learn about the Temple Mount's and Al Aqsa's holiness in Judaism and Islam, and it's centrality to the conflict.
After lunch there will be another short briefing, followed by a ride to learn about the facts while driving through East Jerusalem settlements and Palestinian neighborhoods. We will stop at various impressive lookout points which paint a clear picture of the distinct differences between East and West Jerusalem including the modern office towers and highways in the West of the city and unsealed roads and donkeys being ridden in the East. You will have a chance to see the gorgeous panoramic views back to the old city of Jerusalem. The next part of our tour takes us down the 'seam line' road that divides east and west Jerusalem, passing areas that were conquered by Jewish forces in the 1948 War and whose Palestinian residents were mostly given refugee status by the United Nations. You will see Israeli settlements both from that time period, as well as more modern colonies.
Next up, you will have an up-close look of the infamous West Bank Wall - sometimes called the Separation Barrier - which divides not only Arabs and Jews but in many places, Palestinian communities. This is also an opportune time to learn about the reasons for the wall being built, how well it prevented terrorism and the surveillance of the Palestinian residents.
The final stop gives visitors a chance to see the Palestinian village of Anata which is surrounded by the Wall. You will find out about Ma'aleh Adumim, one of the biggest settlements in the West Bank, and we may visit the outlying outposts of the town, and learn about the displacement of the local Jahalin Bedouin. Some of the lookout points include captivating views of the Judean Desert and the 'E1' planning zone that is set to be filled with new settlement neighborhoods and tourist hotels.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Travel Document: A current valid passport is required on the day of travel.
Reviews(7)
Anyone interested in the political situation should take this tour or another offered by the green olive collective. Rather than just sightseeing, you'll learn about the ideological conflict from the perspective of Palestinian nationalism.
Excellent tour with one of the best guides we've ever had. Malkon was incredibly smart, engaging and open. He gave us a great tour that was a perfect mix of historical facts and personal and general opinions, always making sure to point out which was which. His analysis and perspective were well-informed and clearly presented a viewpoint without trying to push it down our throats. We learned so much and truly enjoyed our day with him, only wishing we had more time. Definitely recommend!
Thanks JMFeld! We are glad you had a meaningful experience. Malkon is a superb guide and we're always impressed with his ability to provide engaging information about the history, culture, and politics of the region. Safe travels and we hope to see you soon.
Excellent tour with a very knowledgable guide. Learned so much about the political situation on the ground in and around Jerusalem.
Thanks so much 799sahers! We're so glad it was meaningful and informative and that your guide was able to shed light on the reality of Jerusalem. Safe travels and we hope to see you in the future.
We visited Jerusalem for the first time and did not have a lot of time but wanted to get an overview of the current situation as well. Superbly prepared guide and really interesting tour. Not to be missed
Thank you Belsalai17! We are so glad to have hosted you during your first visit to Jerusalem and that we could help give some insight into the reality on the ground. Safe travels and we hope to see you again!
This was my first visit to Palestine, and although I thought I knew much about live under occupation, I learned so much more about the reality Palestinians have to face every day through this tour. All the guides were very passionate about their work and did an amazing job. The families I lived and spent time with were just very kind and lovely people, and I hope I can return soon. Will highly recommend this tour, what an unforgettable experience! Thank you for everything.
Thank you nk637! We're grateful for international visitors like you who want to see the reality on the ground with their own eyes. Safe travels and we hope to see you in the future.
This was our first time visiting Israel and the Old City. We met up with our guide Yehav, an incredibly knowledgeable and articulate interpreter of the history, politics and geography of Palestine, Israel, and the West Bank over the last 100 years. After orientation using a series of historical maps, we set off through Damascus Gate and on to various key outlooks. There is no substitute for viewing "the facts on the ground." Yehav presented the history and current situation objectively and with evidence. We also enjoyed an excellent lunch at a "no name" restaurant in the Muslim Quarter.
Thanks Mlbrow - I am pleased you found our tour worthwhile. Do come again. Fred Schlomka - Managing Partner
We took both the 4 hour Greater Jerusalem tour and the 3 hour Old City Jerusalem tour (some people take them on the same day but we broke it up over two days). The experience was life changing. Our tour guide Rotem was incredibly knowledgeable and gracious. We learned so much history and now have a greatly expanded understanding of the situation in the area and how it impacts the daily life of its residents. We saw sacred sites, we saw refugee camps, we met residents, and so much more. And yes, Rotem always made sure we had bathroom breaks, and water breaks, and the bus (for the Greater Jerusalem portion) was very clean and had an excellent driver. Green Olive is fantastic. I can't recommend them enough.
Thanks Heather for your appreciation of our tour and Rotem's guiding. We hopw to see you again. _____ Fred Schlomka, Managing Partner
