From Jerusalem: Gaza Border Reality Tour

Gain a deeper insight into the ongoing Gaza-Israel conflict as well as the challenges and possible solutions on this unique tour of the Gaza border. Meet local people, speak with victims of the conflict, see fallen rockets, and explore onsite villages.
The tour departs from Jerusalem in the direction of the first destination of the day, the Erez border crossing, which is the only place where citizens of Gaza can enter Israel for business or medical care. Next, drive along the Gaza-Israel border to the Sibboni Lookout near Kibbutz Nir Am, or to the Black Arrow site. From here you can see an overview of southern Israel and into northern Gaza as well as the border at Beit Hanun, Beit Lahi, Jabalya, and Gaza City.

Continue the tour with a visit to an Israeli border community in Kibbutz Sa’ad. Head to the local synagogue for a short seminar about the conference followed by a video Skype chat with Gaza City residents. During the seminar, as well as throughout the day, learn about the history of Gaza, the 1948 and ’67 wars, refugees, the Intifada, The Oslo Accords, The Disengagement, the 2008, ’12 and ’14 wars, Hamas, Fatah, Egypt relations, the ’siege’ and suffering of Gaza’s population, ceasefire talks, and more.

After lunch, which alternates each week between Kibbutz Sa’ad and Sderot, drive through the agricultural field around Nachal Oz and the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City. Weekly, the ‘Great March of Return’ protests and clashes take place in Shejaiya, which you will learn about from your local guide. Arrive at the site of the religious Kibbutz Be’erot Yitzhak, that was destroyed in the 1948 war, and listen to the Israeli narrative of settlement and sacrifice in the northern Negev when creating borders of the future state.

Move onto Sderot next and visit the local police station to view its display of fallen rockets, then climb to the rooftop of the Hesder Yeshiv to see the rocket sculptures and an overview of the city. From here, visit a “rocket safe” playground and view up close an Iron Dome rocket defense launcher. Next, head to the Palestinian village of Al-Najd, destroyed in the 1948 war and whose former residents fled to Gaza, and listen to your guide discuss the narrative of the war and the Nakba. The tour finishes with a visit to a ‘moshav’ village on the norther Gaza border, to watch a presentation on the community lives of the locals who live here. Finally, take part in the Paths to Peace art project, and place a ceramic tile on the wall to help transform it from a defensive to a ‘peaceful’ wall.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.