From Tel Aviv: Hebron and West Bank Dual Perspective Tour
ID: GYG368976-661901
Category:
Country: Israel
Duration:
12:00 hours
Description
Visit this special city, one of the four holy cities in Judaism and a sacred place in Islam. This Hebron tour splits the day in two, you’ll spend the morning with Jewish "settlers" in the city, and the afternoon in the Palestinian part of the city.
Leaving Tel Aviv you'll head south into the hills of Judea on your way to "H2", the Israeli controlled area of Hebron and the largest city in the West Bank. Whilst there, visit the divided Tomb of the Patriarchs, home to the symbolic tombs of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob and Leah, and even Adam and Eve. Following that, tour the Jewish "settler" neighborhoods of the city by visiting the Avraham Avinu Quarter and restored synagogue, the Beit Hadassah Museum about Jewish life in Hebron before the riots of 1929, and the "Shavei Hevron Yeshiva" in Beit Romano. You’ll also visit the hilltop Tel Rumeida, the site of a Bronze Age archaeological site, army base, and the tomb of Ruth and Jesse from the Bible.
Crossing over into the Palestinian area you’ll be met by a Palestinian guide with whom you will enter the bustling city center. Enjoy an optional home-cooked lunch with a Palestinian family, providing you with the chance to speak with a variety of locals. Following lunch, climb on top of a family home for a rooftop view over the city and learn about the difficult conditions of Palestinian residents and shop owners living in close proximity to the nearby settlements. You'll then visit the Muslim side of the Tomb of the Patriarchs, known as the Ibrahimi (Abraham’s) Mosque.
This tour of Hebron is a unique tour in that it presents two very different narratives of one ancient, contested city. Throughout the experience you’ll have two guides, one Israeli, one Palestinian, each showing a different half and a different perspective of this city. The tour is political but objective, with each participant free to form their own opinions.
Highlights
- Gain a unique perspective with a tour of both sides of this unique city
- Visit the Tomb of the Patriarchs as well as the major Jewish and Islamic sites in Hebron
- Speak with Palestinians and Israelis living in this divided city
- Gain a better understanding of this complex political situation
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• This tour is not available for Israeli passport holders due to restrictions
Upon arrival, please enter the lobby of Abraham Tel Aviv (Abraham Hostel).
When should I book?
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.
Cancellations
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.