Travel Within Palestine and Israel: At the Excellence Center/Engage in Palestine, we encourage our international volunteers, interns, and students to explore the diverse regions of the West Bank, Palestine and Israel during their stay. Your time in Hebron offers the perfect launching point for discovering a wealth of historic and tourist landmarks.
As you embark on your journey, you’ll have the opportunity to visit various sites and cities, each offering its unique charm and significance. These include well-known places such as Bethlehem, Nablus, Jenin, Jericho, Jerusalem, Ramallah, and many others. Feel free to seek recommendations from our staff and fellow international volunteers, especially as many will venture outside of Hebron on their days off.
For your travel and accommodation needs, there are numerous options available to match your interests and budget:
- Hotels (Check booking.com)
- Local hostels (Check hostelworld.com)
- Airbnb
- Staying with Palestinian local host families
- Private rooms
Travel to Israel
In addition to exploring the West Bank, you can easily venture into Israel, visiting cities like Tel-Aviv, Akko, Haifa, and Jaffa. You also have the opportunity to visit various refugee camps located in and around the West Bank, either as part of organized programs with the Excellence Center or privately.
Traveling within the West Bank and Israel
Traveling within the West Bank and Israel is relatively cost-effective. Shared taxis, known as “services” (sherut in Hebrew), are a common mode of transportation. These are minivans that accommodate several passengers, making them more economical than private taxis. Services typically depart when the vehicle is filled with passengers, a process that usually happens quite swiftly. If you have specific destinations in mind, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from the Excellence Center staff, who can provide you with essential information, including central transportation stations and prices.
For example, here are some typical one-way service fees between West Bank cities:
- Ramallah to Hebron: 27 New Israeli Shekels (around $7 USD)
- Ramallah to Nablus: 18-20 NIS (around $5 USD)
- Ramallah to Jerusalem: 14 NIS (around $4 USD)
Dealing with Taxi Drivers
To utilize a service, simply wait at a spot where services congregate or hail one down by extending your arm. Make sure to confirm the exact fare with the driver before boarding. Once on board, find a comfortable seat and, during the journey, pass your fee to the driver, who will return any change through other passengers.
Within Hebron, service fees for one-way trips typically range from two to ten NIS per person, depending on the distance of the route. Private taxis within Hebron also fall within this price range.
Exploring Gaza
Gaza, a vital part of Palestine, boasts a wealth of historical and cultural sites. However, it’s essential to note that international travelers may face challenges when entering the Gaza Strip. Many foreign governments advise against traveling to Gaza. Access to Gaza is typically granted through a special visa or travel permit, a process that can be intricate and time-consuming. If you’re interested in visiting Gaza, extensive research and contact with relevant authorities are necessary before considering your journey.
Always carry your passport and visa when traveling in the West Bank and Israel. Israeli checkpoints are commonplace, and you may be required to present your documents.
Safety During Your Travels
When traveling to the West Bank from Israel, concerns about safety may arise. The official signs you’ll encounter upon entering cities like Hebron or Bethlehem, which advise Israelis to avoid Palestinian regions due to legal and safety concerns, are not directed at international tourists. Keep in mind that these signs are intended for Israelis and have limited impact on international travelers.
The signs are erected by Israeli authorities to keep their citizens out of Palestinian autonomous zones. The Oslo II Accord, an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, divided the West Bank into three sectors: Area A (under Palestinian authority), Area B (under Israeli-Palestinian joint management), and Area C (under Israeli control). Under this agreement, Israelis are prohibited from entering Area A, and Israeli authorities discourage civilians from entering Area B.
However, these arrangements do not apply to international visitors. It’s essential to remember that you, as a visitor, are not a party to the ongoing conflict. Most people in the region understand this, so despite any tensions between Palestinians and Israelis, it’s crucial not to direct any frustration or anger towards the local population.
A general safety tip is to avoid inadvertently taking sides in the conflict. It’s advisable not to declare your intention to visit Palestinian cities, such as Hebron, while in Israeli areas. Wearing clothing or accessories that identify you with Israel or Judaism can also be risky in Palestinian territories. Most Israelis are indifferent to your interest in visiting Palestine, and most Palestinians are not concerned about your religious background. Such precautions are generally to prevent potential conflicts with a small minority of individuals who may be unstable or extreme.
Borders Between Palestine and Israel
Checkpoints and borders between Israel and Palestine are primarily established to control the movement of Palestinians, not foreign visitors. As such, these checkpoints should not pose a significant obstacle to your travels between Israel and the West Bank. You may be asked to present your passport and Israeli visa, and you might undergo some security procedures, but these inconveniences are typically minor.
Traveling Around
- Travel from Hebron to Jerusalem: There are several shared taxis that go from Hebron to Jerusalem, covering the 30 kilometers in about an hour. Many international visitors spend weekends in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Akko, and Jaffa, among other places. As an international traveler, you only need to carry your passport.
- From Bethlehem to Hebron: Bethlehem is approximately 20 kilometers from Hebron, with a travel time of around 40 minutes. Bethlehem is a popular destination to explore the Church of the Nativity and the Old City.
- Travel from Hebron to Ramallah: A shared cab ride from Hebron to Ramallah takes approximately an hour and a half, with taxis operating from early morning until around nine o’clock in the evening.
- Travel from Hebron to the Dead Sea: The Dead Sea is a short half-hour drive from Hebron. You can take a shared cab to Jericho and then another taxi to the Dead Sea, a journey of about 10 to 15 minutes from Jericho.
- Travel from Hebron to Northern West Bank: It’s also possible to reach the northern West Bank from Hebron. If you intend to visit Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and other places, you’ll need to first travel to Ramallah and then take a bus from the Ramallah bus station to your desired destination, a trip that typically takes two to four hours.
Conclusion
In summary, traveling throughout Palestine and Israel is safe and cost-effective. Palestine is a relatively small region, making travel between cities quick and straightforward. Each Palestinian city offers its unique culture, diversity, climate, and landscape, allowing you to experience the fascinating contrasts across this captivating region.
We strongly encourage our international volunteers, interns, and students to explore and gain a comprehensive understanding of the Palestinian and Israeli territories. Witnessing these differences and exploring the rich tapestry of cultures is a valuable part of your journey.
Get Further Information
For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org/
Engage in Palestine: https://ecpalestine.org/
Whatsapp:+972599479880
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/RafatECHebron
Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQSLdFZWZcBm6Uj0XMYuKg
Visit and Explore Palestine: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorePalestine
