In the wake of September 11, American foreign policy has become markedly more aggressive and unilateral. Neglect and now hollow tough talk from the Bush Administration have worsened a historically skewed US policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While President Bush has articulated the need for Israel's military occupation to end for there to be peace between Palestinians and Israelis, his policies have done little to encourage an end to the occupation. The Bush Administration's alliance with the extremist forces of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has resulted in unprecedented violence and the near-total rupture of efforts by the Palestinian and Israeli civil societies to build the kind of ties that would make long-term co-existence possible and desirable.
The Global Exchange Reality Tours to Palestine & Israel strive to further the US public's understanding of the region's realities by giving people first-hand exposure to the human rights abuses occurring in the Occupied Territories. Participants have the opportunity to hear a diverse spectrum of Palestinian and Israeli opinions to better shape their understanding of the conflict and hopes for a solution.
Upon return to the US, participants are aided by Global Exchange to educate their community about the issues. These activities have included: getting newspaper, radio and TV coverage about their experience, giving talks and slide shows, writing articles, meeting with members of Congress, and developing websites about the delegation, among other activities.
By documenting our experience and educating other Americans about the need for change, we can be part of non-violent, sustainable grassroots solutions that embody peace with justice for both Palestinians and Israelis.
Read past participants' stories about their experiences on the delegation.
Program Highlights:
- Visit cities, villages and refugee camps under siege in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Learn from Palestinians about their lives under Israeli occupation and their hopes for liberation.
- Meet with Palestinian and Israeli human rights and peace organizations such as: The Rapprochement Center, B'tselem, Alternative Information Center, Addameer, Gush Shalom, and Between the Lines.
- Tour around Jerusalem with the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions to learn about settlement expansion plans, bypass roads and house demolitions; examine Israeli settlement policy and proposals for their dismantlement.
- Meet an Israeli who lost his child due to the conflict and is now working to end the occupation which he blames for his loss.
- Visit with Palestinian medical relief workers and learn about the human toll of the occupation and the continuing military actions in the West Bank and Gaza.
- Visit Muslim, Jewish and Christian holy sites and learn about the role these places play in the present conflict.
- Meet with a member of Yesh Gvul, the "refusenik" movement of Israeli reservist soldiers who refuse to
- fight in the '67 Occupied Territories.
- Meet with an Israeli settler in the West Bank to hear
- their reasoning and justification for Israel's continued settlement expansion in the face of worldwide condemnations.
- Stay overnight with Palestinian families in Beit Sahour.
- Learn about Palestinian non-violent resistance to the Occupation and the evolution of this movement from the first Intifada to the current, Al-Aqsa Intifada.
- Visit various segments of the wall and learn about how it has impacted communities, livelihoods, and people's dreams of living in a viable Palestinian state.
- Visit a mental health clinic in Gaza to learn about the traumatic effect of the conflict on children and adults.
Cost: $1650 from Jerusalem; partial scholarships and fundraising assistance available
Price Includes:
- @'t>¬-room accommodations, 2 meals/day, transportation, all program activities, entrance fees, trip leader(s), guides and translators, reading materials and a personal meeting to suit your particular interest (as available). International airfare, tips and personal expenses are not included. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.
How to Register:
Send us your application and a non-refundable deposit of $200 at least one month prior to departure. Application can be downloaded here. Payments by Mastercard or Visa are welcome.This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply.
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