PALESTINE - ISRAEL - JORDAN - SINAI

Off the beaten track tours • Visit sites • Meet locals • Discuss Human Rights & Politics

On the State of the State of Palestine

By Miri –  According to Benedict Anderson, one of the most influential scholars on nationalism, all nations are socially constructed communities, imagined by those who perceive themselves as part of that particular group. Following Anderson there are certain elements and dynamics which commonly aid the creation of this mental image of affinity among its members, […]

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Visit Sebastia!

By Miri –  When we think of the abundance of historical and religious sites in Palestine/Israel, we usually think of the majestic cities of Jerusalem or Bethlehem, while other places, especially the smaller ones in the West Bank (not to mention those in the basically inaccessible Gaza region) are by and large ignored. The lack […]

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The Beta Israel – Ethiopian Jews in Israel

By Miri –  Today, there are about 130,000 Ethiopians living in Israel, of which more than 38,000 are Israeli-born. In the following we shall briefly outline the origins of these communities, their journeys to Israel and their status within contemporary Israeli society.  Origin and History of the Beta Israel  Beta Israel community in Ethiopia, ca. […]

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Germans in the Holy Land – The Temple Society

By Miri –   Thinking Israel and Germany usually ends up with thinking Holocaust. However, Germany’s connection to historic Palestine precedes the Second World War by quite a few centuries. Like many other Christian leaders in Europe, Germany’s emperors also had an interest in “liberating” the Holy Land from “infidels” and at the same time in […]

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2012 Writing Competition Winners

From the judge, Sarah Irving – I have to emphasise how difficult it was to choose between the top three entries in this competition. All were terrific pieces of writing, and deeply evocative of different aspects of how visitors witness Palestine and life for its people. On a personal level, I was also happy to see quality writing […]

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The Nativity Trail 2012

By Miri – If Mary and Joseph were to embark on their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in 2012 their experiences would obviously be very differently. Let’s trace their trail and see what they would discover today and which obstacles they would have to overcome in order to reach Bethlehem. The Separation Barrier around Jenin […]

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Boycott Israel?

By Miri –  The international movement calling for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel was inspired by its South African counterpart, which after decades of struggle is said to have been a major player in the process of successfully dismantling the South African Apartheid system. Whether or not BDS against Israel is a justified […]

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The Holocaust in Israeli Society

By Yahav Zohar –  Apparently, following Israel’s recent attack in Gaza there was an upsurge in anti Israeli propaganda comparing Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. For those of us trying to affect change on the ground in Israel-Palestine such discourse seems both ludicrous and counter productive. Though millions live under the boot of […]

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On the Inaccuracy of Comparing Nazi Germany to Israel

By Miri – In response to Israel’s last assault on Gaza, demonstrations and rallies swept across the streets of many cities all over the world, and slogans in solidarity with Gaza filled social networking and media sides. Although I welcomed and agreed with the protests, some of the pictures and lines of discourse disconcerted me. […]

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On Route to Rediscover the Great Women of the Holy Scriptures

By Miri – A lot of people would agree that the three Abrahamic religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism, if not read in a new and progressive way, are very patriarchal in character, and women are usually minor characters in the stories of men.The Old Testament, the very basis of all three religions for instance features […]

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Visit Gaza! A Statement by the Green Olive Team

From The Green Olive Team – Although today’s reality is very different, the following is an example of how we would eventually like to introduce the region to visitors: Children flying kites on Gaza beach Stretching along the sea, Gaza is famous for its beautiful beaches and fishing culture, which in turn contributes to its […]

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Looking for a Better Place

By Miri – Demographics have always played an essential role in the conflict over this piece of land. For the secular Jewish part of the country the situation is looking increasingly grim. In a forecast issued by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) in April 2012, 44% of Israel’s pupils will be Palestinian or ultra-Orthodox […]

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