Annual Palestine Trip

The annual trip to Palestine takes place during the first week of the Easter Holidays, exact dates are usually confirmed by the end of November.
Due to the Israeli seige on Gaza we are unable to visit that region of Palestine at present so the trip is based in the West Bank. We visit all the major towns and cities in the West Bank including: Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Bethlehem and, of course, Jerusalem.
The trip is fundamentally a fact-finding tour, where visitors get to witness the occupation first hand, as well as gaining tours of key historical Palestinian sites: from the birth place of Jesus in Bethlehem to the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron.
We also get the opportunity to meet students on campuses in the West Bank, including our twin, Al Quds Open University.
No matter what your political views, whether you are an expert on Palestine or know nothing at all, this trip is designed for everyone. You get detailed lectures and presentations from Palestinains working on the ground, as well as opportunities to meet locals and network with fellow students.  We also get the chance to visit the many refugee camps in the West Bank.
The trip is a true eye-opener to the situation Palestinains suffer under, yet at the same time is a huge amount of fun, and everyone who has gone, without exception, has described it as a life changing experience.
The trip is planned for 7 days, though many people choose to stay on to travel the area independently.

Despite the occupation and negative media attention, the West Bank is suprisingly safe. Israeli soldiers are disinclined to harm or arrest internationals, and we will not be participating in protests, so personal safety is no issue.

There will be meetings in the first term on campus where presentations will go into further detail on the trip. It is strongly recommended that you attend as all questions can be addressed.
In the meantime, questions can be directed at trip coordinator James Haywood, on hs701jh@gold.ac.uk