"Gaining Perspective in the Holy Land"
A Travel Program in Palestine and Israel
Led By Dr. Tony Bing, Prof Emeritus, Earlham College
Preliminary Itinerary, June 13-26, 2011

Monday, June 13: Depart home.

Tuesday, June 14 (Day one): Arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod (15 km / 9 mi southeast of Tel Aviv), transfer to your hotel (El-Beit Guest House of the Arab Women Union, Beit Sahour, telephone 02-2775857) in BETHLEHEM for dinner and overnight.

Wednesday, June 15 (Day two): We will visit the Shepherds Field in Beit Sahour, then Church of the Nativity and the old city of Bethlehem. Visit the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between Peoples (PCR) and meet with Dr. Mazin Qumsieh. Then we will visit [Dheisheh?] Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. From there, we will meet with Badil Resource Center. Dinner with Kairos Palestine Team. Overnight at El-Beit Guest House, Beit Sahourin, in Bethlehem.

Thursday, June 16 (Day three): Visit the Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem (ARIJ) in Bethlehem and continue to Bethlehem University; meet with faculty and Students. Lunch in Bethlehem University. In the afternoon, walk around the [barrier] wall in the Bethlehem area and visit the Tent of Nations outside of Bethlehem. Meet with Alegra Pacheco at the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between Peoples (PCR). Spend the late afternoon and evening with host families in Bethlehem areas and overnight with families.

Friday, June 17 (Day four) - Muslim Day of Prayers: Today we will go south to visit the people of HEBRON, visit the Tombs of the Patriarchs and the old city of Hebron. We will meet with the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee (HRC) and Then we will visit the Christian Peacemakers Team (CPT) in the south Hebron hills. Back to Bethlehem meet with Palestinian officials. Dinner and overnight at El-Beit Guest House, Beit Sahourin, in Bethlehem.

Saturday, June 18 (Day five) - Jewish Shabbat: Trip to RAMALLAH: Meet with Defense for Children International (DCI). Visit the Quakers house in Ramallah (FIRC) and meet with Kathy Bergen and Jean Zaru. Meet with the PLO Negotiations Support Unit and visit Arafat Tomb. Drive to BIL'IN, hear about the on going Non-violent struggle and enjoy dinner and overnight with local families in Bil'in.

Sunday, June 19 (Day six) - Christian Day of Worship: Full day trip in NABLUS. Visit the Old city, traditional Soap factory, visit Jacob's well and Tel Balata. Meet with the Samaritan Community. Dinner and overnight at Al-Yasmeen Hotel (telephone 09-2333555) in Nablus.

Monday, June 20 (Day seven): After visiting Sabastya, drive to area of JININ. Visit Jinin Refugee camp and tour the Freedom Theatre. Meet with the Popular Committee of Services in Jinin camp and hear about the Massacre [of April 1-11, 2002]. After visit Burqin village, where Jesus healed the ten lepers, drive to NAZARETH, for dinner with Taha Mohammad Ali, and we will hear about his poetry. Overnight at St. Margaret's Hostel (telephone 04-6573507) in Nazareth.

Tuesday, June 21 (Day eight): Visit the Church of the Annunciation and Mary's well. Meet with the Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA) and visit a Palestinian village destroyed in the 1948 war. Dinner and overnight at St. Margaret's Hostel (telephone 04-6573507) in Nazareth.

Wednesday, June 22 (Day nine): Drive to the Sea of Galilee and visit Tabgha, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, and enjoy a swim in the sea of Galille and a boat ride. Dinner and overnight at St. Margaret's Hostel (telephone 04-6573507) in Nazareth.

Thursday, June 23 (Day ten): We will visit HAIFA; meet with Father Elias Chacour (depends on his time). Visit Ain Hod, an unrecognized village. Meet with D. Benyamin Beit Hallahmi at University of Haifa. Drive to JAFFA and then continue to JERUSALEM. Dinner and overnight at Holy Land Hotel (02-6284841) in Jerusalem.

Friday, June 24 (Day eleven) - Muslim Day of Prayers: Old City Walking Tour, including: St. Anne's Church, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Al Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall. Meet with the Jerusalem Inter-Church Centre (JIC). Garden Tomb. Visit B'tselem, "the Israeli Information Center for Humnan Rights in the Occupied Territories." Dinner with Jeff Helper from the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD). Overnight at Holy Land Hotel (02-6284841) in Jerusalem.

Saturday, June 25 (Day twelve) - Jewish Shabbat: In the morning, meet with Bassan Aramin from Combatants for Peace. Visit holy sites at the Mount of Olives. Visit Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center/. Farwell dinner in Jerusalem. Overnight at Holy Land Hotel (02-6284841) in Jerusalem.

Sunday, June 26 (Day thirteen) - Christian Day of Worship: Departure from Ben Gurion International Airport. Arrive home.

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Prof. Anthony Bing will lead this tour of Palestine and Israel, June 13-26, 2011, in association with Neighbors East and West.

Click here for Prof. Bing's biography. | Click here for announcement, registration form & poster.