Travel to the West Bank

Travel to the West Bank

Considerations for Travelling to the West Bank: Travelling to the West Bank or Hebron can be intimidating, especially if you have never been to the Middle East. In many ways, the city’s weather, culture, and atmosphere can feel completely foreign, and finding useful information online can be difficult.

For prospective travelers, here are some helpful tips for any travels to the West Bank, Hebron, or Palestine.

Table of Contents

Heading to the West Bank

For starters, getting into Israel can be a difficult and rather scary process. While not everyone gets questioned, many travelers who plan on heading to the West Bank, the Palestinian side, are taken aside and subject to further questioning.

Be Prepared to Answer Questions

Any travelers should be prepared to answer questions regarding their purpose for traveling and expect to be asked to show any documents related to their travels and stay. This process passes fairly quickly for most individuals, but it is not unheard of to be held at the airport for an extended period.

Security Check

Once you have gotten through the security check at the airport, the rest of your adventure can begin, and many of the small things you may not have thought about before your travels can become real nuisances if not planned for. For starters, travel can be very difficult if you do not have a map or know how to get around the city.

Pick Out Landmarks

To non-residents, many of the buildings look very similar, and there are few street signs. Therefore, it is very important to pick out landmarks immediately that may help you identify exactly where you are. Almost any stranger off the street will help you to find your way if you are truly lost, but not everyone can speak English.

Basic Arabic Language

Basic Arabic language skills may be enough to ask for directions, but it also will help to have your destinations written down and translated so that there is no confusion about where you are trying to get.

Also, remember that Hebrew is the spoken language in Israel, not Arabic. While the English version of most words will be listed on street signs, having your destination translated into Hebrew will also be very helpful.

Weather

The weather in Palestine can also be rather unpredictable. During the summer months, it is often incredibly hot during the daylight hours. However, it is important to remember that wearing shorts is not allowed in the city of Hebron. Once it gets dark, the weather cools very fast.

Clothes

Although it may not seem necessary, it is important to pack a jacket or heavy sweatshirt even if you plan to travel in the summer months. This can be especially true if you travel outside the city into higher elevations, where the air is even cooler.

Diet

A final thing to remember when planning to travel to the West Bank or Palestine is that the diet may differ greatly from what you are used to.

Pig Products

Pig products are completely forbidden in the city of Hebron, as are alcoholic beverages. Beef products are available but are fairly expensive compared to other food staples.

Bread and rice, on the other hand, are usually included in every meal. While this will not be a big hindrance or problem for travelers, it is another consideration when planning.

Final Remarks

Overall, the most important thing for travelers to remember is that Palestine, West Bank, and Hebron are beautiful places with many opportunities to explore and experience the rich

While there will be many things that will seem unfamiliar, there are also many things that will be very similar to what you are used to. Hopefully, with these prior thoughts in mind, experiencing Hebron for yourself will be easier and less stressful.

Questions?

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact at Rafat@excellencenter.org

Whatsapp:+972599479880

Engage in the West Bank’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter

Engage in the West Bank’s 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

Get Involved in the West Bank

Engage in the West Bank, Palestine, carefully plans internships and volunteer opportunities that are a good fit for different people.

This includes students studying Middle Eastern and Arabic studies, those who enjoy political science, professionals, people working in human rights organizations, researchers studying Palestine and Israel, helpers in humanitarian aid, social workers, teachers, English speakers, non-English speakers, and anyone who really loves getting to know Palestinian culture and daily life.

Volunteer & Internship Programs

Engage in the West Bank, Palestine offers volunteer and internship programs which mainly focus on the topics of English instruction, human rights, women rights, media and journalism, medicine & healthcare, Palestinian refugees, music and Arts, Palestinian culture and politics, Palestinian laws and legal system, Palestinian children and youth.

Our volunteer programs and internship opportunities were designed to make an impact on the Palestinian community and aim to make a long-term difference in international and Palestinian participants’ lives.

Create Meaningful Impacts

Our Volunteer and Internship programs in the West Bank, Palestine are carefully researched and precisely designed. They are suitable for anyone interested in gaining deep insights into daily Palestinian life, the vibrant Palestinian culture, the Levantine Arabic language, as well as legal affairs and human rights.

Our aim is to bring about lasting change within the local Palestinian community by encouraging the exchange of ideas and promoting the concept of understanding each other’s perspectives.