Rick: Are you "settlers"? What's it like to live in a little country where there's no airport and you don't even have control over your water supply? Two thousand years ago, Caesarea was a mighty Roman seaport. Benny: …And now we have to make sure that we are on the high ground, never to let it happen again. Here in the West Bank — over 60 years later — many refugee camps are still filled with Palestinian families who fled when their land became "Israel.". Approximately 1,000 Israeli civilians were killed by Palestinian suicide bombers as violence intensified during the Second Intifada from 2000 to 2005. And it's the vibrant commercial capital, with nearly a third of the entire West Bank economy. A steady stream of pilgrims and tourists come here from all over Christendom to remember that first Christmas, and to pray on the spot where tradition says Jesus was born. "No, we're living in a city." I can certainly understand Israel's need for security. These people were very helpful. As in other democracies, there are disagreements over government policy, and many moderate Israelis oppose construction of settlements in the West Bank. Being here, I can see the appeal of these neighborhoods — especially for young families. Husam: I'm hoping and that's part of the things I'm involved in, to create, plant seeds, hopefully maybe 10 years, 15 years from now people will realize the importance of living together and having one pluralistic democratic state. They say it's actually a land grab, designed to hobble a Palestinian state. Benny charges $375 per day without car, $350 per 4 hours with a car (max 4 people), $590 for 10 hours in his car, and $620 for 10 hours in his luxury van (up to seven travelers). Approaching any Palestinian city, a bold red sign makes it clear: You're leaving the realm of the Israeli military and entering the zone controlled by Palestinian security. And it's nearly twice as long as the border it claims to defend — redrawn in order to secure settlements, aquifers, good farm land, and holy places within the West Bank for Israel. I've also suspected that most well-educated, politically active Americans have never really had a chance to talk to an Israeli and to a Palestinian and sort through all the complexities of the region. In the process, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced. Travel as a Political Act, England & Wales In my work I like to expose Americans to other ways of thinking, to help Americans get out of their comfort zone. Posted by pgroenenjr on 01/05/15 05:29 AM. 2 Replies to ““Rick Steves’ The Holy Land”: Directors’ Cut with Commentary” Arnie Voigt says: January 31, 2017 at 8:34 pm Thanks for the director’s cut perspective, Rick! An expert political, interfaith, and religious Holy Land guide, he lives in Bethlehem and is the Palestinian guide for National Geographic expeditions. Rick: 'Cause some people — And, along the way, we'll hear a few of the many perspectives here. For a thousand years, there has been a mosque on Bethlehem's main square — commemorating the birthplace of Jesus (who is also an important figure in Islam). Rick: So what is the hope for…for the future? I can't go to Jerusalem also. To have peace and to be, you know — see our FAQ. Palestinian cities are generally Palestinian-run, with their own security forces. Kamal's mother: Bon appétit. Holy as this spot is for Muslims, it's controlled by Israel, and residents of Palestine are generally not allowed to worship here. Rick: That's a good analogy. I go to places that are scary to me. Two times for your health. They also believe in Mary; they worship her. A stroll through the campus gives me a chance to connect with students, and learn a bit about both their culture and their aspirations. We were impressed at how easily we could get into the settlements. Posted by dmr.countrygirl on 01/15/16 11:00 PM. Land for Palestinians is a complicated and very human challenge that deserves a thoughtful response from American leaders. My Holy Land Shoot Finally Arrives. Then came the catastrophic year for the Jews: 70 A.D., when the Romans destroyed their temple and ushered in the Diaspora. So I thought it might be a good idea to go there with a travel writer's perspective, with open eyes and an honest curiosity. So it's still your money, you know? And when I asked him to repeat the prayer in English, his raw and simple love and acceptance that he was a child of God brought me to tears. All: L'chaim! I was impressed at the youthful and positive energy. Control of land is the crux of the problem between Israelis and Palestinians and occupying the high ground is more than a military issue — it's a civilian one as well. Here we have eggplant with olive oil and tahini. Today, the combined population of Israel and Palestine is about 12 million — roughly half Jews and half Muslim Arabs, and only a couple percent Christian. For over 60 years, the United Nations has maintained a calming and helpful presence. In fact, a small minority are Arab Christians. So Benny, could you say this is typical Israeli? While most Palestinians consider Jerusalem their rightful capital, so do the Israelis — and sharing the city seems unlikely for now. Beyond the infrastructure of conflict, it's the treasured land that defines Palestine. And for Jews, the Temple of Solomon stood right here. And peace is possible only when both sides move beyond the past and make real concessions. I can't go to the — to the sea; I can'tsee the sea. Terms of Service | Privacy. What we wanted to do was introduce issues that were complicated, that most people didn't appreciate, and let people with a different narrative share their take on it. Abie: More than pop stars, sure. We are people who want to achieve something. This struggle over control of Jerusalem is a huge political challenge. Rick Steves The'Holy land. Good travel is about opening one's self to empathy. I just love the opportunity to go over there and witness all the complexity and contradictions at close range. It's divided into four quarters: Jewish, Muslim, Armenian, and Christian. The 10-foot-by-10-foot platting — marking where tents were posted back in 1948 — survives. To Palestinians the beloved olive tree represents their past and their future. And then the fun challenge was to go back with the TV crew a few months later and actually share what I learned. So I just believe it's right and in our interest to not shirk the responsibility of staying involved and engaged in this challenging part of the world. Rick: What do you hope for? While I found most Israelis look and live as contemporary as any modern American, there are corners where traditions are very strong. Rick: So there's churches but there's mosques, also, in Bethlehem? The square operates as an open-air synagogue, with men and women separated by a barrier. We were having coffee in the mall, talking to people there. Essentially Israeli towns, these controversial developments reach far into what Palestinians consider their territory. The epic stories of the world's three great monotheistic religions have played out on this tiny piece of real estate. Mobile: +972/505-254-939. But I'm a travel writer, and the beauty for me is to come here with an open mind and learn. We consider it a city. Tour Account › Travel Forum › Home / Travel Forum / Beyond Europe / Holy Land; Please sign in to post. Meet the Middle East fosters relationships between the US and Middle East through education and immersion travel for students, adults, and businesses. Woman: Some streets, not, not a lot. Abie: Well, in the Scripture, it says you should always have the love of God on your mind. But government policies still allow the ongoing construction of these settlements. These are the great teachers. Abie: Well, that's because they express their belonging to a certain group and following a certain rabbi. To vet our script, we went to great lengths to run it by people in academia here in the United States and people who are leaders in the Holy Land, both from the Palestinian narrative and from the Israeli narrative. Spain Like the Jewish Quarter, it also stretches out from Temple Mount, which is crowned by that glittering Dome of the Rock. We had a lot of discussions about what we should name the show, and especially what we should call the West Bank, Palestine, Occupied Territories, whatever you might want to call it. Here in the Holy Land, the land itself is holy to its inhabitants. Watch the interview. Or what do you, how do you consider the name? You know, the mountains are hilly; you need the terraces to plant on them. I wanted to do a show that was balanced and showed both narratives. Kamal: We are in Palestine. To be together, to be one unite, you know, and this our victory to us, for us to keep together, to stay together, and never let them make us feel at the end that — yes — to accept the idea that we are the bad guys. As anywhere, actually making friends and getting into a home gives an intimate insight into the everyday worlds of the people you meet. Watch the interview. With everything that happens around us. The crossroads for three great religions, the Holy Land has been coveted and fought over for centuries. Woman in café: I don't know! Rick: Really! Rejoined by our Palestinian guide, Kamal, our first stop is Battir Natural Park — famed for its hikes through olives groves and ancient terraces. Israel is developing settlements — fortified communities on the tops of hills — deep into the West Bank. Rick: A whole book in the Koran, named after Mary? I'm a huge fan of people going to a complicated part of the world to talk to people and understand what's going on there. They say, "It was planted by our grandfathers for us to eat and we plant it for our grandchildren to eat.". With a quick and decisive victory in the Six Days' War, Israel increased its territory substantially. Its Hall of Names is a project designed to give every victim the dignity of simply being named and recorded. One very clear lesson from all this travel: There are good people — very good people — on both sides of the divide. Travel to Israel is like traveling in Europe and Americans are welcome to simply cross the wall and visit the West Bank almost as if it was just another part of Israel (no visa necessary, same currency). But these islands of relative independence are surrounded by zones controlled by Israeli military. Getting around is easy. He shares how he has hope for peace in the Holy Land. 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