Amidst the reality of Occupation, the Separation Wall and continuing oppression of the Palestinian people, how should we approach our visits to the Holy Land? How can we enjoy our visits to Palestine and Israel, whilst ensuring that those who are suffering are not forgotten? And how can our visit contribute to a just peace for all in the Land?

In 2011, the Interfaith Group for Morally Responsible Investment (IMRI) met to draw up a series of guidelines on responsible tourism in Palestine/Israel. The guidelines in this leaflet draw heavily on those provided by the Alternative Tourism Group in Palestine, but were drawn up by IMRI.

Guidelines

Choose an inclusive and balanced itinerary that allows your guests to visit and stay in different places within the Holy Land. Make sure you encounter and engage with those local communities who are struggling for respect for their dignity. Ensure that you visit those areas where there is particular suffering within the Occupied Palestinian Territories and amongst the Palestinian Israelis within Israel.

Encourage your guests to educate themselves by reading guidebooks, travel accounts and a wide variety of articles about current news and events. When visiting holy sites, allow members of the respective religious community to guide you. In advertising and writing about the tour, ensure that the locations the guests will be travelling to, are named accurately and in accordance with international law. For example, since Bethlehem, East Jerusalem and the old city of Jerusalem are in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, please describe them as being within that area. Similarly, West Jerusalem, Beersheva and Haifa are in Israel. If you visit locations in the Occupied Golan Heights, ensure that they are correctly described as such.

Ensure that none of the Governmental or non-Governmental organisations that are sponsoring the tour have been involved in and or have been accused by the United Nations or reputable human rights organisations, of being involved in war crimes or serious breaches of international law.

Encourage guests to respect and learn about the local culture. Observe local customs, respect dress codes and dress modestly. Although taking pictures is in general welcome, be aware of people’s sensitivity about being photographed and always ask for their approval.

Support the local economy by using local transportation, guides, accommodation, restaurants and markets. Encourage guests to appreciate local expertise by paying adequately. Consider giving tips when customary. Encourage your guests to share their experiences on their visit with their friends and family back home. If guests have made commitments to people they have met on the trip, stress the need for them to keep these promises.

List of organisations providing tour guides.

Please contact the groups listed below if you wish to have Palestinian tour guides leading your tour.

Travel Palestine, 

Alternative Tourism Group (ATG), Beit Sahour, 

Emek Shaveh, 

Holy Land Trust, Bethlehem, 

Siraj Centre, Beit Sahour,

Wi'am Conflict Resolution Centre, Bethlehem

Organisations that can provide speakers to give prior information

Amos Trust, 

Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, (EAPPI), 

Friends of Sabeel UK, 

Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK, 

Jews for Justice for Palestinians,