Tag: Israel 2024
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Thoughts from the Ride to Eilat
Early the next morning, we leave our hotel in Bethlehem and start the long journey to Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city, where we’ll cross the border to Egypt. The drive is nearly two hours to Ein Gedi, the first town after exiting the West Bank to the south, with the sky a pale, early-morning blue and…
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Floating in the Silent (and Salty) Waters of the Dead Sea
The golden-brown sands of the Judean Desert engulf our bus in a dusty cloud as we wind our way along the highway to Kalia, south of Jericho. Glimmers of shimmering blue water emerge into view across the otherwise arid landscape that defines most of this wilderness. Located more than 400 meters below sea level, the…
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Holy Lands Tour: Jerusalem
Jerusalem—it’s complicated. Claimed as a capital by both Israelis and Palestinians, it holds deep religious importance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, making it a focal point of longstanding conflicts. The city is divided into East and West Jerusalem, with East Jerusalem, including the Old City, being considered by Palestinians as the capital of a future…
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Holy Lands Tour: Qasr al-Yahud
As we draw closer to the checkpoint to cross the border to the West Bank, Iad provides a bit of background and explains the security process. “This checkpoint is one of several that manage entry into the West Bank,’ he begins, keeping his tone calm and reassuring. “Just show your passports and your entry permits–the…
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A Brief Detour to Beit She’an
Iad greets us the next morning with the good news: the Ministry of Tourism has finally allowed us to conduct the baptism ceremony. The bad news: the area around the Sea of Galilee has still some vague security concerns. So instead of the baptism being held at Yardenit, we’re going to hold it at the…
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Holy Lands Tour: The Lower Galilee Region
After breakfast the next morning, we leave our hotel in Nazareth and drive about 17 kilometers southeast to Mount Tabor. The mountain is identified in the Bible as the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus, where he was transformed and appeared alongside Moses and Elijah, as described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.…
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Holy Lands Tour: The Sea of Galilee’s Northwestern Shore
Early the next morning, we depart for the Sheikh Hussein Bridge, one of the main entry points for travelers moving between Jordan and Israel. The Jordan part of our tour has concluded, and we’re now heading to one of the world’s most high-tension areas. It’s an overall disconcerting feeling, although aside from a random security…
The Tourist Gaze 