Fascinating Geo-political Tour: Israel's Borders & Security

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Seldom will any other nation encounter the particular security issues that Israel does. This include hostile countries bordering us, Islamic terrorist groups plotting Israel's destruction (G-d forbid) and "allies" attempting to pressure Israel into making security and territorial concessions that might, heaven forbid, endanger its people. Meeting IDF soldiers who protect the nation, meeting Israeli families who fight on the front lines, touring Israel's borders (including panoramic vistas that look out deep into our neighbors), and more will be included in this tour. For the safety of our tourists, this tour does NOT enter the Gaza Strip or areas under Palestinian Authority control (i.e. Area A).

                                  Day 1   

Pick up at your hotel

Some of the things we can do on that day include:

Nitzana Gush Katif memorial visitor's center- The Gaza Strip used to have a thriving Jewish community, where most of the world's Kosher vegetables (i.e. completely bug free) came from here. In 2005, the Israeli government forcibly removed the Jewish residents from their homes, fields and property, effectively handing the Gaza Strip to Hamas without any concessions (which ultimately led to three wars). The Jewish residents were promised full compensation and homes. As of 2016, they have still not received much, going from wealthy farmers to extremely high rates of unemployment and many living in Caravans. We will "go back in time" to experience what life was like in these strong communities and even speak to a Jewish "refugee" of Gush Katif. 

Nitzana community-Many of the settlers from Gush Katif ended up here. We will see their current living situation and how they are attempting to rebuild their lives.

View into Gaza-very safe from a distance but close enough to get a good idea of challenges Israel faces

Sderot-A city near the border with Gaza which has been suffering from Hama’s occupation of Gaza since Israel unilaterally pulled out in 2005. We will tour the following:
 

a) Police Station-All Kasam Rockets which are fired into this area end up here.
b) Playground made out of re-enforced concrete for the safety of the kids

c) Bus stopwhich doubles up as a bomb shelter

d) The commercial area of Sderot (with the chance to shop in their stores in solidarity)

The Gaza Security Barrier and Ceramic project from Netiv HaAsara- We will have the chance to add ceramics to the wall, a project started by one family from the Moshav who started to make it look nice so they wouldn’t have to look at a depressing grey wall. We will meet one of the locals who will tell us about life in the area

Special Artist who makes one-of-a-kind art out of Katusha rockets

Visiting a town on the Egyptian border.

Option to add kid friendly sites such as unique, hands-on agricultural activities

Return to your hotel

                                  Day 2                                                                           

Pick up at your hotel after check out

We will pass the famous "Security Barrier"

• The fence/wall which was built to stop Palestinian terrorism in the mid-2000's
• Its building led to the end of the Intifada

Visiting a “West Bank” Jewish Settlement and view of Jericho

• Overlook of the (perhaps) oldest city in the world
• First city conquered by Yeshoshua (Joshua) and the Children of Israel after 40 years in the Midbar (Desert) 
• First city handed over by Israel to the Palestinian Authority after the Oslo Accords 
• Probably the best and most comprehensive view of Jericho from a  safe location
• For more on this tour site, check out this article I wrote : View of Biblical Jericho

Jordan River Crossing and Jordanian border
 

• The spot where Yehoshua (Joshua) was said to have brought the  Jewish people into Israel after 40 years in the wilderness (from here they  will conquer, miraculously, nearby Jericho). 
• Spot where Eliyahu Hanavi (Elijah the prophet) ascended to Shamayim (Heaven) alive. 
• Interesting from a political point of view as this is the  border with the country of Jordan and just about the closest you can get  without actually being in Jordan (often you are just 20 feet from both an Israeli and Jordanian soldiers)

Driving along the breathtaking, Biblical Jordan Valley

• We will be driving along the Jordianian Border fence
• We will be able to see Jordan's most fertile area

We will drive to the Golan Heights which was occupied by Syria between 1948-67 (and liberated by Israel during the Six Day War)

Some of the Golan Height sites we will see include:

Israeli tanks memorial 

• We will see the importance of the Golan Heights to Israel’s Security
• We will discuss the miraculous battles of the 6-day war of 1967 and Yom Kippur war of 1973

Mount Bental

• A safe overlook of Syria (up to the outskirts of Damascus). 
• See the significance of the Golan Heights.

Jeeping Tour of Syria's border

• Will be led by a IDF reserve intelligence officer

Option to add the Chamat Gader Hot springs 

• Great activity for night time
• Has been a resort city since ancient times (the biggest Bathouse of the Roman empire outside of Italy was found here)
• One of only 3 springs from the flood of Noah which still exist
• Right on the Jordanian border

Option to add fun (non-political) sites as well including a winery, olive oil factory, a boat ride, Chocolate factory/workshop and other hands-on activities

Check into Hotel

                                  Day 3                                                                        

Check out of hotel

View deep into Lebanon

Getting a personalized tour of a Jewish town on the Lebanese border from a local resident

Tel Dan

• Biblical site with some of the world's oldest (and most impressive) ruins
• Was on the Israel/Lebanese/Syrian border until 1967 
• Some of the most refreshing, natural wading pools in the country all year round (a miracle in Israel)
• Beautiful natural scenery 
• For more on this incredible site, check out this article I wrote: Biblical Dan

Option to add rafting on the Jordan River

Return to your accommodations in the Tel Aviv or Jerusalem area (or wherever you are staying)

                        Tour package options: ​ 

​* This 3 day, Private Israel tour includes your private Israel tour guide, your own personalized itinerary, and having us take care of your logistics. Admission, accommodations & car rental is extra (we can arrange these logistics for you upon request). You can bring as many participants as you would like. This option is $650 per day.
 

​** This 3 day, Private Israel tour includes your private Israel tour guide, private driver, vehicle, pickup/drop off at your door, personalized itinerary, and having us take care of your logistics. This option starts at $1095 per day (dependent on size of vehicle needed). Admission and accommodations is extra .
​
*** Upon reservation of the dates, we will personalize each day to better fit your touring needs even if it ends up looking completely different than the above