Israeli-Palestinian Dual Narrative Tour from Tel Aviv

“Occupied” or “Liberated”? Layers of Reality in the West Bank / Judea & Samaria

A guided tour in one of the most layered and debated areas in the world. This experience is intended for travelers who want deeper context, direct encounters, and a clearer understanding of daily life and competing narratives across the West Bank / Judea and Samaria. Participants encounter both Palestinian and Israeli narratives, with a particular emphasis on the moderate voices that are often overshadowed by extremes.

The tour presents two parallel narratives that shape how this region is understood.

We begin with the Palestinian perspective. In the village of Battir, home to UNESCO-recognized agricultural terraces, we examine longstanding ties to the land, local history, and the realities of everyday life. The visit includes discussion of planning restrictions in Area C and the impact on Palestinian communities, including a small hamlet located near Israeli settlements. Within this framework, the area is commonly described as the “occupied Palestinian West Bank.”

We then turn to the Israeli perspective in the Gush Etzion region. There, we visit different types of communities, from a large residential settlement often viewed by Israelis as part of the national consensus, to a smaller ideological hilltop community whose residents see themselves as continuing a pioneering tradition connected to the historic Land of Israel. In this narrative, the area is often referred to as “liberated Judea.”

One of our day highlights is a visit to Roots Center, where a “Third Narrative” is being written. Here, we move beyond the binary of “us vs. them” to meet local Palestinians and Israeli “settlers” who choose recognition over rejection, who run the only joint Israeli-Palestinian community and dialogue center in the West Bank. Their motto: “Two truths in one heart, two peoples in one land.”

The aim of this experience is not to offer clear-cut conclusions, but to encourage critical inquiry and provide broader context. By engaging with thoughtful, moderate voices on both sides, participants gain a more nuanced understanding of the complexities involved and the efforts being made toward a possible shared future.