The Powder Keg
Geopolitical Tours
Geopolitical Tours
Visiting Israel as a tourist means that you will sooner or later be confronted with questions regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict. Most visitors have their own ideas about what the issues in this conflict are, and what the perfect solution to the problems of this region looks like. But what makes us think that we are experts when it comes to the issues of the Middle East? Do we even get the full picture of what goes on here by watching the news from the comfort of our living rooms abroad? My Geopolitical Tours will take you out of your comfort zone and confront you with the facts on the ground. My aim is to present to you the reality, as it is perceived on either side of the conflict. On these tours we will take a closer look at the hotspots that constantly appear on the news. We will speak with people on the ground in order to understand how they are impacted by the situation. We will try to understand what it means to be living with this constant conflict.
BLOOD
BROTHERS
A GEOPOLITICAL CITY TOUR OF JERUSALEM
Since 1967, the State of Israel officially refers to Jerusalem as the eternal, undivided capital of the Jewish people. Should we assume that Arab residents of East Jerusalem agree with this statement? Or do they see Jerusalem as an anything-but-united city?
Why is Jerusalem such a contested city? Why was it divided between two countries for 19 years? What is the legal status of this city and especially of the Holy Sites within its borders?
These are only some of the questions which we will explore during this full-day Geopolitical Tour of Jerusalem. We will visit the hotspots that appear on the news and we will examine what it really means to be living in Jerusalem today. By talking to people on the ground we will get a first-hand understanding of the issues in this most sensitive of cities.
Prepare yourself for an eye-opening experience that will help you understand the reasons behind why everything is so complicated when it comes to Jerusalem. After this tour, you will definitely not watch the news with the same eyes again.
SUGGESTED SITES
FOR THIS TOUR
Damascus Gate, Mount Scopus, Separation Wall, Mount of Olives, Haas Promenade, Gilo Neighborhood, Bethlehem Lookout
TOUR INFO
✓ Customizable itinerary
✓ Flexible meeting point
✓ Available in English and German
✗ Transportation
✗ Entrance fees
✗ Meals
UNEASY
NEIGHBORS
A GEOPOLITICAL TOUR OF THE GAZA ENVELOPE
Terror tunnels, rocket fire, Iron Dome, incendiary balloons – these are the images that come to mind when we think of the Gaza Strip. How do people on both sides of the border cope with this situation? How do things look like on the ground and what are the actual physical distances that exist between both sides? These are the topics which we will explore during this full-day tour to Israel’s southern region of the Gaza Envelope, a term which refers to an area of Israeli population centers located within a four-mile radius of the Gaza Strip.
During this tour, we will not only take a look at Gaza from a distance, but we will also talk to Israelis living in the border area in order to understand what made them want to live in this unstable area. We will visit border crossings between Israel and Gaza and discuss the way in which Gazans receive their essential supplies. We will visit Kibbutzim in the area in order to understand how farmers manage to work their land under constant threat of rocket fore, and we will also visit the town of Sderot, which is always hit hardest when tensions between both sides flare up.
SUGGESTED SITES
FOR THIS TOUR
Kerem Shalom Border Crossing, Ugdat Haplada Memorial, “Salad Trail” Farm, Moshav Talmei Yosef, The White House, Sderot, Kibbutz Nir Am, Black Arrow Memorial, Karni Cargo Terminal
TOUR INFO
✓ Customizable itinerary
✓ Flexible meeting point
✓ Available in English and German
✗ Transportation
✗ Entrance fees
✗ Meals
BONE OF CONTENTION
A GEOPOLITICAL TOUR OF THE GOLAN HEIGHTS
No other region of Israel holds such strategic importance as the Golan Heights. Having belonged to Syria until 1967, this plateau had served the Syrian army as the base from which it could persistently shell Israeli farmers in the valleys below. During the Six-Day War, Israel decided to conquer this area in order to bring about a change in this situation.
On this Geopolitical Tour of the Golan Heights, we will delve into the modern history of this important area. We will visit some major battle sites, retelling the stories of heroic tank battles. We will learn about Israel’s master spy Eli Cohen and we will visit members of the Druze community in order to understand their position with regards to the State of Israel.
We will visit the border crossing between Israel and Syria and we will discuss the mandate of the UN Forces that are stationed in this area – hopefully getting a chance to talk to some of them. We will, of course, also discuss the current situation in Syria and learn about how Israel is dealing with the issue of Syrian refugees.
SUGGESTED SITES
FOR THIS TOUR
Mount Bental, Majdal Shams, Valley of Tears, Shouting Hill, Kibbutz El Rom, Lookout into Syria, Tel Saki, Border Triangle, Yarmuk River Lookout, Sea of Galilee Lookout
TOUR INFO
✓ Customizable itinerary
✓ Flexible meeting point
✓ Available in English and German
✗ Transportation
✗ Entrance fees
✗ Meals
TRIPADVISOR
TRAVELERS' CHOICE
I am very proud to have been awarded the Travelers‘ Choice Award 2023 by Tripadvisor. This desired award honors providers in the tourism industry, who have continuously received excellent reviews throughout the last year and who thus belong to the top 10% of best providers worldwide.
