In 2007, as international funding was cut off in the wake of the Palestinian elections, teachers in the West Bank and Gaza strip worked for months without pay. Classes of 60 or more pupils, crammed into classrooms with few books or jotters and little else in the way of teaching materials. Students and staff dodging Israeli soldiers on their way to school. These are all part of the day-to-day education experience in Palestine. But Palestine is a highly educated society. In Nablus alone, with around 70% of the population living below the poverty line, an astonishing 90% of young people go on to University.

Participants on this tour will meet teaching colleagues, visit sites of historical, religious and cultural interest and meet key organisations working towards peace with justice. From schools and Universities to refuseniks, Trade Union activists and peace organisations, this tour will visit Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem and Nablus.

Designed for those with a particular interest in education, the tour will also suit anyone wanting to gain a general understanding of the current situation in Palestine and Israel, giving them the opportunity to see the wall, visit refugee camps and meet inspiring Palestinian and Israeli individuals and organisations.

Participants will benefit from the experience and personal contacts of our tour guide, a London-based teacher who ran our successful Teacher's Tour in 2007 and has worked in the West Bank including as a long term volunteer with the International Women's Peace Service.

To discuss this or any other olive Cooperative tour, please contact the Olive Cooperative office on info@olivecoop.com or 0161 273 1970

Tour prices includes your Olive tour guide, all local travel, accommodation, breakfasts and some dinners and donations to groups visited. Prices are exclusive of flights and airport transfers.

Please note:

Olive tour guides monitor the situation on the ground using a wide range of contacts. All itineraries are subject to change due to local circumstances and to ensure tour customer safety and security. Our comprehensive Travel Guidance Notes are available from our website www.olivecoop.com, or by contacting the office. We ask our customers to read these notes before joining one of our tours.

Olive Cooperative has 5 years experience running tours to Palestine and Israel, and extensive knowledge of a broad spectrum of civil society organisations.

Each tour is built around a theme or topic, allowing participants to develop in-depth understanding of a particular area of interest, and facilitating lasting linkages between groups of similar interests in the UK and Palestine and Israel. All the tours are suitable for anyone with a general interest in the situation.

In addition, we offer a service for those who would like a tailor made tour to suit their availability and interests, or for groups of people or families who wish to experience this unique but troubled area of the world together.