Flag of Palestine (Source » Wikimedia)

Flag of Palestine (Source » Wikimedia)

Palestinian Territories

  • Proclaimed capital » Jerusalem (not controlled)
    • Administrative center » Ramallah
    • Largest city » Gaza City (Gaza Strip)

Facts

  • The Palestinian Territories has been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War in 1967.
    • The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has referred to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as “the Occupied Palestinian Territory”
  • Population » 4,816,503
  • Languages » Palestinian Arabic
  • Religions » 93% of Palestinians are Sunni Muslim, and approximately 6% are Christian
  • Currency » Israeli New Shekel
    • In Palestine, most places only accept cash.
    • ATM’s are widely available in the West Bank
    • You must declare if you are carrying 50,000 shekels or more when entering or exiting Israel by air and 12,000 shekels if entering or exiting by land.

Geography

  • Area » 6,020 km2 (2,320 sq mi)
    • West Bank » 5,860 km2
    • Gaza Strip » 360 km2
  • The Gaza Strip borders the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Egypt to the south, and Israel to the north and east.
  • The West Bank is bordered by Jordan to the east, and Israel to the north, south, and west.
  • Terrain is mostly rugged, very hilly, and mountainous, heavy vegetation is common in many places.
  • The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth reachable on foot at -408 m

Tourism

  • There is no Palestinian visa. In order to enter the West Bank, travellers require entry into Israel.
    • Tourists of some 100 countries, including Canada, New Zealand, Japan, EU countries, and US, may enter Israel without a visa for up to 90 days. (Visa Policy of Israel via Wikipedia)
  • Palestine is home to some of the most important religious sites of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Wikivoyage
  • The UNWTO reported that in 2017 Palestine had the fourth biggest year-over-year percentage increase in international tourist arrivals.
  • Lonely Planet writes the West Bank is not the easiest place in which to travel but the effort is richly rewarded.
  • There are fewer ATMs in the West Bank and Gaza. ATMs in Israel and Jerusalem accept international cards.
  • Tourism in Gaza » Tourist are not permitted to enter Gaza (2023) » Wikivoyage
  • Tourism in West Bank » Possible (2023) » Wikivoyage
    • This area is known as the West Bank because it lies on the western bank of the Jordan River.
    • Most significant sites are located in East Jerusalem » City of David, Mount Zion, and the Mount of Olives.

Plan to Visit

  • Jerusalem
    • Haram Al-Sharif (Temple Mount)
      • One of the holiest places in the world. A sacred place for all three monotheistic religions » Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
      • It’s the place where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven and it’s the place where Abraham sacrificed his son to God
      • Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
      • Al-Aqsa Mosque » one of the oldest mosques in the world
    • Western Wall » one of the holiest places in Judaism
    • Church of the Holy Sepulchre » located in in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem
      • Where Jesus is believed to have been crucified
    • Mount of Olives
  • Bethlehem
    • Manger Square
    • Basilica of Nativity – UNESCO World Heritage Site
    • The Separation Wall – significant to the ongoing conflict
    • Palestinian Heritage Center
  • Mar Saba Monastery
  • Ramallah
    • Cosmopolitan and vibrant city
  • Hebron
  • Jericho (Wikipedia)
    • Mount of Temptation (Wikipedia)
    • Hisham Palace (Wikipedia)
      • Khirbat al-Mafjar is one of the most important Islamic archeological sites in the West Bank
      • 10 shekel entrance
  • Nabi Musa (Wikipedia)
    • Mosque located approx. 11km south of Jericho
  • Wadi Qelt (Wikipedia)
    • one of the best places for hiking in the West Bank
  • Nablus (Wikivoyage / Wikipedia / UNESCO)
    • Old City of Nablus
    • Nablus is the second city of the West Bank in population
  • Balata
    • Jakob’s Well
    • Joseph’s Tomb
  • Jenin
    • The northernmost city in the West Bank

Overlanding

  • Driving side » Right
  • There are some 600 military checkpoints, roadblocks, and barriers throughout the West Bank that limit the movement of tourists and Palestinians.

Climate

  • Best time to visit Palestine is in April, September and October
    • Days are short during winter months
    • It gets busy during Christmas celebrations
    • Daytime in the summer is very (too?) hot.

Notes

  • Ramadan, Islamic New Year, and the birth of Prophet Mohammed are the most significant times of the year for Palestinian Muslims.
  • Christmas is celebrated three times a year in Palestine » on 25th December following western traditions, on 6th January following Orthodox customs, and on 18th January as per Armenian culture.
  • The State of Palestine is recognized by 137 UN member countries.
    • 71% of the 193 member states of the United Nations recognize the State of Palestine.
    • Palestine is not recognized by Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, the USA, and Israel.
    • Of the EU’s 28 member states, only Sweden, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia recognize Palestinian statehood
Security map of Israel and Palestine (Source » France)

Security map of Israel and Palestine (Source » France)

Safety & Security

  • Violence targeting tourists is rare.
  • The City of David, Mount Zion, and Gethsemane are generally considered safe.
  • As with all other countries, be aware of pickpockets and scams.

Government Advice for Travellers

  • Many western governments, advise their citizens not to travel to some regions of the Palestine territories.
  • Canada
    • Embassy in Israel » Canada House, 3/5 Nirim Street, 4th Floor, Tel Aviv
      • 972 (3) 636-3300 / taviv.consular@international.gc.ca / https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Israel
  • New Zealand
  • France
  • Germany
  • Australia
  • UK
  • US

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This page was updated June 4, 2023