Palestinian territories
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| Capital | administrative capital: Ramallah |
| Currency | Israeli new shekel (₪) |
| Population | 3,837,957 (2008 est.) |
| Electricity | 230V/50Hz (Israeli plug) |
| Time zone | UTC +2 |
| Driving side | right |
| edit on Wikidata | |
The Palestinian territories consist of two physically separate entities, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, in the Middle East. While not yet universally considered part of any sovereign nation, since November 2012, the Palestinian Authority has been upgraded to observer-state status by the United Nations. The Palestinian territories have all been under varying degrees of Israeli governance since 1967, and the final status of the territory remains the subject of ongoing and future negotiations.
Much of the Palestinian territories are governed by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA), a semi-autonomous state institution created in agreement with Israel and the United Nations. However, certain areas remain under official or "de facto" control by Israel or Hamas, and travelers should keep their passports and documents with them at all times and be aware of borders or checkpoints when they cross them. It is not clear what the final outcome of negotiations and status talks will be, but a majority of Palestinians and Israelis support a two-state solution, creating a new, sovereign state - to be called simply Palestine - and the authority has printed new stationery to reflect its upgraded status at the UN.
The Palestinian territories, together with Israel, are considered the Holy Land for many of the world's major religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Baha'ism. The Holy Land has attracted tourists and religious visitors for centuries, and this industry remains important for the region. Many sites of religious and archaeological significance are to be found within the current boundaries of the Palestinian National Authority, most notably Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus and Jericho. Archaeology, Palestinian culture, political significance, natural scenery, ecotourism, and volunteerism also attract tourists.
Regions
| West Bank Bordering Israel to the west and Jordan to the east, including a significant coast line on the Dead Sea. It is de facto under control of Israel and the PNA depending upon the region. |
| Gaza Strip The Gaza Strip borders the south-western coast of Israel and Egypt to the south-west. It is de facto under control of Hamas, a rival of the Fatah-controlled PNA. |
Understand
History
The current Palestinian Territories are a sub-division of pre-1948, British Mandate Palestine. United Nations-projected Arab-held areas of the former Mandate were greatly reduced after the 1948-1949 Israel War of Independence, when the embryonic state of Israel was first attacked by its Arab neighbors, then successfully defeated their armies, leading to a re-drawing of the internationally-recognized borders of Israel. Of course, these hostilities were accompanied by much bloodshed and displacement on both sides, with much of the spotlight shining on the Palestinian refugees who ended up in neighboring Arab countries, Gaza and the West Bank. The West Bank and Gaza Strip have been under Israeli occupation since 1967. Prior to that, the West Bank was under Jordanian occupation. (Jordan annexed the West Bank in 1950 but this annexation was recognized only by themselves and the United Kingdom. The Gaza Strip was under Egyptian occupation.)
Cities
- Bethlehem - an ancient city much like many others in the West Bank, Bethlehem is also the site of Christian holy places such as the Church of the Nativity; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Gaza - the largest city in the Palestinian Territories, with 450,000 people, Gaza city is a coastal city and the administrative capital of the Gaza Governorate, but it has heavily been damaged in several wars between Israel and Hamas and, due to border closures by Israel and Egypt, you probably couldn't get in
- Hebron - highlights include a stunning old city and glass and pottery factories; divided into Israeli-controlled H1 and Palestinian-controlled H2
- Jenin - the West Bank's northernmost city, only 26km from Nazareth
- Jericho - the "Oldest City in the World," Jericho is also around 400m below sea level
- Nablus - considered the commercial capital of the West Bank, it is known for its old city and its furniture trade
- Ramallah - the administrative capital of the West Bank and temporary host to the PNA, Ramallah is a magnet for Palestinians seeking work as well as foreign activists
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Though East Jerusalem is predominantly Palestinian in population and considered by Palestinians as the capital of Palestine and by the UN to be part of an international city ("corpus separatum") of Jerusalem, the traveler should be aware that East Jerusalem is under Israeli control and is considered by Israel to be part of its capital. It is therefore covered in Wikivoyage as part of Israel. Wikivoyage takes no view on whether East Jerusalem should or should not be controlled by Israel, merely reporting the de facto situation for the benefit of travellers, who currently would need an Israeli entry stamp or visa to visit any part of Jerusalem, not a Palestinian one. |
Other destinations
Get in
Get around
See also West Bank.
By bus
Bus services operate on limited routes and times except for those around Jerusalem. You are almost always advised to use Shared Taxis which will be quicker although marginally more expensive. Buses, like shared taxis will also tend to wait until full before departing. You can hail a bus on any road.
Most Shared Taxis have fixed bus-stations, often car-parks near the centre of towns or cities. Larger minivans carry 7 passengers and inner-city shared taxis carry 4. Fares are fixed and overcharging on these services is extremely rare. Shared taxis are often distinguished with black stripes on front and back at the sides, particularly the normal-sized cars serving inner-city routes. You should pay the driver directly once the journey has begun, although you can wait until you reach your destination. Passengers will often work out the change between themselves. As you may be sharing with conservative or religious people, you may observe a certain etiquette, particularly when it comes to men and women sitting next to each other.
By private taxi
Private taxis are very common and can be hailed down at any point. Fares should be negotiated in advance although there are fixed rates for common journeys and it is worth checking with a local in advance. Some taxis will operate on the meter if requested although this is rare. Rates between cities vary widely and some taxis are not permitted to operate inter-city.
By car
For the West Bank, driving a private car is a very convenient way to see more. You can hire cars in Ramallah with green (Palestinian) plates although it is not clear whether foreigners are allowed to drive in Palestinian registered cars. You can also hire cars with yellow plates in Jerusalem which can be driven in Israel and the West Bank. Try Good Luck Cars, opposite the American Colony Hotel on +972 2 627-7033.
Talk
The main language of communication is the Palestinian variety of Arabic. Many people will also be familiar with standard Arabic and/or the Egyptian variety of Arabic as both are widely used in media throughout the Middle East.
See
Constantly disputed and at the heart of conflict in the Middle East, Palestine is home to some of the most important religious places in history and a number of fabulous, humbling sights. Here, you follow the footsteps of millions of pilgrims, you stand on grounds that saw some of the most influential fights of all time and visit some of the most important biblical and historic sites in the world.
Famous as the birth place of Jesus, the small town of Bethlehem is a must-see for most visitors of the Palestinian territories. The Church of Nativity, built over the cave where -according to tradition - Jesus of Nazareth was born, is a sacred destination for Christians and Muslims alike. From here, it's a short walk to the Shepherd's Field, where the birth of the holy child is believed to be announced to a group of shepherds when they saw the Star of Nativity. Linger on the famous Manger Square or head to Solomon's Pools, just a few kilometres out of town. Finally, head to the green Cremisan Valley and try the wine produced in the monastery there.
Where Bethlehem is known as a place of birth, Hebron is famous as the burial place for the great patriarchs and matriarchs. A holy destination for both the Islamic and Jewish people, this city is home to the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs and was once the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. Hebron has a delightful old town, full of winding alleys and bustling bazaars and is locally known for its pottery workshops and glass blowers, making it a fine place to see some of the excellent Palestinian craftsmanship.
The ancient city of Jericho, said to be among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world as well as the lowest (at 260m below sea level), has several sights of interest. Tell es-Sultan (ancient Jericho) is the main base for archaeological excavations in the city. Admire the mosaic floors in the remnants of the Hisham's Palace, an extensive 7th century royal complex and don't miss the Monastery of Gerasimus of the Jordan. Inside lies a cave where -at least according to tales- Jesus stayed during his 40 day fasting period.
The north of the Palestinian territories is dominated by scenic, hilly landscapes and green valleys, dotted with olive trees and villages. The old city of Nablus is well worth a visit. Wander through the narrow, meandering streets and colourful sooq, visit the soap factory or take a bath in the old Turkish bath house. For a great view of the city, climb up Mount Gerizim, right on the outskirts of town. At the top you'll also find one of the few remaining settlements of the Samaritans, as well as their temple. Close to Nablus is the village of Sebastia, which boasts some impressive Roman ruins.
Do
- The Nativity Trail. Trek along the path that took Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
- Abraham's Path. Walk along the settings that the Patriarch Abraham wandered through during his journey across the Levant region. The Abraham trail is a joint project with branches in Turkey, Jordan, Israel and Palestine.
Buy
Currency: Israeli new shekels (₪), although US dollars seem to be widely accepted, especially at tourist shops (Jericho and Bethlehem, for example).
Costs
Eat
Shawarma and falafel sandwiches are really popular foods for Palestinians, as well as olives and hummus. It is traditional to eat with bread and not a spoon or fork. It is unusual to eat a meal without bread.
Drink
Taybeh Beer is the only Palestinian national beer with 5 and 6 percent of alcohol. It has a mild taste. The Taybeh Beer Brewery is located in Taybeh village and is accessible by taking a shared taxi/private taxi from Ramallah's bus station Taybeh village (inquire for the price of the trip before taking the taxi)
Sleep
Learn
It is possible to study Arabic and other subjects in the West Bank. Specifically at Birzeit University near Ramallah.
If you are interested in learning about the social, political and cultural aspects of Palestinian life, there are several programs and organizations offering courses, workshops or learning tours, such as: The All Nations Cafe in the Bethlehem - Jerusalem area, or Green Olive Tours, that offers organized informative and political tours throughout the whole of the West Bank.
Stay safe
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WARNING: Western governments have issued a severe and strict travel warning against travelling to Palestine, due to violent incidents and armed conflict that can occur at any time. |
Government travel advisories
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Because of ongoing conflict in this area of the world, travelers should take notice of travel advisories issued by various embassies before undertaking travel here. Security concerns result in travel between Israel and the Palestinian Territories being tightly controlled on occasions. Travelers should ensure that their travel documentation is entirely in order and should monitor local news channels in case the security situation changes suddenly. Delays may occur at checkpoints unexpectedly, especially if there has been recent violence or political events, or if you are Arab or Arab-looking. It may be quicker to cross a checkpoint on foot rather than in a vehicle, and then take a taxi to your destination once you get through. It is highly advised to keep Palestinian flags, PA/PLO pamphlets, and similar articles out of plain sight when going through Israeli checkpoints. Many people send their souvenirs from the Palestinian territories home by Israeli-postal service parcels to avoid having to take the Palestinian-themed souvenirs through Ben Gurion Airport and risk being interrogated by Israeli security for long periods of time about their visits to Palestinian cities.
A few hints for a successful trip:
- Contrary to recent years, most Palestinian cities are at present relatively safe. Regardless, in some areas or at particular times (such as weddings), gunfire can be heard. This appears to be becoming less and less common, however. Also, bear in mind that fireworks are popular in the cities, and it is possible that what you are hearing is not gunfire at all.
- Always bring a COPY of your passport along with your original and hide the copy in your hotel room.
- Both Israeli and Palestinian security services may ask for ID, so carry your passport at all times.
- Show respect at places of worship - take off your shoes. Women shouldn't come into a mosque without covering their heads. It is not usually necessary to cover your face.
- As a foreigner you are likely to be noticed and many people will call to you as you walk around. This is almost always friendly and well-intentioned although you should be cautious at night in any city.
- Consider hiring a local tour guide/translator who will also keep you out of trouble.
- Beware of local water, including ice cubes - bottled is the way to go.
- Common sense goes a long way.
- Use caution around political rallies. You might get hurt from stones, tear gas, etc. Unless you are travelling specifically for this reason, keep your distance from political demonstrations.
Stay healthy
Respect
Because of the association of Jewish symbols with the Israeli occupation (Israeli military equipment often features prominently a menorah or the Star of David on them) wearing or displaying such symbols, which the Palestinians see as hostile, is not going to win you any friends. Women should dress conservatively and men should also avoid shorts.
Connect
Go next
Although Gaza has great potential as a seaside resort as it once was, today it is closed for tourism due to the Israeli and Egyptian land, sea, and air blockade. The logical next destinations are the bordering countries of Israel or Egypt, though be aware of the political atmosphere when you are traveling and plan accordingly. From the West Bank, one could travel to many other Middle Eastern countries, especially Israel or Jordan.
Be sure to carry shekels with you when departing, as there is a departure tax. If you are leaving through one of the ground crossings, such as the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge to Jordan, it's a good idea to try to get to the border as early as possible, especially in the busy summer season. If you are using the Allenby Bridge to exit Palestine, you are required to have a Jordanian entry visa (preferably a multi-entry visa) before coming to the bridge. You will not be allowed to use the Allenby crossing to enter Jordan without having an entry stamp for Jordan beforehand. Preferably, get a 6 month multi-entry visa, as this can save you a lot of effort. You can do this either in Jordan, or at the Jordanian Embassies in Ramallah or Tel Aviv.