Media often refers to a green line in Israel, particularly it seems, when advocating for Palestinian rights. In short, the green line is actually the temporary cease-fire line between Israel and the Arabs, implemented in 1949 following Israel’s victory in the War of Independence. Green ink was used to mark the map as negotiations were held to settle the territory. Unfortunately, negotiations between the parties have been ongoing (off-and-on) for over 75 years! (I use “temporary” lightly because there is a border fence there! It just isn’t meant to be permanent.)

It was actually Jordan that insisted the boundaries be temporary until an agreement could be reached. Palestinian independence was not even a point of discussion then. Yet, today, that is what the green line is all about. Israel clearly won the War of Independence (as well as major wars that followed in 1956, 1967, and 1973), but from the beginning, the Arab aggressors (Egypt, Jordan, Syria and others) have put up a fight to establish a Palestinian state.

Read more about the history of the green line, and today’s situation on that border here.

While I firmly believe the entire land of Israel belongs to Israel (based on both Biblical and geopolitical grounds), I also find it interesting to go “beyond the green line” into Judea and Samaria (known today as the West Bank), to study Biblical history and to see with my own eyes that most Jews and Palestinians live very peacefully together. Yes, there are some bad dudes (terrorist cells) in places such as Ramallah and Jenin (controlled by the tyrannical Palestinian Authority), but seeing the Biblical heartland filled with ancient treasures, and visiting places where Jews and Palestinians truly do live and work peacefully together is rich with cultural blessings and Biblical insight.

That is exactly why EXPERIENCE ISRAEL Tours includes a journey into the very heartland of Israel (known as the West Bank)! In our Expect the Unexpected post, you heard Janell mention visiting a toilet factory! Why? Because it was an opportunity to engage personally and witness with our eyes the peaceful, even joyful, atmosphere of Jews, Arabs and Palestinians all working together! They love working there and sharing their stories because they are treated very well, and the atmosphere allows for caring and trusting cross-cultural relationships with one another. This particular company even shuts down one week a year to take their entire workforce on a vacation together! It is a beautiful sight to behold!

While we can’t promise a stop at the toilet factory on every trip, we can promise an itinerary that provides opportunities such as that to engage personally with Jews, Arabs and Palestinians to get a real sense of what life is like behind the green line! We would love for you to join us on such a journey in February 2024!