Olive Co-op Tour Programme 2008

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Olive Cooperative Tours Spring, Summer and Autumn 2008

Olive Cooperative are delighted to announce a range of unique educational tours to Palestine and Israel in 2008. Each tour offers participants the opportunity to visit this beautiful area and to meet inspiring Palestinian and Israeli organisations working in professional and voluntary capacities to contribute to a just and lasting peace in the region.  Building on our extensive knowledge of a spectrum of civil society organisations in Palestine and Israel, our tours meet individuals and groups, visit the separation wall and sights of historic and religious significance, stay in local hotels, and many offer the chance to experience Palestinian hospitality by staying in Palestinian family homes.

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. 

Arabic language courses in Bethlehem are available to individuals or groups throughout the year and tuition can be tailored to your level of ability.
 

Olive Cooperative Tour Programme 2008

Medics Tour
11 - 18 June 2008, £655

Visiting a broad range of medical settings and meeting with medical professionals in Palestine and Israel, this tour aims to offer an understanding of the challenges facing medics working in a conflict area, as well as exploring the roles and potential roles of medics in witnessing, reporting and challenging the ongoing conflict.  Hear how the Wall and ongoing occupation of Palestine has affected access to medical care and meet medical students struggling to complete their education.

Teachers Tour
October Break 2008
8 nights, approx £625

Olive Cooperative's Teacher's Tour in April 2008 offers participants the unique opportunity to visit educational institutions in Palestine and Israel, to hear first hand about the effects of the occupation on Palestinian education and the problems of increased militarisation of the Israeli education system. 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, 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.

Architecture, History & Culture Tour
October 2008

An area of immense historical value, the architecture of Palestine and Israel tells many stories. This tour aims to explore the history preserved in the built environment, and the importance attached to it by various groups of people.  We also hope to reveal some of the ways in which architecture is being used in the current conflict, with the construction of hill-top settlements and the annexation of important religious architectural sites behind the separation wall.

Dialogue Tour
October 2008

Mainstream media representation of Palestine and Israel focuses on violent conflict and political manoeuvrings.  This tour allows participants to see a different perspective, that of the many grassroots organisations forming links across ethnic, religious, economic, political and geographical divides and addressing the tough issues of how to break away from the conflict and build a mutually respectful and peaceful future.  There are at least 100 dialogue groups working in Palestine and Israel, which aim to bring together ordinary people on both 'sides' and to create a space for conversation and co-operation.  Learn about dialogue, and learn the skills of dialogue, from people and organisations engaging in dialogue in one of the most difficult situations in the world.

Olive Harvest & Harvest Festival
First week in November 2008

Olive Cooperative are delighted to be able to offer this ever-popular tour again in 2008. Meet farmers working millenia-old olive groves, and take part in the Olive Harvest Festival organised by the Palestine Fair Trade Association. PFTA are Olive Co-op's partners in the ground breaking Trees for Life program, and the driving force behind the developing fair trade and organic farming movement in Palestine.  Other highlights of the tour include visiting a permaculture project in the Salfit area of the West Bank, a women's food production co-operative in Jericho and meeting the grassroots Palestinian women's organisation Women for Life.

Intensive Beginner's Arabic Courses in Bethlehem
8 nights for from approx £525

Building on Olive Cooperative’s popular Arabic courses over the past 3 years, we are happy to offer Arabic courses again 2008. Courses offer 7 days, 3 hours per day of expert tuition with local teachers.  The focus is on spoken Palestinian Arabic dialect, which is considered ‘central’, enabling you to understand and be understood across the Arab world. Course price includes a choice of accommodation in hotels or with local families in Bethlehem, and opportunities to tour the local area and visit sites of historical, religious and cultural interest.

Learn first hand about the language, life and culture of Palestine.  Practice your Arabic with the people you meet around you, and consolidate your learning with immersion in Palestinian language and culture.

Courses can run at any time during the year, and at any level to suit you. Please get in touch with the office for more details.

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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.

For more information about any of these tours, or to discuss designing a tailor made tour for you or your group, please contact Xen or Leonie at xen@olivecoop.com / leonie@olivecoop.com, call our office on 0161 273 1970 or drop in to see us at MERCi, 22a Beswick Street, Manchester, M4 7HR. Our regular office opening hours are 2-5pm Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please feel free to contact us to arrange a meeting of phone conversation outside of those hours.

Please note:
Olive tour guides continuously 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.