UAE National Day 2025 in Palestine and Israel
The Trip of a Lifetime, Never More Urgent, Led By Locals and Regional Experts
UAE Eid Al Etihad National Day Weekend
November 29th - December 3rd, 2025
US$3,750 per person
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First - There's a Lot in a Name!
We recognize that language like "Israel" and "Palestine" can induce strong emotions for many people. For clarity, we follow the usage of leading international institutions—the United Nations General Assembly, UNESCO, the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice—as well as the Government of the United Arab Emirates. These bodies consistently use this language, and we defer to them in naming the trip.
It’s also important to note that we’ll be engaging with communities, organizations, and authorities who identify as Israeli, Palestinian, and at times both. Our team has long-standing relationships across these groups, and we aim to bring travelers who are genuinely curious about life on the ground in all its complexity.
The Time To Go is Now:
See the World's Most Important Destination
It's the most significant trip you could ever take. Why not do it with the most qualified team of scholars and local community leaders?
For travelers living in the UAE or beyond, journeys to the West Bank and Israel carry both profound meaning and a special responsibility. This is not just another destination on the map—it is a place where headlines and history collide with daily life. In the midst of ongoing conflict, questions of peace, justice, faith, and identity are lived realities for the people you will meet. Traveling here now allows participants to move beyond polarized media narratives and see firsthand the human complexity of the region: families building futures, communities navigating uncertainty, and individuals striving to preserve dignity and hope.
What makes this program urgent is precisely what makes it valuable. Our Bethlehem-based team works across the West Bank, giving us the ability to adjust quickly to changes in access and opportunity on the ground. Accommodations and logistics are designed with care—to keep travelers safe, maintain flexible transportation options, and maximize authentic engagement with diverse communities. Our partners have been operating programs safely for decades, including in the most recent and challenging months since October 7th. For expats in the UAE, this is a rare opportunity to engage responsibly and respectfully with a region of deep relevance to the Gulf and the wider world. You will return not just with memories of extraordinary places, but with perspective, empathy, and insight that can only come from experiencing life here directly.
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There is nothing more meaningful, important, engaging, or powerful that you could do with your national day weekend holiday - come with us to the heart of the Middle East.
Itinerary
Saturday November 29th: Arrival and Orientation in Bethlehem
Fly DXB-TLV, arrival and orientation in Bethlehem.
We will depart Dubai in the morning and arrive at TLV around midday. After completing immigration formalities, we transfer to our hotel in Bethlehem, where the trip officially begins. In the late afternoon, we’ll gather for an orientation meeting in the courtyard beside the historic Church of the Nativity, setting the stage for the days ahead. This will be our first time meeting in person after our pre-departure online briefing, and it gives us a chance to clarify group norms and expectations and ask questions in a safe space. Afterwards, there will be free time to wander the old city before we share dinner together and get some rest in preparation for tomorrow’s early start.
Sunday November 30th: Nablus, and Ramallah
Markets, Museums, and a Taste of Palestinian Life
After breakfast, we drive north to Nablus, one of the oldest cities in the world and a center of Palestinian cultural and commercial life. Here, we will walk through the vibrant old city and markets (Sunday is the largest Market Day), experiencing the sights, sounds, and tastes that have defined this historic hub for centuries. If you're in the market for Olives, Sumac, Za'atar, or anything else - this is your spot. In the afternoon, we continue to Ramallah, where we will connect with local human rights organizations as well as visiting some of the largest museums in the West Bank, gaining perspective on Palestinian history and contemporary life. In the evening, we return to Bethlehem for dinner, a debrief, and overnight.
Monday, December 1st: Jerusalem, Heart of the Holy Land
Multiple Perspectives on the World's Most Disputed City
Today we cross into Jerusalem to explore its historic old city, sacred to three major world religions. In the morning, we plan to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque (pending access) as well as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, both sites of profound religious and cultural significance. The afternoon will include free time to wander through the ancient streets, markets, and quarters of Jerusalem at your own pace, as well as a walking tour of Occupied East Jerusalem with the Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions. We return to Bethlehem for dinner, debrief, and overnight.
Tuesday, December 2nd: Refugee Camps and Communities to Tel Aviv
Two Different Worlds, Far Too Divided.
Our final full day begins in Bethlehem, with a visit to the Church of the Nativity and a walk through the old city. From there, we will visit a local refugee camp, visit the Security or Apartheid Wall (depending on your perspective), and meet with community members to explore the daily realities of displacement and resilience. In the afternoon, we cross into East Jerusalem for a tour with the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD), offering an in-depth look at the contested spaces and ongoing struggles that shape life in the city. The day then takes us westward, as we travel to Tel Aviv Proper — moving from some of the most marginalized communities in the region to one of its most privileged and modern centers. This contrast offers a moment to reflect on the complexities of identity, inequality, and coexistence. We arrive in Tel Aviv later in the late afternoon, where we will have dinner together and spend the night.
Wednesday, December 3rd:
Goodbye to the Med, a final day of reflection and a flight to DXB
On our final morning, depending on group interests, we will either enjoy a relaxed brunch together in central TLV or visit one of the city’s renowned museums, reflecting on the themes of history, memory, and culture that have accompanied us throughout the trip. The contrast between our present settings and what we have seen throughout or travels will be significant. Around noon, transfer to the airport for a flight arriving back in Dubai in the evening.
If you want to take Thursday and Friday off, or fly back later, just let us know! There is tons to do in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem that we can suggest!
FAQ
What is the Focus of this Experience and is it Right for Me?
The focus of this journey is learning—gaining an informed, firsthand understanding of life on the ground in the communities we visit. Developed in partnership with Harvard University professors and international humanitarian law experts, the program invites participants to explore complex issues with depth and care. It is not a sightseeing tour but an immersive experience that fosters thoughtful engagement with people, places, and perspectives. The program is open to individuals, couples, and families with children who are of an age and maturity level to actively participate in discussions and activities. We'll have pre-departure briefings so that everyone feels comfortable going into the trip, with clear expectations that make it possible for everyone to engage and ask questions in an open, authentic, and safe space.
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Travelers should ensure they are authorized to travel to the destinations in question - Israeli Citizens are not able to travel on parts of our itinerary in the West Bank under Israeli law. While other passport holders may face restrictions on travel after visiting Israel, it is worth noting that neither the UAE or the authorities in TLV airport routinely stamp passports on arrival or departure, so there should not be a record of the trip in your passport.
What About Safety and Security?
Keeping our travelers and our team secure is our highest priority throughout the journey. We work with one of the region’s most experienced security teams, who maintain representatives at checkpoints and in key offices to monitor conditions and support the smooth execution of our experiences. A team larger than our travel group is deployed across the area, giving us the ability to adjust plans quickly and responsibly as needed. We are also intentional about accommodations, choosing hotels located in established tourist areas that all parties to the conflict have a vested interest in maintaining as secure spaces.
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The UAE has maintained reliable flights to Tel Aviv throughout the conflict, ensuring consistent access in and out of the region. Over the past several years, we have successfully operated dozens of trips for universities, high schools, and adult travelers, including during challenging recent periods. While each participant’s comfort level is personal, no team is better positioned to provide a responsible, well-supported, and enriching experience in Israel and Palestine. We welcome your questions and are glad to speak with you directly.
What Is and Is Not Included?
Your program fee covers all scheduled transportation from our scheduled trip launch at Tel Aviv (TLV) airport to your return to the airport, three meals a day, all itinerary activities and entrance fees, the support of our experienced team of local guides and security experts, and daily debriefs providing expert context.
Not included are flights from Dubai (DXB) to Tel Aviv, travel insurance (required), or transportation within the UAE or your country of origin. If you plan to extend your National Day weekend and stay beyond Wednesday, we would be glad to help arrange additional activities or connect you with trusted local partners.
What do I Need to Know, Politically and Logisticially, About This Experience?
Travel in Israel and Palestine comes with important political and logistical realities. Israel, and in some cases the Palestinian Authority, control access to the areas we visit, so travelers must have the legal right to enter Israel and be prepared for interactions with Israeli forces at checkpoints. Carrying literature or symbols seen as politically sensitive can create complications or even result in refusal of entry. While travel in the Middle East carries some inherent risks, the UAE and FlyDubai have consistently maintained regular flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv (TLV).
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On the ground, access to different areas can shift quickly. Our Bethlehem-based team is highly experienced in adapting plans while ensuring participants see and engage with as much as possible. Their deep investment in the community allows us to provide more meaningful exposure to life in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv in five days than most travelers could access in weeks. The focus of this experience is to understand the many realities on the ground—so come with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.
Pricing and Registration
Because this is a small, cohort-based program, spaces are limited and in high demand. Completing the interest form is the first step to tentatively reserve your place. Once received, we will follow up with any additional details and provide an invoice to confirm your participation.
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To secure your spot, registration and deposit should be completed as soon as possible. Full payment is required by October 15th. Before that date, you may either pay in full or submit a 50% deposit, with the remaining balance due by October 15th. Deposits are refundable until October 15th, minus a USD 500 administrative fee to cover nonrecoverable costs. After October 15th, all payments are nonrefundable should you choose not to attend.
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We strongly encourage participants to purchase “cancel for any reason” travel insurance to protect against unexpected changes to your plans.