The Christmas Pilgrimage for Peace is an annual program that gives people from all over the world the opportunity to experience oriental Christmas in Bethlehem, and to celebrate it with the most hospitable families in the Holy Land. In addition to visiting all key religious sites—including the Church of the Nativity, Shepherd’s Field, Jerusalem, and the Sea of Galilee—program participants will also learn about the current movement for peace and justice in Palestine, by meeting with human rights activists and political officials. The Christmas Pilgrimage for Peace will provide all comers a rich encounter with the culture of our land, in a place unlike any other: the place where Christ was born.
Day 1: Dec 28th, 2024– Arrival
• Night: Orientation and geopolitical presentation
Day 2: Dec 29th , 2024 – Jerusalem
• Mt. of Olives, Chapel of the Ascension, Pater Noster church, Dominus Flevit, Gethsemane, Church of Agony
• Old city – Via Dolorosa , Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Aqsa Mosque
• Sepulcher Church
• Meet with religious leaders
Day 3: Dec 30th, 2024 – Jerusalem
• B' Tselem, Israeli Human Rights Organization
• Palestinian women organizations in Jerusalem
• Tour and meeting with Israeli Committee against House Demolition
• Evening: Dabkeh Night
Day 4: Dec 31st , 2024– Jericho
• Hisham’s Palace
• Mt. Temptation
• Tel Sultan, ancient city of Jericho
• Dead Sea
• Evening: New Year festivals and party with locals
Day 5: Jan 1st, 2025 – Free Day
Day 6: Jan 2nd, 2025 – Jaffa, Haifa
• Zochrot, meeting and tour of Jaffa
• Lunch at Ein Hod - unrecognized village
• Haifa – Mt. Carmel
• Bahi’ Gardens
• ITIJAH organization – Haifa
• Overnight in Tiberius
Day 7: Jan 3rd, 2025– Tiberius
• Sea of Galilee – boat ride, Tagha, Capernaum, Jordan River, Mt. Beatitudes
• Evening: walking tour and markets
Day 8: Jan 4th, 2025 – Golan Hights
• Nazareth – Annunciation Church, St. Joseph Church, and Mary’s Well
• Visit Majdal Shams and meet with local organizations
• O/N Tiberius
Day 9: Jan 5th, 2025– Nablus
• Refugee Camp
• Old city walking tour, handmade Olive Oil Soap Factory
• Turkish Bath
• Al- Najah University
Day 10: Jan 6th, 2025– Bethlehem, Christmas evening celebration and annual patriarch procession
• Shepherd’s Field
• Old City walking tour Bethlehem
• Nativity Church & Milk Grotto
• Optional: Evening: Christmas eve – participate midnight Christmas service
Day 11: Jan 7th, 2025– Hebron
• Morning: Christmas day with the local families and lunch
• Old city walking tour
• Tomb of Patriarchs
• Ibrahimi Mosque
• Glass Handicraft Factory
• Evening: party with local families
Day 12: Jan 8th, 2025 – Ramallah
• Bilin Society – wall resistance, meeting with popular committee
• Beirzeit University
• Meeting with political leaders
Day 13: Jan 9th, 2025– Culture of Bethlehem
• Palestinian Cuisine Class
• Evening: Palestinian show performance
Day 14: Jan 10th, 2025 – Departure
