History and culture Videos
The following videos are prepared by InterAct activists and peacebuilding speakers, offering brief introductions to historical narratives and a glimpse into the local cultures. The speakers are professional Tour Guides in Israel and Palestine that have worked together on Dual Narrative Tours through MEJDI Tours.
In these 3-10 minute videos they focused on key historic events and daily aspects of life, inviting you to learn from multiple perspectives, and develop a better understanding of historical narratives and relationalities.
These videos are meant as starting points for learning and open conversations, so we encourage you to share any questions you may have or topics you’d like to learn about post-viewing. Don’t be shy. Let us know by contacting us at office@iinteract.org
Connection to the land
Lina, from Hebron, is a Lecturer of Tourism and Travel at Palestine Polytechnic University and a Licensed Community and Cultural Tour Guide with over a decade of experience in Palestine. She has extensive expertise in the hotel and accommodation industry, having held various positions in reservations, receptions, and bookings. Lina has also worked with local and international NGOs, including GIZ and EAPPI. Additionally, she serves as a board member of the Palestine Public Relations Association and is a member of the Palestine National Tourism & Recovery Task Force.
Husam serves as the Representative for the Middle East/North Africa Social Innovators Program in Palestine and Jordan. He holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding from Eastern Mennonite University and a Diploma in Tourism. Based in Palestine, Husam is also an interfaith tour guide and provides training in Conflict Management, Crisis Management, and Nonviolence.
Shukri, is a licensed tour guide born and raised in the Old City of Jerusalem. Passionate about connecting with people, Shukri chose this profession to share the rich history and religious significance of his beloved country in an informative and enjoyable way. For Shukri, travel is all about living the experience.
1948
Noor, originally from Malha near Jerusalem, moved to Beit Sahour after the Oslo Accords. Licensed by the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Tourism in 2012, he has been active in joint Palestinian-Israeli peace-building in the Gush Ezion/Bethlehem areas. An expert in media trends, communications, and the Palestinian national movement, Noor currently resides in Bethlehem, offering religious and geopolitical tours.
Yael specializes in geopolitical and dual narrative tours in East Jerusalem and Israel/Palestine. She guides for Ir Amim, supports the Bedouin community, and volunteers transporting Palestinian children for medical care. Formerly the owner of Arabesque, she holds a BA in clinical nutrition and a teaching permit in dance therapy for special education.
Checkpoints
“Checkpoints” are designated locations, often set up by military or law enforcement, where people and vehicles are stopped and inspected to maintain security and control movement. Watch the videos to learn more about “Checkpoints” from the Palestinian and Israeli perspectives.
Shukri, is a licensed tour guide born and raised in the Old City of Jerusalem. Passionate about connecting with people, Shukri chose this profession to share the rich history and religious significance of his beloved country in an informative and enjoyable way. For Shukri, travel is all about living the experience.
Lina, from Hebron, is a Lecturer of Tourism and Travel at Palestine Polytechnic University and a Licensed Community and Cultural Tour Guide with over a decade of experience in Palestine. She has extensive expertise in the hotel and accommodation industry, having held various positions in reservations, receptions, and bookings. Lina has also worked with local and international NGOs, including GIZ and EAPPI. Additionally, she serves as a board member of the Palestine Public Relations Association and is a member of the Palestine National Tourism & Recovery Task Force.
Yael specializes in geopolitical and dual narrative tours in East Jerusalem and Israel/Palestine. She guides for Ir Amim, supports the Bedouin community, and volunteers transporting Palestinian children for medical care. Formerly the owner of Arabesque, she holds a BA in clinical nutrition and a teaching permit in dance therapy for special education.
The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin
The assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, Israel’s Prime Minister, occurred on November 4, 1995, at a peace rally in Tel Aviv. Rabin was shot by Yigal Amir, an Israeli extremist opposed to the Oslo Accords. This tragic event marked a significant moment in Israeli history, deeply impacting the peace process and the nation’s political landscape. Watch the videos to learn more about Israelis and Palestinian’s perspectives on this event.
Husam serves as the Representative for the Middle East/North Africa Social Innovators Program in Palestine and Jordan. He holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding from Eastern Mennonite University and a Diploma in Tourism. Based in Palestine, Husam is also an interfaith tour guide and provides training in Conflict Management, Crisis Management, and Nonviolence.
Amy made Aliyah to Israel from Chicago at age four and lives in Jerusalem with her partner, Yaron, and their two daughters. She has a B.Ed. in Education and an M.Ed. in Library Science. Amy has worked in Jewish and bilingual kindergartens and is a school librarian. Actively involved in co-existence educational programs, she speaks English, Hebrew, and Arabic. Since 2022, Amy has been a licensed tour guide, sharing Jerusalem’s beauty and complexity.
Israeli disengagement from Gaza
Hummus
Shukri, is a licensed tour guide born and raised in the Old City of Jerusalem. Passionate about connecting with people, Shukri chose this profession to share the rich history and religious significance of his beloved country in an informative and enjoyable way. For Shukri, travel is all about living the experience.
Intifada
Husam serves as the Representative for the Middle East/North Africa Social Innovators Program in Palestine and Jordan. He holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding from Eastern Mennonite University and a Diploma in Tourism. Based in Palestine, Husam is also an interfaith tour guide and provides training in Conflict Management, Crisis Management, and Nonviolence.
The PA and PLO
The Palestinian Authority (PA), established in 1994 following the Oslo Accords, administers parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It handles various governmental functions in these areas. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), founded in 1964, represents various Palestinian groups aiming to liberate Palestine and establish an independent state. The PLO is recognized as the “sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people” and plays a key role in peace negotiations. Watch the videos to learn more about Israelis and Palestinians’ perspectives on the PA and PLO.
Husam serves as the Representative for the Middle East/North Africa Social Innovators Program in Palestine and Jordan. He holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding from Eastern Mennonite University and a Diploma in Tourism. Based in Palestine, Husam is also an interfaith tour guide and provides training in Conflict Management, Crisis Management, and Nonviolence.
Palestinian refugees
Shukri, is a licensed tour guide born and raised in the Old City of Jerusalem. Passionate about connecting with people, Shukri chose this profession to share the rich history and religious significance of his beloved country in an informative and enjoyable way. For Shukri, travel is all about living the experience.
Aliyah
Eyal was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Mount Carmel, and has lived in Kibbutz Tzora since 1991. His family has been in the region for over 140 years. A former paratrooper and Ministry of Foreign Affairs security officer, he has also volunteered as a medic and police officer. Eyal holds a degree in sport management and coaching, and has studied the Land of Israel and tourism. He currently works with the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority and is an experienced tour guide specializing in Jerusalem’s history, religions, and politics.
Amy made Aliyah to Israel from Chicago at age four and lives in Jerusalem with her partner, Yaron, and their two daughters. She has a B.Ed. in Education and an M.Ed. in Library Science. Amy has worked in Jewish and bilingual kindergartens and is a school librarian. Actively involved in co-existence educational programs, she speaks English, Hebrew, and Arabic. Since 2022, Amy has been a licensed tour guide, sharing Jerusalem’s beauty and complexity.
IDF (Israel Defense Forces)
Shai, born in Jerusalem and currently residing in Tel Aviv, is a guide, lecturer, and history teacher specializing in the Middle East’s geo-political landscape. His expertise includes Israel-Palestine relations, Israeli societal dynamics, and Jerusalem’s evolving narrative. Shai collaborates with diplomats, politicians, journalists, and academics, and contributes to NGOs like Ir Amim and the Geneva Initiative. He holds an M.A. in Political History of the Middle East from Tel Aviv University.
Qumran
Eyal was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Mount Carmel, and has lived in Kibbutz Tzora since 1991. His family has been in the region for over 140 years. A former paratrooper and Ministry of Foreign Affairs security officer, he has also volunteered as a medic and police officer. Eyal holds a degree in sport management and coaching, and has studied the Land of Israel and tourism. He currently works with the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority and is an experienced tour guide specializing in Jerusalem’s history, religions, and politics.
The peace agreements
Shai, born in Jerusalem and currently residing in Tel Aviv, is a guide, lecturer, and history teacher specializing in the Middle East’s geo-political landscape. His expertise includes Israel-Palestine relations, Israeli societal dynamics, and Jerusalem’s evolving narrative. Shai collaborates with diplomats, politicians, journalists, and academics, and contributes to NGOs like Ir Amim and the Geneva Initiative. He holds an M.A. in Political History of the Middle East from Tel Aviv University.
The Oslo Accords
The Oslo Accords, signed in the 1990s, are a series of agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) that aimed to establish a framework for peace and the creation of the Palestinian Authority to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Watch the video to learn more about the Palestinian and Israeli perspective on the Oslo Accords.
Shai, born in Jerusalem and currently residing in Tel Aviv, is a guide, lecturer, and history teacher specializing in the Middle East’s geo-political landscape. His expertise includes Israel-Palestine relations, Israeli societal dynamics, and Jerusalem’s evolving narrative. Shai collaborates with diplomats, politicians, journalists, and academics, and contributes to NGOs like Ir Amim and the Geneva Initiative. He holds an M.A. in Political History of the Middle East from Tel Aviv University.
Jerusalem
Eyal was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Mount Carmel, and has lived in Kibbutz Tzora since 1991. His family has been in the region for over 140 years. A former paratrooper and Ministry of Foreign Affairs security officer, he has also volunteered as a medic and police officer. Eyal holds a degree in sport management and coaching, and has studied the Land of Israel and tourism. He currently works with the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority and is an experienced tour guide specializing in Jerusalem’s history, religions, and politics.
Alex was born in London in 1981 and moved to Israel in 2006. He holds a first-class honors degree in History from the University of Manchester and an M.Phil in International Relations from the University of Cambridge. After moving to Israel, he served in the IDF’s Home Front Command, worked as a fundraiser, youth worker, and freelance translator. Alex has been a tour guide since 2014. He is an avid traveler, reader, and occasional writer, with interests in fiction, history, and travel. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife and two daughters.
LGBT
The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community represents a spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities. Advocacy for LGBT rights seeks to achieve equal rights, acceptance, and protection from discrimination for these individuals worldwide. Watch the video to learn more about the Palestinian and Israeli perspective on LGBT.
Morgie, with a degree in education, has spent 30 years in informal education and 28 years as a professional tour educator and group facilitator. She has worked with diverse groups including youth, Jewish and Christian communities, interfaith groups, and political action groups. Morgie has also led over 20 Holocaust study tours in Poland, using her guiding to promote understanding of the land’s historical and social complexities.
Bedouins
Yael specializes in geopolitical and dual narrative tours in East Jerusalem and Israel/Palestine. She guides for Ir Amim, supports the Bedouin community, and volunteers transporting Palestinian children for medical care. Formerly the owner of Arabesque, she holds a BA in clinical nutrition and a teaching permit in dance therapy for special education.
Olive tree
Amy made Aliyah to Israel from Chicago at age four and lives in Jerusalem with her partner, Yaron, and their two daughters. She has a B.Ed. in Education and an M.Ed. in Library Science. Amy has worked in Jewish and bilingual kindergartens and is a school librarian. Actively involved in co-existence educational programs, she speaks English, Hebrew, and Arabic. Since 2022, Amy has been a licensed tour guide, sharing Jerusalem’s beauty and complexity.
Shakshuka
Morgie, with a degree in education, has spent 30 years in informal education and 28 years as a professional tour educator and group facilitator. She has worked with diverse groups including youth, Jewish and Christian communities, interfaith groups, and political action groups. Morgie has also led over 20 Holocaust study tours in Poland, using her guiding to promote understanding of the land’s historical and social complexities.
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