Study Tour 2013 -
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Questions Without Borders: Dual Narrative Study Tour
Israel and the West Bank
Monday 12th - Thursday 22nd August 2013
We invite you to come and explore the land, the people, the narratives with FODIP on our 3rd amazing tour.
Tour leaders will be Pasha Shah and Rabbi Warren Elf, both FODIP Trustees and veterans of previous tours.
Itinerary will include opportunities to experience worship in our holy places, visits to places of special interest, meeting the people and hearing the narratives. We will be working with MEJDI, an experienced company whose ethos perfectly matches our own: http://mejdi.net(note this link navigates away from this site).
Cost: �1650
This includes: return flights, including taxes, all accommodation on a half board basis, 2 resident guides throughout, all transport while on the tour in a private bus, speakers and entrance fees where appropriate.
Comments from participants in 2011:
"A wonderful 10 days that has had a profound impact on our lives. We feel the trip couldn't have been any better and we learnt so many valuable things."
"The time and space you allowed with such sensitivity to our spiritual and religious needs was also much appreciated.... We shared times of shock, tears, amazement, spirituality and lots of laughter."
"I really believe the trip has shaped so many of the decisions I am now making in my last year of college and of course these decisions will have a huge impact on the rest of my life."
Contact us now for more information - [email protected]
The application form can be found on the 'Apply Online' tab.
Israel and the West Bank
Monday 12th - Thursday 22nd August 2013
We invite you to come and explore the land, the people, the narratives with FODIP on our 3rd amazing tour.
Tour leaders will be Pasha Shah and Rabbi Warren Elf, both FODIP Trustees and veterans of previous tours.
Itinerary will include opportunities to experience worship in our holy places, visits to places of special interest, meeting the people and hearing the narratives. We will be working with MEJDI, an experienced company whose ethos perfectly matches our own: http://mejdi.net(note this link navigates away from this site).
Cost: �1650
This includes: return flights, including taxes, all accommodation on a half board basis, 2 resident guides throughout, all transport while on the tour in a private bus, speakers and entrance fees where appropriate.
Comments from participants in 2011:
"A wonderful 10 days that has had a profound impact on our lives. We feel the trip couldn't have been any better and we learnt so many valuable things."
"The time and space you allowed with such sensitivity to our spiritual and religious needs was also much appreciated.... We shared times of shock, tears, amazement, spirituality and lots of laughter."
"I really believe the trip has shaped so many of the decisions I am now making in my last year of college and of course these decisions will have a huge impact on the rest of my life."
Contact us now for more information - [email protected]
The application form can be found on the 'Apply Online' tab.
A journey of dialogue and encounter in Israel and Palestine
Nowhere on earth evokes such a sense of purpose and passion as the Land we call Holy. Jews, Christians and Muslims have prayed for and fought over this piece of land for centuries. It is often hard to know how best to respond to the terrible situation there; different approaches and perspectives make for divisions and conflicts within British society. However, the Holy Place plays a large part in our prayers, liturgies, traditions and backgrounds.
This seminar will provide an opportunity to see the realities, hear the voices and stories of those living there and learn more of their endeavours, hopes and fears for the future. It will also provide an opportunity to explore the significance of this Land for our religious traditions. It will not be an easy journey.
We invite Jews, Christians and Muslims - and those who want to experience or understand - to travel together, engage together in a spirit of dialogue, weep and laugh together, and perhaps take home a new vision for our own communities and their interaction with 'the other'.
God willing, the seminar will include:
Nowhere on earth evokes such a sense of purpose and passion as the Land we call Holy. Jews, Christians and Muslims have prayed for and fought over this piece of land for centuries. It is often hard to know how best to respond to the terrible situation there; different approaches and perspectives make for divisions and conflicts within British society. However, the Holy Place plays a large part in our prayers, liturgies, traditions and backgrounds. This seminar will provide an opportunity to see the realities, hear the voices and stories of those living there and learn more of their endeavours, hopes and fears for the future. It will also provide an opportunity to explore the significance of this Land for our religious traditions. It will not be an easy journey.
We invite Jews, Christians and Muslims - and those who want to experience or understand - to travel together, engage together in a spirit of dialogue, weep and laugh together, and perhaps take home a new vision for our own communities and their interaction with 'the other'. God willing, the seminar will include:
- Jerusalem, the Old City - its congregations and communities
- Jerusalem, the new city - problems and opportunities; East Jerusalem today
- The Galilee: the ministry of Jesus; Nazareth; kibbutzniks
- The narrative of the 'lost' villages; the refugee issue
- The narrative of the Holocaust and its meaning for all Israeli citizens
- Tel Aviv/Jaffa
- The West Bank: Bethlehem; Hebron
- Opportunities to pray and experience the worship of others (in church, synagogue and mosque)
- Co-existence and community projects
- Home hospitality
- Input from Israelis and Palestinians - educators, religious leaders and activists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the real purpose of this tour?
What is the real purpose of this tour?
- To introduce you to the land considered 'holy' in all our traditions, its daily life, its geography and, crucially, the hopes, fears and very difficult circumstances of some of its people
- To be informed about some of the special initiatives in the region
- To experience the spiritual possibilities which the Land has to offer, understand a little better the traditions of those with whom we travel
- To pose far more questions than answers
Who is this aimed at?
Youth workers, lecturers, students, community workers, faith leaders, activists, writers, artists�..anyone who has always wanted to visit, or who wants to explore further the region in a multi-faith context.
These sorts of tours all tend to be 'one-sided'; will we be offered a balanced picture?
Our tours are special because we understand where all views are coming from, even
though we may not agree with them. There's no 'party line' here, although each of
us comes to this issue from a different perspective. We prefer the word 'recognition'
to 'balance': this tour will acknowledge the range of perspectives, recognise different
issues of identity and try to avoid any generalisations. We cannot guarantee that
anyone will come back with a particular view; our long experience in this work
teaches us that no one can predict how anyone will respond. But we do undertake to
provide a wide range of encounters and stimuli to help you build your own, informed
picture. Our tour partners, MEJDI (http://mejdi.net), have considerable experience in
this and will provide both a Jewish and Palestinian guide for the tour.
I am interested in learning what actually happened in 1948. Will this tour help?
This tour will help you to understand individual stories of people who live with the
conflict, but it cannot provide any sort of objective history (if that were possible in
any case). We will provide a pre-tour reading list.
Will it be dangerous?
All travel includes an element of risk. However, most of the region is fairly quiet
for most of the time and generally people forget, once they are there, that there
is an issue about this. Safety is always important to us, however, and we will not
compromise on this. For that reason, we cannot guarantee that we will keep to the
published itinerary. Neither will we be going to Gaza or Sderot or areas nearby.
I have heard about the strict Israeli security. Will I get in? Or be able to travel freely?
Security is a major concern in Israel. The probability is that yes, you will. However,
on entering, leaving and in travelling around, you must be prepared for long waits,
searches, refusals, diversions, questions, annoyance and frustration. It's also
important that you stay with the group; arrangements to visit friends or relatives
may be difficult to engineer.
I really want to pray at a particular holy site. Can I do that?
We do include opportunities for prayers at major sites for those who wish, and we
try to arrange opportunities to experience something of the worship of others. Our
only caveat is that, in the Middle East, nothing is certain.
Will we visit all the major sites of interest?
You will be amazed at how many we will pack in. But we do have only a small
amount of time and we also want you to meet, speak with and listen to people and
so, inevitably, many places of interest have to be missed.
Do I need a visa or vaccinations?
No vaccinations are needed. Visas are not required for passports from the UK or
elsewhere in the EU, and some other countries such as Canada and Australia. If your
passport is from anywhere else, you should check and, if necessary, apply for a visa
directly from the Embassy of Israel (http://israel.embassyhomepage.com/). (Please
note, this will take some weeks.)
I'm not Jewish, Christian or Muslim. Can I still apply?
Absolutely - all are welcome. However, you might find some things particularly
confusing - especially if you are being calm while everyone else is getting het up!
I've been before: how is this different?
Since this is a Study Tour with specific aims, we think you will find this complements
anything you've experienced before.
Lots of organisations offer study tours or pilgrimages. Why should I come with you?
Look at our aims for this tour above. If they don't resonate with you at some point, then this probably isn't for you.
How much will it cost?
�1650 per person, based on two people sharing.
What will be included in the price?
Return flights to and from the UK, including all taxes and surcharges at time of
booking, accommodation, meals on a half board basis, pre-reading pack and
information, travel in private bus, entrance fees where applicable, 2 resident guides
and lecturers.
(Light lunches, travel insurance, extra drinks, bottled water and personal shopping are not included, together with any single room supplements required.)
(Light lunches, travel insurance, extra drinks, bottled water and personal shopping are not included, together with any single room supplements required.)
Study Tour 2011 Report:
An important part of travelling and studying with a group is the possession of a sense of humour. FODIP�s 2011 Study Tour � Questions Without Borders � involved listening to so many different voices that often we asked ourselves �did he/she really say that?� The great thing about the 14 Jews, Christians and Muslims who travelled together was that we were able to share jokes and perspectives openly as a group. On one occasion, the appearance of a camel was enough to put into perspective the difficult words of the �gentleman� then addressing us.
We also enjoyed some very special moments and visited sites of significance for each of our traditions. There were opportunities to be �silent spiritual participants� at times and in places of each other�s worship. This included mosque prayers in Nazareth, where we were treated to traditional hospitality, an Arabic-speaking Christian service in Jerusalem and Shabbat evening worship, followed by dinner in congregants� homes. Together we visited Capernaum, the Western Wall and the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount.
We heard from a range of voices, including a respected Qadi (Judge) from Israel�s Shariah Courts, workers at a women�s cooperative in the Galilee, the mayor of a settlement in the West Bank and young people engaged in inter faith dialogue in Jerusalem. Places visited included Yad Vashem, an innovative radio station run by a former Member of the Knesset and a children�s rehabilitation hospital. Accommodation ranged from the (less-than-successful) home hospitality in the West Bank, to a Druze B & B and an amazing 5 star luxury hotel in Ramallah with more items in the bathrooms than a branch of Boots.
Special moments included Muslim prayer outdoors at the village of Wahat al Salam/Neve Shalom, hearing the women�s choir in Bethlehem and looking out over the lights of Jerusalem on our arrival. Just as important was the ability of group members to express their frustrations, fears and joys in each other�s company. Undoubtedly, there were very challenging moments for all of us but as we reflect on the trip, it becomes obvious that going and meeting people who live there, in the �Holy Land�, is so important.
The programme was put together and delivered by Ophir Yarden of the Inter Religious Co-ordinating Council of Israel (ICCI) and FODIP�s Director Jane Clements.
November 2011
Study Tour 2009 Report:
Despite the shock of leaving the open air street cafes of Jaffa at lunchtime to fly back to gridlocked icy roads, participants in FODIP�s first Study Tour to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Seventeen strangers - Jews, Christians and Muslims - travelled together for 9 days, meeting people and �hearing the voices�. Although coming from different backgrounds and perspectives, we soon �gelled� as a group. As well as our own individual opportunities for worship, we attended together mosque prayers in Nazareth, a church service in Bethlehem and Kabbalat Shabbat in Jerusalem.
While exploring our own and each others� religious traditions in �the Holy Land�, we also engaged with the difficult issue of Israeli/Palestinian relations. We heard from young people involved in dialogue, as well as inspirational speakers such as Rabbi Arik Ascherman of Rabbis for Human Rights and Ali Abu Awwad, who has visited Britain many times with the Bereaved Families Forum. An early visit to the Centre for Humanistic Education at the Ghetto Fighters� Museum and Wahat al Salam/Neve Shalom highlighted practical educational work.
There were painful and poignant moments. These began on our arrival when six members of the group spent three hours in a small room at Ben Gurion airport being �checked out�. Other such experiences included the �refusal of entry� of some of us to some places of worship, the visit to a ground-breaking Bedouin school and the Deheisha refugee camp. At the last place, we were all moved when one of our (Jewish) participants took the hand of a young Palestinian boy as a truck squeezed past on the narrow track.
There were enjoyable times, too. One particular feature was the opportunity for home hospitality with kibbutzniks, Jewish Orthodox and Reform families on Friday evening and Christian and Muslim hosts in East Jerusalem.
FODIP's remit is to encourage religious people to work together in the UK despite our different perspectives. This was underlined by Ali Abu Awwad who told the group: �If you can�t be part of the solution, don�t be part of the problem� and asked us �not to export the conflict to Britain�.
The programme was put together and delivered by Ophir Yarden of the Inter Religious Co-ordinating Council of Israel (ICCI) and FODIP�s Director Jane Clements.
An important part of travelling and studying with a group is the possession of a sense of humour. FODIP�s 2011 Study Tour � Questions Without Borders � involved listening to so many different voices that often we asked ourselves �did he/she really say that?� The great thing about the 14 Jews, Christians and Muslims who travelled together was that we were able to share jokes and perspectives openly as a group. On one occasion, the appearance of a camel was enough to put into perspective the difficult words of the �gentleman� then addressing us.
We also enjoyed some very special moments and visited sites of significance for each of our traditions. There were opportunities to be �silent spiritual participants� at times and in places of each other�s worship. This included mosque prayers in Nazareth, where we were treated to traditional hospitality, an Arabic-speaking Christian service in Jerusalem and Shabbat evening worship, followed by dinner in congregants� homes. Together we visited Capernaum, the Western Wall and the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount.
We heard from a range of voices, including a respected Qadi (Judge) from Israel�s Shariah Courts, workers at a women�s cooperative in the Galilee, the mayor of a settlement in the West Bank and young people engaged in inter faith dialogue in Jerusalem. Places visited included Yad Vashem, an innovative radio station run by a former Member of the Knesset and a children�s rehabilitation hospital. Accommodation ranged from the (less-than-successful) home hospitality in the West Bank, to a Druze B & B and an amazing 5 star luxury hotel in Ramallah with more items in the bathrooms than a branch of Boots.
Special moments included Muslim prayer outdoors at the village of Wahat al Salam/Neve Shalom, hearing the women�s choir in Bethlehem and looking out over the lights of Jerusalem on our arrival. Just as important was the ability of group members to express their frustrations, fears and joys in each other�s company. Undoubtedly, there were very challenging moments for all of us but as we reflect on the trip, it becomes obvious that going and meeting people who live there, in the �Holy Land�, is so important.
The programme was put together and delivered by Ophir Yarden of the Inter Religious Co-ordinating Council of Israel (ICCI) and FODIP�s Director Jane Clements.
November 2011
Study Tour 2009 Report:
Despite the shock of leaving the open air street cafes of Jaffa at lunchtime to fly back to gridlocked icy roads, participants in FODIP�s first Study Tour to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Seventeen strangers - Jews, Christians and Muslims - travelled together for 9 days, meeting people and �hearing the voices�. Although coming from different backgrounds and perspectives, we soon �gelled� as a group. As well as our own individual opportunities for worship, we attended together mosque prayers in Nazareth, a church service in Bethlehem and Kabbalat Shabbat in Jerusalem.While exploring our own and each others� religious traditions in �the Holy Land�, we also engaged with the difficult issue of Israeli/Palestinian relations. We heard from young people involved in dialogue, as well as inspirational speakers such as Rabbi Arik Ascherman of Rabbis for Human Rights and Ali Abu Awwad, who has visited Britain many times with the Bereaved Families Forum. An early visit to the Centre for Humanistic Education at the Ghetto Fighters� Museum and Wahat al Salam/Neve Shalom highlighted practical educational work.
There were painful and poignant moments. These began on our arrival when six members of the group spent three hours in a small room at Ben Gurion airport being �checked out�. Other such experiences included the �refusal of entry� of some of us to some places of worship, the visit to a ground-breaking Bedouin school and the Deheisha refugee camp. At the last place, we were all moved when one of our (Jewish) participants took the hand of a young Palestinian boy as a truck squeezed past on the narrow track.There were enjoyable times, too. One particular feature was the opportunity for home hospitality with kibbutzniks, Jewish Orthodox and Reform families on Friday evening and Christian and Muslim hosts in East Jerusalem.
FODIP's remit is to encourage religious people to work together in the UK despite our different perspectives. This was underlined by Ali Abu Awwad who told the group: �If you can�t be part of the solution, don�t be part of the problem� and asked us �not to export the conflict to Britain�.
The programme was put together and delivered by Ophir Yarden of the Inter Religious Co-ordinating Council of Israel (ICCI) and FODIP�s Director Jane Clements.
Please note: this is offered only as a rough guide and is subject to change
|
|
Day 1 Introduction |
|
|
Arrive Tel Aviv; welcome meeting |
|
|
The
Jewish Diaspora Museum in Tel Aviv |
|
|
Tour in
Jaffa with Sami Shehadeh, Palestinian Historian and Tel Aviv City Councilman |
|
19.30 |
Dinner |
|
LODGING |
Hotel in Tel
Aviv |
|
|
Day 2 |
|
|
Panel with Israeli journalists |
|
|
Lecture by Dr. Eyal Naveh, Israeli Professor and Co-Director of Peace Research Institute in the Middle East
(PRIME) |
|
|
Drive to Haifa |
|
13.30-15.30 |
Panel with Palestinian Citizens of Israel -
Participating Organizations: Mossawa
Center, Shatil and Sikkuy |
|
16.30-18.00 |
Tour a
Kibbutz |
|
18.00-19.00 |
Facilitated
discussion with staff |
|
19.00-20.00 |
Dinner |
|
LODGING |
Kibbutz
Hotel |
|
|
Day 3 Galilee |
|
7.30-8.30 |
Breakfast |
|
9.00-12.30 |
Centre
for Humanistic Education, Ghetto Fighters' Museum |
|
12.30-14.00 |
Lunch |
|
14.30-18.30 |
Travel to Nazareth and visit
the Basilica Church, White mosque and free time |
|
19.00-20.00 |
Dinner |
|
LODGING |
Kibbutz hotel |
|
|
Day 4 Jerusalem |
|
7.30-8.30 |
Breakfast |
|
|
Capernaum |
|
10.30-11.30 |
Visit to site of pre-1948 Palestinian village |
|
|
Travel to Jerusalem |
|
|
Overview
of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives |
|
|
Western
Wall |
|
|
Visit
the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; walking tour of Old City |
|
19.30-21.00 |
Dinner and facilitated discussion |
|
LODGING |
East Jerusalem |
|
|
Day 5 Jerusalem |
|
7.30-8.30 |
Breakfast |
|
8.30-11.30 |
Visit
to Yad Vashem and discussion |
|
|
Muslims
to al Aqsa for Friday prayers |
|
14.00-15.00
|
Meet with Christian Priest (TBD) |
|
TBD |
Attend Kol Ha-Nishama Shabbat service |
|
TBD |
Dinner with Israeli-Jewish families |
|
LODGING |
West Jerusalem |
|
|
Day 6 Jerusalem |
|
7.30-8.30 |
Breakfast |
|
8.30-13.30 |
Free
morning |
|
13.30-15.00 |
Meet with Dr. Mustafa Abu Sway
of Al-Quds University or Yousef Abu Sneineh, Imam of the Al-Aqsa Mosque |
|
15.00-16.00 |
Rami ElHanan, active Israeli
member of the Parents Circle - Bereaved Families Forum |
|
|
Day 7 Bethlehem |
|
7.30-8.30 |
Breakfast;
optional early morning Christian services |
|
|
Drive
to Bethlehem via checkpoint |
|
|
Optional
Christian (Arabic-speaking) service |
|
|
Lunch |
|
|
Church
of the Nativity |
|
|
Visit
to Deheisha Refugee Camp |
|
LODGING |
Bethlehem |
|
|
Day 8 Hebron |
|
|
Explore the many narratives of
Hebron, the city of separation, and share lunch |
|
14.00-16.00 |
Meet
with Settlers in Gush Etzion |
|
16.30-18.30 |
Visit Tent of Nations and meet
with Palestinian peacemaker, Daoud Nasser |
|
19.00-20.00 |
Dinner |
|
20.00-21.00 |
Mossi Raz or Maysa Senioura, Palestinian and
Israeli co-directors, Radio All for Peace
|
|
LODGING |
East Jerusalem
|
|
|
Day 9 Ramallah |
|
7.30-8.30 |
Breakfast |
|
8.30-12.00 |
Explore
the narratives of Ramallah: Meet with Palestinian politician, |
|
12.30-14.00 |
Lunch;
return to Jerusalem |
|
|
Meet
with Rabbis
for Human Rights |
|
19.00-20.00 |
Dinner |
|
20.00-21.00 |
Facilitated
discussion with the group |
|
LODGING |
East
Jerusalem |
|
|
Day 10 Jerusalem |
|
7.30-8.30 |
Breakfast |
|
8.30-12.00 |
Free
morning |
|
12.30-14.00 |
Lunch |
|
19.00-20.00 |
Dinner |
|
18.00-19.30 |
Closing
discussion with the group |
|
19.30-21.00 |
Farewell
Dinner |
|
HOTEL |
YMCA in
West Jerusalem |
|
|
Day 11 Departure |
|
04.30 |
Depart for Airport |
|
|
Flight from Tel Aviv |
How to apply for the 2013 study tour:
If you prefer, please send a cheque payable to 'FODIP' to this address.
- Please read the terms and conditions carefully before booking. Thank you.
- The application form needs to be signed so it will have to be printed and returned
by post to FODIP's address. - Please choose from the options below to pay online.
| A deposit - �200 (required with the application form) | |
| Interim Payment - �400 (due by 1st May 2013) | |
| The balance required - �1,050 (and any single supplements) by 7th June 2013 |
If you prefer, please send a cheque payable to 'FODIP' to this address.
Terms and Conditions
Participants are deemed to be in agreement with these on payment of the Deposit.
Participants are deemed to be in agreement with these on payment of the Deposit.
1. FODIP is not a travel agent.
In connection with this tour, FODIP acts as a group leader in arranging the flights
and liaising with the tour providers in Israel/West Bank. The organising company
MEJDI (http://mejdi.net). FODIP undertakes to ensure that all payments are made to
MEJDI in good time, if received according to the FODIP published schedule. FODIP
also undertakes to ensure that all elements of the planning and delivery of the tour
within its control are in according with the aims, goals and values of FODIP.
2. Payment
A deposit of �200 is required to be received by FODIP at the time of booking. See below
for cancellation conditions. An interim payment of �400 is required by 1 st May 2013, with
the remaining amount payable by Friday 7th June 2013. For bookings confirmed where the
departure date is less than 6 weeks from the date confirmation is received, we will require
full payment immediately to confirm the booking.
3. Insurance and Risk
You are responsible for taking out personal travel insurance. FODIP takes every care
to ensure that its partners act responsibly and with care for participants' welfare at all
times. However, FODIP accepts no liability for any loss of personal belongings, accidental
or malicious injury, delays or actions by officials and agents of the State of Israel or the
Palestinian Authority. Neither is FODIP liable for expenses incurred should entry be refused
either to Israel or the West Bank, although we will do all we can to assist you in such
circumstances.
4. Check-in/Departures
It is your responsibility to leave ample time for your journey to join the group prior to
departure. We cannot refund you for missing the flight through late arrival as a result of
delays on other transport services such as traffic, underground, buses and/or railways. We
will need to check in as a group; individual delays inconvenience the whole party.
5. Travel Documentation
You are responsible for ensuring that you are in possession of the required travel
documentation such as visas and passports and that they are valid and effective. FODIP will
require all passport information at the time of booking. We cannot be held responsible for
expenses incurred if travel documentation does not meet the required criteria. If you are in
doubt, please contact FODIP in the first instance.
6. Refunds/Cancellations Policy
You must inform us in writing (by post/fax or email) as soon as possible if you wish
to cancel your booking. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective from the
moment we receive it in writing. On cancellation the charge per person will be:
In the unlikely event that you are refused entry into Israel, we will make every effort to refund as much as possible up to the full cost, minus the flight cost. However, as a registered charity, we cannot make up any shortfall from our own funds. We do all that we can to minimise the risk of this prior to travel.
- At any time - �50 deposit
- 91+ Days Prior: �100 per person
- 90-61 Days Prior: �300 per person
- 60-46 Days Prior: 35% of tour cost
- 1-15 Days Prior: 60% of tour cost
- 30-15 Days Prior: 80% of tour cost
- 14 Days Prior or less: 100% of tour cost
In the unlikely event that you are refused entry into Israel, we will make every effort to refund as much as possible up to the full cost, minus the flight cost. However, as a registered charity, we cannot make up any shortfall from our own funds. We do all that we can to minimise the risk of this prior to travel.
7. Variation of Brochure
We reserve the right, before you book, to vary the services described in our
information, including prices and departure dates and times. You will be notified of
these changes before you are committed to the tour. FODIP reserves the right to
make alterations to the planned itinerary, including places (though not quality) of
accommodation, at any time.
8. Alterations
If we must change your hotel or other details of the tour, which may be for
reasons beyond our control, we will notify you as soon as possible and give you the
information as to the alterations. We also undertake to make replacements of equal
standard wherever possible. Room allocation is strictly at the discretion of the hotel management.
Special requests may be subject to additional charges.
9. Force Majeure
Should we cancel the whole tour before departure because of unusual or unforeseen
circumstances beyond our control, then we will refund all money already paid
by you, including the deposit, but you will not be entitled to any compensation
for the loss of the tour. Where the tour is interrupted to a significant extent by
circumstances beyond our control we will make every effort to refund what is
deemed to be a fair proportion of the cost of the tour through negotiation with the
tour operators or organisations concerned, although this cannot be guaranteed.
10. Behaviour
We ask that you respect the other participants at all times. This includes thoughtless
comments, unhelpful behaviour and, especially, time-keeping. You will be
responsible for your conduct and you will indemnify us against any liability for
damage caused by you. This is a sensitive study tour and we reserve the right
to arrange for any individual group member to be flown home in the event of
behaviour deemed to be unreasonable.
11. Documents
Your tour documents including: paper air tickets or E Ticket
receipts, tour confirmation voucher and all other related information will be sent
approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payments have
been received.
12. Customer Service
Should you have a complaint or concern during your tour, it
is essential that you inform your group leader and tour guide as soon as possible and we will do our
best to rectify your problem. If we cannot resolve your complaint at the time, you
should make a written record of your complaint. All customer service issues and
refund requests must be submitted in writing and received no later than 30 days
after your return. Refunds are subject to a processing fee of �40 plus any hotel and/
or supplier charges incurred. Airline flight cancellations and delays for any reason are
not the responsibility of either FODIP or MEJDI LLC. Submit your claim directly to the
airline. We do not guarantee airline response.
DISCLAIMER
FODIP acts as group organiser in liaising with those responsible for the tour. Neither the
Trustees, staff nor anyone associated with FODIP takes responsibility for loss, damage,
additional expenses due to common carrier cancellations, delays or changes, weather,
sickness, injuries, strikes, war or other causes beyond their immediate and direct control.
STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY
MEDJI LLC, Arlington, Virginia, and its employees, act only as representatives of
agents of the various air carriers, hotels, public transportation companies and tour
operators upon the expressed condition that they shall not be liable for any injury,
damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularities which may be occasioned either by
reason of defect in any vehicle, or through acts of default of an company or persons
engaged in conveying the passenger, operating contracted tour arrangements or
otherwise of any hotel proprietor or servant.
MEJDI LLC accepts no responsibility for loss, damage, monies, additional expenses due to common carrier cancellations, delays or changes, weather, sickness, injuries, strikes, war, quarantine, or other causes beyond their immediate and direct control.
MEJDI LLC accepts no responsibility for loss, damage, monies, additional expenses due to common carrier cancellations, delays or changes, weather, sickness, injuries, strikes, war, quarantine, or other causes beyond their immediate and direct control.
FODIP offers a range of opinion and perspectives. Articles featured on this site reflect the views of the author and not necessarily those of Fodip or our associates.
We welcome articles from individuals and organisations in consideration for publication.
FODIP relies entirely on donations and grants from private charitable trusts. Every donation helps us to maintain and develop this important work.
FODIP relies entirely on donations and grants from private charitable trusts. Every donation helps us to maintain and develop this important work.
Registered Charity no. 1139005
Contact: Watlington Road, Cowley, OXFORD, OX4 6BZ
Tel: ++(0)1865 787458; email: info [at] fodip [dot] org; www.fodip.org
Company No. 07343229
"I have never had such a wide-ranging and thought-provoking travel experience in such a short time. It was stunning and overwhelming to discover new dimensions of my own faith whilst sharing important 'moments of faith' with Muslims and Jews. It was an absolute privilege to be included in the group and even in the more uncomfortable and challenging moments I have learned a great deal. [I] was humbled, angered and upset - often in just the space of a few minutes. I will always treasure the experience and fully intend to translate it into practical action which will work to unite faith communities both in the UK and in Israel/Palestine."
"The most stimulating of my 4 visits to Israel/Palestine to date."
"I went with 17 strangers and came back with 17 friends."
"The tour provided a learning opportunity that text books, articles or documentaries read and observed in the UK could never give. It gave a range of physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual experiences which I am now drawing on to develop my understanding and personal views about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Sharing these experiences with Christians and Jews from Manchester deepened my understanding and, crucially I hope will enable us to continue, back in the UK, the sometimes difficult conversations we had in the Holy Land."
"A really brilliant trip! For me, it enabled what had been strong opinions based on second-hand evidence to come really alive in first-hand encounter. This is a mixed blessing, since a black-and-white taking of sides will no longer do. Any cherished idea of a 'solution' seems more intractable than ever. Yet the underlying theme - with such inspiring examples - of hearing and respecting 'the other', and working at face-to-face human contacts, did offer at least a glimmer of hope. Lessons there for all of us��."
"Organisation and leadership very much appreciated."