Columbia/Barnard Birthright Extension: Sample Itinerary

Subject to change, this is only to give you a rough idea of the types of programming we will do

Day 1 — Bethlehem Area: Stories of Resilience

• Visit to Palestinian educational institution focused on peace-building and youth empowerment
• Learn about Palestinian approaches to education 
• Tour of Bethlehem area: Palestinian daily life, economy, and movement
• Personal Narratives Panel: Hear directly from Palestinian leaders including:
  • A bereaved Palestinian family member working toward reconciliation
  • A Palestinian entrepreneur and business consultant
  • A Palestinian civil society leader or former elected official
• Cooperative games and interactive activities with Palestinian community organizers focused on sustainable development and grassroots peace-building

Day 2 — Unrecognized Villages & Current Issues

• Deep dive session on current issues in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with a Palestinian policy advisor or negotiation expert
• Discussion of Oslo Accords, settlements, security concerns, and negotiation challenges
• Village tour of a Palestinian community facing land and water access challenges
• Meet with village council members and environmental cooperation advocates
• Discussion of cross-border environmental initiatives

Day 3 — Israeli Perspectives & Joint Initiatives

• Hear from Israelis working to promote coexistence
• Discussion of Israeli perspectives on security, residential land expansion, and peace
• Joint Israeli-Palestinian Peace Initiatives Panel:
  • Bereaved families organization (Israelis and Palestinians who have lost loved ones)
  • Grassroots Jewish-Arab partnership movements
  • Women’s peace coalitions
• East Jerusalem tour including:
  • Neighborhoods facing displacement or home demolitions
  • Archaeological sites and contested areas
  • Discussion of Jerusalem’s status and competing narratives

Day 4 — Palestinian Citizens of Israel: Identity, Religion & Belonging

• Depart for mixed Jewish-Arab city or predominantly Arab city within Israel (such as in the Galilee or Triangle region)
• Walking tour of Arab neighborhood or town led by Palestinian citizen of Israel
• Visit community centers, schools, or cultural institutions
• Panel: Religion, Nationalism & Identity: 
• A Palestinian Christian citizen of Israel discussing minority-within-a-minority status, A Muslim religious leader or educator addressing Islamic identity in a Jewish state, A Druze community member explaining their distinct relationship to Israeli citizenship and military service and A Jewish Israeli religious leader or scholar reflecting on Judaism’s role in Israeli nationalism

Program Goals:

• Encounter Palestinian life under Israeli sovereignty up close
• Engage with both Palestinian and Israeli voices working toward justice and coexistence
• Build community for vulnerable conversations
• Develop tools for campus engagement with resilience and responsibility