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THE 10 BEST Jerusalem Tours & Excursions

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1. Masada and the Dead Sea Day Trip from Jerusalem

2. Jerusalem and Bethlehem Day Tour from Jerusalem

3. Old and New Jerusalem Full-Day Tour

4. Old and New Jerusalem Day Trip from Tel Aviv

5. 7-Night Israel Highlights and Bibleland Tour

6. Travel To Bethlehem, Jericho & Jordan River - Group Guided Tour from Jerusalem

7. Masada, Ein Gedi and The Dead Sea from Jerusalem

8. Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee Day Trip from Jerusalem

9. Israel Museum Must See High-Lights

10. Private Professional Photoshoot in Jerusalem

11. Day Tour to Jerusalem and Bethlehem from Tel Aviv

12. Old Jerusalem Full-Day Tour

13. Jerusalem Boutique Tour from Tel Aviv

14. Bethlehem, Jericho, and Qasr El Yahud Day Trip from Tel Aviv

15. Private Tour Jerusalem Old City

16. Tour to Bethlehem, Jordan River, Dead Sea Mini Group. Up to 6 pax

17. Jerusalem and the Dead Sea from Tel Aviv

18. Jerusalem Half Day Tour: Holy Sepulchre and Western Wall

19. Dead Sea, Masada at Sunrise and Ein Gedi Tour from Jerusalem

20. 8-Night Israel Tour from Tel Aviv: Jerusalem, Dead Sea, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Northern Israel and Petra

21. Palestine Revealed: 2-Day Private Tour from Jerusalem

22. Private Full Day Tour to Bethlehem and Jerusalem From Tel Aviv

23. Israel Holy Land Christian Tour Package 7 days - Private Tour Package

24. Travel to Bethlehem Half Day Guided Tour from Jerusalem & TelAviv

25. All Inclusive Walking Tour Old City Jerusalem

26. Israel Tour Guide

27. The Best Food Tour in Jerusalem--Perfect for Viral Travel Content

28. Jerusalem Old city tour

29. Jerusalem & Dead Sea Private Tour - Visit Holy Jerusalem & Dead Sea Relaxation

30. Morning Private Tour to Discover Jerusalem

What travelers are saying.

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• Private Tours Jerusalem Private Tours Dead Sea Private Tours Galilee Private Tours Israel Shore Excursions Airport Transfers
• Destination Jerusalem Tours Dead Sea Tours Masada Tours Nazareth Tours Galilee & Golan Tours Tel Aviv Tours Caesarea Tours West Bank Tours Bethlehem Tours Jericho Tours Petra & Jordan Tours
• Petra Tours Petra from Jerusalem Petra from Tel Aviv Petra from Eilat Petra 1-Day Tours Petra 2-Day Tours Jordan Tours from Israel Israel and Jordan
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• Blog Activities in Israel Israel Culture Practical Travel Info Jordan Travel Guide

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• Jerusalem Tours

Explore Jerusalem, Israel's top attraction steeped in rich history sacred to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. A Jerusalem tour is a must for every Israel itinerary, offering diverse options to suit every interest and schedule.

Discover Christian sites like the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, and Via Dolorosa, following in the footsteps of Jesus. Visit the iconic Church of the Holy Sepulchre, including Calvary and the Tomb of Christ, with special Easter tours like the Palm Sunday Procession.

Our tours in Jerusalem cover both new and Old City highlights including the Yad VaShem Holocaust Museum, the Western Wall, and many more. Uncover hidden gems with unique tours exploring the excavated City of David.

Choose from single/multi-day itineraries or a ship-to-shore tour, with convenient pick-up and drop-off in Tel Aviv, Netanya, and Herzliya, traveling in comfort with air-conditioned vehicles.

Join our group/private tours, available in multiple languages throughout the week. Each tour is led by passionate guides eager to share Jerusalem's captivating stories.

Contact our 24/7 support staff for personalized assistance in planning your perfect; you'll love touring Jerusalem with us!

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Christian Jerusalem and Bethlehem Tour, 2 Days

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Jerusalem & Bethlehem Private Tour, from Haifa Port

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Jerusalem & Bethlehem Private Tour, from Ashdod Port

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7 Awesome Jerusalem Tours Definitely Worth the Money

Jerusalem is by far my favorite city in the whole world. I spent 4 months studying in and exploring Jerusalem so I’d say I have the experience to confidently say that. You know when people tell you to ‘picture your happy place’ I set myself on the Mt. of Olives with sweeping views of the Old City of Jerusalem while listening to the sounds of the Muslim call to prayer echoing over the city’s many minarets. That’s how much I love this city.

What makes Jerusalem so amazing is the immense amount of culture you can take in all within one city. Three main world religions (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity) all view Jerusalem as a holy and important city with areas and sites dedicated to each group. And no matter your religious views, or lack thereof, it is fascinating to witness these three cultures intersecting within one area. And what better way to do this than on one of these Jerusalem tours!

I have since returned to Jerusalem with my husband so he could have some of the same amazing experiences I had while exploring the city. As I guided him through the bustling streets of Jerusalem and crowded walkways of the Old City he said to me over and over, ‘This is so crazy that you know your way around Jerusalem without a map.” And I totally agree, it’s crazy to know a city like Jerusalem well enough to be able to navigate from memory.

*There may be affiliate links in this post.  Read my  privacy/disclosure policy  to learn more.

Why Book a Walking or Guided Tour in Jerusalem?

Even though I had 4 months of experience living in Jerusalem, and could so confidently create an itinerary and navigate my husband and myself through the city, there were still certain experiences that I chose to book a tour for during our travels.

Jerusalem (especially the Old City) can be a little overwhelming. There are so many different cultures/religions colliding that it almost feels like you need to learn how to navigate multiple new countries but all within walking distance of each other 😅.

Besides touring the city and the Old City of Jerusalem itself, there are quite a few amazing sites to see in the surrounding area. For example, did you know Bethlehem is only a few miles away from Jerusalem? Or that you can float in the Dead Sea just an hour away?

The thing is, these places can be a little tricky to get to because you’d either need to rent a car and navigate military checkpoints along the way or figure out a potentially confusing and inconvenient public transit system.

So, because of these reasons, we decided to book a few tours in and from Jerusalem to make the most of our time in this amazing place. We paid ourselves for these tours and I am convinced we found the best Jerusalem guided tours.

So now, after 4 months of living experience and countless hours of research upon our return, I’m here to give you my recommendations for the best Jerusalem tours to book to make your time in Jerusalem amazing and as carefree as possible.

Which Company is the Best to Book Tours in Jerusalem With?

Before my husband and I traveled back to Jerusalem and the surrounding areas, I spent HOURS researching to find the best tour company in Jerusalem. I wanted to find reliable, engaging, and affordable groups to join. I kid you not, I wouldn’t be surprised if I spent over 100 hours looking just at different Jerusalem tour packages, different walking tours in Jerusalem, and the best way to complete day trips from Jerusalem.

And after booking and completing multiple tours with Abraham Tours , I am convinced I found the best group to take tours within the Holy Land. They have so many tour options to choose from! Plus I feel like the prices are very reasonable where you couldn’t do it much less expensive on your own. And you can even search by departure location of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Nazareth, or Eilat.

Abraham Tours is a tour group connected with Abraham Hostels, however, you don’t need to be staying at the hostels to participate. Personally, I’m not a hostel person so we stayed at an Airbnb in West Jerusalem but still participated in multiple Abraham Tours. I would say that the vast majority of all our tour groups were staying at other places than the hostel.

And if you are thinking that these tours will only be filled with single 20-year-olds, don’t worry! Our groups had a great mixture of different types of people. There were solo travelers, couples, families with teenagers, LGBTQ, and retirees. So basically, no matter your travel situation, you can feel comfortable on an Abraham Tour !

Quick Guide to the Best Tours to Book in Jerusalem

Walking tours in jerusalem:, 1. holy city tour jerusalem (old city).

Since I lived in Jerusalem for 4 months prior to my return with my husband, I definitely knew my way around the Old City. I had ventured countless times through the streets and alleyways, so much so that I felt very confident in being able to be my husband’s tour guide during that portion of our trip.

Because of my experience, we didn’t opt for a Jerusalem Old City tour , however, I definitely recommend it for someone who has never been before. Having a local Jerusalem tour guide will enhance your experience SO much.

This Holy City Tour is a guided half-day walking tour that covers the amazing religious sites of the three main religions represented (Islam, Judaism and Christianity) in the Old City of Jerusalem.

You’ll enter the temple mount and see the Islamic mosque ‘Dome of the Rock’ (which is literally one of my favorite buildings in the whole world… I mean those blue, green and yellow tiles 😍). The temple mount has very specific opening hours that can easily be missed if you don’t pay attention correctly. That is one reason it is great to visit on this tour .

*The temple mount is always closed on Fridays and Saturdays. If you book the tour on a Friday or a Saturday you will visit a site with an overlook of the Dome of the Rock rather than getting up close. I recommend making sure you book on a day other than those two days to ensure you get to get up close and personal with the gorgeous Dome of the Rock.

Also on this tour , you’ll visit the Western Wall (sometimes known as the Wailing Wall-but its name is actually the Western Wall). This is the last remaining wall from thousands of years ago that surrounded the Jewish temple and is now a holy site/outdoor synagogue. Here you will get to observe many faithful Jews praying and reading scripture along the wall.

Plus you will visit holy Christian sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Via Dolorosa (the path of Christ and the cross). A benefit of a guided tour to all of these different sites is that you will definitely gain a better understanding of the significance of Jerusalem and why this area is called the ‘Holy Land’ to so many different faiths. Plus you’ll get help navigating the sometimes confusing and crowded paths and alleys of the Old City (a big plus in my opinion).

2. Mount of Olives Tour

This Mount of Olives tour covers an area that can be easily overlooked in Jerusalem but it has some great things to see. Just to the east of the old city is the Mount of Olives (which is actually where my university was located during my time in Jerusalem). The best part about visiting the Mount of Olives is that you get some awesome views of Jerusalem.

The view from up there overlooking the bright blue, yellow, and green tiles of the Dome of the Rock and the blue and green domes of ancient churches is just amazing. And to top it all off, you may be up there while the Islam Call to Prayer is echoing over the city, it is just seriously the best. But that’s coming from me- I’m a total sucker for a good view.

Plus you’ll get to get up close and personal with beautiful, ancient olive trees and visit important sites. My favorite places visited on this tour are the Garden of Gethsemane and the huge Jewish cemetery on the hillside.

3. Meet the Ultra-Orthodox Jews Tour

If you are looking for one of THE most interesting and unique tours in Jerusalem, you for sure need to check out this ‘ Meet the Ultra-Orthodox Jews Tour ‘. To me, one of the best things about visiting Jerusalem is getting to see how different devout people practice their religions.

You’ll the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem which is home to Ultra-Orthodox Jews. It is like stepping into another world/time. Almost everything feels different in this neighborhood like the religious clothing worn, the incredibly high modesty required, and the behavior of the Ultra-Orthodox community.

Obviously, people living their life shouldn’t be a tourist attraction. That’s why I appreciate that this tour is led by a member of the local Ultra-Orthodox Community who gives great information and insights about the local community.

If you are interested in visiting the Mea Shearim neighborhood , I definitely recommend booking this ‘Meet the Ultra-Orthodox Jews Tour’ . If you want to visit the area on your own, be sure to wear extra-modest clothing (long sleeves and pants) and don’t try to drive through the neighborhood on Shabbat (sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday) because they do not drive on the sabbath.

Day Trips from Jerusalem:

4. bethlehem tour.

I feel like you can’t travel all the way to Jerusalem and then not visit Bethlehem. Did you know that Bethlehem is only a short 15-20 minute drive from Jerusalem? However, a slightly tricky thing about visiting Bethlehem is that it is located in the West Bank on the other side of the separation wall (which is a different discussion for a different time).

But this means you will go through a security checkpoint to enter Bethlehem and will need your passport on you. Taxis are unable to cross into Bethlehem but there are some buses that are available. Personally, I didn’t want the stress of figuring out the best way to cross into the West Bank, so this Bethlehem tour from Jerusalem was totally perfect for us. Abraham Tours even makes sure to employ a local Bethlehem tour guide to ensure tourism money is still going into the city.

We met up at the desk of the Abraham Hostel which happened to be the meeting point for this Bethlehem tour , boarded a van with other group members, and made the quick drive to Bethlehem and met up with our local tour guide.

We walked through Bethlehem and learned a little bit about the history of the city and the negative effects on the city since the separation wall was built. Then we visited the Church of the Nativity which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the spot where it’s believed that Jesus Christ was born. Obviously, the church wasn’t there at the time of Christ 😅, but it was built in about 500 AD around the supposed site of the birth of Christ.

We also visited the Milk Grotto (a Catholic church in Bethlehem), a couple of shops where you can purchase beautiful olive wood nativity sets and other trinkets, and a shepherd field overlook.

I personally liked walking around the city of Bethlehem and being in the same general areas Christ may have been more than the specific holy sites we visited in Bethlehem. But I still think they are worthwhile to visit to have your own experience.

Our tour guide let us make a quick stop at a Banksy graffiti piece on the separation wall (I think someone in our group asked about it). The itinerary does not include any Banksy stops- but if you ask nicely maybe your tour guide will make a quick stop for you also :). There are multiple Bansky pieces in Bethlehem all of which are very thought-provoking.

5. Dead Sea, Masada & Ein Gedi Tour

In my opinion, the Dead Sea, Masada & Ein Gedi tour is one of the best day tours from Jerusalem you can take. This specific tour is interesting because it includes 3 great destinations all located just over an hour away from Jerusalem. The Dead Sea (think water so salty you can float in it and mineral-rich mud you can cover yourself in), Masada (think 2,000-year-old, giant, hilltop fortress), and Ein Gedi (think lovely nature walk to an oasis in the desert).

This is a ‘self-guided’ tour where the entrance price to Masada and Ein Gedi are not included. Basically, this means it is a shuttle that will take you to these three destinations and provide you with some audio tours (if you want). This may sound kind of basic, but for me, this was an amazing option to be able to not have to think about how to get to the Dead Sea on public transit.

I have a friend who was visiting Jerusalem and she tried to take the bus to Masada and then the Dead Sea. Because of their tight schedule and their confusion about the bus stops, they, unfortunately, got off at the wrong Dead Sea stop and then had to take the next bus back to Jerusalem because they ran out of time.

I so did not want that to happen to us and really wanted to enjoy the day without thinking much. And I’m so glad we booked this experience ! It made the day super smooth and fun.

We started out with some time at Ein Gedi (and saw some adorable little critters along the trail called a Rock Hyrax). The walk is easy and ends at a waterfall and pool of water.

Then we went to Masada and rode the cable car to the top of the mountain. There are some awesome views of the Moab Mountains and the Dead Sea, not to mention the tons of ancient ruins atop the mountain to see. They even offer a Masada sunrise tour if that is something you are interested in!

Then we ended the day hanging out at the beach of the Dead Sea aka the lowest point on earth! Be sure to bring your swimsuit to float in the water. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can roll all around in the water and not sink.

You can even pick up some Dead Sea salt to take home as a souvenir to think of your trip every time you cook (that’s what we did 🥰). Also, maybe don’t plan on shaving the morning you visit because the salt can really sting recently shaved areas 😬.

If you are short on time or are only interested in visiting the Dead Sea, no worries, they also offer a one-stop Dead Sea tour .

Jerusalem to Jordan Tours:

6. 2-day jerusalem to petra tour.

Okay, okay, okay I know, you are in the midst of planning a trip to Jerusalem, not Jordan. However, I think you should heavily consider adding this 2-day Jerusalem to Petra tour to your itinerary. The country of Jordan neighbors Jerusalem to the east and has some amazing sites that you can easily fit into a quick 2-day road trip from Jerusalem. The drive from Amman to Jerusalem is only 1 hour and 50 minutes!

Once again, I had already visited Jordan when I was studying in Jerusalem. However, once my husband realized we could visit Petra on this trip which is not only one of the 7 New Wonders of the World but also a filming location of Indiana Jones he was sold on us visiting.

And even though I’d already been, I was still logistically lost on how we would do it. Because on my prior visit, I was not responsible for any planning or logistics. Thankfully, I found this amazing 2-day Petra tour from Jerusalem and I’m so glad we participated in it!

How can you not add one more night to your itinerary to get to see the country of Jordan? It’s so close! Plus, if you do have more time, they also have a 3-day tour option or an 8-day Israel/Jordan tour option. (Spoiler alert-the 3-day tour option includes Petra PLUS a desert Jeep tour).

One con I’ll admit is that I would have enjoyed more time in Petra. We had to move pretty quickly to see the things we wanted to see within our allotted time frame. However, the ease of transportation, an awesome local Jordanian tour guide, the extra sites we saw in Jordan, and the super unique experience of staying overnight in the desert at a Bedouin camp totally made booking the 2-day tour to Jordan from Jerusalem it all worth it.

However, if you do want more time than we had in Petra, just book the 3-day tour to Jordan from Jerusalem instead (problem solved!). Plus you’ll get to visit Wadi Rum and experience a Jeep tour through the desert!

Jerusalem Tour From Tel Aviv:

7. jerusalem day tour from tel aviv.

If you are staying in Tel Aviv but are interested in seeing Jerusalem, this is the tour for you! The ‘Jerusalem Day Tour from Tel Aviv’ includes all of the major highlights of Jerusalem that anyone needs to see. Like visiting the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and visiting an overlook of the Dome of the Rock.

Plus you get to see one of Jerusalem’s hidden gems, the Mehane Yehuda Market which is full of delicious baked goods, produce spices, and more. Mahane Yehuda market is located outside of the Old City which means you will be surrounded by many locals shopping rather than only tourists.

If you are planning a trip to Tel Aviv, I definitely recommend making time in your itinerary to take a day trip to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. And this Tel Aviv tour to Jerusalem is my top pick for that.

These two cities are only about one hour apart but are so different and unique that you need to see both. This Jerusalem tour from Tel Aviv is the perfect way to experience Jerusalem during your travels to Tel Aviv.

And those are the guided tours to Jerusalem that I recommend (and the surrounding areas)! Please  let me know  if you have any questions in the comments below. I really did love my experience with Abraham Tours (which btw did I mention I paid for all of those tours myself-they weren’t a collaboration). Book one- if not all of these tours now- like, right now! You won’t regret it.

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Hi there Jenessa! We are taking a mediterranean cruise that stops in Jerusalem, (Ashdod) and in Tel Aviv (Haifa) do you know if any of these tours with Abraham tours are available to cruisers? Or how would a traveler get to a meeting point from the cruise port? Thanks in advance! Tara

Hey Tara, sounds fun! To take a tour with Abraham Hostels you’ll need to get to the meeting point which is the Abraham Hostel in Tel Aviv (or Jerusalem, but I think the Tel Aviv one may be easier to get to). Here is a good article on another site that give directions for either a taxi or a bus line from Ashdod Port to Tel Aviv. Good luck!

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Tours to the Holy Land: Trips & Israel Tour Packages 2024, 2025

"Every place we visited was breathtakingly beautiful, with stunning landscapes and rich historical and cultural heritage. We highly recommend visiting Israel to anyone who wants to experience an unforgettable journey. We had a life-changing time there and are already planning to return." Simon L. and Beatriz G. – Tour to Israel/Egypt/Jordan February 2024 "I had a wonderful time in Israel. I felt while I was there the precautions that were taken for our safety were well in hand. I still got to experience many holy sites and be blessed by walking the path that Jesus walked. Every day was started in prayer, singing, or scripture reading which also extended the blessing of the trip." Quincie L. – Tour to Israel/Egypt/Jordan February 2024

Our Israel tours & Holy Land tours of 9-24 days for the Evangelical Protestant Bible believer are what Pilgrim Tours does best. Prepare yourself for a life-changing journey to walk where Jesus walked and visit Jerusalem, Galilee, & Samaria. Each of our Israel tours is led by a local guide who is an experienced expert on the historical, cultural, scenic, and spiritual history of the Holy Land. If you travel with 10 or more people, a private group tour can easily be arranged. Pilgrim Tours can customize an itinerary to fit your group needs with many options to choose from.

Concerned about safety? As a Christian tour operator, the staff at Pilgrim Tours takes a Biblical perspective regarding the current situation in the Middle East. We do not believe that peace in Israel is something that will occur until the Prince of Peace comes to restore His kingdom. Please do not make a reservation with us based on the hopes of a calm future. If you long for the special blessings only available in Israel, we will take you there. An expert driver and guide will carefully keep you from any areas that could present a problem and treat you to the riches of Israel as our special guest.

Below is a large variety of Israel tour packages departing in 2024 and 2025 year-round.

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Reserve your tour at least 6 months in advance for an early booking discount, groups and parties of 6 or more click here for special rates, scheduled 2024 & 2025 israel tours.

View our Israel tours ranging from 9-24 days.

Take a tour of a lifetime and bring the Bible to life.

Featured Sites in Israel

Explore a vast selection of beautiful historical and Biblical locations throughout Israel with our Israel Holy Land tour. You can visit Jerusalem, Galilee, and parts of Samaria, getting the life-changing opportunity to see where Jesus and many other Biblical figures lived and walked. We even offer Holy Land tours that allow you to see the Dead Sea, the Garden Tomb, and the Jordan River Baptism Site. Like all of our Europe tours , our Israel Holy Land tours are led by local guides who have extensive knowledge of the area and its history. If you want to experience the history of Israel and see the Bible come to life, our Holy Land tours give you that opportunity.

The city of Jerusalem offers a unique convergence of Judaism, Christianity, and the Muslim faith. For Christians who visit Jerusalem, you will learn about many stories of the Bible while walking her streets. Many actors in the Bible such as Abraham, King David, King Solomon, the twelve disciples and Jesus all lived, visited, or spent time there. The Passion week of Christ will be highlighted during our stay as we visit the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Western Wall, the Way of Suffering, and the Garden Tomb.

Sea of Galilee

Nowhere in Israel does the Bible come to life more than along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Pilgrims who visit the Galilee region have the opportunity to imagine what life was like 2,000 years ago and what Jesus and the twelve disciples experienced while fishing on the Sea of Galilee. The peaceful setting and the natural wonders of the Golan Heights to the east and Mt. Arbel to the west make for a great way to start your morning in quiet reflection. During our tour, we explore the Biblical towns of Capernaum, Magdala, and Nazareth and take a meaningful cruise on the Sea of Galilee.

The Dead Sea is not only the lowest and most lifeless lake in the world, but also nearly 10 times saltier than the ocean. Travelers will enjoy the beautiful colors of the blue water and the red mountains of Jordan to the east. Take time to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Dead Sea “float” either in the sea itself or at one of the warm salt water pools at our hotel. The Dead Sea experience is truly a bucket list visit you won’t want to miss!

Garden Tomb

Our visit to the Garden Tomb and its surrounding gardens is normally one of the highlights of our tour to Israel. The Garden Tomb is a rock-cut tomb in Jerusalem that was unearthed in 1867 and is considered by some Protestants to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus. Our visit offers a unique time of prayer, reflection, communion, and praise, which will be a special life-long memory for many travelers.

Jordan River Baptism Site

The Jordan River Baptist Site or “Yardenit” is a baptism site located along the Jordan River just south of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. This site is frequented by Christian Pilgrims who enjoy imagining the setting of the baptism of Jesus. For anyone who would like to be baptized in the Jordan River, Yardenit has been developed to be a peaceful setting with beautiful gardens, clean colored water, changing facilities, showers, and a nice souvenir shop.

Caesarea Philippi

To many Pilgrim travelers, Caesarea Philippi is a special surprise while on their tour. Located along the rushing springs of Mt. Hermon, the beautiful and natural setting is where Jesus asked his disciples “Who do men say that I am?” He asked this question while observing the pagan worship of the god Pan as worshipers offered their sacrifice at the “Gates of Hell.” Our time at Caesarea Philippi is one of many opportunities throughout our tour to see the lessons and message of the Bible come to light in a special way.

Israel Tours: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month for the Holy Land tour?

Taking a trip to Israel during the spring or fall offers the most enjoyable weather of the year but normally has the largest crowds. If you want to enjoy a peaceful tour with fewer crowds, consider visiting between December and February or June and August. We offer Israel and Jordan tours throughout the year, so you can select a trip that works for your schedule.

How many days do you need for a Holy Land tour?

We offer several types of tours of the Holy Land, so the duration of your tour depends on the tour package you choose. The Best of Israel Tour is our most basic offering and includes a Sea of Galilee boat ride, a trip to the Jordan River Baptism Site, the Dead Sea, and many opportunities to walk on the same land Jesus walked on. This is our shortest trip at just 9 or 10 days. Our most involved trips allow you to experience a wide range of historical locations over the course of a few weeks. Egypt tours are included in some of these packages, as well as tours in Greece and other countries. These tours can take up to 24 days, giving you the chance to spend an extended period of time learning about and visiting different parts of the world. From our Turkey tours to all of our Israel Christian tours, all of our tours feature a first-class hotel rating for the country you visit. We do offer some upgraded tours that offer better lodging options. You can review our hotel categories at https://www.pilgrimtours.com/company/hotelcomparison.htm . Check out any of our tours to view a day-by-day itinerary and see what amenities are included with each tour.

What is the dress code in Israel?

The dress code in Israel is different from other parts of the world. There are a few dress code basics you should understand before booking Israel tours: When you’re in Israel, there is no strict dress code. You can wear what you feel comfortable wearing. However, both men and women should try to dress conservatively and cover their shoulders and knees when visiting any of the religious sites throughout Israel. Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid tank tops and shorts. Men need to cover their heads when visiting the Western Wall. Pilgrim Tours provides a Pilgrim Tours ball cap upon arrival in Israel, but you might consider purchasing an affordable kippa that you can bring when you visit Jewish sites. Some places may offer a free kippa, but these are generally low quality. (Women are not required to cover their heads at any sight.) You can figure out what you need to pack and how to dress each day by looking at the itinerary for our Holy Land tours. Guides normally offer guidance on how to dress for the next day while on tour. We also suggest looking at the extended weather forecast as you prepare and pack for your trip.

Is there a lot of walking involved on an Israel Tour?

Our Israel tours do require a significant amount of walking each day and you should be able to walk unassisted 3-4 miles per day on average. Make sure you have a comfortable pair of shoes that provide adequate support. While there are bus and boat rides during these tours, you have to walk quite a bit to explore some of the Biblical sites. Our tour guides normally give the group a few options at sites for those that have physical limitations. One thing to keep in mind is that there are many hills and valleys in Israel which can make walking even more taxing. The amount of walking you have to do may vary based on the tour you take, so look at the itinerary before choosing your tour. The good news is that Israel is a beautiful country to see on foot, and you’ll have several opportunities to sit down and give your feet a rest. As long as you have a good pair of shoes and comfortable clothes, it’s easy to forget about all the walking you’re doing and enjoy the tour.

What passport & visa information do I need for your Israel tours?

U.S. citizens need a valid U.S. passport with at least six months validity beyond their intended stay to enter Israel. Make two photocopies of your passport. Leave one copy at home and carry the other separately from your original. Israel: U.S. and Canadian Citizens do not need a Visa when entering Israel. Non U. S. /Canadian Citizens are responsible to fulfill appropriate entry requirements of destination. Contact your Consulate office for requirements.

What common languages will be spoken during your Israel tours?

Hebrew, Arabic and English.

What currency can I use on your Israel tours?

The U.S. dollar is widely accepted across Israel, and we suggest bringing about $30 for each day you’ll be on tour. U.S. dollars are recommended for use for small purchases and lunches. Lunches typically cost $15-20. It is important to bring about 20 $1 bills as some bathrooms charge a small fee for use. Credit cards may also be used for larger purchases. ATMs in Israel are all connected to European and American banking systems. Please be advised that the ATM machines dispense money in SHEKELS – NOT U.S. DOLLARS. Please notify your bank before traveling overseas.

Do I need to bring a converter for the Israel tour?

Israel uses the European plug with two round pins. You will need to bring along the necessary converters and adapters to operate any 120 volt appliances such as hair dryers and electric razors as well as camera and cell phone chargers. Electricity in Israel is 220 volts 50 Hz.

What is the time zone for your Israel tours?

The time zone for Israel is seven hours ahead of EST and two hours ahead of GMT.

What climate should I expect during your Israel tours?

In Israel the climate is temperate, and temperatures all year-round are reasonable. Israel has two main seasons: winter (from November to March) is cold and rainy in most parts of the country; summer (from April to October) is hot and dry with little or no rainfall. The desert areas can be extremely hot in summer time.

Recent Reviews on Trustpilot, BBB, & Google

View what others are saying about our Israel tours on Trustpilot , BBB , and Google !

"Pilgrim tours is who I'll be recommending people to travel with. We've been trying to get to Israel for two years and finally made it!! Great company from booking to on the ground with great guides. All details taken care of with great hotels, bus, and the best guides!! Wonderful experience!"

"We had a great experience in Israel with Pilgrim Tours. Everything went very well and there were no glitches or problems of any kind. The bus and driver were top notch as were the hotels and daily breakfast buffets. Our tour guide was great as his depth of knowledge of the people, history and languages Israel was quite amazing. We will very likely use Pilgrim again in the future."

"We have toured with Pilgrim Tours three times and what a blessing. Accommodations, excursions, information and food were all high quality. Post pandemic, we were so thankful to return to Israel."

"I couldn't have asked for more for a trip to the Holy Land than what Pilgrim Tours provided me. It was the perfect balance of spiritual reverence, history, geography, and social issues. I am so grateful for the experience that I had on this trip."

"Our church group just returned from taking a "Best of Israel" ten day tour. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I am so glad we chose Pilgrim tours. From our excellent hotel accommodations, to our wonderful tour guide, we enjoyed everything. Our trip exceeded our expectations. I would recommend Pilgrim Tours to anyone who is planning a trip to the Holy Land. We definitely plan to travel with them again."

View some of the sites from our Israel tours!

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Israel Tours & Trips from Jerusalem

Find your perfect adventure! We have 65 tours of Israel that start in Jerusalem, Israel. The most popular month is September, and tour lengths range between 3 and 10 days.

65 Israel tour packages from Jerusalem with 72 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

Mini Jewish Tour Package, 6 Day

Had a fantastic tour. Our guides were really fantastic and knew their stuff. Bein Hareim tours were really flexible and facilitated a change we asked for. Would definitely recommend.

Israel Uncovered (Summer, 7 Days)

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Jerusalem and Dead Sea 4-Day Journey

The 3 Day Package was awesome! The tour guides were informative and ensured we had a great tour on both Holy City and Mount Olives tour. The Dead Sea tour was a highlight over our 11 day stay! Its a must see and do! Great driver for 3/24/19 - Dead Sea leaving from Jerusalem - Bus 2 :)

• Coach / Bus

Israel Uncovered (Winter, 7 Days)

Jewish Israel Luxury Tour 10 days (Single, 5* Hotel)

Tailor-Made Best Israel Tour with Daily Departure & Private Trip

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

• Sightseeing

Jewish Israel Tour Package, 7 Days

Very knowledgeable and pleasant guides. Made the days interest and showed a lot of care. Great ambassadors of the company.

Jerusalem & Tel Aviv Adventure 7D/6N

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Jewish Israel Luxury Tour 10 days (2+Travelers, 4* Hotels)

Biblical Lands 5 star - 8 days

Christian Jerusalem & Masada, 3 Days

Im Grunde genommen, war alles sehr gut. Meine Freude wurde nur dadurch getrübt, dass ich mich extra einer 3-tägigen-Tour angeschlossen hatte, da ich allein unterwegs war. . Enttäuschend war dann für mich, dass ich am späteren Nachmittag und abends immer ganz alleine war. Wichtig für mich, wäre es deswegen gewesen, dass ich ich bereits im VORAUS weiß: a.) Ich werde nur tagsüber mit der Gruppe zusammen sein. b.) Die Gruppe wird sich auch täglich ändern. . Bin ein sehr kontaktliebender, sozialer Mensch und fühlte mich schon etwas alleine...

8 Day Ultimate Israel and Jordan Tour Package

We had a great time. We saw some things that have no comparison to anything else in the world. We loved the Arab food especially at our tent hotel at Wadi rum where we ate lamb cooked in a pit in the ground Our guide, Aziz and our drivers were excellent and always on time We would highly recommend this trip to anyone who was interested

Holyland Pilgrimage Trip Experience - 8 Days

I was shocked to find so many people ke (40) on the tour. Boaz the guide was very knowledgeable - please can we have a copy of the team photo he took of us all. The Tiberias hotel was awful, drain smelly, dirty carpet, brusque male receptionists. No buffet for first evening meal. The Jerusalem hotel was magnificent.

8 Day Israel Tour Package

Loved visiting Masada and Jerusalem, guides were very knowledgeable

Classical Jerusalem, 3 days

What people love about israel tours from jerusalem.

top experience thank you

Tours starting from Jerusalem

• Jerusalem to Tel Aviv tours (25)
• Jerusalem to Jerusalem tours (18)
• Jerusalem to Cairo tours (7)
• Family from Jerusalem (62)
• In-depth Cultural from Jerusalem (59)
• Explorer from Jerusalem (8)
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• Coach / Bus from Jerusalem (5)
• Israel Travel Guide | All You Need to Know

Netanyahu vows to invade Rafah regardless of cease-fire deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s position that its forces will launch an anticipated military operation in Rafah regardless of whether a cease-fire and hostage deal is reached with Hamas. He made the remark amid fresh optimism that new negotiations could lead to a halt in fighting. Secretary of State Antony Blinken continued his tour of the Middle East, arriving in Israel Tuesday to work toward getting more humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

• U.S. lawmakers warn of backlash if ICC issues Israeli arrest warrants
• Netanyahu vows to invade Rafah ‘with or without’ a cease-fire deal
• Blinken continues Middle East tour with stops in Jordan and Israel

Here's what to know:

Here's what to know, live coverage contributors 16.

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• Six months of the Israel-Gaza war: A timeline of key moments April 7, 2024 Six months of the Israel-Gaza war: A timeline of key moments April 7, 2024
• Colombia is the latest and largest country to sever ties with Israel May 1, 2024 Colombia is the latest and largest country to sever ties with Israel May 1, 2024
• Hamas touts ‘positive spirit’ in cease-fire talks, will travel to Cairo May 2, 2024 Hamas touts ‘positive spirit’ in cease-fire talks, will travel to Cairo May 2, 2024

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Israel-Gaza war

The Israel-Gaza war has gone on for six months, and tensions have spilled into the surrounding region .

The war: On Oct. 7, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel that included the taking of civilian hostages at a music festival . (See photos and videos of how the deadly assault unfolded ). Israel declared war on Hamas in response, launching a ground invasion that fueled the biggest displacement in the region since Israel’s creation in 1948 .

Gaza crisis: In the Gaza Strip, Israel has waged one of this century’s most destructive wars , killing tens of thousands and plunging at least half of the population into “ famine-like conditions. ” For months, Israel has resisted pressure from Western allies to allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave .

U.S. involvement: Despite tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some U.S. politicians , including President Biden, the United States supports Israel with weapons , funds aid packages , and has vetoed or abstained from the United Nations’ cease-fire resolutions.

History: The roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and mistrust are deep and complex, predating the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 . Read more on the history of the Gaza Strip .

PGA Tour Schedule

The Associated Press

May 6, 2024, 3:00 PM

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Jan. 4-7 _ The Sentry (Chris Kirk)

Jan. 11-14 _ Sony Open in Hawaii (Grayson Murray)

Jan. 18-21 _ The American Express (Nick Dunlap)

Jan. 24-27 _ Farmers Insurance Open (Matthieu Pavon)

Feb. 1-4 _ AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Wyndham Clark)

Feb. 8-11 _ WM Phoenix Open (Nick Taylor)

Feb. 15-18 _ The Genesis Invitational (Hideki Matsuyama)

Feb. 22-25 _ Mexico Open at Vidanta (Jake Knapp)

Feb. 26 _ The Match IX (Rory McIlroy)

Feb. 29-March 4 _ Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches (Austin Eckroat)

March 7-10 _ Puerto Rico Open (Brice Garnett)

March 7-10 _ Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (Scottie Scheffler)

March 14-17 _ THE PLAYERS Championship (Scottie Scheffler)

March 21-24 _ Valspar Championship (Peter Malnati)

March 28-31 _ Texas Children’s Houston Open (Stephan Jaeger)

April 4-7 _ Valero Texas Open (Akshay Bhatia)

April 11-14 _ Masters Tournament (Scottie Scheffler)

April 18-21 _ Corales Puntacana Championship (Billy Horschel)

April 18-22 _ RBC Heritage (Scottie Scheffler)

April 25-28 _ Zurich Classic of New Orleans (Tied)

May 2-5 _ THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson (Taylor Pendrith)

May 9-12 _ Myrtle Beach Classic, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

May 9-12 _ Wells Fargo Championship, Charlotte, N.C.

May 16-19 _ PGA Championship, Louisville, Ky.

May 23-26 _ Charles Schwab Challenge, Fort Worth, Texas

May 30-June 2 _ RBC Canadian Open, Hamilton, Ontario

June 6-9 _ the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, Dublin, Ohio

June 13-16 _ U.S. Open, Pinehurst, N.C.

June 20-23 _ Travelers Championship, Cromwell, Conn.

June 27-30 _ Rocket Mortgage Classic, Detroit

July 4-7 _ John Deere Classic, Silvis, Ill.

July 11-14 _ Genesis Scottish Open, Gullane, United Kingdom

July 11-14 _ Kentucky Championship, Nicholasville, Ky.

July 18-21 _ Barracuda Championship, Truckee, Calif.

July 18-21 _ The Open Championship, Troon, United Kingdom

July 25-28 _ 3M Open, Blaine, Minn.

Aug. 8-11 _ Wyndham Championship, Greensboro, N.C.

Aug. 15-18 _ FedEx St. Jude Championship, Memphis, Tenn.

Aug. 22-25 _ BMW Championship, Castle Rock, Colo.

Aug. 29-Sept. 1 _ TOUR Championship, Atlanta

Sept. 12-15 _ Fortinet Championship, Napa, Calif.

Sept. 19-22 _ Sanderson Farms Championship, Jackson, Miss.

Sept. 26-29 _ Presidents Cup, Montreal

Oct. 3-6 _ Black Desert Championship, Ivins, Utah

Oct. 10-13 _ Shriners Children’s Open, Las Vegas

Oct. 23-26 _ ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, Chiba, Japan

Oct. 31-Nov. 3 _ World Wide Technology Championship, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Nov. 14-17 _ Butterfield Bermuda Championship, Sandy’s Parrish, Bermuda

Nov. 21-24 _ The RSM Classic, Sea Island, Ga.

Dec. 5-8 _ Hero World Challenge, Nassau, Bahamas

Dec. 13-15 _ Grant Thornton Invitational, Naples, Fla.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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‘We Want All of It’

The Columbia protesters backed themselves into a corner.

Yesterday afternoon, Columbia University’s campus felt like it would in the hours before a heat wave breaks. Student protesters, nearly all of whom had wrapped their faces in keffiyehs or surgical masks, ran back and forth across the hundred or so yards between their “liberated zone”—an encampment of about 80 tents—and Hamilton Hall, which they now claimed as their “liberated building.” Overnight, protesters had punched out door windows and barricaded themselves inside. As I walked around, four police helicopters and a drone hovered over the campus, the sound of the blades bathing the quad below in oppressive noise.

And rhetoric grew ever angrier. Columbia, a protester proclaimed during a talk, was “guilty of abetting genocide” and might face its own Nuremberg trials. President Minouche Shafik, another protester claimed, had licked the boots of university benefactors. Leaflets taped to benches stated: Palestine Rises; Columbia falls .

Will Creeley: Those who preach free speech need to practice it

As night fell, the thunderclap came in the form of the New York Police Department, which closed off Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue and filled the roads with trucks, vans, and squad cars. Many dozens of officers slipped on riot helmets and adjusted vests. On campus, as the end loomed, a diminutive female student with a mighty voice stood before the locked university gates and led more than 100 protesters in chants.

“No peace on stolen land,” she intoned. “We want all the land. We want all of it!”

Hearing young people mouthing such merciless rhetoric is unsettling. The protester’s words go far beyond what the Palestinian Authority demands of Israel, which is a recognition that a two-state solution is possible—that two peoples have claims to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. It was striking to see protesters playfully tossing down ropes from the second floor to haul up baskets filled with pizza boxes and water, even as they faced the imminent risk of expulsion from the university for breaking into Hamilton.

No one won here. Student protesters took pride in their collective revolutionary power and yet appeared to have few leaders worthy of the term and made maximalist claims and unrealistic demands. Their call for Columbia to divest from Israel would appear to take in not just companies based in that country but any with ties to Israel, including Google and Amazon.

The protesters confronted a university where leaders seemed alternately stern and panicked. Columbia left it to police to break a siege at about 9 p.m. in a surge of force, arresting dozens of protesters and crashing their way into Hamilton Hall.

The denouement was a tragedy accompanied by moments of low comedy, as when a student protester seemed to suggest yesterday that bloody, genocidal Columbia University must supply the students of the liberated zone and liberated building with food. “We’re saying they’re obligated to provide food for students who pay for a meal plan here,” she explained. But moments of true menace were evident, such as when some protesters decided to break into and occupy Hamilton Hall.

Michael Powell: The unreality of Columbia’s ‘liberated zone’

Rory Wilson, a senior majoring in history, had wandered over to the site early yesterday morning when he heard of the break-in. He and two friends were not fans of this protest, he told me, but they also understood the swirl of passions that led so many Arab and Muslim students to recoil at the terrible toll that Israeli bombings have inflicted on Gaza. To watch Hamilton Hall being smashed struck him as nihilistic. He and his friends stood in front of the doors.

Hundreds of protesters, masked, many dressed in black, surged around them. “They’re Zionists,” a protester said. “Run a circle around these three and move them out!”

Dozens of masked students surrounded them and began to press and push. Were you scared? I asked Wilson. No, he said. Then he thought about it a little more. “There was a moment when a man in a black mask grabbed my leg and tried to flip me over,” he said. “ That scared me.”

One more fact was striking: As a mob of hundreds of chanting students smashed windows and built a barricade by tossing dozens of chairs against the doors and reinforcing them with bicycle locks, as fights threatened to break out that could seriously harm students on either side, Wilson couldn’t see any guards or police officers anywhere around him. Two other students told me they had a similar impression. “I don’t get it,” Wilson said. “There were some legitimately bad actors. Where was the security? Where was the university?” (Columbia officials did not respond to my requests for comment.)

Less than 24 hours later, university leaders would play their hand by bringing in police officers.

For more than a decade now, we’ve lived amid a highly specific form of activism, one that began with Occupy Wall Street, continued with the protests and riots that followed George Floyd’s murder in 2020, and evolved into the “autonomous zones” that protesters subsequently carved out of Seattle and Portland, Oregon. Some of the protests against prejudice and civil-liberties violations have been moving, even inspired. But in this style of activism, the anger often comes with an air of presumption—an implication that one cannot challenge, much less debate, the protesters’ writ.

Michael Powell: The curious rise of settler colonialism and Turtle Island

Yesterday in front of Hamilton Hall—which protesters had renamed Hind’s Hall in honor of a 6-year-old girl who had been killed in Gaza—organizers of the Columbia demonstration called a press conference. But when reporters stepped forward to ask questions, they were met with stony stares and silence. At the liberated tent zone, minders—some of whom were sympathetic faculty members—kept out those seen as insufficiently sympathetic, and outright blocked reporters for Israeli outlets and Fox News.

All along, it has never been clear who speaks for the movement. Protesters claimed that those who took over Hamilton Hall were an “autonomous collective.” This elusiveness can all but neuter negotiations.

By 11 p.m., much of the work was done. The police had cleared Hamilton Hall and carted off protesters for booking. At 113th Street and Broadway, a mass of protesters, whose shouts echoed in the night, and a group of about 30 police officers peered at each other across metal barriers. One female protester harangued the cops—at least half of whom appeared to be Black, Asian American, or Latino—by likening them to the Ku Klux Klan. Then the chants fired up again. “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” There was a pause, as if the protesters were searching for something more cutting. “Hey hey, ho ho, Zionism has got to go.”

As I left the area, I thought about how Rory Wilson had responded earlier when I asked what life on campus has been like lately. The senior, who said he is Jewish on his mother’s side but not observant, had a take that was not despairing. In polarized times, he told me, having so many Jewish and Israeli students living and attending class on a campus with Arab and Muslim students was a privilege. “Some have lost families and loved ones,” he said. “I understand their anger and suffering.”

After spending two days at Columbia during the protests, I was struck by how unusual that sentiment had become—how rarely I’d heard anyone talk of making an effort to understand the other. Maximal anger was all that lingered.

Middle East Crisis Netanyahu Again Vows to Invade Rafah ‘With or Without’ Cease-Fire Deal

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• A Palestinian man passing destroyed buildings in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. Mohammed Saber/EPA, via Shutterstock
• The funeral of an Israeli reserve soldier in Carmiel, northern Israel. Ariel Schalit/Associated Press
• A displaced Palestinian woman in Rafah, southern Gaza. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• An Israeli artillery unit fires toward Gaza from near the border. Amir Cohen/Reuters
• An aid airdrop over the northern Gaza Strip. Abdel Kareem Hana/Associated Press
• Palestinians in Deir el-Balah. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Netanyahu’s pledge to invade Rafah could undermine efforts to reach a cease-fire deal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel once again pledged on Tuesday to launch a ground invasion into the southern Gazan city of Rafah, a move that could undermine efforts to negotiate a cease-fire agreement after seven months of war in the Palestinian enclave.

The United States, Qatar and several countries have been pushing to get a cease-fire deal, with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken visiting the region and expectations rising that Hamas and Israel might be edging closer to an agreement.

But with Hamas arguing that any agreement should include an end to the war, and with right-wing politicians in Israel threatening to leave the government coalition if the long-planned incursion into Rafah is delayed, Mr. Netanyahu made clear that Israel would reserve the right to keep fighting.

“The idea that we will halt the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question,” he said in a meeting with the families of hostages held in Gaza, according to a statement from his office. “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there — with or without a deal, in order to achieve the total victory.”

Israeli officials have said repeatedly that they plan to move into Rafah, but over the weekend, they made clear they were open to holding off if it meant they could secure the release of hostages taken when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. One official also suggested that Israel was using the threat of an imminent military maneuver to press the armed group into a hostage deal.

In anticipation of an offensive, some families in Rafah have been moving north into areas of Gaza that had already been attacked by Israeli forces, but on Tuesday, the scale of the evacuation remained unclear. As of last week, more than one million Gazans, many of them previously displaced from other parts of the territory by Israeli bombardment, were still sheltering in the city in makeshift tents.

American officials and other allies have been pressing Israel to either avoid an assault on Rafah or develop specific plans to adequately minimize civilian casualties.

On Tuesday, Mr. Blinken met with officials in Jordan to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas, and to press for peace and an increase in humanitarian aid. There was no immediate reaction from the State Department to Mr. Netanyahu’s remarks.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain spoke to Mr. Netanyahu on Tuesday, his office said in a statement. The British leader “continued to push for an immediate humanitarian pause to allow more aid in and hostages out” and said that Britain’s focus was on de-escalation, it said.

For weeks, cease-fire talks had been at a standstill. But Israeli officials have said that negotiators have reduced the number of hostages they want Hamas to release during the first phase of a truce, opening up the possibility that the stalled negotiations could be revived.

A senior Hamas official said on social media on Monday that the group was studying a new Israeli proposal.

A Hamas delegation met with officials in Egypt’s intelligence service on Monday, according to a senior Hamas official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about sensitive discussions between Hamas and Egypt.

Adam Rasgon contributed reporting.

— Damien Cave

The White House presses Hamas to accept the cease-fire deal on the table.

The White House said on Tuesday that “time is of the essence” for cease-fire talks in the Middle East as negotiators tried to broker a deal to pause the war in Gaza and secure the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

President Biden’s advisers feel a sense of urgency to finally break through the months of stalemate while Israeli leaders appear open to an agreement and before they open their long-threatened military assault on Rafah, the southern Gaza city where more than one million Palestinians have taken refuge.

“I wouldn’t say that we’re overly confident,” John F. Kirby, a White House spokesman, told reporters, attempting to lower expectations given the history of failed talks until now. “I would say we’re being very pragmatic about this. This is a good proposal. This is a very good proposal and Hamas ought to jump on it and time is of the essence.”

The American-sponsored proposal would halt the war for about six weeks in its first stage in exchange for the release of women, older men and hostages with health conditions. Israel has agreed to lower the number to be released in that first stage to 33 from 40 and would also release hundreds of Palestinians held in its prisons.

Mr. Kirby made clear that the United States remained opposed to an Israeli ground offensive against Hamas in Rafah without an effective plan to protect civilians, which American officials have said they have not seen. “We don’t want to see a major ground operation in Rafah,” Mr. Kirby said. “That hasn’t changed.”

But he gave Israel credit for doing more to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza since Mr. Biden threatened to rethink his support for Israel’s military operation during a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel four weeks ago.

He said more than 5,000 trucks of food, medicine and other goods have entered Gaza since then, with about 200 more trucks a day and sometimes as many as 400.

— Peter Baker

As Israel plans to invade Rafah, a family makes the difficult choice to uproot itself again.

Mohammed Foara said his wife could not stop talking about how much she wanted to flee Rafah, where their family was among more than a million people who had sought safety from Israeli bombardment and fighting elsewhere in Gaza.

Their oldest child had already been killed by an airstrike in Nuseirat, in central Gaza, where the family had sheltered before they came to Rafah. As Israel warned it was preparing to invade Rafah, she asked him: Is that not reason enough to leave?

Finally, Mr. Foara agreed, he said, and the family packed up their meager possessions and moved for a fifth time in nearly seven months of war. They joined some Palestinians who have begun to flee, once again, this time leaving Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, before a widely anticipated Israeli attack.

“I escaped Rafah just to keep the other children alive and safe,” said Mr. Foara. He has been haunted by the death of his son, Anas, 21, who was killed by an airstrike when he went out to find cigarettes.

“I fear for them more and more,” he said of his four surviving children.

Israel has called Rafah the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza, and said that invading the city is key to its goal of dismantling the group behind the Oct. 7 attack, which Israeli officials say killed about 1,200 people.

The war in Gaza has killed more than 34,000 people, according to local health authorities. Some 1.7 million — in a territory of roughly 2.2 million — have been driven from their homes, many of them multiple times, according to the United Nations.

The Foara family fled their home in Gaza City early in the war, where they moved within the city twice, and then spent four months in Nuseirat. They went to Rafah after their son was killed.

They are now in an area near the central Gazan city of Deir al Balah, in a camp that is so new that there are not yet any humanitarian groups working there, and there is no medical assistance, either, Mr. Foara said. They received a nylon-and-cloth tent from local residents marked with the number 170.

“That means there are more than 170 families in this area,” Mr. Foara said on a recent day last week, the hot sun beating down. “I hope to not evacuate this place.”

Residents in the area who have remained in their homes amid the war helped Mr. Foara build the tent, he said, and gave his family water.

At the entrance to the camp, there are vendors selling falafel and other food at prices that have been inflated by the war. A tank of water costs about $100, but before the war it cost about $25, Mr. Foara said.

That is too much for Mr. Foara, who before the war was paid about $400 per month as a civil servant for the Palestinian Authority, a rival to Hamas. He is determined to keep his family alive, but sometimes the weight of the tragedy that has befallen them — and the rest of Gaza — is almost too much to bear.

“I feel like I am just a block of negative feelings — anxiety and depression,” he said. “We used to watch these scenes of tents in Yemen and Syria, and now it is a reality here.”

— Liam Stack and Bilal Shbair

The U.N.’s top court declined to ban Germany’s weapons sales to Israel.

The United Nations’ highest court on Tuesday rejected a request from Nicaragua to order Germany to stop supplying arms to Israel.

The judges on the International Court of Justice said no special court order was required, citing Germany’s arguments that it has stringent licensing standards to avoid the misuse of weapons and that it had issued few export licenses since late last year.

The judges’ decision pertained to a broader case brought by Nicaragua against Germany with potentially wide implications on whether suppliers of military aid to Israel share some responsibility for how the weapons are used.

Still, the judges did not grant Germany’s request to throw out the main complaint that Nicaragua has filed against Germany, meaning that case is likely to go ahead.

Nicaragua has argued that Germany is violating the 1948 Genocide Convention because its military and financial aid to Israel is facilitating the possible commission of genocide in Gaza.

A final decision on that Nicaraguan complaint may have to await the court’s decision on a separate case brought by South Africa, alleging that Israel has committed genocide. The decision in the South African complaint could take up to two years.

With the death toll rising from the conflict in Gaza, however, Nicaragua had also asked the I.C.J. to issue an emergency order for Germany to halt its arms exports to Israel altogether and to ensure that weapons already supplied were not unlawfully used.

A majority of the panel declined the request in a 15 to 1 vote, but the court said in its ruling that it “remains deeply concerned about the catastrophic living conditions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”

The ruling, signed by the court’s president, Nawaf Salam, reminded nations of their obligation to avoid providing arms that might be used to violate the Genocide Convention. “All these obligations are incumbent upon Germany as a State party to the said Conventions in its supply of arms to Israel,” the decision said.

William Schabas, a professor of law at Middlesex University in London, said that warning “has provided ammunition to lawyers who will challenge arms shipments to Israel before domestic courts, as is happening right now in several countries.”

The German Foreign Ministry welcomed the court’s ruling.

“Germany is not a party to the conflict in the Middle East — on the contrary: We are working day and night for a two-state solution,” the ministry said in a statement on social media.

The statement added that Germany was also working to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Gazans and that Hamas was responsible for setting off a “spiral of suffering” in the region, against which it said Israel had a right to defend itself.

Germany and Nicaragua are parties to the 1948 Genocide Convention, which binds them to act to prevent genocide, defined as the intent to destroy a group not only by killing or causing serious bodily or mental harm, but also by inflicting “conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.”

Israel has repeatedly denied accusations that it is carrying out a genocide in Gaza, arguing that its military has worked to preserve civilian life and that Hamas has used civilians as human shields.

Earlier this year, the I.C.J. found in the South African case that the risk of genocide taking place was plausible. The court issued separate interim orders, requested by South Africa , specifying that Israel must prevent its forces in Gaza from taking actions that are banned under the Genocide Convention, must prevent and punish public statements that constitute incitements to genocide, and must allow more access to humanitarian aid. The judges also called for immediate release of all hostages still held by Hamas.

Germany, a staunch ally of Israel, is second only to the United States in providing it with military assistance. But in presenting its case before the I.C.J., it argued that its shipments to Israel are always licensed under German and European rules. The main thrust of Germany’s argument was that almost all of its recent military assistance to Israel was nonlethal aid.

Unlike Germany, which has given the I.C.J. full jurisdiction, the United States has shielded itself and on most issues has to consent to a case. It has protected itself even further from the Genocide Convention, signing the convention but explicitly refusing the court’s jurisdiction here.

Critics of the Nicaraguan government say that its pursuit of Germany for breaking international law is hypocritical: A recent U.N. report accused Nicaragua of “systematic human rights violations” and increasing repression of government opponents at home.

Erika Solomon contributed reporting.

— Marlise Simons reporting from Paris

Germany’s military support of Israel is being challenged, despite the I.C.J.’s decision.

Even as the U.N.’s highest court declined to order Germany to stop sending arms to Israel, another lawsuit in a German court sought to cut off the flow of military aid.

Several rights groups filed a joint lawsuit against the German government in an administrative court in Berlin in early April. The suit seeks to suspend the delivery of weapons yet to be sent to Israel under current export licenses issued by the German government, and to block any additional arms deliveries. This week, the court said it expected that Germany would not authorize any more exports until it had issued its ruling.

Germany, a staunch ally of Israel, is the second-largest provider of military aid to the country after the United States.

Earlier this month, Nicaragua brought a case against Germany at the International Court of Justice, where it argued that Germany was violating the Genocide Convention by providing Israel with military and financial aid amid Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. On Tuesday, the I.C.J. decided against issuing an emergency order that would have required Germany to stop providing arms to Israel.

Germany’s legal team had argued before the I.C.J. that most of its exports to Israel were nonlethal, such as protective gear, communications equipment and defense equipment against chemical hazards .

But Nicaragua and the rights groups have mentioned that Germany has delivered 3,000 antitank weapons, as well as items like spare parts for vehicles, which could be used as part of the ongoing military offensive even though they were described as nonlethal.

The Berlin-based European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, or E.C.C.H.R., joined with three Palestinian legal and human rights organizations to file the lawsuit on behalf of five Palestinians living in Gaza who have lost family members during Israeli rocket attacks.

The lawyers argue that Germany is violating its obligations under international law, as well as its own weapons control act, by supplying arms to Israel. The weapons, they say, are “being used to kill and displace civilians, destroy civilian infrastructure in Gaza, as well as control and limit the transfer and distribution of humanitarian aid.”

On Tuesday, Berlin’s administrative court said it had told the German government last week that it must not issue any additional export licenses while the case is being deliberated, and to inform the court if it intends to export any more weapons so that the court could make an emergency ruling on the matter. A ruling is currently expected by June, according to German news media reports.

“A basic prerequisite for a rules-based and human rights-oriented German foreign policy is respect for the law in its own decision-making,” Wolfgang Kaleck, the general secretary of the E.C.C.H.R., said in a statement when the lawsuit was filed on April 12. “Germany cannot remain true to its values if it exports weapons to a war where serious violations of international humanitarian law are apparent.”

Israel’s conduct in the war has increased both international and domestic pressure on the German government to take a tougher stance toward Israel.

In recent months, Germany has begun to signal the limits of its support for Israel’s military campaign: It has voiced objections to Israeli plans to attack the southern border town of Rafah, where more than a million Gazans have sought shelter. Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, said during a visit to Israel last month that she would send a delegation to the country to “remind” it of its obligations under international humanitarian law.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel once again pledged to launch a ground invasion into Rafah, despite ongoing efforts to negotiate a cease-fire agreement in the war in Gaza.

— Erika Solomon and Christopher F. Schuetze

Blinken’s Mideast tour continues in Jordan, where he discussed humanitarian aid for Gaza.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken visited a warehouse in Jordan on Tuesday where workers were loading trucks for the first attempt to send medical and food aid overland from Jordan to the Israel-Gaza border crossing of Erez. He praised the start of the new aid corridor and also said a pier being built by the U.S. military to bring aid by sea to coastal Gaza would be operational in about one week.

“This is real and important progress, but more still needs to be done,” he told reporters traveling with him across the Middle East this week. “And in particular, we have to make sure our focus is not on inputs, but on impact and really measuring whether the aid that people need is getting to them in an effective way.”

Distribution of aid in Gaza has been a challenge, especially in the devastated northern part of the strip. That has been made more difficult by the fact that the Biden administration recently said the United States had stopped giving money to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the main aid agency operating in the strip, after Israel accused some of its workers of taking part in the Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel.

The trucks bound for Erez are organized by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, and the aid has been donated by various international groups. The first of these trucks were scheduled to leave the warehouse near the city of Zarqa, Jordan, on Tuesday night and to arrive at Erez on Wednesday, when Mr. Blinken will be in Israel to speak with Israeli officials. Workers put wooden pallets of boxes of aid onto the trucks using forklifts.

Shortly before arriving at the warehouse in the early evening, Mr. Blinken met with several Palestinian women who had left Gaza during the war and who still have family members there.

“I heard the suffering that they endured and that their friends and family continue to endure every day,” Mr. Blinken said.

Mr. Blinken also called on Hamas to commit to an agreement to release some civilian hostages in exchange for a temporary cease-fire and the liberation of scores of Palestinian prisoners.

The Biden administration is trying to increase pressure on Hamas to accept the deal. Israeli officials said this week that they were willing to lower their demand for the number of hostages in an initial release to 33 from 40.

Mr. Blinken discussed the proposed deal at meetings in Saudi Arabia on Monday and again in Jordan on Tuesday. He planned to do the same in Israel on Wednesday, according to State Department officials.

After arriving in Jordan on Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Blinken first went to separate meetings with the foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, and with King Abdullah II.

Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman, said Mr. Blinken and the Jordanian king discussed the cease-fire proposal along with Jordan’s humanitarian aid contributions to Gaza.

On his seventh trip to the Middle East since the war began last October, Mr. Blinken and his aides have been trying to work on a range of issues, including Israel’s continuing need for U.S. weapons, the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and a plan for a political solution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Before he went to the aid warehouse on Tuesday, Mr. Blinken also met with Sigrid Kaag, the United Nations coordinator for Gaza, to discuss humanitarian aid needs in Gaza.

“This is a critical moment in making sure that everything that needs to be done is actually being done,” Mr. Blinken said at the start of the meeting.

In talks with Jordanian officials, Mr. Blinken also spoke about issues involving the leadership of the Palestinian Authority, which governs the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The Biden administration has called for a more technocratic Palestinian Authority, which is considered by many Palestinians to be authoritarian and corrupt , in the hopes that it could help govern postwar Gaza — an idea that Israel’s government opposes. Jordanian officials have close ties with Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the authority, and other prominent Palestinians in the organization. Mr. Blinken has not met with Mr. Abbas on his trip.

— Edward Wong traveling with the U.S. secretary of state in the Middle East

Officials from Hamas and Fatah, longtime rivals, met in China.

Officials from Hamas and Fatah, the main Palestinian factions that have long competed for power in Gaza and the West Bank, met in Beijing recently for what Chinese officials on Tuesday called “in-depth and candid talks on promoting intra-Palestinian reconciliation.”

The discussions in Beijing were not expected to produce much. Israel’s bombardment of Gaza has deepened support for Hamas in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority — controlled by Fatah — has administered cities and towns for decades. U.S. officials have suggested that the Palestinian Authority could help govern a postwar Gaza, though that would most likely require approval from Hamas.

And that kind of power-sharing would require more compromise than currently seems possible. Fatah and Hamas met in late February in Russia without any apparent progress toward a unified government. They remain canyons apart on many issues, especially with Fatah demanding that Hamas dismantle its armed wing — a move that the militant group has repeatedly dismissed in the past.

And yet, for Beijing, the meetings most likely served a larger purpose: to present China as a great power and peacemaker in opposition to the United States.

Beijing helped restore diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia , and it has also floated a set of principles to end the conflict in Ukraine, although Ukraine and its Western allies have said those principles lack credibility . Declaring solidarity with the Palestinian cause adds to the case China hopes to make to smaller countries around the world that feel alienated by the West, according to analysts.

“The thread which ties these initiatives to Beijing’s broader foreign policy is its claim to be able to represent developing countries, or what they like to call the ‘global south,’” said Richard McGregor, a senior fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute in Sydney.

“Such gestures, and they are in large part gestures for the moment,” he added, “fits with China’s current priorities, which is to learn the habits of a great power with the heft and skill to bring warring parties to the table.”

The officials who attended the gathering in the Chinese capital included Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior member of Hamas’s political wing, and Azzam al-Ahmad, a member of the Fatah Central Committee, according to Palestinian officials.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, told a news briefing on Tuesday that representatives of Hamas and Fatah had “recently” held talks in Beijing and had agreed to continue a dialogue. He did not specify when the meeting was held.

Fatah and Hamas have a fraught history . When Israel withdrew all its troops and citizens from Gaza in 2005, it handed power there to the Palestinian Authority. But Fatah lost a legislative election the next year to Hamas. In 2007, Hamas seized power in Gaza in a short and brutal civil war, dividing the Palestinians not only territorially, but politically.

Joy Dong contributed research.

— Damien Cave and Adam Rasgon reporting from Jerusalem

Biden speaks to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to press for Hamas’s agreement on a new cease-fire.

President Biden spoke on Monday with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar as he sought to increase pressure on Hamas to accept a deal that would result in a temporary cease-fire in the war in Gaza and the release of some of the hostages held there.

According to a statement from the office of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, he and Mr. Biden discussed the negotiations and Egypt’s efforts to broker a cease-fire. They also reiterated their support for a two-state solution, discussed the importance of containing the conflict to the region and emphasized their opposition to a military escalation in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, which Israel seems poised to invade.

Mr. Biden also spoke on Monday with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the emir of Qatar. According to the White House, Mr. Biden urged the Qatari leader “to exert all efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas,” saying that “this is now the only obstacle” to an immediate cease-fire.

Mr. al-Sisi and Mr. al-Thani have been prime intermediaries with Hamas through months of fitful negotiations to reach a deal to halt the hostilities, and Mr. Biden hopes they will prod the group’s leader, Yahya Sinwar, to accept the U.S.-brokered proposal on the table. On Sunday, Mr. Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, expressed a hopeful view of the prospects for an agreement. “In recent days, there has been progress in talks,” she told reporters at the White House.

Like other American officials, Ms. Jean-Pierre said that Hamas, not Israel, was the obstacle to an agreement.

“The onus is indeed on Hamas,” she said. “There is a deal on the table, and they need to take it.”

— Peter Baker reporting from Washington

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Humeyra Pamuk is a senior foreign policy correspondent based in Washington DC. She covers the U.S. State Department, regularly traveling with U.S. Secretary of State. During her 20 years with Reuters, she has had postings in London, Dubai, Cairo and Turkey, covering everything from the Arab Spring and Syria's civil war to numerous Turkish elections and the Kurdish insurgency in the southeast. In 2017, she won the Knight-Bagehot fellowship program at Columbia University’s School of Journalism. She holds a BA in International Relations and an MA on European Union studies.

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Rafah: Past the point of no return

Israel’s mass slaughter in Rafah will not start with a ground invasion; it has already been taking place.

If we listen to world leaders, we could be lulled into believing that Rafah has been a place of safety. But this city, nestled in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, has been on the threshold of terror since Israel launched its genocidal assault on October 7. The daily toll of genocide and destruction has been devastating even without a ground invasion.

Six months ago, an Israeli air strike targeted the home of my relative Ayman in Rafah. It was October 21, and the whole family were at home preparing to celebrate the birthdays of his children Sham and Adam; Sham was turning nine and Adam three.

Ayman had gone upstairs to check if the water tank was filled when the bombs fell, killing his two children, two of his sisters-in-law, their five children and four other relatives.

Ayman’s wife, Dareen, was critically wounded in the attack. She was hanging clothes on the balcony when the rocket struck the building hurling her to the other side of the street. When Ayman reached her, she was still breathing. She pleaded with him to rescue their baby girl.

As she was dying, Dareen was rushed to the hospital in a desperate bid to save their unborn child. Doctors fought valiantly, performing a caesarean section to bring to this cruel world a fragile baby.

Ayman named her Mecca, as they had agreed with Dareen. However, her mother’s death and the lack of oxygen had already taken their toll. Mecca struggled for three days, her tiny body ravaged by convulsions. On the third day, she too passed away. All that was left of their family was a father with a broken heart and a date of birth and a date of departure seared into his soul.

Since October, many families in Rafah have met the horrific fate of Ayman’s family. Israel’s slaughter from the air never subsided, even as it ordered more than a million people in the north of the Gaza Strip to evacuate south.

Instead of safety, Palestinians who fled south found death once again raining on them. In a recent weekend, dozens were killed, most of them children.

On Friday, April 19, Israel bombarded Tal as-Sultan neighbourhood where the Radwan and Joudah families had sought shelter. Abdel-Fattah Radwan, his wife Najlaa Aweidah, and their three children Leen, Nadya and Amer died. Also killed were Abdel-Fattah’s sister, Rawan, and her five-year-old daughter Alaa. Hamza and Sama Zaqout were visiting the apartment to play with the other children. They also died.

On Saturday, April 20, Israeli bombs wiped out most of the Abdel Aal family: 15 children and their mothers Yasmeen, Sujoud and Rasha as well as their grandmother Hamdeh. The loss was staggering – all the family children perished in an instant. The innocent lives of Sidra, Mohammed, Layan, Yasser, Muhannad, Osama, Ismail, Ahmad, Sajida, Shahd, Abdullah, Yasser, Othman, Ismail and Mahmoud were cut short in an instant. The place of safety became a graveyard in the blink of an eye.

The horror of this murder was etched on the faces of those who used their bare hands to search the rubble for the bodies of the children.

On the same Saturday, in the heart of Rafah, near al-Awda Mosque, Israeli bombardment killed Shukri Joudeh and his daughter Malak. His pregnant wife, Sabreen, was critically injured and taken to the hospital. A short time after arrival, she was pronounced dead, so the doctors made a desperate attempt to save her unborn child, performing an emergency caesarean section. Miraculously, the baby was delivered alive. She only lived an orphan in this world for a few days before passing away  too.

My teacher Dr Akram Habeeb, an associate professor at the Islamic university in Gaza, which now lies in ruins after being targeted like all Gaza universities, by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), penned a prayer born of desperation:

When will we stop counting our death toll? When will the church in Rome start to toll? When will Mercy be in your hearts for our death knell? When will you commence our true tale to tell? When will the security council have its will? When will the world put out Gaza’s hell? When will the world stop seeing us as numbers on screens? When will the criminals stop killing our children’s dreams? When will justice wear its crown to declare our cause? When will the war on Gaza end, or even just, to pause?

The questions of Dr Habeeb echo the collective anguish of 2.2 million Palestinians experiencing genocide. Some 1.5 million of them are in Rafah with nowhere else to go.

The news that the United States government has provided the IOF with $17bn more in military aid to continue its genocide in Gaza has only deepened Palestinian despair.

And yet, there is a glimmer of hope: the campus protests taking place across the US, Europe and other places. They demonstrate that the younger generations know the path of justice.

The need for an end to the genocide, accountability, and meaningful change has never been more pressing. It is imperative that good people everywhere keep the pressure so we can have a free Palestine and consign any perpetrators of genocide to the dustbin of history.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.