Gender and militarism

New Profile/WRI seminar, August 2007, Israel

Practical Information

Entering Israel would be possible without a visa for citizens of EU countries, North and South America, and some other countries. A visa is required for most of Africa, the former USSR, Turkey and many countries in Eastern Europe (if you're not sure, you can check on the Foreign Affairs Ministry website:

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Sherut/IsraeliAbroad/Continents, but note that some inaccuracies are possible. Checking with the nearest Israeli diplomatic mission would be best). If you need a visa to enter Israel, please contact us as soon as possible to arrange for an invitation letter to be sent to you.

Note that even if you have a visa, or if you don't need one, getting through airport security might be a problem. In particular, it is advisable to make clear, if questioned, that you are not about to enter the 1967 Occupied Territories (authorities usually try to block volunteers of solidarity movements, such as the ISM, from entering the country). Printing out some details about this seminar could be a very good idea. In case of trouble - do not hesitate to call us from the airport. We will publish a phone number by which you will be able to reach us closer to the event.

NOTE: If you have ever been blocked from entering any country for political reasons, let us know about it in advance, as you would then be more likely to be blocked at entrance.

The weather in Israel in August is hot and dry. You can leave your coats and umbrellas at home. The local currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS, or ILS, or just Shekels = about $US0.25 , €0.19, £0.12). You're not likely to need much of it, as we will be staying in a relatively remote place.

Our venue will be the Newe Shalom School for Peace (http://www.sfpeace.org/index.php?_lang=en), located in Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, which is a cooperative village of Jews and Palestinian Arabs of Israeli citizenship (see their website: http://nswas.org/rubrique22.html) not far from Israel's main airport. The venue will be at our disposal from 22 to 30 Aug. If you need to arrive earlier or leave later -- let us know, and we will arrange for hosting. We will also be glad to help you around if you plan to combine participation in our seminar with a longer trip in the area.

Please note that we will be basically camping. There will be an option of sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor in the venue itself or camping in a nearby forest site. There is also a small hotel in Newe Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, but we will not be able to pay the cost of renting rooms there (and hotel prices in Israel in general are quite high). If you wish to order a room or a bed at the hotel nevertheless -- let us know in advance, and we will arrange an order for it. Food will be strictly vegan. Internet access will be available through wi-fi (and we will make an effort to share laptop computers when needed).

Since our venue is located in a small village, it is not readily accessible to public transport. A taxi from the nearby Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) would not cost too much (probably between 50 and 100 Shekels). But we prefer to pick people up at the airport upon arrival. Please stay in contact with us to coordinate the exact time and place of meeting.

The seminar will begin on 23 Aug., at 16:00, but if you arrive in the morning or the night before, you will be able to take part in a highly recommended critical tour, organised by veteran activist and academic Uri Davis [link to description on our website]. The tour will leave from the venue on the 23rd. at 9:00.

After the end of the seminar, in the morning of 26 Aug., we will spend the afternoon and evening of that day conducting a special discussion of the Israeli Palestinian conflict, and from the 27th to the 29th of August, the WRI Council Meeting will take place.

Please feel free to write us at info@wri-irg.org if you have any questions or requests.