Jerusalem Political Tour from Tel Aviv: West Bank Wall & Old City

Walk through contested neighborhoods and hear the history behind the barriers

A full-day guided tour departing from Tel Aviv that explores Jerusalem's Old City, the Western Wall, and the West Bank Wall, with stops in Palestinian villages and Israeli settlements. The guide provides detailed context on a hundred years of history, the 1967 war, settlement patterns, and the separation barrier itself. An air-conditioned vehicle handles transport between sites. Lunch is on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Old City of Jerusalem1h
2. Western Wall2h
3. Jericho1h

Jerusalem political and historical tour

• Briefing at Old City of Jerusalem
• Explore Old City and markets
• Visit Western Wall Plaza
• Lunch and short briefing
• Drive through East Jerusalem settlements
• View West Bank Separation Barrier
• Visit Palestinian village of Anata

The experience

The tour opens in the Old City of Jerusalem with a briefing on Ottoman history through the present, then moves into a walking tour through Damascus Gate's markets. You'll see the Western Wall Plaza (built over the destroyed Mugrabe neighborhood after 1967), and learn how the Temple Mount and Al Aqsa hold meaning in both Judaism and Islam. The morning focuses on visible traces of Israeli occupation: Jewish settlements in the Christian and Muslim quarters, their history, and their role in the conflict.

After lunch, a second briefing precedes a drive through East Jerusalem settlements and Palestinian neighborhoods, giving context to what you're seeing. The tour then stops at the West Bank Wall itself, where the guide explains the reasons for its construction, its effectiveness against terrorism, and the surveillance systems affecting Palestinian residents. The final stop is the Palestinian village of Anata, surrounded by the barrier, where you learn about Ma'ale Adumim (one of the largest West Bank settlements), and the displacement of the local Jahalin Bedouin. Lookout points offer views of the Judean Desert and the E1 planning zone slated for new settlements and hotels.

The guide is English-speaking and trained in the issues. This is the flagship tour of the Green Olive Collective, designed for anyone wanting to move beyond simplified "us and them" framings. The full day runs eleven hours, with transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. You'll need a valid passport and moderate fitness for walking through the Old City and standing at various stops.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for transport between sites.
• English-speaking guide with in-depth knowledge of the conflict and alternative perspectives.
• detailed briefings on Ottoman history through the present, settlement patterns, and the separation barrier.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to1d before

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Green Olive Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're based in Tel Aviv and want a guide-led narrative connecting sites across the political landscape rather than visiting them separately.

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Top questions

What exactly is the West Bank Wall and why was it built?

The West Bank Wall, also called the Separation Barrier, divides Palestinian and Israeli communities and in many places cuts through Palestinian towns themselves. The guide covers the stated reasons for its construction, how well it prevented terrorism, and the surveillance systems in place for Palestinian residents on either side.

Do I need to be able to walk long distances on this tour?

You'll walk through the Old City's markets and streets, stand at the Western Wall Plaza, and move between stops at the barrier and surrounding villages. The operator notes you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces are accessible, though the Old City itself has uneven terrain.

What does the tour cover about the Israeli occupation and settlements?

The morning focuses on visible signs of occupation in the Old City: Jewish settlements in the Christian and Muslim quarters, their history, and their implications. The afternoon drive through East Jerusalem and the West Bank covers settlement patterns, the displacement of Palestinian communities, and the scale of major settlements like Ma'ale Adumim.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, so you'll have time to eat on your own during the break in the Old City or elsewhere along the route.

How does this tour differ from standard sightseeing in Jerusalem?

This tour is built around understanding the conflict itself rather than visiting religious sites as monuments. The guide provides in-depth historical context from the late Ottoman period to today, discusses the political geography you're walking through, and explains the structures and policies shaping the landscape.