Is it safe to visit the West Bank? Before I came to Hebron, West Bank I had heard about the troubles in the city and how daily life can be hard. But when I first arrived, I was instantly looked after by locals and made to feel at home.
As I was walking down Ein Sarah street by myself with my bags, multiple people came up to me asking where I was from, if it was my first time here, and if I needed help. Some even went as far as to give me free coffee and grapes! As my phone wasn’t working, a stranger offered to call the Center for me, and then gave me a lift there in his friends’ car.
Walking around the streets at night, I feel safer than I do in some European cities. There are people everywhere, families, kids, laughing and playing. You can’t walk more than a block without someone calling out ‘Hello! How are you? Where are you from? You are welcome in Palestine!’
The best thing about Hebron, West Bank is the hospitality. People really try their very best to look after you. If you need directions, people will walk with you, if you’re confused about something in the supermarket, someone will help you get through your entire shopping list. Palestinian hospitality is incredible, and I’m incredibly grateful for all the people I’ve met.
In my whole time here, I have never felt unsafe or unwelcome in the West Bank. Every interaction with a Palestinian has been positive, and usually involves a lot of laughing and shaking hands. I have felt comfortable walking down any street at any time, and have never been hassled or treated poorly. It makes me feel guilty about my perceptions and expectations of Hebron before I came. Even my friends who had just traveled around the rest of Palestine with me were all telling me to be careful, because of everything we had heard. How wrong we all were.
All in all, I would highly recommend Hebron to any potential volunteers. I really love this city and feel really at home. Most importantly, I feel really safe in the West Bank and comfortable here.”
