Middle East Tours to experience multiple narratives of diverse people, places, and faiths Modern Holy Land tour guides are becoming messengers of We Are One. Travelers hearing various - sometimes conflicting - life stories from widely diverse people and neighborhoods are challenged to expand, to hear all the equally human voices as one, and experience with empathy the larger story, Our Story. With thousands of daily tourists arises hope for awakened understanding, heart connections, and compassion to dignify everyone and create community. Read about Tour Guides as a Bridge Between Humans A historic meeting of 40 Palestinians and Israelis in December 2015 near the Dead Sea

Tour guide Elad Vazana -- EladVazana@gmail.com -- is a former IDF combat tank commander, high tech entrepreneur, and global traveler. A husband and father, Vazana now devotes his life to connecting people from diverse backgrounds and cultures to experience that the "other" is a human being whose story is rich and complex, like "ours."

Elad masterfully leads travelers to the people and places of conflicted relationships. Participants become a part of change through telling and hearing personal life stories anew in ways that dignify both speaker and listener, giving birth to a new reality of trust and coexistence.

Scott Cooper -- Scott@mejditours.com -- is co-owner with vast experience planning and guiding overseas tours. He can be reached at 1-571-236-0380

Aziz Abu Sarah -- AzizAbuSarah@gmail.com -- is co-founder and a champion of seeking and respecting multiple narratives. VIEW his TedTalk:

      For more tolerance, we need more...tourism?
      Ted2014 -- March 2014 -- Aziz Abu Sarah
      4-1/2 min video -- Subtitles available in 10 languages
      http://www.ted.com/talks/aziz_abu_sarah_for_more_tolerance_we_need_more_tourism

The program provides a unique opportunity for Israelis and Palestinians, and international travelers -- to learn about each other from each other as well as to explore the land and the history they share. They believe that learning the past is necessary for understanding the present and changing the future.

Ahmed M.A. Helou, Palestinian Director, studied at the Al-Quds University, is a parliamentary assistant at the legislative council, and has co-founded various bi-national groups and initiatives. He lives with his wife and family in Jericho.

Yovav Kalifon, Israeli Director and Co-Founder, lives in Jerusalem as an unaffiliated activist while working on a PhD in atmospheric dynamics and as a part-time science tutor.

Aaron Press Taylor, Program Coordinator, receives e-mail at APressTaylor@gmail.com

This experiential journey of self-discovery for Israeli Arab (Palestinian) and Jewish youth explores communities, people, sites, and personal stories during exciting, deep 4-day travels with open dialogue, leadership training skills. The Muslim, Christian, and Jewish youth citizens together develop genuine, strong, heartfelt connections. SEE their video:

      Masa-Massar Youth Participant Interviews
      October 2015 - 5 minute video - Arabic & Hebrew, with English subtitles
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc8efuLQHNc

Their Sights & Insights: Encounters at Eye Level includes a variety of immersion travel opportunities to the Middle East and North Africa, with a special focus on Morocco, Israel, Palestine (mostly West Bank), and Jordan. Custom designed trips range in content and in length throughout the year. Professional guides and facilitators work closely with local partners “on the ground” to encounter people from all walks of life with multiple narratives of diverse life experiences.

Founding Director Adina Friedman has over 30 years of experience in conflict resolution and dialogue communication, first as a participant in early Arab-Jewish/Israeli peacebuilding programs in the region, and later as the initiator and implementer of many pioneering projects. Contact Adina at illiinitiatives@gmail.com or +1-703-725-2926.