United Methodists are responding to Kairos Palestine: A Moment of Truth ,a statement of faith and urgent call to action from Christians in Palestine. UMKR seeks, through nonviolent means and in partnership with Palestinian Christians, freedom, justice and equality for all Palestinians and Israelis.
🔸= Something New or Updated
International Solidarity Volunteering Grants in Palestine
with Community Peacemaker Teams
For decades, Palestinian communities have faced ongoing oppression stemming from Israeli occupation, massacres, displacement and many violations of human rights. Palestinians live under constant threat of attacks, arrests, home demolitions, and life-threatening actions.
Generation after generation has resisted the aggression of the occupation, passing their steadfastness to the next. The resilience and Sumud of Palestinians represent a persistent hope to break the cycle of violence. Despite ongoing challenges, Palestinians continue to resist and maintain their cultural identity.
We believe that international presence provides a crucial protective role in Palestinian communities. We believe that solidarity is essential, and that every effort, no matter how small, can help challenge the occupying power through
nonviolent means. We believe that collective action requires a firm commitment to the practice of nonviolent peacemaking and to dismantling racism, structures of oppression, and all forms of colonialism.
Therefore, the German Mennonite Peace Committee (DMFK), in collaboration with CPT-Palestine and an internationally-known family farm near Bethlehem, is honoured to open the opportunity for passionate volunteers to participate in our International Solidarity Internship Grants in Palestine.
Our mission is dedicated to promoting peace, defending human rights, and supporting Palestinian communities in their daily struggle for safety and dignity through advocacy, direct solidarity actions, protective accompaniment, and contributions to the community’s resilience efforts.
We invite volunteers from Europe, North America, and other international backgrounds who are willing to serve for three weeks to three months to join us in our mission. This is a funded volunteer opportunity, which includes coverage of travel tickets and other expenses. Several partners invite international support, and potential volunteers are welcome to take up different placements under several possible arrangements, including CPT-Palestine.
This grant provides a meaningful opportunity for volunteers to engage in solidarity work, contribute to community resilience, and gain hands-on experience in supporting Palestinian communities during their stay.
Apply here to participate in this exciting opportunity
Responsible Tourism Recommended Trips
Click the links below to see details about trips with these organizations and tour providers.
On the right side of the page, see other places to check for upcoming trips and special opportunities to spend meaningful time in Palestine/Israel.
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Palestine Justice Network of the PCUSA
in partnership with Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) and Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem
January 12-22, 2026
Led by Rev. Dr. Shannon Smythe
Learn more by contacting Shannon:
shannonsmy@gmail.com
1-609-240-2109
Society for Biblical Studies
Fact Finding, Advocacy, Peacemaking in the Holy Land
February 2-11, 2025
•Mission of Christian Presence, Peacemaking, Fact Finding and Advocacy
•10 Days in Israel-Palestine: Jerusalem, the West Bank, Galilee, the Negev
•Designed for those whose interests and passion is in peace with justice
•Learn the history and current state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of the Church in it through in depth meetings and conversations with Israelis and Palestinians
•Explore models of Christian mission
•Learn ingredients of effective advocacy
•Engage with a full range of activists and influencers from all bands of the political spectrum
Choice of 4-Day elective journeys
•4-Day elective: Volunteer at the Tent of Nations returning 15 February 2026 ($1,229, hotel lodging; $893 on site lodging)
•4-Day elective: The Wonders of Jordan: Petra & Wadi Rum, returning 15 February 2026 ($1,675)
•Choose the 10 or 14 day full immersion options, to spend your time at the Tent of Nations, specify your own duration
Learn more and register for the tour:
https://sbsbibletours.org/product/paaa-2-2-26-fact-findingohioepisarea/
Sabeel Witness and Solidarity Delegation to Palestine
Led by United Methodist clergy,
Rev. Ed Phillips and Rev. Sara Webb Phillips
March 6-16, 2026
This upcoming trip falls during the seasons of Muslim Ramadan (Feb. 17-Mar. 19, 2026), Christian Orthodox Lent (Feb. 23rd-Apr. 11th), Roman Catholic Lent (Feb 18th-Apr. 2nd), and Jewish Purim and Passover (March 13th-Apr. 20th). The themes of this delegation are Lent (a season of repentance and preparation for Christians) and Christian-Muslim-Jewish relations in Palestine-Israel working for peace.
During the trip, we will witness the occupation of the West Bank firsthand (and perhaps Gaza, depending on the situation). While the specific itinerary for each delegation is different, most delegations will meet with Palestinians and Israelis engaged in nonviolent resistance, visit local communities, and witness realities on the ground. We will also enjoy the incredible culture of art, environment, and food, and the indomitable spirt of the peoples who call it home.
Sabeel has been hosting visitors to Palestine/Israel for years and knows how to navigate the roadblocks, both physical and bureaucratic. The safety of each delegation is paramount.
Learn more about the trip in the invitation from the organizers.
Cost: $3000, includes airfare, ground transportation, lodging, and meals.
Extra charge of $400 for a private room.
Sabeel is committed to helping participants raise money for the trip—notably they do not want the cost to hinder students, pastors, and others who work on issues of justice and may need financial help.
See the full letter of invitation from the organizers, describing this special trip to Palestine/Israel and including resources:
read and download the letter
If you have questions, please contact Ed Phillips at lphill6@emory.edu or sarawebbphillips@gmail.com.
Fill out Sabeel's form to register for this trip
Pilgrims of Ibillin
Living Stones Pilgrimage
April 2026
Many pilgrimages to Israel and Palestine have shifted their focus from holy site excursions, spiritual journeys, and even from the social justice talking tours, to more experiential opportunities to listen and stand in solidarity with Palestinians.
Currently Pilgrims of Ibillin is planning just such a visit April 2026.
The dates and itinerary are almost finalized — currently planning to depart the US April 12, flying into Amman, Jordan for a 12-14 day trip — please complete the form (link below) to be notified with the detailed itinerary and cost as soon as they are finalized.
This trip is designed as a hybrid including traditional Living Stones Pilgrimage and a solidarity and witness tour to include visits to Holy Sites, Peace Partners, and peace-builders whose expertise will shine a light upon the changing geopolitical and theological landscape most recently as well as historically.
We will visit Mar Elias Educational Institutions, a unique school that incorporates the values of inclusion, dignity, forgiveness and reconciliation as an integral component of the curriculum.
As a bonus — Father Chacour will join the group for three days visiting the Holy Sites in the Galilee — a rare opportunity to be in his company as he shares the treasured jewels of his homeland with us. If you feel so called, we invite you to bring your presence and caring heart on the 2026 trip.
View a sample itinerary:
https://pilgrimsofibillin.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Sample-Living-Stones-Pilgrimage-Itinerary-1.pdf
See this trip on their website and fill out the form:
https://pilgrimsofibillin.org/pilgrimages/
Indiana Center for Middle East Peace (ICMEP)
"Living Stones" Palestine Solidarity Tour
June 6-18, 2026
• Optional Jordan Extension, June 18 - 21.
• Meetings with leading Jewish, Christian, Muslim religious, political, NGO leaders, peacemakers, and human rights advocates
Free time scheduled throughout the tour, for personal exploration, shopping, rest, etc.
• Optional Sunday Worship at Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, and Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Jerusalem Old City.
• Optional one-hour Debriefing Sessions throughout the tour to process travelers’ experiences, emotions, insights, questions.
• Hotel stays in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah.
See many more details of the tour, the costs, etc:
https://indianacmep.dm.networkforgood.com/emails/4261709
Contact: Michael Spath: Lmichaelspath@gmail.com
Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT)
October 27 – November 5, 2026
Immerse yourself in a life-changing experience: Join a CPT delegation!
Witness firsthand CPT’s on-the-ground experiment in non-violence. Travel with us for 7-14 days and connect with communities striving for peace. CPT delegations offer a unique opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself.
No prior experience necessary. Delegations are open to anyone who wants to learn more about non-violent peacemaking.
Delegation participants seek to:
• Learn from grassroots leaders, civil society activists, human rights defenders, and communities resisting destruction, and the ways in which they challenge colonialism, occupation, military operations, forced displacement, systemic oppressions, political violence, and marginalization.
• Engage in CPT’s partnership building and spiritually diverse active peacemaking;
• Commit to challenge violations of human rights, engage in international solidarity accompaniment to base communities resisting peacefully to violence and oppression
• Share about their delegation experience with groups, congregations and communities.
• Advocate for solidarity action for change.
Learn much more about the expectations for participants in the delegation and all travel details at the CPT website:
https://cpt.org/delegations
If you have any questions regarding travel planning, please email delegations@cpt.org
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See these websites for other trips that our partners may be planning:
Eyewitness Palestine
https://eyewitnesspalestine.org/delegations
Pilgrims of Ibillin
https://pilgrimsofibillin.org/
Community Peacemaker Teams
https://cpt.org/delegations
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA)
https://www.fosna.org/come-see-visit-the-holy-land
In the Footsteps of Jesus: Tours to Palestine and Israel
Hosted by Jeff & Janet Wright
http://www.footstepsofjesustour.org/index.html
Society for Biblical Studies - certain trips to Palestine/Israel have the informative and justice-seeking focus that we recommend; see descriptions:
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Discover this remarkable opportunity for an extended stay in Israel/Palestine where you will make a difference for justice and peace in the Holy Land. Scholarships available.