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Safety at Mo's Place
Concerns over the safety of locations in the West Bank is normal and legitimate! Unfortunately, those fears are fueled by a media with an agenda. The West Bank is an extremely safe place, with a petty crime rate that is almost nonexistent, as the Palestinians are policed both by the Palestinian forces as well as under the jurisdiction of Israeli military law. Thus, the region is extremely safe, and internationals hold much privilege in the area. As long as you stay away from protests and demonstrations, there is no other way to meet guns or tear gas.
It is not strange to see Westerners and internationals in Palestine, as there are hundreds of NGOs staffed with internationals in the small plot of land. Nonetheless, it is customary to respect the dress and modesty norms in the area. This means that people are generally expected, out of respect for the population, to wear clothes. It is considered respectful for both women and men to cover the legs with cloth (tight jeans are commonplace even within the youth West Bankers). Headscarves are not necessary nor expected. If entering a tourist site mosque or synagogue you will likely be given a headscarf or kippa to borrow. The religious communities of both Jews and Muslims in the West Bank expect this of you.
A sign in an orthodox Jewish neighborhood
Mo's Place's location is in a family and university neighborhood that is lively during the day and peaceful at night. Some (like me) consider it a very relaxing locale, and the building where the apartment is is full of families and children. You will be living in the Mo's apartment with a host staffmember and other guests.|
Terror does not touch Hebron nor the West Bank, generally except for extreme circumstances which we eventually see in the global news and which usually results in the immediate death of the terrorists. Hard truth.
Crime does not touch the West Bank. Petty crime (theft) happens everywhere, and you should be wary of placing wallets in back pockets, flaunting fancy smartphones and gadgets, etc.
Hate crimes (Israeli settlers vs. indigenous Palestinians) usually stick to affecting these two groups, unless you get caught in a fight and present yourself as a threat to the settlers (ie videorecording an attack on Palestinians) or if you purposefully put yourself in harms way by attending a protest which Israeli soldiers will be present at (ie they will fire tear/sound bombs at you that may cause little to severe damage to your body and sanity, but that's part of the Palestinian experience).
Photo taken by staff member.
Palestinian university students
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