Jenin

Jenin is a 4000-year-old city now populated by Palestinians. Jenin in the north West Bank.

Get in

The most logical way to enter would be to fly into Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel, take a taxi or mini-bus to Damascus Gate in Jerusalem, from the Arab bus station take bus 18 to Ramallah (6.50 NIS, less than an hour), cross into Ramallah and take a shared taxi from the central bus station to Jenin (35 NIS, 1.5 to 2 hours).

Get around

Walking is a practical mode of getting around, taxis can be hired as needed.

BEWARE - the town is closed on Fridays!!! (although we did see a man on a camel who was selling camel-milk!)

See

• Umm Al Rihan forest is located at the extreme northwest of Jenin. It consists of a series of dense forests which are estimated to be ca. 60,000 dunums. The forest areas around Jenin are considered to be the largest woodlands in the West Bank forming approximately 86% of the forests.

• There is a Christian Holy Site, the St George Church in Burqin, in a small town just 3 km outside Jenin. It marks the place where Jesus healed the lepers. It's considered the 3th oldest church in the world.

• Located at the northwestern entrance to Jenin, lies the site of Belameh which dates back to the Bronze Age. In 1996, MOTA began excavations on a tunnel shaft, the most elaborate feature in Belameh. Through support from the UNDP, around 150 meters of tunnel is being transformed into an archeological park which will feature an educational sound and light show.

• The village of Arraba is located 13 km south west of Jenin. It is about 350 meters above sea level and lies near Sahl Arrabah, a 30-sqm plain that lies between the two groups of heights of Mount Carmel and Nablus.

The Palaces of Abdel Qader Abdel Hadi and the Hussein Abdel Hadi were restored and converted into a Cultural Center and Children’s Center respectively. This centre is nowadays very active, and attracts lots of people from neighboring villages.

• Tel Dothan was a Canaanite city lying in a fertile plain west of Jenin. According to tradition, Tell Dothan is the place where Joseph was sold by his brothers to Ishmaelite traders whom took him to Egypt.

Buy

Be sure to take advantage of the great bargains that can be found in the many shops. This is a great place to find souvenirs!

Eat

There is plenty of Middle Eastern cuisine available; falafel, shawarma, hummus, the works. There are a couple of excellent places near the bus station where the food is instantly made.

Drink

There are many coffee vendors.

Get out

From the central taxi station, it is easy to travel to many locations within the West Bank.

In 2011feb I passed on foot through the checkpoint at Jalameh, north of Jenin. It was not pleasant (aggressive Israeli guards), but we got through just before the place closed down for a Sabbath-closure of some 30 hours. The taxi to Nazareth then cost us 150 NIS - pricey, but worth it. (The much longer journey from Ramallah to Jenin had cost just 35 NIS per person.)

To Nablus, one can take a service (shared) taxi for 15 NIS or a bus for 10 NIS.

To Ramallah, there is a service taxi for 35 NIS.

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