Travel bloggers Malak Hassan and Bisan Alhajhasan visit the village of Burin near Nablus to help with the olive harvest. Photo: Courtesy of Ahlan Palestine

The reality for Palestinians is occupation, Malak Hassan told Geo.tv on the phone. But she says they are trying to show the world that they have a different side to them than occupation and violence.

“Tourism is a reminder to the world that this land belongs to the Palestinians. And he reminds the Palestinians that they have a country to return to, ”said Hassan.

Hassan is one of two travel bloggers – the other, Bisan Alhajhasan – who founded Ahlan Palestine last year, a blog designed to promote tourism in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as a defiant act.


Travel bloggers Malak Hassan and Bisan Alhajhasan visit a village called Jifna near Ramallah. Photo: Courtesy of Ahlan Palestine

Up until now, promoting tourism has been vital for Israel to legitimize its illegal rule over the Palestinian territories.

But the Palestinians are fighting back. “We show that we exist,” said Hassan.

Travel to Palestine

The travel bloggers Malak Hassan and Bisan Alhajhasan in Ein Qinya, a small village seven kilometers northwest of Ramallah.  Photo: Courtesy of Ahlan Palestine
Travel bloggers Malak Hassan and Bisan Alhajhasan in Ein Qinya, a small village seven kilometers northwest of Ramallah. Photo: Courtesy of Ahlan Palestine

Over the years, Hassan and Alhajhasan have traveled through the Palestinian territories, touring and documenting the lush green mountains of the city of Ramallah in the West Bank, to historic Jericho, known as one of the oldest cities in the world.

When asked what the bloggers’ favorite spots were, Hassan said it would be one of the water destinations. “We have a lot of them [destinations] in Palestine in the form of natural water sources. “

Alhajhasan was a little more indecisive. “We filmed many breathtakingly beautiful places, all of which are very special. But the villages around Ramallah and Bethlehem are my favorites. “

She added that Wadi Al Makhrour, an area around Bethlehem, has beautiful, serene and secluded mountains that are a must-see for hikers.

Tourism under occupation

Umm Mohammad, a mother of 12 children, lives in Jaba 'village in Jenin.  Holding on to her tradition by wearing her traditional clothing, she is one of those true warriors who protect her land, her heritage and her future.  Photo: Courtesy of Ahlan Palestine
Umm Mohammad, a mother of 12 children, lives in Jaba ‘village in Jenin. Holding on to her tradition by wearing her traditional clothing, she is one of those true warriors who protect her land, her heritage and her future. Photo: Courtesy of Ahlan Palestine

But encouraging tourists to visit the Palestinian Territories poses some challenges, especially when much of the land is occupied by Israel.

Even now, said Alhajhasan, the Israeli settlers are growing. “Checkpoints are sometimes blocked,” she explained. “Once, when we were sitting near a spring water point in my village, settlers told us to go. We can’t even use drones to photograph our cities because the Israeli forces don’t allow it. “

The olive season

During their trip to Kifl Haris in Salfit, Umm Samer teaches travel bloggers Malak Hassan and Bisan Alhajhasan how to make trays woven from wheat straw.  Photo: Courtesy of Ahlan Palestine
During their trip to Kifl Haris in Salfit, Umm Samer teaches travel bloggers Malak Hassan and Bisan Alhajhasan how to make trays woven from wheat straw. Photo: Courtesy of Ahlan Palestine

Even the planting and harvesting of olives, which is of both economic and cultural importance to the Palestinians, has been attacked.

Olives are one of the main sources of income for agriculture in the Palestinian territories. According to the United Nations, 45% of the agricultural land in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is planted with olive trees.

Olive growing is also a defining element of Palestinian identity.

Palestinians see olive trees as a symbol of peace and prosperity. The harvest season brings Palestinians together and promotes a sense of community. But even olive trees are a threat to the Israeli armed forces.

“You [the trees] are often guarded by the Israeli military. Once soldiers set fire to really old olive trees, ”said Alhajhasan.

An alternate reality and the way forward

Travel bloggers Malak Hassan and Bisan Alhajhasan visit the Al Tira neighborhood and its surroundings - a fantastic destination to enjoy a beautiful sunset.  Photo: Courtesy of Ahlan Palestine
Travel bloggers Malak Hassan and Bisan Alhajhasan visit the Al Tira neighborhood and its surroundings – a fantastic destination to enjoy a beautiful sunset. Photo: Courtesy of Ahlan Palestine

Ahlan Palestine’s blog is not just for outsiders, it is also intended to reduce feelings of helplessness in Palestine.

“Violence and restrictions have a major impact on the mental health of Palestinians living in occupied territories,” Alhajhasan said. “We also encourage Palestinian families to leave their homes and explore their beautiful country.”

Right now the two bloggers are doing their part and fighting in their own way, especially in the information age.

But do you hope for a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

“I am not very optimistic,” said Alhajhasan. “Illegal settlements are spreading around the West Bank and the brutality towards us is increasing. We just go on living. “