West Bank Wall
West Bank Wall
There was a debate over whether the West Bank Wall in Israel was a "fence" or a "wall". I visited Berlin before and after
1989. The Israeli West Bank Wall is 2-3 times taller and thicker than the
Berlin Wall. And unlike the Berlin Wall, which was simply placed on the
ground on triangular bases, the Israeli West Bank Wall is imbedded in poured cement
foundation and integrated guard towers like the one above, therefore appeared more permanent.
Travel Tip
Many taxi drivers in Jerusalem will try to sell you a round trip to Bethlehem, which is only 6 miles from Jerusalem but still in the West Bank past the Israeli West Bank Wall, for 200-250 shekels or 40-70 shekels for a one-way trip to just the Bethlehem-West Bank checkpoint. Decline both, as you can take the air-conditioned minibus from the Damascus Gate to the Bethlehem-West Bank checkpoint for 3 shekels each way.
Travel Tip
Many taxi drivers in Jerusalem will try to sell you a round trip to Bethlehem, which is only 6 miles from Jerusalem but still in the West Bank past the Israeli West Bank Wall, for 200-250 shekels or 40-70 shekels for a one-way trip to just the Bethlehem-West Bank checkpoint. Decline both, as you can take the air-conditioned minibus from the Damascus Gate to the Bethlehem-West Bank checkpoint for 3 shekels each way.