Israel (January 2023)

APPLICATION DETAILS:

Priority Application Deadline:
October 21, 2022

Priority Notification Deadline:
October 28, 2022

Commitment Deadline:
November 4, 2022

CLICK FOR THE 2023 GFI APPLICATION (not open for Israel Program)

Please note: Applications will continue to be accepted for this program until it fills

Israel in Its Region: Politics and Society, National Security and Foreign Policy 

Course Number: GLOB1-GC 3025 (3 credits) – currently listed under the course title “Arab-Israeli Conflict”

Term:  January 2023 (Program Cancelled)

Location:  Tel Aviv, Israel (with three overnight regional trips)

Travel Dates: January 7 (arrival) – January 19 (departure), 2023

NY-based Pre-Departure Course Sessions (REQUIRED):

• Pre-departure sessions TBA (late Nov/early Dec)

Instructor: Joshua Krasna, PhD

Degree Requirement: With the approval of the department, this course can count as a concentration requirement. If not taken toward concentration requirements, the course will count toward your elective credits. May count as an MSGSCC elective with approval.

Registration for program: All students must apply for this program using the online application form and with the submission of a personal statement uploaded to the form.  Accepted students will be registered by the department.

Documents: A valid passport with 6 months validity is required for entry.  Visas are not required for U.S. Citizens but may be required for non-U.S. Citizens.  All students will be advised regarding visa requirements by the department. Use this resource link to help you determine your visa requirements.

 

Course/Program Description:

In the past decade, Israel has undergone a revolution in its relations with its region. From a state looking West towards Europe and the U.S., and seeing itself as a “villa in the jungle” in its immediate neighborhood, it has developed new, overt relationships with several states in the region, including regional powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, through shared strategic and economic interests. Relationships with Egypt, and to a lesser degree with Jordan, its long-time peace partners, are increasing, including in the wake of the discovery of significant offshore gas deposits. These have fostered energy interdependence with these neighboring states, as well as between them and their other neighbors in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus and Greece. Strategically, Israel is in the best strategic position since its inception. However, security challenges still abound. Israel has not been able to reach decisive victory in its “Thirty Years Wars” with Hizballah or Hamas, and the hybrid conflicts with these two enemies continue, with varying degrees of intensity, to challenge the national security system and disrupt normal life. The political process with the Palestinians is moribund, with little appetite or political ability on either side to move forward in the near future, but is still the main national security and political challenge in the long run. After twenty years of intense effort, Iran has been slowed in its path to a military nuclear capability, but is closer than ever; it also continues to threaten the stability of Israel’s regional allies. But perhaps most importantly, Israel continues to be, even more than ever, a politically and socially divided country, with a politically engaged and active citizenry, a reality which is expressed in a dysfunctional and unstable polity.

Site Visits and Excursions May Include:

• Visit to Old City of Jerusalem, including Holy Mount/Haram el-Sharif, Church of Holy Sepulchre, Jewish Quarter.
• Kibbutz Dafna – memorial for helicopter disaster (Lebanon and Israeli national security)
• Visit to Hasbani river (or Banias/Tel Dan) and discussion of water situation
• Visit Dead Sea/Jerusalem
• Visit to Gaza border

Trip Leader:

Joshua Krasna

Itinerary (preliminary):

Saturday, January 7 arrive in Tel Aviv and orientation, January 8 Meetings in Tel Aviv, January 9 Visit Gaza border, January 10 Drive along Egyptian border and meet activists, January 11 Dead sea & travel to Jerusalem, January 12 Visit old city of Jerusalem, January 13 Meetings in Tel Aviv, January 14 free day, January 15 meetings and evening cultural event, January 16 Meetings and drive along Lebanon border, January 17 Kibbutz Dafna – memorial for helicopter disaster, January 18 group dinner, January 19 depart Israel.

Program Costs:

Tuition: 3 Credits Tuition

Program Fee: $1957 (double room)

The program fee includes the following:

• Lodging (at NYU Tel Aviv facilities and hotels for overnight excursions)

• Breakfasts

• Two special dinners 

• All in-country transportation, (flight to and from Israel NOT Included)

• All meetings and special guest lectures

• Planned cultural excursions/tours

• travel health insurance

NOT Included:

Airfare, airport transfers, passport/visa fees as needed, personal items such as wines, liquors, laundry services, special arrangements before or after the program, and other items not specifically mentioned as included. Insurance for trip cancellation, flight cancellation, luggage loss or damage, medical and accident is not included but is strongly recommended.

Cancellations and Refunds

Program cancellations must be made in writing.  To protect yourself, we recommend that you purchase flight cancellation insurance.