Driving from Jerusalem via the West Bank to the Dead Sea/Masada

I shouldn't even bother responding to catw's anti-Israel mis-information anymore. It's unfortunate that he/she is so very much confusing the tourists for whom this forum is intended.

When leaving Jerusalem and heading EAST on Hwy 1, one does NOT, I repeat NOT go through any major checkpoint. The checkpoint is in the OPPOSITE direction for those heading WEST on Hwy 1.

The next part of catw's statement is correct. The highway leads passed the Palestinian city of Jericho (BUT NOT through that city which is off limits to Israeli citizens like myself).

I"m amused by catw's reference to the "Palestinian coast of the Dead Sea." Israel conquered that area from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the Six Day War. So I suppose if you'd like to be anti-Israel, you should refer to that section of road as "Jordanian."

Further south along Hwy 90 there is indeed a small checkpoint. You will NOT be exiting and re-entering Israeli territory from an Israeli point of view, hence no visa will become invalidated at that point. Interestingly enough, the above mentioned checkpoint isn't even located exactly on the Green Line, but rather a bit north of the former border between Jordan and Israel.

Tourists, do yourselves a favor and do NOT rely upon the so-called advice from catw, who clearly has an anti-Israel point of view.

Dave, it is physically impossible to go from Jerusalem to Ein Gedi without crossing through the Palestinian territory! Almost two-thirds of the western shore of the Dead Sea lies within the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.

[www.lonelyplanet.com/israel-and-the-palestinian-territories/the-west-bank-and-gaza-strip/jericho]
[http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_jordan_valley_factSheet_february_2012_english.pdf]

When driving on HW1, you have to go through two checkpoints manned by the Israeli army, one when you leave Israel and cross into the Palestinian territory, and one when you leave the Palestinian territory and reenter Israel.

There is no issue with visas since the Israeli army occupies the Palestinian territory.

It is physically impossible not to enter territory conquered by Israel from JORDAN when heading east on Hwy 1. Who's to say this is "Palestinian territory"? In any event, the answer is NOT RELEVANT to TOURISTS. Tourists will have no sense of moving from one country to another.

catw lies when he/she says you go through a checkpoint when heading EAST on Hwy 1. It's simply NOT the case. You will go through a checkpoint when you return to Jerusalem heading WEST on Hwy 1, but only in the westerly direction.

Thank you for your information...I am driving East on 1, then south on 90..leaving Arad Fri morning coming back north on 31, to 40 to 6...bypassing Jerusalem entirely....

fromsfca, you won't exactly be bypassing Jerusalem. Assuming you're heading east on Hwy 1 from the Med coast, just before the entrance to the city of Jerusalem, you'll see signs indicating "Mt Scopus". You'll want to follow in that direction at which time Hwy 1 does run right through the northern edge of Jerusalem on its way east. As posted earlier, your son will have ZERO visa problems. Enjoy!

#19 (catw)

Hwy 1 between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea does cross through the Palestinian territory

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No. It crosses through territory captured by Israel during the June 1967 war with Jordan, commonly called the"West Bank". Those are the facts . Calling it "Palestinian territory" is a political opinion , not a fact. There was never an independent state of Palestine and, as such, international borders were never set between Israel and the Palestinians. Therefore, calling any part of the WB Israeli or Palestinian is a political opinion , not a fact.

davetheguide....thanks for your help...we've been in Jerusalem for two days...already drove across Mt Scopus and Mt of Olives....with trusty GPS in hand, we've successfully navigated most of Israel so far.

Thanks for all of your help....Anthony

Did this drive today; Jerusalem to Arad (Thurs Oct 4 2012)...no problems...great roads, little traffic, one checkpoint manned by three bored soldiers....we held up our US passports and they said "Enjoy your trip".....waved us through....

Piece o cake

How interesting to hear fromsfca. I guess I was correct after all. Catw would learned so much about the reality on the ground if he/she were to have accompanied you on this journey.