SECURITY CONCERNS

Many are concerned with news reports regarding Israel. The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for Israel since the year 2000. A copy of the latest travel warning has been made available to all American participants. Naturally, the Fourth Expedition to Lachish is concerned with recent terrorist activities and the safety and security of the participants in the excavations.

 As co-directors, we place a high priority on the safety and security of the staff and students. The co-directors have lived in Israel and have either raised their families there or have spent many summers with their children in Israel. In spite of the political situation, Israelis and Palestinians continue to go about their lives. Tel Lachish, Kibbutz Sde Yoav, and the surrounding areas are not in or near the West Bank. In addition, there have not been any terrorist activities on or in the vicinity of the sites. On weekends, as the students participate on study tours, we carefully review the itineraries to avoid travel in unstable and restricted areas.

The co-directors each have over 25 years or more of experience working on archaeological excavations in Israel. Each summer there are several projects in the field with hundreds of students from around the world, particularly North America, and there have been no incidents involving any terrorist or security-related incident either touring the country or working on the excavation. This is fortunate and a blessing, but we take the necessary precautions and take the situation seriously.

Please do not hesitate to call us regarding any issue concerning the safety or security of the project. We look forward to having you join us this season.