# Green Olive Tours

Tours in Israel and Palestine that promote democratic values and human rights.

## Elevator pitch
It all started with a dream to build an organisation of Palestinians and Israelis, Arabs and Jews. This goal has been achieved successfully by merging advocacy for peace and justice with economic enterprise, through offering alternative tours produced and managed by a bi-national team.We go beyond the standard tours offered by the traditional tour companies and take our guests off the beaten track to explore the situation on the ground, and examine the differences in citizenship rights, legal and political status between people of different religions - in addition to classic tourism and visiting religious and historical sites

- Canonical URL: https://wefunder.com/greenolivetours
- Entity ID: wefunder:company:45643
- Last updated: 2026-06-03T23:54:19Z
- Generated at: 2026-06-04T02:15:30Z

## Quick facts
- We are a bi-national team of Israelis and Palestinians, plus over 200 members in 22 countries.
- Founded by serial entrepreneurs and social activists, led by Echoing Green Fellow Fred Schlomka
- 12 years of steady income growth including 25+% in 2017 and 2018. 
- Most tour companies overlook the 'conflict'. Green Olive highlights it, to increase understanding.
- 10 Working Partners. 5 Palestinian. 5 Israeli. Our Partners buy into the company.
- Our stakeholders include our members, shareholders, customers, and the communities we visit.
- Over 200 members in 22 countries. Our members own shares and are an important part of our team.
- Our tours visit Palestinian refugee camps, Israeli settlements and Bedouin communities.

## Active fundraises
- wefunder:fundraise:127967: 4(a)(6) open (USD)
- wefunder:fundraise:28215: 4(a)(6) successful (USD)

## Story
* When you invest you are betting that the company's value will reach almost $1.5mil.Founded in 2007, Green Olive Tours is a Collective and Social Enterprise of Israelis and Palestinians dedicated to building a future together. We are the leading alternative tour company to Israel and Palestine providing tours that visit historic sites and promote democratic values and human rights. Seed funding came from our Partners, family, and sweat equity. Join the Green Olive Community. Invest in our future, and yours.Green Olive Highlights• $5 million in total revenue. • Bootstrapped and profitable since inception.• 25+% financial growth in 2017 and 2018• 50,000+ clients over 12 years • 200+ members/investors in 22 countries• 10 Working Partners in Palestine and Israel - 5 Palestinian & 5 IsraeliThe Story of Green Olive ToursFor twelve years our team has developed a solid foundation for our tours. Our working partner team includes accomplished entrepreneurs, managers, and experts in the history, religions, and geopolitics of Israel and Palestine. The partners work closely together to ensure the satisfaction of all our guests. Most importantly we are a combination of Palestinians and Israelis working together, providing needed services for visitors to the country, and advocating for peace, justice, and equality for everyone in the land.Currently, 29 day-tours and 7 multi-day tours are offered every week. Also offered on a rolling basis are University and institutional programs for college credit, volunteer programs, camps and a focus on cooperation and collaboration with local organizations.We pride ourselves on great customer service and high satisfaction ratios. Our tours offer people to people interaction between visitors & locals. Our fair trade practices benefit local communities, and our advocacy for human rights, justice, and democratic values is second to none.A Leader In Social TourismSocial tourism goes by many names - Alternative Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, Political Tourism, Eco-Tourism, Fair Trade Tourism, Educational Tourism etc. Over the past decade, Green Olive Tours has helped define these categories and spurred the development of this important sector of tourism in Israel and Palestine. From humble beginnings as a start-up business, we have grown into an industry leader.By scaling up our operations with your help, and opening our first guesthouse, the Collective will be able to bring our unique style of touring to a greater number of people.Plans for GrowthDuring the next five years, we plan to scale up our operations and create a regional network of Green Olive Guest Houses to complement our tours, further integrating our activities with local populations. Beginning in the Palestinian town of Bethlehem, guesthouses also planned for Tiberius, Amman, and Sinai.Our mix of dormitory rooms and private rooms, with large shared and public spaces will create an environment where visitors and locals can get to know each other. The guesthouses will host events to attract the local population, such as music performances, lectures, art openings and the like.The Green Olive flagship guest house in Bethlehem will offer many value-added services to our guests, including volunteer opportunities, classes in Arabic, Palestinian cuisine, traditional embroidery, and Palestinian history. These classes and seminars will draw on the considerable expertise available in the Bethlehem area.It will take up to two years to establish our first guesthouse.• January - June 2020 Locate a property.• June - December 2020 design and planning permissions.• January - June 2021 Remodelling building & recruiting staff.• June - December 2021 Open in time for Christmas.The second guesthouse will be in Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee, which is also experiencing a shortage of hotel rooms. and is another important hub for foreign visitors.TimelineA Different Kind of Travel - Go Beyond!Visitors often arrive in the Holy Land expecting to sun themselves on the beaches of Tel Aviv, visit a few historical sites, and maybe eat some awesome hummus. Then out of curiosity, they take a Green Olive Tour, and for many, their life is transformed. Transform your life. Invest! Visit!PerksWe all love a freebee. Invest now and receive a special thank you. Lunch with a Green Olive Partner is a great introduction to the country.* Non-transferable, **May be gifted to another, ***Any in-house package tourOur Flagship Tours and ProgramsGreen Olive Tours provides guests with:• A cultural, historical and political overview of Palestine & Israel.• Visits to cultural, historical and religious sites.• An experience of the political facts on the ground.• Personal visits with Palestinians and Israelis. Analysis and commentary based on:• Human Rights• Cultural and political self determination• The right to live in safety• The right to political freedom• The right to a homeThe complex mosaic of religions, nationalities, and political viewpoints in the Holy Land are explored in depth, including interaction with Palestinians and Israelis, visits to areas that embody the history and current status of the conflict, and the gulf between Israel's Jewish and Palestinian-Arab citizens. Possibilities for reconciliation are explored.Tours also visit sites of historical, cultural and religious interest, placing them within the context of the ongoing analysis provided by the guides. Our booklet, 'A Brief Framing of the Israel/Palestine Conflict' has become a definitive text, and is distributed free to guests.IsraelTours inside Israel peel back layers of history from the Negev Desert to the hills of the Galilee. Every part of the country was transformed as it developed and absorbed millions of Jewish immigrants, eventually becoming today's high tec powerhouse. Green Olive Tours examines the social and political costs of this development through visits to the destroyed Palestinian villages, exploring the ongoing plight of the Bedouin, and examining the often uneasy relationships between Israel's Jewish and non-Jewish citizens.Palestine • West Bank • Judea & SamariaTours in the Occupied Territories visit the Separation Barrier, Palestinian towns, refugee camps and Israeli settlements. The differing political and legal rights of these neighboring communities are discussed and illustrated by the facts on the ground. Some tours arrange visits with residents of the occupied territories, both Israeli and Palestinian, helping visitors understand the complexities of the relationships.GazaGreen Olive has not been able to take clients into the Gaza Strip for many years since it became a closed enclave. However tours are conducted along the Gaza border when security permits, visiting nearby checkpoints and communities.How is Green Olive Tours Different from the rest?Most tour companies offer 'classic' tours of one type or another, focusing on the historical, religious, pilgrimage, Nationalist or Zionist aspects of Israel and Palestine. We don't. Alternative Day-tours - We offer a variety of day-trips departing from major cities. They include a briefing with maps, political analysis, people-to-people contact, and visits to villages, settlements, Bedouin and refugee camps. Immersion Tours are experiences of 3-10 days and include hosting in the homes of Israelis and Palestinians, sharing their family stories, and experiencing generous hospitality. Days are filled with tours of the country and evenings are devoted mostly to home-cooked meals and conversation with the host family. Political Study Tours of 1-6 weeks are designed for groups from universities, organisations, and governments. These include structured briefings and discussions, meetings with government officials, NGOs, activists, and businesspeople. Universities in Europe and the USA often offer credit for participating students. Delegations have been hosted from the EU Parliament and the US Congress. Pilgrimage Study Tours are offered to religious groups that not only want to explore the roots of their faith, but also want to meet their co-religionists in Israel and Palestine. Volunteer Programs enable interested people to contribute to the welfare of refugees, Bedouin and other marginalised people, learning though experience and also touring the country. Product sales of craft items produced by these same communities are offered on our e-commerce website at www.madeinpeace.com, further integrating our work with local economic development.Meet the Partners

## FAQ
1. **What is the estimated monthly income on a 1000 usd investment, when do I start receiving my profits, and how often you distribute the profits, and finally do partners have a priority to work if they were specialized in tourism?**
   - Great questions. As we detailed in our disclosures in this web page, while the company generates a good cash flow, there are few net profits due to our re-investment in the growth of the business, and disbursements to further our social goals. As a social enterprise we make money in order to do good. Thus far we have not distributed any profits, although the value of our shares has tripled since we issued shares to our early investors. However we cannot make any promises for the future since ...
2. **If I decided to invest in you using this crowdfunding campaign, how would i get my legal documents and stocks certificate, What is your nearest estimated date of profits distribution ?**
   - You will receive a legally binding notice via email of your ownership of shares. There is no actual paper certificate. Sorry but at present we do not distribute profits or dividends.
3. **Please describe your advocacy and human rights activities.**
   - Great question. We advocate for democratic values and human rights during our tours, and illustrate these concepts through meeting people and visiting the separation wall, West Bank settlements, and refugee camps. Our profits fund solidarity work on the ground and international advocacy for peaceful democratic change
4. **How can you campaign for equality when half the people want to live in a western democracy and half want to live in an islamic style country (probably dictatorship). Its utopian but utterly unrealistic.**
   - If what you say is true (and many would disagree), then there is even more of a need for our work. Join us in our 'utopian' adventure. Become part of the solution.
5. **Why the company margin has shrink when compared to 2017. Considering that you guys increased revenue should the cost decrease as you were engaging more tours?**
   - Because we are still a young and growing company, we plow our profits back into marketing in order to sustain the growth. This results in small margins, as does our mission to put our extra cash into social change projects and political action. The value in our shares is in their growing value, which has tripled (trebled for you UK folks) since they were issued - and the knowledge that your investment will help foster an environment for progressive change in Israel and Palestine.

## Team
- Fred Schlomka (Co-Founder, Managing Partner)
- Jehanne Elabed (Co-Founder, Managing Partner)
- Mohammad Barakat (Co-Founder, Senior Partner)
- Yahav Zohar (Co-Founder, Senior Partner)
- Yamen Elabed (Co-Founder, Senior Partner)
- Alexander Jones (Partner)
- Itamar Shapira (Partner)
- Yaniv Mazor (Partner)
- Sunita Staneslow (Tour Leader)
- Barbara Barham (Tour Guide)
- Khalil Alamour (Tour Leader - Host)
- Karin Reingewertz (Tour guide)

## Recent posts
- Activism or Tours? (2025-06-27T09:53:07Z)
- Palestine/Israel Update (2024-11-01T03:31:15Z)
- No More Anniversaries (2023-05-10T07:40:30Z)
- NEW FILM - Please share with your friends and family via: www.TelAvivAndJaffaRevealed.com (2020-04-02T11:13:44Z)
- Next Steps (2020-03-27T19:50:44Z)
- Trump 'Peace' Plan (2020-02-09T11:51:27Z)
- We Distribute Solar Lamps to Farmers (2020-01-13T09:06:56Z)
- Guest House Search (2019-12-11T06:43:34Z)
- $50,000 Raised (2019-11-27T06:34:24Z)
- Green Olive in the Press - New Report from "Al-Monitor" (2019-11-05T05:51:51Z)
- The First One Hundred (2019-10-14T05:13:13Z)
- Seasonal Olive Picking Tour (2019-10-03T16:48:29Z)
- Today's Glowing Review :-) (2019-10-01T14:51:22Z)
- Off to a Great Launch (2019-10-01T04:12:59Z)
- Roadshow (2019-09-14T12:38:33Z)

## Q&A
- Q: Hello In the competitive world of crowdfunding, having a strategic promotion plan can make all the difference. Trust us to elevate your Campaign and help you achieve and surpass your funding goals. With our expert Promotion, you'll Increased Visibility, Engagement and Contribution. Let's discuss your Campaign goals and how we can help you achieve the Project Reach out now Facebook; https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558515955329 Telegram; Email; fundsmith001@gmail.com
- Q: Hello In the competitive world of crowdfunding, having a strategic promotion plan can make all the difference. Trust us to elevate your Campaign and help you achieve and surpass your funding goals. With our expert Promotion, you'll Increased Visibility, Engagement and Contribution. Let's discuss your Campaign goals and how we can help you achieve the Project Reach out now Facebook; https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558515955329 Telegram; Email; fundsmith001@gmail.com
- Q: Will you be raising an additional round of funding ?
  - A: Possibly. We'll be having that discussion soon.
- Q: Three questions: First, do people on your tours have the opportunity to visit a mosque and learn about Islam in Palestine or visit a church and learn about Palestinian Christians? You probably are already aware of Bethlehem Bible College. We spent a day there and visiting Aida refugee camp on a tour my father organized in 2013. It was the highlight of the tour for many of us. BBC organizes and hosts the biennial International conference, ”Christ at the Checkpoint.“ They also offer lectures and presentations to visiting tour groups on a variety of topics pertaining to peace, justice, and Christianity. Second, is Green Olive Tours affiliated with any particular religious group? Finally, why “green” olives? Why not black? Thanks!
  - A: Question One: ANSWER - It all depends on the type of tour. We run about 12 day-tours every day from Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Tel Aviv. Some of them do visit religious sites. Some do not. Our weekly 'Bedouin Reality Tour' visits a Mosque and learns about the fundamentals of islam. On our multi-day package tours, we do make every effort to introduce our guests to the various religions of the country. There are some visits to Mosques, Churches and synagogues. On a recent cultural tour, some of the participants performed harp at a Sunday morning church service in Bethlehem, and were also hosted for a 'Shabbat Dinner' with a Jewish family. Of course there is so much more than the 'Big Three' religions in Palestine and Israel. Many of our tours and programs also visit the Samaritans on Mount Grizim near Nablus, the Bahai in Haifa, and the Karaites in Ramleh. All tours that visit Bethlehem include Aida refugee camp, and we also place volunteers there. Green Olive has a close working relationship with the Bethlehem Bible College. Some of our guides were initially trained there. We add another layer of training in the history and development of Palestinian Nationalism and Zionism - and the guides also study the technical aspects of the Occupation and settlement growth. As you likely know, there are a lot of myths in Palestinian society about Israel, Jews, and Zionism. Israeli society also fosters myths and misinformation about Palestinians. Our Israeli and Palestinian guides learn from each other and attend joint training seminars. Green Olive has organised tours that include the Christ at the Checkpoint conference and we have a presence at each event. Question Two: ANSWER - The short answer is NO. We are a non-religious, non-sectarian, and non-national organisation. Question Three: ANSWER - There are almost no black olives in Israel/Palestine, and our various focus groups responded favourably to the name we chose - 10 years ago. It's easy to remember and evokes a Mediterranean image.
- Q: Not a question. Just a note that the word “really” at the end of the video is misspelled. :)
  - A: Oops. Thanks for the correction.
- Q: I don't want this to be an annual contribution billed to my credit card every year. This for me is a onetime minimal investment because I believe in your mission. Am I looking at this correctly?
  - A: This is an investment, not a donation. So you will be issued shares for the value of your investment. There will only be a single transaction for the amount you specify. Welcome to Green Olive
- Q: There are asterisks after several of the perks, but no explanation below as to what they mean. Please clarify.
  - A: Hmm. Good question. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. There seems to be a minor flaw in the text. At the end of the perks you'll see the following text: * Can be gifted to a friend or family member ** Can only be used by the shareholder *** Can be applied to any Green Olive 'in-house tours' Tour perks not including airfare All perks occur after the offering is completed The asterisks seem to be missing from the text on the page. I will have this corrected. Thanks again for your sharp eyes.
- Q: me an my cousin want shares for our photograph together..james
  - A: Yes you do look great together. Looking forward to your investment. I'll make sure you get an extra perk ;-)
- Q: Hello, your story and mission are great! I was wondering what the "exit strategy" is for investors. I know the exact future is uncertain but what are potential intended outcomes for investors? For example do you hope to be acquired by a larger tour company, achieve an IPO, or perhaps reach a point where you will buy out investor shares? Thanks.
  - A: The term, "Exit Strategy", is a modern phrase designed for hi-tecky start-ups and similar get rich quick schemes. Few succeed. This opportunity is in an entirely different category. We are digging in for the long haul. For example, my wife's grandfather bought up a bunch of AT & T stock back in the 1930s and held on to it for several decades during which time it multiplied many times, then many times again. His modest investment of a few thousand dollars grew to be millions. Warren Buffet is notorious for holding on to stock for lengthy periods of time. We are building a legacy organisation in Green Olive. My kids own stock that I hope will be handed down to their kids. I am already gifting some of my stock to my grandchildren. Just as the Collective is on the vanguard of progressive change in Israel/Palestine, so too we are on the cutting edge of social enterprise. Having said that, I should also remind you that our stock has tripled (trebled) in value since we started private placements over six years ago. As yet there is no open market for these shares, but weFunder and other platforms are currently exploring the possibility of setting up a secondary market for crowdfunded shares in the next few years. So no clear exit strategy. These shares will likely not get you rich. But you will have the satisfaction of helping fund a social enterprise at the cutting edge of progressive change in Israel and Palestine. Join us. You won't regret it.
- Q: Why the company margin has shrink when compared to 2017. Considering that you guys increased revenue should the cost decrease as you were engaging more tours?
  - A: Because we are still a young and growing company, we plow our profits back into marketing in order to sustain the growth. This results in small margins, as does our mission to put our extra cash into social change projects and political action. The value in our shares is in their growing value, which has tripled (trebled for you UK folks) since they were issued - and the knowledge that your investment will help foster an environment for progressive change in Israel and Palestine.
- Q: How can you campaign for equality when half the people want to live in a western democracy and half want to live in an islamic style country (probably dictatorship). Its utopian but utterly unrealistic.
  - A: If what you say is true (and many would disagree), then there is even more of a need for our work. Join us in our 'utopian' adventure. Become part of the solution.
- Q: Please describe your advocacy and human rights activities.
  - A: Great question. We advocate for democratic values and human rights during our tours, and illustrate these concepts through meeting people and visiting the separation wall, West Bank settlements, and refugee camps. Our profits fund solidarity work on the ground and international advocacy for peaceful democratic change
- Q: If I decided to invest in you using this crowdfunding campaign, how would i get my legal documents and stocks certificate, What is your nearest estimated date of profits distribution ?
  - A: You will receive a legally binding notice via email of your ownership of shares. There is no actual paper certificate. Sorry but at present we do not distribute profits or dividends.
- Q: What is the estimated monthly income on a 1000 usd investment, when do I start receiving my profits, and how often you distribute the profits, and finally do partners have a priority to work if they were specialized in tourism?
  - A: Great questions. As we detailed in our disclosures in this web page, while the company generates a good cash flow, there are few net profits due to our re-investment in the growth of the business, and disbursements to further our social goals. As a social enterprise we make money in order to do good. Thus far we have not distributed any profits, although the value of our shares has tripled since we issued shares to our early investors. However we cannot make any promises for the future since the future is unknown. However we can assure you that we will take good care of your money. There has been discussion on this website and others about establishing a 'secondary market' for crowdfunded shares, where investors would be able to post their shares for sale, and potentially gain a profit from such sales. However as yet, no formal secondary market has been created. Partners do indeed have priority for work. We have five Palestinian and five Israeli Working Partners. Two work full time in administration, one is our Transport Manager and a bus driver, and the others are all tour leaders, tour guides and lecturers.