On November 17, the Irwin Cotler Fellows embarked on their first field trip of the academic year to the magnificent ancient city of Beit She’an in Northern Israel. At the crossroads between ancient highways and empires, Beit She’an was a city of great significance for millennia—from King Saul’s battles with the Philistines to a bustling Roman and later Byzantine cultural hub. While a massive earthquake flattened most of the city in the 8th century, thick layers of mud and silt covered and preserved the archaeological wonders, which awaited to be rediscovered more than one thousand years later. Today, Beit She’an is home to perhaps the most marvelous archaeological excavations in Israel. Giacomo Scassellati (Italy), commented that "the visit to beautiful and remarkably well-preserved archeological site highlighted the deep history of the Land of Israel, making it one of the most fascinating places to visit."

Following Beit She'an, the Fellows traveled to the nearby Gan HaShlosha (Sakhne) National Park, one of Israel's most beautiful national parks that is home to several warm natural spring pools, where they swam and relaxed in the afternoon sun. After a bit of relaxation, the trip concluded with a lecture and discussion on archaeology, identity, and politics.