Not sure where to put this... should I go to Jerusalem?

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My school requires students to study abroad to graduate, and right now they're looking for enough people to go to Jerusalem for a short two-week trip next winter. We'll also be going to Bethlehem and Tel Aviv during that time, and for most of the trip we will be staying at the Lutheran Guest House. The trip will focus on interfaith relationships. Most of the study abroad programs are too overwhelming for me so I have a very limited number of things I can apply for and they're all very popular so they fill up very quickly. Jerusalem is one that they struggle to find the numbers for every year. I'm interested in religion and because I'm Christian many sites in the city are important to my faith. Though I don't find it necessary to make a pilgrimage anywhere, it would be nice to see the historical and religious landmarks.
However, Jerusalem is a big city with a confusing layout. There's a constant threat of terrorist attacks and riots. It's very crowded especially in winter because of religious holidays. Because of my autism, I'm worried about the security because I've had problems with security guards in my own country that is rarely under direct attack. Trying to get through security in a place that is constantly worried about terrorists, I'm worried I'll be detained. Especially in today's political climate, both security and the terrorists they're trying to stop are a huge concern for me.
I don't see any reason why I should go, but I feel like I should because it's probably the only trip I'll be able to go on. When I'm a senior I'll have priority but I'm not sure that will be enough to get me into the programs that are less likely to overwhelm me. What should I do? I feel like I'm being paranoid and xenophobic.

If you have a close and trusted friend in the group, someone with whom you feel secure even "after hours" it should be OK. It can be very daunting to be totally alone in a strange country.

I would think you'd have a higher chance of getting detained in the US! And terrorism is a threat in most countries these days - there are certainly more dangerous places than Israel. Two weeks isn't very long - you should be fine.

It could be a very enriching experience and you should emerge at the end with some very good memories.

You know, most people in the world are not as confrontational as US cops/security guards/soldiers. Similar professions in other countries are often a lot more calm, so as not to provoke an incident. I haven't been to Israel, but I know they're used to tourists.

I would love to go to Jerusalem. Going to historical places makes you understand things in a way no book can make you. Visiting Berlin and Vienna made a profound impression on me and answered questions I had about the 2nd world war.

You should definitely go. It's with a group, yes? Stick with the group, especially the group leader, and you'll be fine. If you have a diagnosis, consider getting a medical bracelet for the trip, just as a safety issue. In the airports just be plain and answer questions, if any, with simple answers -- yes, sir; no, sir. And of course don't try to smuggle anything. You'll have a great time.

I'm not sure I'll be able to experience much of anything if I'm dealing with constant sensory overload from large crowds. In Times Square in NYC, I can only get through it by holding onto the sleeve of the group leader and focusing on my destination. If the entire city is that crowded, there's no escape. That and I'm pretty sure I'll have jet lag. I know somebody who will be going but we're not close.

Where would you like to go if you could choose?

I would love to go anywhere in the world at my own pace, but the programs at my school that I feel are best are: Iceland, New Zealand, and Hawaii. The Hawaii one is partly a service trip so it's not just a vacation. Iceland and New Zealand are tours of the entire country so we would not be in a big city the whole time.

Those are certainly less crowded places and NZ especially is a place I'd love to visit, especially the South Island.

If you feel Jerusalem may be too crowded for you, give it a miss. If you haven't been abroad before it might not be the best place to start. But there are definitely worse and more crowded places.