The main impetus for starting this blog is the frustration of hearing so many people - friends, family, acquaintances and strangers - have such totally incorrect images of what daily life is like in Israel.
Today I had a conversation with an airline steward who works for an American airline with regular service between the USA and Tel Aviv. Here is what he told me.
According to him "without exception, every crew member coming to Tel Aviv for the first time is totally amazed!".
"They just never expect to see such a modern thriving lively metropolis. They have some image of desert, camels, armed soldiers behind barbed wire, potential suicide bombers on every corner".
He went on to tell me that they all say they want to return to visit in more detail.
It's not just airline crews.
Most first timers just don't expect the beaches, the cafes, the movie houses, the Irish pubs, the discos - never mind the shopping malls full of the latest fashions from the leading European and American designers. Streets crowded with people and vehicles, all hurry and bustle.
It is a constant source of amazement to me that so many people will vacation in Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries but are afraid to take the jump across to Israel. I know it in my own family and have heard it often from others.
Their images are based on CNN - images of violence and terror.
Of course there is violence but nowhere near the level in the West. Per capita, London, New York, Miami and most major cities have an incredibly higher number of acts of violence perpetrated on civilians than Israel with all its headline making terrorist attacks.
More on this subject in the next posting
Have been to Israel many times (4 or 5) since 1976. Aside from the religious experience of visiting the birth of three major moneithistic religions, I have found the country to be very vibrant, exciting, cutting edge and an enjoyable place to be. From the beaches of Tel Aviv and Natania to the holy city of Jerusalen, the playground of the northern european countries, Elat, and places inbetween, Israel is as modern and anchent as London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Tokoyo or Syndey. Their high tech industries rival all and every one else in the world. I felt safer there than many places here in Los Angeles.
Posted by: Ron Weiss | October 24, 2008 at 06:37 AM