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Is Israel For You?

Posted on 02. Dec, 2011 by blogger in Uncategorized

Think of Israel and you may well think of suicide bombs, threats from Iran and a near state of war. It’s been a hotbed of religious unrest and discord for centuries as Christians, Muslims and Jews have fought for control and ownership of some of the most holy land in the world.

But behind the headlines is a country filled with fascinating cities, relics and monuments that many people just want to see first-hand, whether they have faith or are merely interested in seeing history up close.

For all the fighting and terrorism, the tourist hotspots remain relatively unscathed. None of the threat is aimed at tourists and the locals welcome the business.

Israel has much to offer that you won’t see in any other country. Biblical ruins, World War Two memorials, and crusader fortresses interspersed with vibrant city culture make Israel a unique part of the world and well worth a visit.

Visit Tel Aviv if you want a truly cosmopolitan city with a thriving café culture along the waterfront promenade. Or drive for about an hour up the coast to Akko, a fortress city dating back to the Seventh Century: the original Crusader city (that was developed having been seized from the Arabs) is underneath the city that was built upon by the Muslims who had retaken it back in the Thirteenth Century.

Or try water sports on the Sea of Galilee, if that doesn’t seem too sacrilegious.

If you want to see more recent history in horrifying clarity, visit Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem – the Holocaust Memorial. The modern Jewish state was created as a result of the atrocities carried out at that time of year, and the museum is a testament to all the suffering that ultimately led to the Jewish people returning to the Holy Land.

Many people – particularly students – go to Israel to go to work at a Kibbutz. Kibbutz communities in Israel represent a rural, back-to-basics way of life that appeals to many wishing to experience an alternative to commercial Western life. Working with the land is central to the Kibbutz movement and those who wish to join in can expect rewarding, hard work and a sense of great achievement. Kibbutz communities are very much in the minority in Israel (only about 1.5% of the population live and work in them), making them even more of a unique experience that many will want to try. You can volunteer on one of the thirty or so Kibbutzim for a period of two months to six months. They will be a truly memorable part of your personal history if you do.