So, things aren’t so rosy in this neck of the desert right now, as you’ve probably heard and seen.
But this is where I come in! You know, it’s much better to hear about what’s really going on from the horse’s mouth, from someone who is actually here, and who lives and breathes Israel…
It happens, these cycles of tension and terror, and I’ve written about them before (remember this from 2009 – There’s a war going on don’t you know). Part and parcel of being in Israel, part and parcel of being embedded deep in the Middle East, however much Israel and Israelis like to think they’re part of an extended south-eastern leg of Europe…
This time, even the rockets being fired from Gaza are targeting the big cities, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem (and even beyond those cities), ensuring that much of the country is within shooting range. Which, in turn, has impacted the lives of so many more Israelis and tourists than in previous episodes.
But what’s it like being in Israel right now?
I’m not going to lie and say “life’s a beach”. It should be, of course, but these last few days have been far from the beach bum lifestyle I crave…but not necessarily because of the rocket attacks. Life for me is non-stop, with or without these rockets!
I’m not going to lie and say everyone is laughing and joking and pulling out their smartphones every time the Iron Dome missile system takes out another rocket over the skies of Israel. Some people certainly are, but most people know they should be seeking a safe, protected place when those sirens go off.
And that brings me onto the sirens. That eerie siren wail that suddenly punctuates the air and kicks your adrenalin into the stratosphere. I remember hearing the sirens for the first time, and hearing them again with three small kids to think about now, isn’t much fun. As I’m writing this, my three are in Tel Aviv with their mum and grandparents, and knowing they are hearing sirens and running for cover isn’t the easiest thing in the world to take on.
Seriously, as a non-Jew in the Holy Land, these are the times when living here gets hard; I never quite feel attached to all the nationalistic pride blaring out, especially from the media, and yet I do feel attached to this little slice of heaven in so many ways…
But, hey, regardless of little old me, this is Israel, and life continues.
People are going to work, people are going to the beach, and people are still living. Certain elements in Gaza will be deeply disappointed to hear that, but that is what’s happening.
OK, the numbers on Tel Aviv beach may have dwindled a bit (more room at the weekend, yes!), and there is certainly some tension in the air (Facebook seems to be the place to air your grievances and yes, cull your list of “friends”), but most people are carrying on almost as usual, bar the interruptions sent by those nice guys down south.
Tourists currently here are still enjoying themselves. Nobody is stampeding towards the airport in a mass exodus. In fact, according to the Ministry of Tourism, there are some 120,000 tourists currently in Israel and they are still touring the country and seeing what makes Israel so special. Flights are operating normally in and out of Ben Gurion International Airport (UPDATE: some flights are now getting cancelled, so check with your airline), and there are still some 90 airlines connecting Israel with the rest of the world.
I’m a tourist and want to visit. Should I postpone?
I should say, No, of course not!… but, unfortunately, this episode looks like it might take a few weeks to sort out.
If Israel is on your must-see list and you’ve been saving for years and your flight is next week, I say come on over. Tread the tourist routes carefully, keep your wits about you, and you’ll be fine.
If you were on the fence about coming over before this flare-up, I’d say hold your horses and see what pans out over the next few days/weeks.
If you’ve got balls of steel and want to follow in my footsteps, then grab your bags and get on that plane!
Seriously though, stay safe!
*** I posed the question to the iGoogledisrael Facebook page whether or not my 20,000+ fans would visit Israel right now, or wait until it’s a little calmer…the answers surprised me, see below! ***