Israel more about beauty, technology than conflict

Reprinted courtesy of The Herald-Times
August 30, 2008


This guest column was written by Bloomington resident Bob Goldstein, who spent the month of May in Israel as a participant in a Hadassah- sponsored program known as S.P.I.N. (Spring in Netanya). The program combined volunteer work, attendance at lectures and other events, museum and historic site visits, traveling to many parts of Israel and free time that Goldstein used to visit family and friends.

It is difficult for me not to use the word “miracle” when describing present day Israel. The economy is booming (No. 2 high tech country in the world), tourism is at an all-time high, hotels are booked solid and multiple high rise buildings are under construction in most of the metropolitan centers.

Beautiful four- , six- and eight-lane superhighways connect the major metropolitan centers, as well as plentiful bus and rail public transportation throughout the country. When you travel from Tel-Aviv northward all the way to the Lebanese border you are reminded of Indiana farmland. The Israelis have turned deserts into very productive farmland. Millions upon millions of trees have been planted, and Israel has gone “green” in a big way.

The shekel (Israel’s currency) is now considered one of the 10 strongest currencies in the world; and our dollar keeps falling in value against the shekel. For example, a dozen eggs in American money is about $3.

I have been asked if I felt any sense of insecurity or danger in traveling around Israel. The answer is a resounding “no.” Of course, there are many visible signs of security. There are security guards at all hotels and other establishments, but the people are determined to live their lives without being ruled by fear.

We traveled for many miles paralleling the barrier separating Israel from the West Bank. Contrary to popular belief, most of the barrier is a double fence about the height of a regular farm fence. Higher concrete barriers comprise about 5 percent of the total barrier, placed in areas where terrorists can shoot at cars on the highway. The great reduction in suicide bombings is realistic proof of the efficacy of the fence.

Our group was there when Israel celebrated its 60th year of independence, and we attended the celebration in Netanya, a city about 15 miles north of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean. Millions of flags were flown everywhere — on cars, highways, buildings. I asked an Israeli friend if this was an unusual display, being Israel’s 60th. He replied, “No, we do this every year.”

Independence Day in Israel is also called “Mangal Day.” Mangal is the Hebrew word for barbecue; and it’s the tradition on that day to have a barbecue — which of course we did. They say that on Independence Day from the air you can see a barbecue haze over all the metropolitan areas.

The Palestinian conflict is not the focal point of daily life. Many Israelis expressed the hope that the Palestinian people will someday realize there is much more to be gained by peaceful coexistence than by armed conflict. As one Israeli friend expressed it, “Look, they know very well what is happening here in Israel. We will help them build a productive society that will raise their standard of living — all they have to do is ask!”

Israel, a country of 7 million, has 9 to 10 million cell phones. Everyone older than 5 years carries one. In the military, it is mandatory. Boy, they sure love to talk.

Finally, Israelis have been called “Sabras.” Sabra is a desert plant that is prickly on the outside and sweet and tender on the inside. I didn’t find that evident in my contacts with many Israeli people. They love to talk, eat and listen to music; and they truly love the U.S.A. They stand as the one and only true friend of our country in that part of the world.