Let’s say you are watching the news and the anchor brings up Israel. The words usually associated with the topic include war, rockets and conflict. It’s so funny because so many people are afraid to travel to the country, and when they confess this to me, I can’t help but chuckle because anyone who has been there knows. They know that it is one of the safest countries in the world, and when you are there, it doesn’t feel like the country is under constant attack. Israel is by far one of the most amazing places that I have ever been to – for its people, culture, architecture and, most definitely, its food.
Yes, there are rockets launched at you every day, but Israel has invented something called the Iron Dome, which literally blows up a rocket before it can do any damage. The country’s people are so full of life and so giving, yet tough as nails, because that’s how you have to be to live in Israel. The architecture is unbelievable; many of the original stone and structures have been conserved and simply built around. Tzfat has original architecture that dates back to the 16th century, and I actually have been inside of it. It is a Sephardic Synagogue, and it was insane to think that I was standing on the exact floor that people from the 16th century stood on. It is almost as great as the food, which is exceptional (pretty sure that I lived on falafel alone one summer). All of these tie in with the culture, which honestly just focuses on being happy and making the best of every day.
Israelis are tough, headstrong and full of life. You see most countries that are in constant battle zones as being oppressed and just trying to stay alive. But Israel is not like that at all; its people thrive, and if something terrible happens, they come together as one. This past summer, I was in the country when three boys were killed and burned. The whole country came together and mourned as if each child was their own. It was a great tragedy and sparked even more sorrow and tension. Even though I wasn’t a permanent citizen, I felt like I was a part of this giant family. Something changed when this happened; the air around me was filled with sadness and hate. I saw a change in the people, and they decided that enough was enough; things needed to change.
Here is this tiny country, fully surrounded by people who hate them.
For all the times that I have been to Israel, this trip was the one that I made me feel the strongest connection to the country. Being in Israel during this time was inspiring for me; I actually felt united and stronger. I really found a hidden passion and love for Israel, and I realized that even I needed to fight for Israel. I did the same thing I did every summer: I hung out with my friends and saw my family. But every topic consisted of the war. Everyone spoke with such fervor, and I could really feel the words that they spoke. I just truly felt linked to every single person. It was just so interesting, because on social media, I would be exposed to so many different opinions. Facebook was flooded with people showing support for Israel, as well as people who were completely against the country.
The world criticizes Israel for standing up for itself and for showing that it is not OK to terrorize its people. Every day, sirens were going off, yet that never stopped the citizens from continuing their everyday life. Despite everything going on around me, I never felt unsafe. It truly is an amazing place, and I urge everyone to go and visit. There is no place like Israel.
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