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I was always annoyed at some of the misconceptions and stereotypes people have about Israel. I have wanted to start a thread about it for a long time, but I thought it would enhance no discussions since it is just narrative. But LDS and Nighthawk have pressured me and convinced me that it is a worthwhile topic, so here it is.

Here are some questions I have been asked, some more annoying than others.

-Wow, isn't Israel a total desert with houses out of clay?

Israel is known to be really vast in its conditions, despite its small size. The northern part is generally green and flourishing, with mountains and valleys, while the south is a desert. While the desert takes about a third of the land, it takes just a small bit of the population, and even those who do live there don't live in clay houses, but rather in the inhabited parts of the desert.

-Wasn't the transition from Israel to the US an immense change? How is it to see such a different culture?

Compared to other Middle Eastern countries, Israel is quite advanced and the difference in modernity between it and the US is slim. Cultures, though, are different. I was really annoyed at first with the type of people here in the US. Everyone smiles, and behaves mannerly, or you"re a gangster. Relating to the Id, Ego, and Super Ego thread I created earlier, either id or super ego. A very few that are ego - that act freely according to their own beliefs, emotions and desires. Of course, I was exaggerating a bit, and I managed to blend in the society.

- Wait, you don't wear a skullcap, or eat kosher, aren't you a Jew?

Jewish has become an adjective referring to all Israelis, no matter of what religion. Since Jews have long since traveled from country to country and have been scattered around the world, they were being identified as Jewish. In reality, though, a very small percent of the Israeli population is religious - most are atheist or agnostic, I don't really know the difference. The terms are often attached to a negative meaning, but it just means non-religious. Israel is really different in religious behavior than the US. In the united states, about 80% of the people are religious. Here, though, your religion does not affect your personal life as much as it does to the religious people in Israel. In Israel, all religious Jews have to wear black clothes, either a hat or a skullcap, eat Kosher, not use electricity on weekends, and grow earwigs. There are those that are moderate, but mostly - if you"re Jewish then you"re Jewish all the way. The percentage of those is only about 30% of the population.

- Aren't you prejudiced by the religious Jews?

Actually, it's mostly the other way around. The religious are the minority, therefore they are the ones that are usually prejudiced or laughed at, although it is not that common. The two major parties of Israel are both non-religious and the religious party usually wins about 9% of the votes. There are special religious schools, therefore most schools do not contain both religious and non-religious Jews, but the case does occur, and is not prohibited.

- How do you feel when you visit some of the holy places for Christians and Jews (or Muslims)?

I actually do not pay attention to those places. I am sure I was in many places that are considered holy, but, if I did, we did not visit it for that purpose, but rather for a vacation. I am sure more religious people will have different views.

- So where do you live? Tel Aviv? Jerusalem? Nazareth?

Those are the known places, but Israel contains many other villages and towns. I lived in Tel Aviv once, but I was really young then and remember nothing of it. My mother and father grew up when Israel was just founded, in small villages, that are called in Israel a Kibbutz, or in English a collective settlement. I never lived in such, but I have visited many, and though it sounds really old-fashioned, it is pretty modern in technology. Only the size is pretty small. Also, the collective settlements are places with lots of farms and agriculture.

- Isn't it really dangerous there?

It is pretty dangerous, but not as it may seem. The danger really comes if you live in the outskirts of Israel, and, although there have been many cases of terrorism in the heart of Israel, none of my relatives have ever been hurt. It is a danger, but you learn to live with it.

Hope it helps you!

Tourism Israeli Tours Israel

The bottom line is: Do I go to visit Israel next summer or is still to dangerous for a foreign tourist.?

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It depends on where you want to visit. If it's a big city on the outskirts of the country, then I would say no, don't go. If it's a city in the center of Israel, then, yes, it is worth it. There will still be a small chance. If you will just go to a small village, there is almost no risk at all.

We go there every summer, and it doesn't even cross our minds as a factor.

Edited: Smudge on 7th Dec, 2004 - 8:41pm

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Hi, Maicman. I live in Israel (Jerusalem) and I strongly reccomend you to come and visit. Like Smudge said, it is not as dangerous as it seems when you are watching the news. Besides, now it is very quiet since we are about to face cease-fire (I realy hope it will work...).
There is so much to see here and so much to do: wether you like traveling, museums, visiting in holy places or going out to clubs and pubs.

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Thanks for that review MissT. It is one of my dreams to go to Israel someday! I would love to visit Jerusalem and Bethelehem (because of religious reasons), I would love to try the food and chat with the people.

Israel Tours - Israeli Tourism

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Tourists visiting Israel face email inspections:

Security officials given approval to search email accounts of 'suspicious' travellers despite petition over invasion of privacy Ref. Source 6

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Should You Add Israel To Your Trip Itinerary


Despite the number of Israeli travelers making their way around the world, there are comparatively few who put this small nation on their travel itinerary. And yet, the country is thick with history, culture, and contemporary places to party. Jo Fitzsimons explains why Israel and the Palestinian Territories should be on the backpacking trail.
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