Israel, also known as Palestine, has a long, turbulent history, and it's not getting any calmer. One interesting thing about this godforsaken land, and I mean that literally, is how arid, infertile and unwelcoming it is, yet people from all over the world are clamouring to live there, to join the religious hoe-down in Jerusalem and never mind barren land, water shorages, nervous 17 year olds fingering M-16s, over-excitable attack helicopters, suicide bombings or brutal racial murders.

Smart, determined, hardworking Jews fear smart, determined, hardworking Palestinians, who reciprocate with the barely controlled fury of an oppressed people. Meanwhile Christians of all denominations and races wander around blissfully ignoring it all, happy in the Holy Land, while the USA pumps in $10bn a year to keep the wheels of Zion turning, much of which the far right spends on building avant-garde weapons and fomenting war against half their own people and the entire Arab world.
Israel: dry it is, dull it isn't.

An email from Bethany

I just wanted to say, your depiction of Israel is less than admirable. You supposedly promote tours, but in your list of "downsides" you basically contradict that. I visited Israel in March of 2006, and I have to say it was absolutely AMAZING. The countryside was breaktaking and VERY fruitful with huge variation across the country, the people (ALL people) were incredibly warm and welcoming, the armed forces were friendly & unabrasive, and all the Biblical sites we visited were magnificent!! Really, I don't understand your "downsides" at all! In fact, Israel is probably the most exciting, gorgeous place I have EVER been (and I have traveled many places). I truly think you're misconstruing everything about this beautiful country. I strongly suggest that you remove the list of "downsides" from your web-page. Thanks for hearing me out!

Bethany

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