The true story of Gilad Shalit

After more than five years in captivity, Israel and Hamas inked a landmark deal which will see the 25-year-old soldier, Gilad Shalit's freed within days in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel's Prisoner swap fills the airways. Arguments are made for and against; A stream of words flows endlessly even before the swap has occurred.

Our tour group is far away from all that noise. We are climbing up Masada, an ancient desert fortress situated on top of an enormous, isolated rock engulfed by the silence of the desert.

As our tour group arrives at the top, we spot, between the stony ruins, a plank of soldiers shouting in-sync. "Masada shall never again fall!". It is an oath made by every combat soldier in Israel.

After Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple in 70, the Great Revolt ended-except for the surviving Zealots, who fled Jerusalem to the fortress of Masada, near the Dead Sea. There, they held out for three years. As the Romans succeeded breaching Masada's walls, Elazar ben Yair, the Zealots’ leader, decided that all the Jewish defenders should commit suicide.

Elazar preached; "I cannot but esteem it as a favor that God has granted us, that it is still in our power to die bravely, and in a state of freedom."

This speech and the Masada story recorded by the first century historian Flavius Josephus, became a symbol of the conviction that it is preferable to fight to the end rather than to surrender and acquiesce to the loss of independent statehood.
Jewish tradition largely ignored this story until recent times. The reason may be that Jewish law strictly forbids suicide and that Jewish tradition sanctifies life rather than death.

Announcing the Government decision, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quoted the Talmud (Jewish law). "Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world".

Netanyaho conveniently skipped the first portion of the Talmudic verse "Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world." To save one life, Israel has taken a grave risk on others. The agreement frees murders such as Ibrahim Jundiya, who dispatched a suicide bomber to a Jerusalem bus in 2002. Eleven bus passengers were murdered in the bombing , Fadi Muhammad al-Jabaa who plotted the suicide bomb attack on a Haifa bus in 2003, in which 17 passengers were murdered, Maedh Abu Sharakh, also convicted of plotting the Haifa bus bombing. Mazen Muhammad Faqha, who plotted the 2002 suicide bus bombing near Safed, in which nine passengers were murdered and forty injured, Tamimi Ahlam, the Palestinian female Hamas terrorist convicted of aiding and abetting the suicide bomber who murdered 15 civilians and injured 140 in the 2001 Sbarro pizzeria bombing and Abd al-Aziz Salaha, who in 2001 took part in the murder of two IDF soldiers who mistakenly drove into Ramallah. Salaha was caught on camera holding out hands covered in blood after beating one of the soldiers to death.
To this Hamas leadership says: "We welcome our heroes that are returning from the occupation's jails."
The price Israel is paying is painful and controversial. Even amongst the bereaved families of terror victims there is no consensus. But the majority of Israelis support this deal. This controversy and its conclusion are the real story of Gilad Shalit. A story that is beyond one soldier, or one family. It is the story of a nation that faced with surrounding enemies, and the imminent threat of extinction seeks the moral path.

I am grateful to be living in a country where we discuss such important questions of ethics and values. Where even one soldier jailed for 5 years is not forgotten. Where we make choices based on our moral stance and not our interests alone. Where one life is sanctified to such overwhelming extents that a deal like this could be brokered and supported.

I believe that this is our strength, our fortress in this hostile region. So long as we are true to our values and heritage Masada will never again fall!

Identity Travel Israel - Newsletter October 2011

Palestinian UN Bid and the Inevitability of Change

As Mahmoud Abbas, Chairman of the Palestinian Authority marches assertively into the UN assembly to bid for a recognized Palestinian State, there is no doubt: Change is coming. To his denouncers Abbas says: "it is inevitable."

In today's diplomatic arena change is ever present. But New York is far from the streets of Jerusalem where Identity Travel is guiding a tour group through the ancient sites. For most Palestinians living here, and for their Israeli neighbours the thought of a Palestinian deceleration of statehood without a bi-partisan agreement is a petrifying concept. The unanswered questions and daunting challenge that lie in store are like darkness around a forbidding forest trail. Who can help but fear the violence that seems to lurk around every corner. Who dares contemplate the mere possibility that the wrong path has been chosen.

The tour group walks with me through the Arab Quarter of the Old City. The scenery of old stone and tourist mementos (for all faiths and denominations) has seen little change over the years. Talking to people here, one finds their opinions to be as diverse as their reflection. An old Arab market vendor with a long white turban and a thick moustache says "Why this? Why now? No good for business!" Down the pebbled alleyway a head covered Jewish woman with a long Jeans skirt says; "This country was promised to the Jewish people by G-d and no one has the right to give it away!" A soldier in uniform cuts her off: "Let them have it! Let them deal with their own problems, I would rather be out in Tel Aviv than spending my time in the checkpoint on the way to Ramallah."

Regardless, of their preference they all seem to rush and make their judgment: For or against, good or bad. But while there are pitfalls in every path, surely, each route we travel also has its merits - if only for the experience gained along the way.

It is important in these dynamic times to realize that every change entails an opportunity and a challenge. Every unknown future into which we stride cannot simply be labelled as better or as worse than the present – it is, however, simply different.

The current challenge to the status quo, whether it shall bring about real change or not for ordinary Palestinians and Israelis, will no doubt elevate the Israel-Palestine conflict back into the limelight of public discussion. A Palestine with 1967 borders, recognized or not by the international community, leaves an Israel with 1967 borders as its necessary partner. My tour group walks the invisible green line and we all wonder: Decelerations aside, what will happen next?

My guess; after all the dust settles at the UN, the Palestinians and Israelis will find no other choice but to return to the negotiations' table and there, as they will be forced to choose their path, they will face yet again the inevitability of change.

Identity's tour groups will keep strolling through Jerusalem's markets and asking people for their opinion, After all, the dynamic nature and extraordinary diversity of thought is Israel's most powerful tourist attraction.

Identity Travel Launches New Engaging Tour in Collaboration with Christian Friends of Israel

This tour allows participants to enjoy an intellectually stimulating first-hand experience of Israel, prior to attending the CFI conference.

Modi'in, Israel September 6th, 2011 - Identity Travel, a leading tour operator specializing in educational and politically-relevant tours, announced today the launch of its Engage Israel Tour in collaboration with Christian Friends of Israel. This enriching tour combines educational content and sightseeing to further the understanding of Israel's historical, cultural and political heritage. The itinerary includes eight days of touring seamlessly followed by the 4 day CFI Jerusalem conference.

This May 27th - June 7th integrates New and Old Testament heritage sites, Zionist sites and contemporary tourist attractions with diverse key note speakers and politically-charged workshops. The highpoint of this experience will be in Jerusalem where participants will join the Christian Friends of Israel Annual Conference.

Eran Kolran, Director and Co-Founder at Identity Travel Israel, says: "Identity Travel is delighted to be able to join forces with Christian Friends of Israel to promote understanding through travel. We have no doubt that our customers will see the conference as one of the highlights of the tour."

“CFI is welcoming Identity Travel to join our Annual CFI Conference in Jerusalem for 2012,” says Sharon Sanders, Executive Director of Christian Friends of Israel. "It has always been a highlight and unforgettable experience for Christians who love Israel to attend.”

CFI's conference has brought thousands of Christian supporters to Jerusalem over the past 26 years for in-depth teaching of God’s Word on Israel. The conference will include some of the world’s most distinguished speakers on Israel and the Church as well as Christian praise and worship.

About Christian Friends of Israel
Christian Friends of Israel (CFI), headquartered in Jerusalem is a charitable, non-profit, international evangelical Christian ministry registered in Israel with representative offices throughout the world. They are charter members of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus and pioneers in the Christian Zionist movement.

About Identity Travel Israel
Identity Travel Ltd. is a pioneering educational tour operator headquartered in Modiin, Israel. Since its establishment the company has launched a variety of group travel itineraries for academic seminars, senior travel, Jewish and Christian tour groups as well as political activists. The company's mission is to promote understanding through educational travel. For more information see our websites http://www.identitytour.com and http://www.christian-tour.com

NOT ANOTHER PILGRIMAGE! New Christian Tourism

How many times have you heard of yet another pilgrimage to Israel? Ever since the dawn of Christianity, a modest but constant stream of dedicated believers have made their way to the Holy Land to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. After the Six Day War in 1967 Israel's tourism experienced unprecedented growth and achieved a staggering 2 million tourists a year. That’s when pilgrimages to Israel first became a marketable product – a business.

Many Christians have ventured here over the decades touring sites related to the life of Jesus or mentioned in the New Testament. Seeing the sites dating to this very specific 40 year era is in itself such a moving and fulfilling experience that tourists often felt no further need to expand the scope of their spiritual exploration. The tour operators, to their end, failed to provide innovation and thus pilgrimages were reduced to a sightseeing checklist devoid of any context or contemporary relevance.

Today's Christian tourist is no longer satisfied with the classic 'Walk in His footsteps ' pilgrimage. Many supplement the traditional sites with Old Testament sites and Jewish sites to get a better understanding of the backdrop to the birth of Christianity. Others take a wider view to Christian history, including its less convenient segments such as the Crusades. Most of all, Christians are interested these days in the political situation, the role and stance of Christianity on the issues of modern day Israel.

The Christian Tourism of today is a true exploration, offering a spiritual journey of discovery. A discovery of ancient roots ignored for millenniums, a discovery of the connection to the land, the people, and their fate – It is an exploration into ones identity and that, my friends, is the essence of all meaningful travel.
At Identity Travel we try to cater to this demand and we have created educational tours that offer self-discovery through history, culture and politics. Our agenda is to educate our customers and enrich their sense of place, time and identity. If our success is in any way a reflection of the extent of this new market, Israel's potential for growth as a tourist destination for the 'thinking Christian market' is infinite.

Camping Out in the Acropolis

Tour Groups traveling through Tel Aviv recently might have been very surprised. Down the street from the Theater and Culture Hall, right smack in the bustling central streets of Israel's largest metropolis, an endless row of colorful camping tents popped up like mushrooms. Young couples with guitars and homemade demonstration signs lay in the summer heat and humidity, men and women trying to gain attention for their worthy cause. Under the shade of the ancient sycamore trees that line the Boulevard, these demonstrations seems almost as out of place as the trees themselves. Here in a city whose residents are constantly reproached for their apathy and lack of conviction, no one thought a new movement would take to the streets.

The young rebels are protesting against the hike in real estate prices all over Israel and in Tel Aviv in particular. "We will be left with no option but to live in tents" they say. They are angry at the government who they say is not doing enough to restrain apartment prices or create new budgetary housing for students. Their rhetoric often strays to socialism although they would never admit to being socialists; often they stray to other vexing issues and seem to lose focus. Yet they seem to embody something far more encompassing then their own opinion, a notion almost universally felt and expressed.

Walking between the tents this week I couldn't help but think of Tel Aviv's modest beginnings. In Patrick Geddes's town plan blue prints from 1919, which are the foundation of the city plan till this day one finds a social utopia, a city where green urban gardens serve all classes of citizens, and shade and benches are provided for everyone's pleasure, where intimate residential blocks are weaved together to form a wider communal form of city life. The apex of this plan was to be situated on the top of the hill just off the main boulevard, an urban acropolis that would serve both as city hall and the city's cultural epicenter with theaters and concert hall. Geddes's Acropolis is today where the youth demonstrations are held.

Around the thousands that came to the acropolis to manifest their discontent the Bauhaus international style buildings for which this city is famous seem but a shadow of their glorious past. The international Bauhaus style was an ornament-less functionality-first school of architecture that became popular in Tel Aviv in the 1930's because it provided affordable and practical housing . Their white exterior gave the city its reputation as the White City.

Today the white exteriors are covered with black and grey soot, many of the old sycamore gardens where cleared away to make room for modern high-rises, and although we they are far more rich than they were, Israel's working class find much less time to engage in cultural activities at Gedes's Acropolis.

Perhaps the youth procession in Tel Aviv expresses our nostalgic longing to the social ideals this city was founded on. Even if it was only a utopia and was never realized, at least we once aspired to build a better more socially just society where every person can afford a roof over his head, a night at the theater and some pleasant shade under the old sycamore trees.

Glenn Beck Preaching to the Choir in Israel

Popular and controversial American TV commentator Glenn Beck arrived in Israel. Speaking at a meeting of the Knesset Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee Beck Said: "We have created a system of politicians who are afraid to tell the truth. Instead they're telling people what they think they want to hear," said Beck, recalling that he mistakenly viewed Israel as a hostile, war-torn nation before actually visiting himself.

When asked why he retired his show on Fox News Beck said "I was tired of preaching to the choir".

Beck touches on an important issue. He complains that the only people who tune in to his show, are people who already agree with his opinion, people who subscribe to the gospel he preaches.

Becks gospel like any other is a narrative, a story. People are storytellers and the stories are the way our mind views history and justice. It serves as a framework for our human experience and the foundation of our moral, social and national values. Although truth may be predominantly the premise of the stories we choose to tell ourselves it is seldom an entire and all-encompassing truth.

However flawed our perception of the world may be, we are inclined to strengthen our conviction with the embrace of like-minded individuals and communities. We find people who agree with us, at least to some extent, and surround ourselves with their soothing voices of solidarity, adding our own to the mix to the constant sound of their applause.

It is in this spirit that chairman MK Danny Danon (Likud) invited Glenn Beck to share his support of Israel with the Knesset committee and the reason he was so lavishly praised by its members. "It isn't a coincidence that you're a religious person [and support Israel]," said Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely. "This conflict isn't territorial. If it was, it would have been solved a long ago".
Hotovely continued: "This is a religious battle led by Islam. We can't ignore this basic truth. It's important that we stand behind a historical truth: We're not just here because of Zionism, but because of the Bible."

As an Israeli, I believe in this truth, in our right to be here, in our just cause, in the danger of fundamental Islam and yet it does not suffice me to hear this truth alone. If its truth we are after it cannot be partial it must be inclusive, it must include the Palestinian story, the Muslim story, the Christian story, the Jewish story. It is not history and fact that lend importance to these stories but rather the abundance of people that believe in them and live their lives by them.

On August 24 Beck will host a "Restoring Courage" rally in Jerusalem. He said thousands are expected to attend, including 70 prominent world politicians and four US presidential candidates. Beck said he hopes the event will help Israelis see that they are not alone, even if the mainstream media tries to make it out as though they are.

Glenn Beck is right about mainstream media covering only the stories in line with their school of thought. But the reason Glenn Beck is still preaching to the choir is that he acts in precisely the same bias.

What is needed in order to achieve true change is not more preaching but rather more listening. Not bigger mega-phones and rallies but rather bigger and more sensitive ears and hearts. if we seek a truth that is more inclusive we can find a narrative that leads to peace, a story with a happy ending.