We are young digital natives reaching out across seemingly impenetrable national, social, political, ethnic, and sectarian barriers, employing the freedom created by media platforms to demand and create our own civil discourse.
I was visiting some of my favorite Israeli blogs today when I saw this weird ad displayed on one of them. It was in flash, so I took a few screenshots of what I can get:
That’s not exactly the most touristy image for Israel.
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Y’know, I was planning a trip to Disneyworld when my daughter turned 5, but now….
“That’s not exactly the most touristy image for Israel.”
Depends on their target market. Israel is capitilizing off its depiction in the media as kind of a warrior state. This will work for people who like guns and are afraid of terrorist attacks. However, it will isolate others. I am not sure this is the angle they want to play up either.
On another note, I am not against guns…there will always be criminals who have them despite any gun-control laws. I just don’t feel this is the type of thing that should be overplayed at this current time.
This is not really Israel, but a thin angel which people outside Israel prefer to see. Israel is combined with ancient and new layers of history and life, advanced science and agriculture initiative projects, rich culture and art, and each tourist can find his/her interest there.
“Israel is combined with ancient and new layers of history and life, advanced science and agriculture initiative projects, rich culture and art, and each tourist can find his/her interest there.”
Thats exactly what they should be promoting!
True, Madmax…
Israel is worth a visit, despite all, despite such things. It’s just that I know out of my own experience and from the impressions I heard also from many first time visitors to Israel that whatever they see here – it’s VERY DIFFERENT from the outside image people have. And I think that anyone who would really want to understand what’s happening here on the ground.
And – no kidding, Esra’a – you would find the perfect tour guide in me – I’d fill your address book with addresses of people to talk to on both sides. If you really think of coming, do it – I can assure you that you won’t regret it!
I beg to differ! When she returns home, and they discover the Israel stamp on her passport, she’d regret it when she’s prevented entry, or at best, is shipped off to prison for espionage.
But then again, aren’t most Arab passports stamped “valid for all countries except Israel?”
Israelis get into trouble with their governments for visiting Arab countries too, y’know.
I’m sorry to contradict you, Kawthar!
In Israel this is a very known issue. Anyone can ask to get his visa stamp on a sheet apart and NOT in your passport.
It IS recommended though, if possible to visit Israel with a non-Arab passport. About 2 month ago a student from Cairo came to visit Israel and the West Bank for the first time – but not with her Egyptian passport, and not directly from Cairo, but with her British passport and coming from Cyprus.
I remember lots of hot israeli girls with guns when I went…oh and a bomb diffusion on the streets of Haifa…it was in 1995 right after Rabin was killed.
OMG! – 1996 and the next few years were the worst time we ever had.
In January/February 1996 there were Bus bombings in Jerusalem literally every week or every two weeks…
It’s a lot better now.
All societies have good and bad. In free societies, people are allowed to talk about both. And therefore, in Israel, people are allowed to advertise, and even make a buck, by playing to some people’s fascination with guns.
Does this define Israel. Not really. I think that on the whole, Israelis are much more inclined toward peace than war. Guns are a part of the reality of the need to survive. Yes. But they do not dominate Israeli culture. Music, and dance, and academics, and business, and art, and religion, and architecture, are far more descriptive of Israeli culture, than guns.
I think there is a natural inclination in the world to hold Israel up to a very high standard, higher than anything that has been achieved by any other nation on earth. In light of that high standard, anything that happens in Israel, that does not measure up to that standard, is singled out and condemned around the world. Maybe this is good, in a way, because it forces Israel to be highly cognizant of its place in the world. But on the other hand, it’s a hard burden to carry.
Yes, Israel has good and bad. And no, I’m not particularly fond of guns, even though I am very fond of self-defense. Israel is far from perfect. But I choose to believe, based on plenty of evidence, that perfection is her goal, and that on the whole, the search for peace and justice guides her way.
LOL@WARRIOR STATE COMMENT
Where I come from warriors fight warriors, not little babies.
It may be funny, but I do not think of that as a compliment. I am trying to say that war plays a huge negative role in the other countries view Israel. To try to capitalize of that is stupid and hurtful. Israel should not be aggressive and expansionistic. Such a mentality will only further complicate all problems in the region.
But, to be fair: Where I come from “little babies” do not blow themselves up among civilians. The Israelis are certainly not saints but the Palestinians are far from innocent victims. Both sides at this point are preoccupied with punitive measures that they believe will make their enemies piss themselves and go away. Not going to happen. Neither Israelis or Palestinians are going anywhere. The sooner both parties (and the rest of the world) accepts this the sooner we can achieve lasting peace.
Hey!
Im Hixam, and im thinking to visit Israel this summer! but after i read your postings im wondering if its true that they will treat me differently when they know im Moroccan-Arab. And im also wondering if do i need a visa to enter Israel ?
Peace
If you come with a Moroccan passport it could be difficult. The student who came from Egypt came with a British Passport but as the security guards noticed her name (which is Arabic without a doubt) she was questioned more severely than if here name had been Jane Smith.. But still, I’m sure that you can come, and if you do, I suggest that you contact me so that I can tell you about a few things that you must be careful of..
If you need a visa or not depends on which passport you have, and you best ask that question to your local Israeli embassy.
Thanks Eva!4
This is my email, contact me, i wanna know more about the procedures before i come there
Jessekadiri2@aol.com