By: Nathan Downey, University of British Columbia, Hasbara Fellow
Israel: Like No Other
To travel from Vancouver to Israel instead of anywhere else in the world, I often get asked why. When my other friends are choosing Europe and Australia, I’m usually in a mode of self-defence when explaining my journey to Israel.
Stepping on the soil of a foreign continent for the first time, the only thing distinguishing between home and Israel was the Hebrew lettering on signs; otherwise, it seemed no different than home. Driving through the hills to Jerusalem reminded me of the landscape of the British Columbian interior. Short trees dotted the hills, and farms spread throughout the land. I also realized, contrary to a seemingly popular belief, that Israel wasn’t dangerous at all.
During our time in Jerusalem, I had plenty of time to experience it for myself. I walked to the Old City in the evening, took the Jerusalem LRT, and explored the various markets dotting the city. An evening stroll, a transit ride, and shopping — is that any different than what I’d experience in Vancouver? The difference is that in Jerusalem, I’m visiting one of the most hotly-contested cities in the world.
Looking out into the distance towards the Dead Sea, I’m witnessing the same landscape as Abraham, Isaac, David, and Solomon all saw. No wonder so many people want control of the land. What makes it special is that the people in the city cherish that. They know the pain their ancestors experienced, only dreaming of living in that land. Recently, I was referred to a quote from Letters to My Palestinian Neighbourby Yossi Klein Halevi:
One morning, I was driving my teenage son, Shachar, to school. Not far from the Old City, we got caught in a traffic jam. I said, “You know, in one sense here we are, sitting in a traffic jam, just like in any city anywhere. But sometimes it occurs to me that the most boring details of our daily life were the greatest dreams of our ancestors.” I didn’t expect much of a response. Shachar, a jazz musician, tends not to speak in historical categories. But he surprised me. “I think about that a lot,” he said.
A key difference in my time both at home and in Israel is the moment. A traffic jam in Vancouver is far from being valued. In Jerusalem, however, the moments are looked at very differently. A seemingly dull moment is transformed into a victory over hardship.
So, to answer their question, I visited Israel to experience this value of life. With the surroundings and safety making me feel at home, I ask this question back: Who wouldn’t want to experience a place where every moment is treasured?
