tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529835181871181536.post3133148208680533154..comments2015-04-27T13:59:40.272-07:00Comments on SIS Summer Abroad 2014: Israel: They're off and running...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529835181871181536.post-3419553525805813772014-05-31T08:43:39.137-07:002014-05-31T08:43:39.137-07:00Day 1
So today was a fairly chilled/relaxed day. ...Day 1<br />So today was a fairly chilled/relaxed day. We toured Jaffa, an ancient port-turned modern marina, then we went to Independence Hall; the birthplace of the nation of Israel. In 1948, Ben Gurion read the Declaration of Independence and the next day 5 Arab armies attacked the fledgling nation. It was interesting to me, because I was there a week prior on Birthright, saw the same shpeal that the museum tour guide gives, and witnessed the same level of emotion the Israelis feel in the audience. The thing that was odd for me was, the Americans who were with me, who were not Jewish, clapped at the culmination of the tour, along with the Jewish kids on Birthright and the Israeli’s in the audience. It was shocking for me to see this because I was under the perception that most Americans, even Jewish ones, wouldn’t care. <br /><br />One lasting impression with our group emerged from the tour guide saying: “Israel is still in a constant state of war,” because there are always tensions with the Palestinians and neighboring Arab countries. It was really odd to think that because the streets of Tel-Aviv are teaming with a vibrant and youthful energy that emulates throughout each street corner, ally, and block of the city. Everywhere, there are artist shops, music stores, amazing street venders, and young people. The only difference between a place like D.C. or NYC and here is, the young people who enjoy this environment, the group that’s 18-21, are all in a mandatory military conscription program.<br /><br />The other interesting thing was our tour guide was part of a leftist political movement, after she was done in the army. She was part of one of the largest demonstrations in Israeli history. The protest was started over the price of cottage cheese! This food is a staple for Israeli society, and the price was at 8-9 shekels, which is roughly $3.00USD, but people were fed up with so much more. The cost of continuing security, the cost of housing, the cost of commodities, the cost associated with taxes are all stifling high, especially to the young soldiers and those trying to start a career after the military or who enter college. I have always conceptualized Israel as some sort of giant military base. I grew up on Air Force instillation as a child, so that was not hard to think. But social movements don’t happen on military bases. What’s really interesting is there was political change generated directly from these demonstrations. Political parties responded to public outcry and the price of cottage cheese went down too!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com