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About this series:
The world sees Israel as a dangerous place. Not too many tourists come to visit the holy land these days. The events of the last 3 years - the conflict with the Palestinians, terror attacks and homicidal bombing - keep people away. Some how, people see Israel as a war zone, a place one better not go to visit.
I'm coming back to my homeland every year (not as a tourist) to visit my family and friends. As one who lives far away in Canada, I got used to safe quiet life... kind of life which is very different from what the Israelis have. But... I was quite surprised and pleased to see that the people of Israel are very much alive and kicking. They go out and about their business, sit in restaurants and coffee shops, having fun picnics in the woods... Life goes on in spite of everything else. Take a look... Am Israel Hai!!! (The people of Israel are alive!!!).
As usual, click the thumbnails to view the large version.
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November 4, 1995, is a day forever engraved in the collective memory of the Israeli people. On this day, the Prime Minister of Israel - Yitzhak Rabin - was murdered by one of his own people.
This year, someone sprayed silver color on the memorial in Rabin's square a day before the annual memorial ceremony. When this photo was taken, the artist who made the memorial was busy cleaning and fixing the damage.
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This part of the memorial, written in Hebrew, Arabic and English, seems as if it was damaged with spray color as well.
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"8 years after the murder. The nation wants to remember", says the sign. |
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There's a group of bike riders in Tel-Aviv which demands that bike riders will have more bike trails in the city. They ask that car drivers will be more careful on the road... They want to bring bike riding into public awareness.
Every last Friday of the month they gather at Rabin's square, and then ride together on the streets of Tel-Aviv. Bro and I joined them on October 31st ride, which was a special one: 2 of the group leaders got married the night before, and came to the ride wearing their bride and groom cloths. At the end of the ride, all riders were invited to a street wedding party.
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The ride took us through busy city streets, and it was a real fun happening. It created a bit of a mess on the road, but all in all, the message went out loud and clear to the spectators: There's a need for more biking trails in the city... There's a need to use less cars and more bikes to unload the amount of cars on the roads.
And we were lucky not to be stopped by the police... I guess they accept this way of protesting after all.
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The highway into Tel-Aviv from the South... A place no one wants to be driving at at rush hour. And yet - many people have to drive through there every day in order to get to work. It's a bummer indeed, but the sight of the city's skyline, with the skyscrapers, is a nice reward for sure! |
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An Israeli bike riders group called The Zula initiated a family bike ride with a purpose: collecting money for kids with cancer. Anyone who wanted to participate donated 20 shekels. My brother and myself took part in the ride on November 1st, at Ben Shemen forest , which is very close to Ramla. Later we learned that 500 people participated in the ride. It was a beautiful Saturday morning, and the course was short, though tough at times. |
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Sea promenade at Tel-Aviv beach, on Saturday night, November 8th. Lots of people around, walking, biking, driving, walking their dogs... Hard to find parking space, but great to see people enjoying their free day and having fun on the promenade, and down below on the beach.
Just to let you know... This area has known few homicide bombings in the past, and still...
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Saturday morning at the sea promenade of Tel-Aviv... I was so surprised to see so many people out there: Jogging, walking, fishing, riding their bikes, walking their dogs, swimming in the sea, sailing in sailboats and canoes... taking advantage of the nice weather.
Leisure life should be like that... everywhere in the world... with no fear.
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Swimming and playing in the Metsisim (peeking) beach of Tel-Aviv. |
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Mini Israel is a new project very similar to Madurodam in Holland. Mini models showcase famous places and building all over Israel including Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, Haifa, Zfat, Eilat and more. A must visit place to anyone who visits Israel! |
November 10, 2003, @ 03:45 PM Israel time
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