"Have any of you guys ever actually visited Israel?"
I havent, but wanted to, back in the '60's. I was quite pro-Israel back then, as no doubt were most. Many went and did their stint in a kibbutz for the experience, and enjoyed it. The maidens were reportedly beyond belief. Also, I had an interest in visiting the Holy Sites of the birthplace of Christianity. Then came the '67 war, at which time I still barracked for Israel, followed by other events that gradually convinced me that I would not relish the experience of a visit. When the news of the early-morning Palestinian evictions to house settlers gradually made it into our Western media, I felt anger. See, the empathy I felt for the people of Israel was due to the fact that most of my family lost everything in the horrors of WW2, and became displaced persons, with nothing, and nowhere to go, living on refugee trains and in refugee camps until some came to Australia, others went to the US, where relatives already lived. Our lives then began anew, with occasional flashbacks to horrors that I wouldnt wish on anyone. Maybe, oracle, that might explain my disgust at people who displace people... The last straw was a tv article showing Israeli teenagers with Uzi's slung at their waists jostling Palestinians and throwing rocks to break their windows/windscreens as they drove past, and as with Pharoah,my heart hardened, and has continued to do so till present day. Then, I have since heard from people who have been there, that it would not be my type of holiday destination. One generally goes to a place of enjoyment,peace and beauty for a holiday....I dont think I would find it in Israel, and witnessing the inhuman treatment of Palestinians would really cheese me off. I regard Israel as a rogue state, and likely to cause great harm to the world in general with its poxy nukes. I dont think they either realise nor care that they can also destroy themselves as well as us. Hope you can understand.
