The start was rocky. I got singled out at the airport check-in line and sent to a private room where a security person very politely took my backpack from me, save my cell phone, wallet, passport, boarding pass, and a copy of Lonely Planet’s guide to Israel & the Palestinian Territories.
“You’re already taking too much…” said the security person apologetically when I tried to take a second book with me. She reassured me I’d get my bag back at the airport gate — which I did, after a second security person swabbed my shoes and passport with a strange blue stick and ran the swab through a machine.
On the upside, everyone was really nice about the strict security measures — and I got to get on the plane first, presumably for my troubles –
After an uneventful 14-hour flight I’m now in Israel! I’m here with 3 other American journalists on a clean tech tour organized by the America-Israel Friendship League, self-described as a “non-sectarian, non-political, not-for-profit organization strengthening ties between the people of the United States and Israel.” The League organizes a whole bunch of such trips for different American groups every year — and is very open about its goals: To show that there’s more to Israel than the Middle East conflict.
Basically, Israel’s trying to change its image — to rebrand. I’ve already developed mixed feelings about these efforts, which seem necessary because the general perception of life in Israel is skewed — but also makes me strangely queasy at times. For example, I could empathize when one tour organizer talked about how people around the world think of pasta when they think of Italy, but guns when they think of Israel — and how she felt this image did not at all reflect what living Israel was actually like. I felt less comfortable when a government employee involved with this rebranding process went so far as to say it’s more important for Israel to be perceived well, than to be right — and that perception is what was of great importance, politically or otherwise. This comment I found strangely chilling, if very L.A.
I also found the candor with which everyone talked about this rebranding effort — Yes, the word rebranding was actually used, and plans to announce a new tagline of sorts (“like New York’s ‘Big Apple’”) were discussed — very refreshing. More on all that — and actual clean tech stuff — later….
Those conversations, BTW, happened over dinner at a Chinese restaurant near Tel Aviv. I make fun of the “Chinese Food & Donuts” grab-n-go places in L.A. all the time, but those places have nothing on this white table cloth restaurant’s eclecticism! The meal included everything from sushi rolls to what looked like mini empanadas to made-from-concentrate lemonade to a rich chocolate souffle to what I believe was a lamb-and-veggies stirfry.
One of my fave thing about Israel so far: The kosher restaurants, which are very convenient for a lactose-intolerant person like me –
Image by ponte1112
I guess I can’t blame them for the rebranding. In the Western news, coverage is almost entirely regarding the conflict, where in reality Israel is a lot more than that – not many people talk about all of the great historical sites in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv’s nightlife, or the beaches in the north and central parts of the country.
Often, when talking about environmental issues, Israel comes up; due to the lack of water and their location, they are, too my knowledge, a real leader in solar power, something California and Arizona could desperately learn from. See here.
I guess maybe what they need to focus on more is that you can have a fondness for the people and the place without getting mired in the politics. But, that’s why I’m not in marketing ;p.
Comment by Aaron — May 4, 2009 @ 10:19 pm
Nice about the lactose, but I suggest everyone check out “MIDEAST: ENVIRONMENT EMERGES AS A MAJOR CASUALTY” at http://www.ipsterraviva.net/Europe/article.aspx?id=7327
Comment by Todd Edelman Green Idea Factory — May 5, 2009 @ 3:02 am
This happened to me too! And they confiscated my electric shaver out of my CHECKED baggage. Very odd. They gave it back to me on my return home, though.
Comment by Rachel (Heart of Light) — May 5, 2009 @ 11:56 am
Aaron — I agree about how the news really doesn’t reflect most aspects of Israel. For ex I’d hate for the U.S. to be defined entirely by the war in Iraq. Luckily the world sees a lot of the other stuff about the U.S. too — some of it good…. I can see how people in Israel may feel their country’s not perceived fairly — and want to broaden the general perception of Israel to include the more positive things happening in the country.
Rachel — Glad to hear I’m not the only one! How did they find you on your return trip to give you the shaver back?
Comment by Siel — May 5, 2009 @ 12:41 pm
Singles tend to get picked out when going through international customs. Best to add your passport number to your airline reservation record-many airlines will clear you ahead. Good to know for next time. Enjoy your trip!
Comment by Trudy — May 5, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
Regarding the America-Israel Friendship League and “democracy”: http://azvsas.blogspot.com/2009/05/sadly-israel-is-no-longer-democratic.html
(To make it clear why I post this stuff: I am a sustainability activist of Jewish/Central European origin. In my view there is nothing sustainable about the Zionist project of Israel.)
Todd Edelman Green Idea Factory’s last blog post..Dogs on Board! 1 of 4
Comment by Todd Edelman Green Idea Factory — May 6, 2009 @ 1:48 am
One of the saddest environmental issues that I have heard involves armies bulldozing ancient olive groves for security reasons. It is a heartbreaking waste of resources and it is a hardship for the local people. This happens in various hot spots including Palestinian territories and US controlled Iraq.
Martin’s last blog post..Used Solar Panels
Comment by Martin — May 6, 2009 @ 6:16 am
You know, I have no idea how they found me to return the shaver. They just assured me that I would get it back and then when I went to check in for my return flight it was waiting for me at the check in desk. It just seemed like the oddest thing to confiscate, especially because I wasn’t trying to bring it in my carry on luggage and you can’t even cut yourself with it, much less hold up a plane.
Comment by Rachel (Heart of Light) — May 6, 2009 @ 3:13 pm
Strange that you got hassled and had your stuff taken away on a flight to Israel, b/c the only time I’ve been singled out at the airport (well, in a big-deal-we’re taking-all-your-stuff-and-passport-too kind of way )was when flying through Tel aviv. Maybe it’s b/c our names make it sound like we’re related to superman.
Comment by yoel — May 7, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
The security wasn’t too bad on the flight back, at least.
Martin — It is indeed sad, the enviro devastation of war, which isn’t limited to olive groves. I shudder to think of the amount of CO2 emissions we’ve created by invading Iraq. The latest issue of The Atlantic has an article about how the war in Congo’s making an ecoystem collapse. Depressing –
Comment by Siel — May 15, 2009 @ 3:20 pm