Wondering if anyone has gone recently or is considering going. We are rhinking of going in July for the 2005 Maccabiah Games (Jewish Olympics) which are in Israel every 4 years.
Any comments? I am fearful.......

Laura--I just returned last night after 10 days in Israel. This was my second visit, the last one being 15 months ago.

I felt completely safe; and the difference in feeling from my last stay to this one was really remarkable. Tourists are again taking the bus in Jerusalem; parents are letting their teens hang out on Ben Yehuda Street; people are less tense and watchful; people are hopeful that peace can be achieved and the bloodshed will end. There is a lot of security both visible and invisible--your bag will be checked and you way be "wanded" before entering a restaurant, mall, or public gathering (certainly at the Games); soldiers and those on reserve duty are required to carry their arms in public.

It is an amazing place to visit--for the blending of cultures, the ancient archeological sites, stunning variety of landscape, the spiritual or religious sites, the sheer energy of the land. You can see my photos from my last trip here; and I hope to post the recent ones soon. I'll try for a short trip report as I have time, as well.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Amy,

Welcome home, Amy! Can't wait to hear about your trip and the atmosphere.

Laura, I haven't been in a few years (I guess since 2000), but many of my friends have been travelling back and forth without problems, and enjoying their stays.

Actually, a good friend of mine works for the JCCA (Jewish Community Centers of America), a sponsor of the Maccabiah, and will surely be in Israel for the games.

Amy, your pictures are GREAT!

I'm retiring from teaching this June. Now that we'll be able to travel in cooler months, Israel is tops on our list for foreign travel. However, due to my mom's illness, it'll have to wait for a while. I haven't even begun to look at itineraries, etc. because it's so hard to wait without a clear time horizon.