I will admit that I was not expecting heavy handedness from the IDF but have received it. POC appear to be treated even heavier handed. I accept it was foolish of me to expect better treatment than Arabs due to being a Brit and I was wholly unprepared in this regard. I don’t want it to turn into a hate fest so perhaps will caveat the AMA with - no further questions about the IDF as I wouldn’t want to discourage others from visiting a place that should be available to all.
Less diversity across those who visit will result in a likelihood in the sites of some of the other abrahamic faiths being lost. My ideal would be that spaces are shared. I learnt today a local church has booked out the whole month of ramadan to allow Muslims to use it as accommodation and a prayer facility. I also learnt that the family that safeguards the Holy Scripture Church is Muslim. It was heartwarming to hear and see the mutual respect.
I have a couple of Jewish friends in the U.K. One whom has visited Israel a number of times and suggested I visit whilst I can as it’s been a place I’ve wanted to visit for a long time. She told me many tales of her visits and showed me photos from more recent trips taken by her family and friends. I appreciate her viewpoint may be skewed as she is less practicing than others and married to a Christian man.
Many of the Arabs and Christians seem to live alongside each other and have stores next to each other too. It feels like the majority of Jews and Arabs/christians co-exist rather than intertwine. I have not seen any visible tension between the Jews, Arabs and Christians. I did see a large flag with make Gaza Jewish again written on it but nothing beyond that.
We have travelled as a mixed group to many of the sites without any issues other than at checkpoints and entry to Temple Mount. Entry to Temple Mount was not a nice experience but when we did eventually manage to get in, it was very peaceful inside. Most of the Muslims in our group have been turned away by military when trying to attend Temple Mount for religious prayers. They are being told no entry for the U.K 😳 One man walked 12,000 steps this morning going from gate to gate after being told to go to a different gate by guards each time. He was denied entry at all despite showing his passport, Visa card and carrying no bag etc.
It does not feel like a war zone as everything is calm other than the very visible military presence and intimidation by way of interrogation and restrictions implemented without any consistency. You can feel the oppression in the air.
There are a lot of questions above re:insurance. It was a calculated risk and having had the unfortunate experience of a family member needing a medical aircraft for a 9 hour flight weeks after suffering a stroke abroad, I’m aware of the costs associated. My decision to come here is unorthodox but I assure you I am not selfish and wouldn’t expect anybody’s taxes to be spent on my repatriation should it be needed!