Has anyone been to Israel?

[Mooshamoo]

I was just wondering what it is like.

My friend went a couple of years ago and did a tour around the history sites. But he didn't see much.

Im really interested to know about people's experiences of Israel

Yes. Amazing food, beautiful countryside, a magical place.

Well I wouldn't be going now as it's a bloody warzone atm!

Yes in 1995, I thought it was lovely but on the way back security guards took an intense dislike to me at the airport (I was stonned, scruffy and me and my friend couldn’t stop giggling). Unsurprisingly I must’ve looked like a security risk and was followed around for 2 hours before being allowed to board the flight. By the time I boarded the flight it was so late they had to stick me on the jumpseat in the cockpit. Talk about the most trippy experience ever !!

In saying that I would love to go but you wonder will it ever feel safe?

I'd love to go to Russia to st Petersburg but again it's not going to happen.

It's really sad.

I'd most like to go to Bethlehem for Christmas but again it's just not going to realistically happen.

Yes been there years ago.
Very interesting atmospheric spot. The old part of Jerusalem was fascinating.

Even when I visited Tel Aviv, maybe 6 years ago it wasn’t advisable to visit Bethlehem :( I’d have loved to have gone.

My mum & dad visited St Petersburg years ago and said it was incredible, the Winter Palace was insane and they went there the Russian ballet… but yes, who knows when or if it might ever be possible again.

I went late 90s. Beautiful, fascinating, great food and sights.
What was not good.. having my boobs groped at the mount of olives

I did Telaviv, Jerusalem and Bethlehem in 2020. I loved Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Bethlehem was a huge disappointment

Oh that’s interesting I really wanted to go to Bethlehem but was advised against it at the time, why was it a disappointment?

I found Bethlehem a bit disappointing too, mostly because the church of the Nativity has been so highly decorated that the "Jesus bit" is relegated to a massive queue down some stairs for 10 seconds touching a stone in a fireplace that is on top of supposedly the place Jesus was born, then you're ushered on so others can do the same. There's no space for quiet contemplation among all the gaudiness and baubles.

This is the "stone in a fireplace" everyone queues to touch. I don't know what I had expected but it wasn't this.

@Changingplace , I travelled for quite a while in what felt like very unsafe environment. On arrival we were pushed to a massive "queue" with our guide telling us to push to get closer to the entrance. All I could see was the back of the head of other tourists. Eventually, when it was almost my turn to go in, an Armenian priest stood by the entrance and said "it's now closed. Come back another day".

Needless to say I never went back

Why on earth would anyone think it’s even remotely morally ok to holiday in Israel at the moment while they are bombing and starving half a million kids on the Gaza Strip?

Not very magical if you are having your land forcibly taken by extremist Israeli settlers 🙄

The international court of justice has ruled that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. They are carrying out collective punishment on the children of Gaza.

Mumsnet- is Israel a nice place to visit on holiday?!

Fully through the looking glass 🤦‍♀️

I can't imagine how this can be enjoyed with the war and civilians dying.

I went in 2017 - it was a period of relative peace for the region and we had a great time. Did tel avec, Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Masada / Dead Sea. Had a great time, felt a little uncomfortable passing through the ‘peace wall’ into Bethlehem but was otherwise ok.

saw most of the religious sites in Jerusalem. Used a tour to get to Bethlehem. The church of the nativity was quite moving.

I have wanted to go back, but wouldn’t go now.

As this is a parenting site, Everyone should read this article about the murder of Hind Rajab and the other 14,000 children that have been killed since the war started.

The children of Gaza are NOT responsible for the actions of Hamas. Collective punishment is illegal under international law.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/23/hind-rajab-killing-sums-up-the-hell-that-gaza-has-become

This thread was from over a year ago!

Thread is more than a year old

Guess we have answered the question then!!! Settlers were still taking land by force even then— and for decades. So even a year ago I would question the morality of travelling in Israel when one part of the population has been living under seige in Gaza for the past decade.

But it was still nothing like it is now

I've been a couple of times and really enjoyed it. Flew into TA, worked, worked my way down and into Egypt.

Oh, curses. Why do people do this?

Yes, but 25+ years ago. Stayed in a resort, but did visit Jerusalem and Bethlehem. I would love to go again, and for longer, to see all the Biblical sites..... what little I saw of Jerusalem was absolutely fascinating. I don't know what current FCO advice is, but I guess I would have to check it before arranging a trip (or not).