Is Israel Safe?
In light of recent events, I have seen many people asking if going to specific areas in Israel is safe. When I was getting ready to study abroad in Israel back in 2014, I asked myself the same question. The Israel-Gaza Conflict had erupted. My friends had friends that were directly impacted in areas like Ashkelon and Sderot. I decided to wait a few months to see if a cease-fire would occur.
Months later when I arrived, even though the conflict had quelled I remember feeling uneasy. But after spending a few weeks in Jerusalem, I was glad that I had decided to go. When I first arrived I didn't know what to expect. I'm not Jewish, I'm not Palestinian. I'm a Mexican-American that grew up in So Cal so what did I know. Even though I had taken courses on Israel, the conflicts, and religion I wasn't prepared. Books and reality are two different things. Books offer the convenience of comfort.
After spending a few months in Jerusalem I realized there was nothing to be scared of. All kinds of people live in Jerusalem and they don't allow fear to control their lives. I lived on Givat Tzarfatit or "French Hill" neighborhood, right next to Hebrew U and East Jerusalem. The university is full of students from all parts of the world and all walks of life. Jewish-Israelis, Palestinian-Israelis, Druze-Israelis, Bedouin-Israelis, Circassian-Israelis, non-Israeli Druze, non-Israeli Palestinians, and international students. The university is literally a 5-minute walk from East Jerusalem. The Mount Scopus campus oversees the walled Issawiya village. I spent a lot of time in East Jerusalem mainly because everything is much cheaper there than in West Jerusalem. I usually NEVER felt scared even when walking down Wadi al Joz at night. The only time I ever felt scared was once when I ran into a fiery Haredi protest on my way to Shuk HaBukharim.
For 6 months I lived the typical life that I would live in California without fear even though very often there would be car ramming attacks or stabbings near the university down by the light rail station. I did have a difficult time adjusting to Israeli society; things like Shabbat, the high cost of living, and that Israeli Chuzpah. I became accustomed to metal detectors everywhere I went. After all, I passed through one every morning to enter campus.
While I was living in Jerusalem I traveled to the West Bank frequently. I crossed checkpoints and rode the Arab buses. I even traveled there soon after the Palestinian boy was shot by an Israeli soldier near Jenin. I left in June and there was an increase in stabbing attacks. Nevertheless, I returned the next summer. And I wasn't scared for my life. I was more scared of being discriminated against due to the color of my skin and my facial features. It had happened to me twice while I was living in Jerusalem and I was afraid it would happen again.
But life in Haifa was very different. I enrolled in the Arabic intensive program at the University of Haifa and I had a blast. I fell in love with the city.
In sum, if you're afraid to travel or study abroad in Israel because of all the controversy and conflict- you shouldn't be. There's a higher chance of getting hit by a car in the USA than getting attacked in Israel.
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| At the Jerusalem Municipality |
After spending a few months in Jerusalem I realized there was nothing to be scared of. All kinds of people live in Jerusalem and they don't allow fear to control their lives. I lived on Givat Tzarfatit or "French Hill" neighborhood, right next to Hebrew U and East Jerusalem. The university is full of students from all parts of the world and all walks of life. Jewish-Israelis, Palestinian-Israelis, Druze-Israelis, Bedouin-Israelis, Circassian-Israelis, non-Israeli Druze, non-Israeli Palestinians, and international students. The university is literally a 5-minute walk from East Jerusalem. The Mount Scopus campus oversees the walled Issawiya village. I spent a lot of time in East Jerusalem mainly because everything is much cheaper there than in West Jerusalem. I usually NEVER felt scared even when walking down Wadi al Joz at night. The only time I ever felt scared was once when I ran into a fiery Haredi protest on my way to Shuk HaBukharim.
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| Standing on the Mt. of Olives, overlooking the Old City |
For 6 months I lived the typical life that I would live in California without fear even though very often there would be car ramming attacks or stabbings near the university down by the light rail station. I did have a difficult time adjusting to Israeli society; things like Shabbat, the high cost of living, and that Israeli Chuzpah. I became accustomed to metal detectors everywhere I went. After all, I passed through one every morning to enter campus.
While I was living in Jerusalem I traveled to the West Bank frequently. I crossed checkpoints and rode the Arab buses. I even traveled there soon after the Palestinian boy was shot by an Israeli soldier near Jenin. I left in June and there was an increase in stabbing attacks. Nevertheless, I returned the next summer. And I wasn't scared for my life. I was more scared of being discriminated against due to the color of my skin and my facial features. It had happened to me twice while I was living in Jerusalem and I was afraid it would happen again.
 |
| The Wall by the Kalandia Checkpoint |
But life in Haifa was very different. I enrolled in the Arabic intensive program at the University of Haifa and I had a blast. I fell in love with the city.
In sum, if you're afraid to travel or study abroad in Israel because of all the controversy and conflict- you shouldn't be. There's a higher chance of getting hit by a car in the USA than getting attacked in Israel.
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