Love and Conflict, A Catch 22
Welcome to Israel
Israel, since its very founding, has epitomised the tension of duality. Both love and conflict flourish there and it makes you wonder — can one exist without the other?
- The top news headlines from Israel, undoubtedly reflect the trouble and strife in the conflict parched country. Yet, since the 1940s, the return to home call for all Jews to resettle in Israel resulted in large waves of emigration from all over the world.
- Despite the dampening effect of terrorism, tourism in Israel is a vibrant industry. Millions of visitors each year contribute to the countries strong economy. The high-tech industry is booming and there is low unemployment. Still, Israel’s economy is one of the most gapingly unequal economies in the western world.
- Jerusalem, the holy city, where the core religions meet, is the spire of religious tenacity and tolerance. It is one of the world’s greatest pilgrim destinations. However, there is one pilgrimage the capital would much rather hide — Jerusalem’s pride march. Extremist sections protest vehemently, but in August 2018, Pride saw over 20,000 out and proud strutting the streets. Tel Aviv outshines the capital though. It is touted one of the gayest, most open, tolerant and accepting cities on earth.
These are just a few examples of the love and conflict contradiction in Israel.
Israel is resented and coveted, hostile and inclusive, pure and profane all at once.
Many believe that the holy land has lost its holy and given way to the dark side.
I thought the same.
I hiked in Israel when I was walking the world for love. I started my adventure there because I thought the holy land was in trouble and that the Israelis could do with a little reminder about love.
But, to spoil the perception, the reverse played out. From the very start and then all the way through the country on foot, for some 1,200 km or so, I was infused and coated with love.
Meet Israeli Love…
I met Rea, a young, confident Israeli man, at the airport. He gave me a free, 350km ride (with lunch), to Eilat, the starting point of my hike. Rea had his own corresponding mission to foster love on this planet. He created Walk About Love. A walk to highlight the richness and beauty of the real Israel whilst immersing participants in an environment filled with both challenge and love. He started it because in his words…
Thoughts started racing through my mind — not again! Yet another war! Will this ever end? What can I do to change the situation — how do you convert hate into love? I began to envision in place of soldiers — backpackers; instead of weapons of war — musical instruments; and rather than hate and destruction — an abundance of brotherhood and love, displacing the depths of grief and despair with joy and hope… And so an idea was born out of a vision — to bring people together from all over the world to experience a journey of togetherness, love and tolerance in the land of endless conflicts… This is my personal contribution toward peace on earth.
The first stage of my hike along the Israel National Trail (Shvil Israel), was a gruelling 400km march through the largely unpopulated and very enchanting Negev desert — alone. Yet even here love abounded on an almost daily basis.
I was in the desert, which meant little or no natural water supply unless a flash flood came bursting through the wadis. So I carried very large amounts of water to make it through alive. Yet a couple of times I risked my chances and was hiking for days with only a couple of litres. But thanks to trail angels, water arrived at crucial times. One guy had single-handedly collected and filled well over a hundred bottles of water, finished building a massive seemingly indestructible esky type container and drove out of his way, into the desert, specifically to cache water for me. All the water wasn’t for me obviously, but his other efforts were.
Still in the desert, a little further along, I met 3 Israelis who welcomed me with open arms. Each invited me to stay with them for a few days when I arrived in their town. Saar, whose home I ended up in, was an incredible host and friend. He devoted his time and energy completely to me, giving me a guided tour around his hometown and informing me about Israel’s political landscape. He invited me whole-heartedly into his social circle and bathed me in jaw-dropping Israeli hospitality. The likes of which I had never experienced before.
Then there was the couple who picked me up from the trail and within 10 minutes entrusted me to be alone in their home, encouraging me to help myself to anything I wanted and then gave me the code to their home security system. Unbelievable!
I could go on and on with examples of love from Israelis. For as long as I was there, the love was endless.
The billboard message…
In all places, in all people, despite appearances and the presence of all that is not considered love — love still glows. And… its brightness is only seen because of the darkness.
So the next time you look at the night sky and see how beautiful it is, remember, that just as the stars cannot be seen without the darkness — love cannot be known without the hate. Love and conflict are opposite poles of the same thing and that ‘thing’ is the thread of all life — inclusive of all things,’good’ and ‘bad’. You and me.
Israel, a land of extremes, is a bubbling hotpot for all that life is — and it is magnificent.
Thanks for reading, I truly hope you got something out of it.
Go to A Love Bug for more articles on love, life and the incredibleness of you.
