A Quick Intro to Israel

Israel is a bit of a controversial and politically sensitive country but there’s no denying that it’s a fascinating land with a very lengthy history that predates the Bible.

The country may be fairly small (roughly the size of New Jersey) but its landscape is rather diverse, with hills, craters, beaches and desert. One minute you can be relaxing on a beach in Eilat, the next minute you can be floating in the Dead Sea or riding a camel in the Negev Desert.

Tel Aviv is a very cosmopolitan city, known for its sandy beaches, high-rise hotels and hedonistic nightlife. Jerusalem, meanwhile, has a completely different vibe, as it’s one of the holiest cities in the world.

Sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians, the city is home to many religious sites including Temple Mount, where Muhammad made his ascent to the heavens, and the Western Wall, where Jewish people gather to say their prayers.

One of my most memorable moments of Israel was taking the cable car to the top of Masada, which is located on an isolated plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. The story of Masada is a very sad one, as it was the last stronghold of the Jewish patriots in the face of the Roman army. When the Romans managed to besiege the fortress, the people chose to take their own lives rather than be captured.