Daily Alert Archives

The Kindness of Israelis

(Commentary) Michael J. Totten - A few days ago, I announced that I'm leaving for Israel this week, and the same thing happened that always does when I mention in public that I'm on my way over there. My in-box filled with offers of generous assistance from Israelis whom I've never met or even heard of. Most offered to buy me dinner. Some said I could sleep on their couch or in a spare bedroom. A few even offered to show me around, introduce me to people, and set up appointments for me. This rarely happens when I go anywhere else in the world. It happens every time I've announced a trip to Israel, and it has been happening to me for years. I get these sorts of offers from the entire range of Israeli society, from people affiliated with Peace Now to the settler movement. I can always count on kind and generous people in Arab countries to help me out once I've arrived, but only Israelis reach out so extensively, so consistently, and in such large numbers before I even get off the plane. Readers should know that Middle Eastern hospitality is a regional thing and isn't only on offer from Arabs.
2010-07-30 10:04:35
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