It's from this common-sense, live-life mentality that the Israelis I've encountered so far have learned how to overcome many of the fears that other nations threatened by terrorists have not. They accept terrorism as part of their lives, and adapt to it so that they are able to live a meaningful, yet safer, life. The adaptations that they make include many sacrifices as well.
During the war this summer with Hezbollah, Israeli Internet companies set up connections for people in their bomb shelters. This allowed Israelis to continue on with many of the everyday activities even though they could not leave the confines of a windowless underground shelter. In other words, life went on.
For most people today, the remaining security ramifications of Sept. 11 are manifested in taking your shoes off at the airport, and having to place a small clear plastic bag with all your liquids in your carry-on if you wish to get them on the plane. For the most part, they are gone from our everyday lives.
In Israel, although there has not been a bus bombing in over a year, or a successful suicide bombing since last January, security measures in public places have not relaxed today. They haven't even relaxed since the second Palestinian Intifada began almost six years ago. Bombings have become an expected way of life, not a passing concern.
Here, your bag is searched every time you enter a restaurant, a marketplace, or even a public bus in some places. But, those restaurants, marketplaces and buses are as full as they have ever been. Life here goes on.
Being in Israel as an American can then be frustrating at times. Often I want to show them I am as strong as they are by attending the busy marketplaces and going into restaurants that are prime targets for an attack without fear.
But at the same time I know that it is not only myself that I have to think about when making those decisions. There are parents, friends, teachers, family and administrators that have a stake in my actions while I am here.
So I compromise - I often take a taxi rather than a public bus and go only into restaurants with guards, if there is that option. In the Israeli spirit, I adapt and will continue to adapt. I have lived and will continue to live, never forgetting the responsibilities I have to myself and to others, yet also never forgetting my responsibility to live a meaningful life in a country.
During the war this summer with Hezbollah, Israeli Internet companies set up connections for people in their bomb shelters. This allowed Israelis to continue on with many of the everyday activities even though they could not leave the confines of a windowless underground shelter. In other words, life went on.
For most people today, the remaining security ramifications of Sept. 11 are manifested in taking your shoes off at the airport, and having to place a small clear plastic bag with all your liquids in your carry-on if you wish to get them on the plane. For the most part, they are gone from our everyday lives.
In Israel, although there has not been a bus bombing in over a year, or a successful suicide bombing since last January, security measures in public places have not relaxed today. They haven't even relaxed since the second Palestinian Intifada began almost six years ago. Bombings have become an expected way of life, not a passing concern.
Here, your bag is searched every time you enter a restaurant, a marketplace, or even a public bus in some places. But, those restaurants, marketplaces and buses are as full as they have ever been. Life here goes on.
Being in Israel as an American can then be frustrating at times. Often I want to show them I am as strong as they are by attending the busy marketplaces and going into restaurants that are prime targets for an attack without fear.
But at the same time I know that it is not only myself that I have to think about when making those decisions. There are parents, friends, teachers, family and administrators that have a stake in my actions while I am here.
So I compromise - I often take a taxi rather than a public bus and go only into restaurants with guards, if there is that option. In the Israeli spirit, I adapt and will continue to adapt. I have lived and will continue to live, never forgetting the responsibilities I have to myself and to others, yet also never forgetting my responsibility to live a meaningful life in a country.
