holy land safety

tour of holy land

Holy Land Tour Safety

Dear Friend, If you ever plan to go, now may be a good time for you to experience the Holy Land. Why? Because of the safety measures in effect, the small crowds and positive reports from returning tourists. You'll find every Israeli alert and on their guard - you'll have thousands of friends keeping an eye out for your safety. Personally I have always felt safe in Israel (I've been on the Lebanon and Syrian borders, in the Old City during Friday prayers, at a Arab funeral in Hebron at Abraham's tomb, in country when Iraq was threatening, etc.). Frankly I feel much safer in Israel than I do in sections of many American cities (which brings to mind a subway ride one night in Philadelphia, a wrong turn in Washington, D.C. and a walk in Atlanta). With a guide I would have avoided those places in the first place. Here are 10 things I have learned over the years in this business:

1. Tourism has been the second largest source of dollars to the Israeli economy - they take your safety VERY seriously.
2. Guides and drivers are always in touch by cell phone and keep you away from trouble.
3. Israelis grow up noticing anything out of place (an unattended bag, a car parked the wrong direction, etc.) and do something about it.
4. Over and over our clients say "I don't know what we and/or our families were worried about, we were very safe."
5. We do not visit the West Bank hot spots you see on the news: Hebron (haven't been there since 1986), Nablus (haven't been there since 1985), Ramallah and Gaza.
6. We do not use public buses and keep a low profile. Our clients are almost always tired at the end of the day and hit their hotel beds.
7. When there is trouble at a certain place (like the Wailing Wall) it is temporary - the networks show this trouble BUT they never show how quiet it is the next day.
8. When we have the courage to go to Israel we BLESS the people and they bless us.
9. There will always be a lack of Peace until the "Prince of Peace" comes.
10. Our lives and safety are in Gods hands. Ask God for the peace to go or stay.

May I suggest that you ask God for wisdom and do research in your decision to visit Israel. The REAL ISRAEL is not what the networks show you. Tim Cowles - President, Training Unlimited Tours LLC

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