Israel Tour Guide: Will Tourism Survive?

By Joe Yudin
Travel Editor
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem----April 21......Well it was inevitable. Monday brought terror back into our lives here in Israel. Nine innocent people were murdered and many more were seriously injured including one American tourist.

As a human being it greatly pains my soul that the Iranian president through his operators in Syria have dispatched instructions to the Islamic Jihad in the West Bank controlled by Hamas, to send a 16 year-old boy into a crowded falafel stand to blow himself up for the sole purpose of killing Jews.

How could leaders of modern nations do such a thing?

How can the leaders of the free world respond with such callousness?

As a Jew, images of Hitler reincarnated flash before my eyes as I am reminded that the very man ultimately responsible for aiding and abetting these very same terrorists, Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has recently denied the Holocaust, denied Israel's right to exist, calls for Israel to be "wiped off the map" and has acquired nuclear technology.

Nine innocent people dead and many more seriously injured. The pain of these people, their loved ones and their families will last a lifetime. Parents now without children, children now without parents. For what you may ask?

For the idea that Islam must be forcibly spread all over the world, this is the goal of Iran, Islamic Jihad, Hamas and many, many others. As just one of the thousands of tour guides here in Israel, I had been enjoying an enormous upsurge in tourism. I pray that this is not about to end. As an Israel tour guide I can not but notice the parallels between these young Arab suicide bombers who are sent by their religious leaders to commit simultaneous suicide-murder with their parents' blessings for Allah and to some of the ancient Canaanite tribes who used to sacrifice their children to their gods.

What exactly is the difference?

I don't believe that there is a difference. Both societies thought and think that they were doing what was and is good in the eyes of their gods. Both communities thought and think that they were and are ultimately saving the lives of their brethren. And both societies can and could not be convinced that their ways are barbaric and inhumane. They do and did not understand the concept of the ultimate value of the human life.

In Judaism, in Israel society the Talmud teaches us that saving a life is like saving the whole world, that nothing takes precedence over human life, not land, not religion, not the observance of Kashrut or even the Sabbath.

In this terrorist version of Islam the outlook is the exact opposite. One's death for the honor of Allah is held up in the highest esteem if that very same person died killing those who did not believe in Allah's greatness. Now will someone please tell me how these two people with complete opposite world views, one people who value life over everything and another that values death over everything, how can these people possible make peace between each other?

The answer is in this time in this day they cannot. So again as a father of two Israel sabras and tour guide in Israel who generally takes families around on private tours of Israel, how can I make a living in a place where terror will continue?

The answer is simple one that Ariel Sharon put into motion and one that I hope and pray will be continued by Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert: Separation. We must finish the security fence as soon as possible. We must guard our defacto borders until the time comes when most Palestinians realize that it is in their best interests and the best interests of their children to say enough is enough.

When this happens we can return to the days of the 1970's and 1980's when there were no Israel Defense Forces security checkpoints, fences and walls and when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians worked in Israel and hundreds of thousands of Israelis visited the Palestinian area.

The best part in my opinion as an Israel tour guide will be the many millions of tourists and pilgrims, Jewish, Christian and Muslim visiting the Holy Land. A peaceful land of milk and honey for both Israeli and Palestinian.

After graduating from Boston University with a B.A. degree in History, Joseph Yudin set off for Europe in search of his roots. His journey took a detour and eventually he ended up in Israel during 1990 where the first Gulf War was about to break out.

Joseph studied for one year at the WUJS program in Arad studying Hebrew and Israel studies as a prelude to Aliyah (official immigration). Citizenship in Israel did not only bring rights and privileges but certain duties as well.

In October 1992, Joseph was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces and volunteered for the Paratroopers, serving on the front lines in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank. After his regular army service Joseph worked for the United Jewish Communities raising money and awareness for Israel as well as recruiting American teens and parents to journey to the Land of Israel to experience their homeland for themselves in a special way.

Joe soon concluded his studies at the University of Haifa, studying under Avner Goren and other leading professors in the fields of History, Archaeology, Botany, Judaism, Christianity, Geology, Islam and other relevant subjects. Joseph settled down on a small agricultural village (Moshav) in the Jezreel Valley becoming a tour guide in 1997.

He worked as an educator for the Alexander Muss High School in Israel program teaching Jewish History and Israel Studies. He has lectured at the Jezreel Valley College and other institutions and has guided various Jewish, Christian, interfaith and non-denominational groups including NFTY, Ramah, Hillel, Birthright, Canadian Israel Experience, the Israel Experience, Project Understanding as well as many dozens of groups from the business world. Joseph also has guided hundreds of private tours for individuals, families, activity clubs (mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, etc) bar/bat mitzvah groups and congregational groups.

Today, Joe Yudin and the top notch Israel tour guides he works with own and operate several licensed touring vehicles including cars, off road vehicles, and vans. TouringIsrael.com also works in conjunction with top quality bus companies and a select few drivers who have proven their reliability and commitment to service. Joe and his Israel tour guides team also create special, tailor made itineraries to suit your needs and interests. TouringIsrael.com also books reservations for cars, hotels, restaurants and special activities such as camel treks, bedouin hospitality, rappelling excursions, horseback riding and any other special request making it your place for one-stop shopping for your Israel experience. Whether you are a first time traveler to Israel or on your 25th visit, TouringIsrael.com will create an Israel experience that will live within you for eternity.