Almost since its inception, Israel has been in conflict. What role does war play in shaping the Jewish states’ identity?
I'm on this whirlwind tour of the Holy Land courtesy of Birthright, a foundation that offers every American with Jewish heritage a free trip to Israel. The only requirements are that you’re between the ages of 18 and 26 and you have at least one Jewish parent. That's it. Birthright gives you an all-expenses paid tour (I'm talking airfare, food, accommodation, everything) around Israel to learn about the country and its complicated past and precarious future.
I went into my trip to Israel a veritable clean state, a sheltered girl from small-town Nevada with no strong political convictions. An agnostic in faith and in life. At this point in my life I don't follow Judaism or any religion for that matter. Culturally, I’m kind of whatever, celebrating Christmas and Groundhog Day and any other holiday that seems like fun. I didn’t know much about Israelis as a people, and knew hardly anything about the politics of the region.
Pm on a bus in Israel leaving the airport. It's very early in the morning. The day is already so hot you can see waves of heat shimmering off the highway. I feel like I always do at the start of a great adventure: jet lagged, thirsty, excited. The buildings of Tel Aviv are getting smaller the further we drive.
Our tour guide, his name is Eitan, is talking into a microphone. “As we head out of the city you’ll see a lot of countryside,” he says, his blue eyes gazing fondly out the window at his adopted homeland (Eitan is American, you see, and he has “made aliyah，’’ or taken Israel as his homeland and chosen a Hebrew name).
“Israel is not all desert like you might have thought.” I pay attention now, because this is what I did in fact think. “Look at that field of sunflowers, for example."
I look out the window to my left and see the tall yellow flowers. I’m thinking they are
pretty and picturesque, then Eitan says, “Don’t they look like proud soldiers lined up ready for battle?"
It won't occur to me until much later, when my ten-day tour around Israel is finished and I’m back in the safety of my predictable, air-conditioned American life, that this comment represents two things I’ve come to understand about Israel and its people. One: Israelis are determined to show the world their country is beautiful, not just bombs and problems. Two: They have an unwavering belief in their right to belong as a nation and their right to defend it. Conclusion: Where Americans see sunflowers, Israelis see soldiers.
I came out of my trip with dates and history and passionate speeches rattling around in my head, less sure than ever who should have rightful “ownership” of the land.
1.A free trip to Israel is offered to every young American with Jewish heritage in order for them（ ）.
2.By “I went into my trip to Israel a veritable slate”, the author implies that she went into Israel （ ）.
3.The sentence, “Where Americans see sunflowers, Israelis see soldiers”, suggests that subconsciously （ ）.
4.As can be inferred from the passage, the author finds her ten-day tour around Israel（ ）.
