introduction

Serbish: Location Israel; 11 May 2007

Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt (from the southwest) and Lebanon (from the north). Israel contains geographically diverse features within its relatively small area: Negev desert in the south, low coastal plain, central mountains, Jordan Rift Valley.

Although established specifically for the Jewish people, Israel is now considered to be a Holy Land (including the areas of Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Territories) to three major world religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It also has a vibrant modern history and culture, based in no small part on the diverse, mostly immigrant origins of its inhabitants from the Arab world and the Jewish Diaspora.

history

David Shankbone: Masada Roman Ruins; 24 December 2007

The people of Israel (also called the "Jewish People") trace their origin to Abraham, who established the belief that there is only one God, the creator of the universe. Abraham, his son Yitshak (Isaac), and grandson Jacob (Israel), are referred to as the patriarchs of the Israelites. And the name Israel derives from the name given to Jacob (see Old Testament). His 12 sons were the kernels of 12 tribes that later developed into the Jewish nation. The name Jew derives from Yehuda (Judah) one of the 12 sons of Jacob. So, the names Israel, Israeli or Jewish refer to people of the same origin.

The descendants of Abraham formed a nation at about 1300 BCE, after their Exodus from Egypt under the leadership of Moses who led them to the Land of Israel. There Jews have had continuous presence for the past 3,300 years.

The period from 1000-587 BCE is known as the "Period of the Kings". The most noteworthy kings were King David (1010-970 BCE), who made Jerusalem the Capital of Israel, and his son Solomon (Shlomo, 970-931 BCE), who built the first Temple in Jerusalem as prescribed in the Tanach (Old Testament). In 587 BCE, Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar's army captured Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and exiled the Jews to Babylon (modern day Iraq).

The year 587 BCE marks a turning point in the history of the region. From this year onwards, the region was ruled or controlled by a succession of superpower empires of the time in the following order: Babylonian, Persian, Greek Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Empires, Islamic and Christian crusaders, Ottoman Empire, and the British Empire.

After the exile by the Romans, the Jewish people had to migrate to Europe and North Africa, where they established the Diaspora, rich in cultural and economic meanings, though they always wanted to return to Israel through centuries. In the first half of the 20th century there were major waves of immigration of Jews back to Israel from Arab countries and from Europe.

During the British rule in Palestine, the Jewish people were subject to great violence and massacres. During World War II, the Nazi regime in Germany decimated about 6 million Jews creating the great tragedy of The Holocaust. Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine. Declaration of independence of the modern State of Israel was announced on the day that the last British forces left Israel (May 14, 1948). In that year sovereignty over Israel was reestablished by its people.

surfing

Eyal72: Tel Aviv from Old Yaffo; 2006

Surfing is the "thing" that is going to bring peace to the Middle East, mark those words. Israel along Syria share an extreme eastern Mediterranean coastline that ensures all swells moving across the Med are magnified before they reach the coast. What starts as light windswell  a thousand kilometres away off the coast of Spain can easily arrive as a 6 foot groundswell around Tel Aviv.

November to January will be your best bet due the the prevelance of stronger Sirocco wind systems but any onshore wind activity that endures for a few days should be able to create something of interest.

The surf here is not enormous but a few rare treats will have you pounding the pavement for some generally uncrowded action when it all comes together.

what to pack

Fir0002: Canon-Deluxe Backpack-200-EG; 26 June 2005

Essentials: sunscreen in summer; good walking shoes.  

Make sure you pack according to the season. Going in winter will require warm clothes. In summer it can get very hot and humid, so take some cooling clothes. Windproof and waterproof clothes will be good. As usual, bring all medical things u need with you, as in some remote parts of the country it can be difficult to get them.

All the gear if you plan to camp: a good sleeping bag and tent that are good for very low temp; special gas container u can use for heating food and water; a sturdy backpack or a cargo pack with a good daypack. Invest in a portable water filter or at least take some puri-tabs or boil the water.