I'm writing from the coach cabin on El Al flight 006 from L.A. to Tel Aviv, heading back to Israel for another week of journalism and reconnecting.
This trip will be quick, and seems easy. Actually, it was very hard to arrange.
Last month, everyone was canceling everything, fearing a much wider war in the Middle East. I had a ticket on British Airways, and they canceled ALL flights to Israel through early next year. Two tours I might have accompanied also canceled.
I looked at fares on El Al, and they were prohibitively expensive. Suddenly, after refreshing the website for days, a fare popped up that was reasonable -- normal, even. I didn't hesitate; I moved ahead and booked my ticket.
My ambition is to get to Lebanon, somehow. I don't need to go far into the place; I certainly don't want to go anywhere particularly dangerous (though it's all a little dicey). I just want to stand there and look back at Israel.
I have a specific reason for wanting to do so: when I was at the Lebanese border in November (on the Israeli side), it was clear that the Hezbollah-controlled villages had the topographical high ground. That's a reality I want to convey to the world.
I'd also like to get to Gaza, if possible, and report on what is happening there -- again, as safely as is possible. I'd also like to report on the mood in Israel, the effort to rebuild the communities around Gaza, and the prospects for peace.
I think my coverage may help to shape American perceptions, particularly in the emerging Trump administration (to the extent that they read my stuff), which is moving toward peace deals, hopefully on favorable terms.
Along the way, I'm hoping to reconnect with friends and family, and to the spirit that draws me to that magnificent country and its brave and beautiful people, who are among the world's happiest despite -- or because of -- their struggles.
My son’s Little League All-Star team won a tournament yesterday. He went 2-for-2 with a single (here) and a double, both solid hits.
I woke at 3:30 a.m. and jogged from my hotel to the Western Wall, the Kotel, to pray just after 4:00 a.m. I jogged back, showered, packed my belongings, and headed northwards, meeting old friends at the incomparable Hotel Magdala, on the Sea of Galilee.
We drove north to the Golan, stopping at an olive oil factory in the town of Katzrin before reaching Mount Hermon, the highest peak in the Middle East. A group of Israeli soldiers from the new Alpine Brigade took us around the mountain and to a lookout from Har Dov, a strategic point that Hezbollah wants Israel to give up: it commands all of northern Israel.
We drove onwards to Majdal Shams, the northernmost town in Israel, a Druze village where 12 children were killed by a Hezbollah rocket in July -- in retrospect, a turning point in the war.
Later, at the brigade's base, there was an incoming rocket alarm, and we ducked into a shelter. Several Christians in our group began a joyful song of prayer to lighten the mood. We heard the booms...
People are happy with the military, but weary of the war. People are cautiously optimistic about Trump and the proposed ceasefire deals. This society is full of children and old people, who seem less visible in the U.S.
Need rest. First full day tomorrow.
I had a bit of a grumpy time yesterday around the scheduling of several video interviews. I love the hosts, and I appreciate their time, but video is so hard to pull off. It requires you to stay home, and to stop whatever else you are doing.
I realize that consumers of news are increasingly turning to video (though I don't quite understand the appeal of just watching someone talk into a mic). But who has time to make all that video? Especially if you're gathering news?
I'm a fan of radio and always have been. Podcasts are also great. I just can't think of any reason to tie up 2 of my senses for content that I can consume with one. Especially with four kids, work to do, a house to clean, etc. etc.
There are exceptions, of course. I think there are great TV programs, panel discussions, etc. that are much better in a visual medium (though still good in audio alone). But unless you have that level of production value... I don't get it. Doesn't seem worth it.
