2025-03 Israel

Israel 22,

April 12, 2025,

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday I went to Richon Letzion, where I met up with my cousin Richard and his friends for a run on the beach. We usually meet up at Golda’s, the famous ice cream shop chain and then come back there after the run for an ice cream or frozen yogurt and a cappuccino. This time we ran for 10 km which I have not done for some time. My usual run is for 5 to 7 km. running time was 1:20 which is not bad for a 75 year old man with white hair. I am scheduled to do the World Championship Triathlon for Canada in Australia in October in the sprint division. If I get ambitious later in the summer, maybe I will try to do an olympic distance triathlon. The weather was perfect for a run, 18C with a breeze that made running rather pleasant.

In the afternoon I did some shopping. I walked to Hostage Square which has not changed much since last year except the posters showed some wear and tear from having been out in the weather for a whole year. I think that it gives you the feeling of how the health of the hostages must be with wear and tear that their bodies have suffered having been in the tunnels for over 500 days. The hostages, when released show obvious signs of weight loss and malnutrition. The Palestinians in Gaza, who according to the media, are on the verge of a humanitarian crisis and starvation since day 1, still appear to be fat and well fed.

I purchased a ‘bring them home’ necklace and pendant for my American friend who had forgotten to get one as a volunteer. He lives in Michigan and I will mail it to him on my return to Montreal as promised. I then walked over to the Asrieli complex and mall. The 3 buildings are very impressive from the outside and probably house offices. The mall was nice but resembles many other malls that I have visited. I purchased 2 boxes of Leonidas Belgian chocolate. I will give one to my cousin Shari and I will bring one to tonight’s seder. I took the bus back to my hotel. I have an Israeli bus and train pass that you can reload with shekels. I have become quite adept at negotiating the bus, train and metro system in Tel Aviv.

Last evening I drove to Shari’s house near Beersheba. It takes 1:20 to drive there on good roads and an autoroute. With Waze, I have no trouble getting around anywhere in Israel. I wonder if the members of BDS still use Waze to get around as Waze is an Israeli company. They probably still use it as they want you to desist from using Israeli products but not themselves. Shari lives on a moshav. A moshav resembles a kibbutz except that the homes are owned by individuals and not the community as in a kibbutz. The major equipment is owned by the community but each individual is responsible for his own produce. We had Shabat dinner with her family and extended family. Shari’s school was devastated last year on Oct. 7 when she lost many friends, former students and students. She says that is very sad to see the empty chairs where her students used to sit. It is an ongoing reminder of what happened on Oct 7 and what the world is doing to forget about in their efforts to ‘Free Palestine’ leaving Hamas in charge again. A ceasefire only means that Israel ceases and Hamas reloads and fires.

I am sitting out on the rooftop terrace writing my blog. The view of the sea is as beautiful as always. Yesterday and today there is a strong wind with 2-3 foot breakers crashing on the beach. It was not warm enough for swimming yesterday but hopefully it will warm up later in the afternoon. There are whitecaps everywhere making me wish that I could go out sailing. While in Jaffa a few days ago, I visited the old port and spoke with a man who was sitting on an older Benateau First, 35 foot sailboat. He lives on his boat most of the time and has an apartment in Beersheba. He goes to Greece sometimes which is a 4 day crossing. My dream life perhaps in another life…

Love,

Brian

Hostage Square, Tel Aviv,

Asrieli Complex and Mall,

The view from the terrace of my hotel on the beach in Tel Aviv