{"id":2234,"date":"2014-09-15T21:34:45","date_gmt":"2014-09-15T21:34:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com\/israelnews\/?p=2234"},"modified":"2014-09-16T06:05:59","modified_gmt":"2014-09-16T06:05:59","slug":"for-the-love-of-the-people-of-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com\/israelnews\/for-the-love-of-the-people-of-israel\/","title":{"rendered":"For the Love of the People of Israel"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Elisabeth Hinze
\n\"love\"<\/a>
\nDoing your grocery shopping at the shuk (market) in Jerusalem can be quite the experience. Because the shopkeepers are inquisitive about their clientele. Especially if the smattering of Hebrew you speak comes with a strange accent. The questions are usually pretty standard. Where are you from? Are you married (I know! Odd but true). Are you making aliyah (immigrating to Israel)? And that\u2019s where the conversation turns interesting. Because no, I\u2019m not. I\u2019m not Jewish. I\u2019m merely visiting. \u201cWhat are you doing here then?\u201d asked an ancient gentleman the other day. \u201cI love Israel,\u201d I explained. \u201cAnd I love the people of Israel.\u201d He looked at me strangely for a moment, like I was an oddity, something completely foreign. And then blurted out his surprise, \u201cYou love us? But why? Nobody even likes us.\u201d <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been thinking about his reaction for some time now. Because it speaks of his belief, moulded by many years of experience. See, to the best of my knowledge, foreigners have never described the Israelis as a warm, fuzzy nation. Yes, I\u2019m sure you can find dozens of warm, fuzzy ones, but in general, or more to the point, from a Western perspective, they aren\u2019t known for their polite ways. And I can see where that perception comes from. Because the culture is different. No polite standing out of the way to let you pass. Or get on the bus. Standing in line is optional. Which is why I get nervous at the prospect of any possible queuing situation. See, I\u2019d rather let half of Jerusalem cut in than fight my way to the counter. Oh it\u2019s not a physical thing. It\u2019s more a resolution of wills, a determined look, a standing-on-your-rights. Because if you don\u2019t\u2026 If you fail to defend your position, to match the determined attitude or give an inch, you\u2019ll never get to the front of the line. You\u2019ll never get on the bus. Basically, you\u2019ll never get anywhere. And you\u2019ll be the one to blame. Because here, you learn from early on to defend what\u2019s yours, to match any attitude thrown at you and to never, ever give in. <\/p>\n

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