Discovering resilience, coexistence, and beauty in a city touched by conflict
Yesterday I joined tour operators from around the world, along with some fellow journalists and social media folk, for a tour of Akko (Acre) in the Western Galilee of Israel, as a guest of Jewish National Fund-USA. The tour and subsequent gala event were the opening events of the IMTM (International Mediterranean Tourism Market) Expo.
I didn’t have to think twice before accepting their invitation to join. True, the promise of touring a place inside Israel I had never visited in my almost-25-years of living here alone was tantalising. As was the promise of seeing renowned Israeli singer Kobi Aflalo perform with the Elmughrabia Orchestra, and being served food from famous Israeli chefs Uri Buri and Barak Yehezkeli. As we say every year at the Passover seder, “dayenu” (“it would have sufficed!).
But I had a more important reason for wanting to go.
Since October 7, it has been a particularly difficult time for Israel, with tourism down and businesses suffering, especially after international airlines suspended flights to Israel. The South near Gaza, but also the North near Lebanon, have had a particularly rough time.
Acre, only about 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of the Lebanon-Israel border at its closest point, has been no exception, given that Acre’s economy relies heavily on tourism.
And after yesterday, I can see why. The place is simply magical.
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Acre has a rich blend of Canaanite, Phoenician, Hellenistic, Crusader, Ottoman, and modern Israeli heritage. It is no wonder the Old City of Acre was designated a UNESCO site in 2001. And its population – approximately 50,000 in total – is a model of co-existence, with Jews, (mostly) Arab Muslims, Christians, and Bahá’í living in harmony.
Here are some highlights of the tour (click on any photo to enlarge it):
Those last two photos were taken at Jewish National Fund-USA’s Western Galilee Tourist Information Center, which not only provides information to tourists to the region, but also runs exhibitions and workshops, sells items via its online shop, and provides gift packages for IDF soldiers.
Meanwhile, you can experience Acre and others places yourself; Jewish National Fund-USA are running a mission to Israel in July, in which participants can visit Israel’s northern and southern communities, gain insights on the ground here, volunteer, and otherwise show solidarity with Israelis at this difficult time.
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