Historical February 1994 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Just before Christmas, I had the opportunity to chat with Senator Clay, our neighbor on 61xx Washington, about his recent trip to Israel as well as other matters.
The Israeli government sponsored the trip for a number of American legislators at the state and federal level.
The legislators attended a number of seminars and met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders as well as visiting many points of interest.
The legislators learned about the Israeli legal system and the constitutional question, the economy, current issues in U.S.-Israeli relations, minorities in Israel, security in the north, the peace process, Arab-Jewish coexistence, and history and religion.
The sites that impressed Clay the most were Masada because of its history and the Sea of Galilee because of his Christian background.
It was incredible to him to be there and walk in the steps of Jesus.
He saw where Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount.
It was very moving.
He also visited the Dead Sea where so much history took place and he saw the palace King Herod had built at Masada.
This palace, built about 3,000 years ago was the product of brilliant architectural minds.
The palace is shaded most of the day and was designed for security.
It even had a sauna and steam bath, taking the idea from the Greeks. Herod had gone to school with Mark Anthony.
The Dead Sea is 36 percent salt and Clay floated in it. Senator Clay was impressed by Israel because he saw people of all shades and skin color there.
The people had an immense pride and sense of nationalism. People universally disliked the politicians. Israel is a crossroads, an island; you can get there only by ship or airplane. Their kibbutz system is unique. Seventeen percent of the population are Arabs who stayed on after the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. Clay found that immigrants are being absorbed well into Israeli life.
The Ethiopian Jews have fitted into the society and are doing well in schools and the military. Clay said that he was hopeful that peace will take place.
He would like to see the different nationalities there live in peace.
After meeting with both Jewish and Arab leaders, he acknowledged that it would be a struggle.
He does hope both sides can compromise and form a real peace. Israel’s back is to the wall now.
They have nowhere else to go.
They have vowed that the Holocaust will never happen again. Clay said he respected that because of the holocaust of slavery for black people here. Jews have a right to be there but they have to live in coexistence with Arabs.
The PLO says that God cannot be a land broker; you can’t designate Israel as the Jews’ land.
This situation has to be straightened out.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February 1994.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1994_02.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
