As one of the hottest weeks of the summer drew to a close, I boarded a plane to cool Australia. Packing for the change of seasons was a challenge and I had to carry my winter coat to the airport even as temperatures soared in Israel close to 40 degrees, but I was so excited to go. It had been 2 1/2 years since my last visit to your wonderful country and I had missed it.
As I boarded my plane in Ben Gurion Airport, I could not help but remember my last trip to Australia. It was February 2020 and COVID had already begun in Asia but was a distant threat for the rest of the world. My initial itinerary included a 5-day visit in Taiwan but that was cancelled two weeks prior to my departure because COVID had already struck there. Subsequently, my return flight was changed twice as Hong Kong and then Bangkok cancelled their flights. I ended up departing Australia in a hurry, canceling the last three meetings of my trip, in order to ensure I would get home safely.
Arriving back in Israel in February 2020, I felt confident that I had left COVID behind. Little did we all know at that time that what began in Asia, would become a world-wide pandemic, shutting down vast areas of the world’s economy. And especially Australia.
It is little wonder then, that my recent visit to Australia was a time to heal the wounds of the past 2 1/2 years. It was a time to reconnect with friends and supporters whom I had only been able to see via zoom for such a long time. But even more important, for me my visit to Australia represented a final good-bye to COVID.
I was overwhelmed by the love and support I received from the audiences I met, in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Millaa Millaa, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. There were a few audiences that were totally new to me, churches that had only a minimal connection to Israel and were open to changing that for the better. Most of my meetings were hosted by people who have been involved with support for Judea and Samaria but were also opportunities to introduce our work to people who were totally unaware of the Biblical and strategic significance of Judea and Samaria. People were hungry for this renewed contact with Israel and for most of them, I was the first Israeli they had met in nearly three years.
One of the most amazing things that had changed since my last trip to Australia was the very new route that was now open to me as a result of the Abraham Accords. I flew to Australia on Emirates Airlines, via Dubai, flying over Saudi Arabia. What a change that is! As I walked around the Dubai airport, I kept pinching myself – here I was, an Israeli Jew, in an Arab country, with some of the men even wearing the traditional white robe and kufiyah! And I felt welcomed. No one cared that I live in Samaria and no one was accusing me of persecuting the Palestinians. Things have changed dramatically in the Middle East and flying Emirates brought that home to me.
I encouraged people to join our tour of Biblical Israel this coming November and many were very excited by the prospect of coming back to Israel. And while there are a number of Aussies who have already registered for our tour, I sensed a hesitation among some of the people I met. After more than two years with little or no travel, people were not sure what renewing travel would look like. I assured them that Israel does not have any restrictions anymore and that life has gone back to normal. But I appreciate that the idea of foreign travel may take some getting used to.
Remember what it was like to visit Jerusalem and pray at the Western Wall? Remember what it was like to be baptized in the Jordan River, take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, eat a Falafel at one of Jerusalem’s open markets. You may have visited the Biblical Heartland before where the ancient cities of Shiloh and Hebron enable you to relive Scripture. You may have joined me at the Three Seas Outlook as I taught about the connection between God’s promise to Abraham, the initial conquest of the Land of Israel under Joshua, and our current return to the Land.
I am here, waiting for you and eager to help you enjoy these meaningful visits once again or for the first time. Please consider joining our tour or any other tour that will enable you to experience the Heartland of Biblical Israel like never before.
Flying between Australia has always been long but it is not as long as before. And travel is good. It is good to visit each other in person and it is good to leave home and discover new horizons. I want to encourage you to take the plunge. Israel is waiting for you. Israel is eager to welcome you. When you come to Israel, you can recharge your spiritual batteries and reconnect to the place where both of our faiths began. I will look forward to seeing you in Israel soon!
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