Is it safe to travel to Israel?

Most people don’t think so.

So when they think about travelling abroad, and to a country with a friendly but different culture, they might choose India or the Philippines or Russia or Turkey.

Guess what?  All of these countries carry a greater risk of terrorist attack than Israel.  That’s according to the 2014 Global Terrorism Index, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Greece is a popular vacation spot, both because of its history and beauty.  And these days, partly because of Greece’s economic woes, prices are lower.  Yet even Greece is higher on the scale of terrorist risk than Israel.

Here’s another surprise: even the United States is higher than Israel.  Think of the Boston Marathon, and all the civilian casualties.

Israel is no. 32, below (that is, with less risk than) 31 other countries, including all the countries I have just named.

Jean and I just returned from two weeks in Israel with thirteen Roanoke College students.  We had a marvelous time touring the northern half of the country, exploring two issues–Jesus’ Jewishness and the relation between Jesus’ teaching and the land.

Most of these students, and probably all of their parents, were nervous about going.  But when I asked them if any felt unsafe, after being there a week, every last one said he or she felt entirely safe.

How many tourists have been killed or even hit by terrorism in Israel in the last 15 years?

The answer is zero.

So . . . I recommend going to Israel.  It will change your life and  your view of the Bible, not to mention your view of Jesus.

Martin Buber said we should think of the land of Israel as a sacrament, where we experience more of the presence of God.  Almost every believer who goes to that Land senses that.  I too have sensed it, in every one of my fourteen trips there.

Let us therefore say to one another, “Next year in Jerusalem!”