Claiming the Right to Say No-30 Nov 09-EQUATIONS - Equitable ...

Claiming the Right to Say No-30 Nov 09-EQUATIONS - Equitable ... Claiming the Right to Say No-30 Nov 09-EQUATIONS - Equitable ...

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Claiming the Right to Say No The Trend of Israeli Tourists in Goa By Students of Theology Rachol Seminary Introduction Education is knowing what you want, knowing where to get it, and knowing what to do with it after you get it. We are indeed privileged to make you a part of our experience in understanding the trend of Israeli tourists who visit Goa. It was an enriching experience from 1 st to 5 th January 2008. We were stationed in Palolem, Anjuna, Vagator and Arambol. Our animators were Mr. Ranjan Solomon, and Fr. Victor Ferrao. The study was sponsored by EQUATIONS, a Bangalore based NGO, ALTERNATIVES, a Goa based NGO, CARITAS Goa and Council for Social Justice and Peace. Israel-Palestine Duel As we Catholics share a close relationship with Israel, it is important to understand the scenario in the Middle East. Israel is often portrayed as weak and besieged, a Jewish David surrounded by a hostile Arab Goliath. But, Israel has always been military stronger than its Arab adversaries. Remember my friends, Jews are very brainy. The war of Independence was actually two separate conflicts. The first was a civil war between the Jews and the Palestinians, which started on November 29 th , 1947 and ran until May 15, 1948, and ended on January 7 th , 1949. The war marked the establishment of the State of Israel, and the exodus of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians (Arabs) from the territories that would become part of the new state. A wall of division is progressing unstopping. The Zionists won both the wars. They are fundamentalists who think of themselves as the only chosen people of Israel. Today, Israel is the strongest military power in the Middle East and it is the only state in the region with nuclear weapons. David Ben, proclaimed that “any Jewish woman, who, as far as it depends on her, does not bring into the world at least 4 healthy children is shirking 62

The Trend of Israeli Tourists in Goa the duty to the nation, like a soldier who evades/avoids military service.” Every citizen of Israel has to attend compulsory military training at the age of 18. For boys it is for 3 years and for girls it is for 2 years. Can you imagine that they must be going mad? Israel does not permit Palestinians who marry Israelis citizens to become citizens themselves in Israel. Social Life of Israelis in Goa Israeli tourists are always seen in isolated groups. We must say only young tourists visit Goa. They mostly stay in huts, which are cheap rather than the hotels which are costly. These huts cost around Rs.200/- to Rs.500/-. But, there are those who just stay anywhere some even stay on hills and take the sky as their roof. We found a person who was staying on the beach, making rods for juggling stuff. As we found out, the Israeli Government gives very little subsidies. Israelis are on their own. One commented “The Government’s subsidy is enough to buy a cigarette”. They were very shabby in their dress habits; their hair was mixed and rough. Some of them are poor or they have spent most of their money. These Israelis are real marketing champs. They bargain like anything. They eat local junk-fast food like Samosas, Pau-baji, Mirchi and Ros Omlette, etc. We visited the flea market at Anjuna. Israelis do own shops here. The phenomenon is remarkable! How can a person selling sandals and masks survive? There has to be some other side business, and mostly illegal. We have also observed a very typical pattern in their staying patterns. They live at the ends of Goa. Some in Palolem (South of Goa) while others in Anjuna, Vagator and Arambol (North of Goa). Night Life As the sun goes down, the Nightlife heats up in Goa. Goa has a more liberal attitude to Goan nightlife than most places in India, but nightclubs are pretty much for tourists – Israelis are the rulers of night. When the locals sleep the tourists arises. So what do the Israelis do at night? Where 63

<strong>Claiming</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Right</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Say</strong> <strong>No</strong><br />

The Trend of Israeli Tourists in Goa<br />

By Students of Theology<br />

Rachol Seminary<br />

Introduction<br />

Education is knowing what you want, knowing where <strong>to</strong> get it, and knowing<br />

what <strong>to</strong> do with it after you get it. We are indeed privileged <strong>to</strong> make you a<br />

part of our experience in understanding <strong>the</strong> trend of Israeli <strong>to</strong>urists who<br />

visit Goa. It was an enriching experience from 1 st <strong>to</strong> 5 th January 2008. We<br />

were stationed in Palolem, Anjuna, Vaga<strong>to</strong>r and Arambol. Our anima<strong>to</strong>rs<br />

were Mr. Ranjan Solomon, and Fr. Vic<strong>to</strong>r Ferrao. The study was sponsored<br />

by <strong>EQUATIONS</strong>, a Bangalore based NGO, ALTERNATIVES, a Goa based<br />

NGO, CARITAS Goa and Council for Social Justice and Peace.<br />

Israel-Palestine Duel<br />

As we Catholics share a close relationship with Israel, it is important <strong>to</strong><br />

understand <strong>the</strong> scenario in <strong>the</strong> Middle East. Israel is often portrayed as<br />

weak and besieged, a Jewish David surrounded by a hostile Arab Goliath.<br />

But, Israel has always been military stronger than its Arab adversaries.<br />

Remember my friends, Jews are very brainy. The war of Independence<br />

was actually two separate conflicts. The first was a civil war between <strong>the</strong><br />

Jews and <strong>the</strong> Palestinians, which started on <strong>No</strong>vember 29 th , 1947 and<br />

ran until May 15, 1948, and ended on January 7 th , 1949. The war marked<br />

<strong>the</strong> establishment of <strong>the</strong> State of Israel, and <strong>the</strong> exodus of hundreds of<br />

thousands of Palestinians (Arabs) from <strong>the</strong> terri<strong>to</strong>ries that would become<br />

part of <strong>the</strong> new state. A wall of division is progressing uns<strong>to</strong>pping.<br />

The Zionists won both <strong>the</strong> wars. They are fundamentalists who think of<br />

<strong>the</strong>mselves as <strong>the</strong> only chosen people of Israel. Today, Israel is <strong>the</strong><br />

strongest military power in <strong>the</strong> Middle East and it is <strong>the</strong> only state in <strong>the</strong><br />

region with nuclear weapons.<br />

David Ben, proclaimed that “any Jewish woman, who, as far as it depends<br />

on her, does not bring in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> world at least 4 healthy children is shirking<br />

62

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