LauraD

Is anyone going to the 2005 games? Do you think it would be safe to go??

THANKS!

LauraD

Anyone??

bigcountry

i have a friend who is playing rugby in the games. he certainly isnt worried about safety so i'm guessing you needn't either.

thit_cho

Bigcountry, is is possible, that the athletes will receive special protections not afforded to visitors?

If I were to ask you if Iraq is safe, would you state that "Don Rumsfeld visits and he certainly isn't worried about safety so I'm guessing you needn't either?"

bigcountry

thit_cho,
i think its a little stretch (to say the least) to compare atheletes in the maccabi games to rumsfeld in terms of safety measures. its not the olympics. i havent asked him where he staying etc but i doubt its anywhere different than regular tourists.

thit_cho

Fair point, thanks.

LauraD

Thanks for the comments. I am nervous about going to Israel. And especially nervous as this is the first game since 9/11/01.......looks like a great potential terrorist opportunity.

boppiess

My family and I are going, too - my son is playing this year. I am very excited to be going - where are you going to stay????

hamitzer

I've been in more than one Maccabia.
Days of terror were usual staff in Israel long before Sep 11. I remember 2 Maccabia's ago, right after prime minister Rabbin assasination, or when i was yomger- right after 1973 's war.
Usualy there is such a big effort to secure and protect the events, that it's the safest place in the world to be in. The athlets stay in the regular tourists hotels, university dorms, The Maccabia Olympic village in Ramat gan etc. Again,you will see so many security officers and soldiers that you might feel like Rumsfeld in Iraq (as thit co mentioned)

LauraD

Thanks for the replies. I think we will go to Jerusalem for 2-3 nights then to Tel Aviv for Opening Ceremonies. THen to see my sister in law play. So the rest of the time in Tel Aviv.
We are looking at the King David in Jerusalem and the Dan Tel Aviv in Tel Aviv......

you?

boppiess

I'm still trying to figure out the logistics because getting around in Israel doesn't sound that easy or affordable if you are worried about buses. I keep posting questions about apartments but no one responds - guess there aren't lots of Israelis monitoring this site