Spark of Zionism
Effort to fly Israelis stranded in Europe to Israel renews Noam Bedein's
belief in our state
Noam Bedein YNET Published: 04.25.10, 09:37 / Israel Opinion
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3880118,00.html

April 19, 2010: It was Monday, the eve of Israel's Independence Day and the
fifth day in the world's largest aviation crisis that has paralyzed Europe,
following a volcanic explosion in Iceland which left the sky of 23 countries
clouded in volcanic dust.

I was left stranded in Holland, but after hearing that El Al had promised to
send more Israeli jets to Europe to collect stranded Israelis, I found
myself traveling to Rome, halfway across the European continent by train.

After 27 hours of a nerve-racking trip, I remained doggedly determined to
join the rest of the people of Israel in celebration of Israel Independence
Day. I finally arrived at Terminal 5 in Rome at 23:30.

Much to my amazement, I found a nearly empty terminal, deserted of
passengers, aircrafts, and airline employees. Only one ticket counter had a
long line of people and that was of course El Al. Exhausted Israelis from
all corners of Europe had arrived to board the jumbo plane decked with
Israeli flags. El Al specifically sent the plane to gather Israeli travelers
and bring them back home to celebrate Independence Day with their families.
It was a sort of in gathering of the exiles sponsored and facilitated by El
Al.

El Al, Israel's largest airline, privatized in 2003, serves as the national
airline of Israel. It was one of the first if not the only airline that was
able to adjust to a state of emergency in less than 24 hours when airports
across Europe were forced to shut down.

It is amazing how every time there is a national disaster or international
crisis, Israel, somehow, is always among the first countries to act and lend
a hand. As such a tiny country, which since its establishment has existed
under constant terror and threat, Israel is constantly in a state of
preparedness as well.

Zionism still here and kicking

On my way to Rome during the weekend on the train, I heard from many other
Israelis that countless airlines on which they had flown did not open
emergency centers in order to instruct passengers how to act during this
emergency situation.

Israeli media did not stop broadcasting the news that El Al was operating to
return stranded Israelis back to Israel and consequently the airline
established an emergency information center to receive calls and share
information on flight location points where Israelis could verify where to
catch a flight back to Israel.

El Al sent 15 additional jets to transport 20,000 Israelis stuck across
Europe in places including Munich, Madrid, Barcelona and Rome. El Al also
ensured that the same ticket could be used regardless of the country from
which travelers were scheduled to fly from in Europe, even if the flight
from that particular country had been cancelled to Israel.

In addition, the El-Al crews did an amazing job, working over 20 hours
non-stop to provide the best quality of services in this time of emergency.

The flight from Rome to Tel Aviv on April 20, 2010, was the best way to
begin celebrating 62 years to the state of Israel. During the soft landing
in Ben Gurion Airport at 7 am, I felt that there was something Biblical in
the operation, something like "the wings of eagles."

As I traveled, I had much time to reflect on the country's current state and
where we are today, after 2,000 years of dreaming of returning to our
homeland.

I can honestly say that my experience this past Israel Independence Day
renewed my belief in our state. I am back home in Sderot, the world
"capital" of bomb shelters, with hope in my heart, that Zionism is still
here and kicking, and that the Jewish state will continue to stand up for
her citizens both around the world and at home.

Thanks to El Al, 20,000 Israelis made it back home in what was truly a
reflection of the spirit that helped make Israel independent 62 years ago.

Noam Bedein is a photojournalist, lecturer and founder/director of Sderot
Media Center . He has conducted briefings and tours for government
officials, diplomats, foreign press, and students from around the world