These profound words, articulated by Shimon Peres former President of Israel , encapsulates the sentiment in this country right now. It was extraordinary to witness his positive spirit and even more poignant now, during the current wave of violence that has been plaguing the region. The past month or so in Israel has been challenging. Calls for a near intifada have circulated, and my personal level of safety was put at compromise.
You may read this in Australia and ponder, why would one consciously choose to live in a reality like this? Fast forward a few weeks and I receive the news that my father living in a relatively quiet neighbourhood in Melbourne, was attacked by two young boys outside our family home.
So I sit back, totally flabbergasted by what happened to my dad, whilst sipping a latte at my favourite coffee shop in Jaffa, and consider⦠is it really that much more dangerous to live in Israel? Israel is testament to the proof of how throughout difficult times, one strives harder in order to survive. In the backdrop of a political quagmire, the care in the streets for one another is a feeling that cannot be expressed.
The positive attitude in Israel is is mind-blowing. Along with some friends, I spent a full day on the Tel Aviv Port listening to numerous speakers pitch an idea for 20 minutes. It was an insightful day and everybody in the hall left with a feeling of hope for this country. Hope through innovationβ¦.
In preparation for the Young Entrepreneurs Innovation Mission, I had been manoeuvring from coffee shop to coffee shop, meeting to meeting, to assist in organising the best possible experience for the amazing delegation that were about the come. Little did I know what I was in for, or the opportunity that was presented to meβ¦. It was an afternoon to remember. We also met 31 year old Sharren Hassel β impressive young lady, who had lived in Australia and felt a strong connection to our country and making a difference.
