Off to the Golan Heights today. The longest trip so far and for me one of the more interesting. We arrived at Cesarea Phillipi, now Banias, the town built before Jesus ministry, and the one mentioned in the Gospels. The place was carved out of a mountain and is stunning. A beautiful place with clear clean water and natural springs. A number of us had great fun walking a trail to the water falls, very picturesque.
Sobering though, and an indication that we were no longer on the Western side of the Sea of Galilee, were the barb wired areas on either side of the road with red triangle warning signs indicating mine fields. These mines were left by the Syrians when the Israelis took the Golan Heights in 1967. The mines have never been cleared. Our map to Banias shows mine fields all around the area.
I noticed an off-duty Israeli soldier in civilian clothing with his gun slung over his back, as he and his friends made a sightseeing trip to Banias. This is not an uncommon sight.
As we continued to travel further in the area, we saw many Israeli tanks and soldiers, and stopped to notice the Israeli/Syrian border. At the outlook over the border we met four Israeli soldiers on a break. One young man who spoke English fairly well expressed his skepticism about the current peace talks with Syria. He was certain that the prime minister was trying to distract from his current domestic problems by reaching seeking peace.
Continuing, on either side of our bus we could see villages that were destroyed in the 1967 war as well as blown up and empty Syrian army outposts.
We also pass several new Israeli settlements.
I want so much to be hopeful about peace here. But today was chilling.
In this land, disputed for centuries, praying for peace, and praying for the changing of hearts and minds seems the only answer.
I miss you all at home! But what an experience with my companions on this pilgrimage. We are getting along well in this very nice hotel right on the Sea of Galilee. Great food, nice rooms and a wonderful location.
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