Fearless in Sinai
Holidaymakers ignore Counter-Terrorism Bureau's warnings, head to Egyptian resort peninsula in thousands. 'Statistically speaking, it's scarier in Tel Aviv,' says mother vacationing at beachfront with her toddlers
The annual warning issued by the Counter-Terrorism Bureau ahead of Passover failed to deter them, as did the broad coverage of the recent arrest of Hizbullah-affiliated operatives planning to attack tourist centers in the Sinai.
The Taba border crossing reported thousands of Israelis hankering for the golden shores of Egypt's resort peninsula have already made their way southward, and more are coming.
Of these, however, only 300 are Jewish while the rest are Arab Israelis. Visiting the border crossing today (Sunday) it was clear that Arabic reigned as the dominant language among holidaymakers.
Shuki and Daniella from Tel Aviv were returning from a four-day stay with their three young children – aged five, four and one. Asked if they weren't concerned about the terror alerts, Daniella said: "It does feel a little different, even if statistically speaking its scarier in Tel Aviv."
The couple said that service providers at their resort in El-Mahash were especially attentive, and that their children enjoyed the vacation so much they had even asked if the family could move to Sinai.
Another group of Israelis, all 19, were on their way southward. "People should do what they want, we're not afraid," they said.
Unlike their Jewish counterparts, most Arab Israelis who head to Sinai aren't looking for isolated beaches and prefer the hotel-rich Taba.
Arish from Nazareth, who had stayed at such a hotel with her family, said that the absolute majority of patrons had been Arab Israeli. Laughing, she said the Jewish Israelis preferred the beach huts – preferring them to the more expensive hotels.
