We spent a week asking ourselves whether we would fly to Israel?

On arrival at Ben Gurion airport, we took the train to Jerusalem, where we were staying, and caught a taxi to our hotel.

The driver was an Israeli Arab who spoke Hebrew and English and lives side by side with Jews, Christians and Muslims in Jerusalem.

We took several taxi rides during our short stay in Jerusalem and almost every driver was an Arab Israeli who we found to be courteous, chatty and friendly.

We visited the Kotel, which was very busy, and we walked the streets of Jerusalem. It was wonderful to see the pavements and restaurants full of people shopping and eating. Jerusalem was vibrant and bustling, and I was struck by how normal life appeared.

Constant news reports of conflict and war can create the impression of a city under siege, but the reality on the ground was very different.

Caf s and restaurants were full, tourists and locals crowded the markets, and families enjoyed the warm evenings in public spaces.

We visited Machane Yehuda Market which was alive with its usual energy, with shoppers filling the aisles and vendors enthusiastically promoting their produce and goods.

In the city centre, the light rail was busy, carrying commuters, students and visitors across the city.

Hotels welcomed guests from around the world, while groups of tourists could be seen exploring the Old City, visiting the Western Wall and walking through the historic quarters.

Perhaps most striking was the resilience and determination of Jerusalem s residents.

Life continued. People went to work, children attended school and university, cultural events took place, and communities gathered as they always had.

Security and the police were highly visible and people were naturally aware of the wider situation.

Walking through Jerusalem, we saw a city not defined by conflict, but a city defined by life.

The atmosphere in the city was one of resilience and determination.

Before travelling, I must admit that I was nervous.

However, my concerns quickly faded.

Sara Radiven,
Prestwich,
Manchester.

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