

Yedioth Ahronot cover page, June 18th, 2012

This article was originally published on June 18, 2012 on Abir Kopty’s website.

Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronot published a story today (June 18th, 2012) about a tourist activity offered by Gush Etzion settlements, where visitors can practice how to shoot “terrorists”.

Stories about such tours both in settlements and army bases are always published, but no serious attention given to such scary culture of hatred and violence. (see here one example in Hebrew from 2003)

Shay, extreme tourism instructor:”Your mommy won’t be here to protect you, so stand up like a man,” continuing, “Are you ready to take out a terrorist?”. (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

Tourists from across the globe visit Gush Etzion settlements, where they are offered by settlers “enjoyable” package under the name “Hebrew Extreme Tourism” with range of activities that include: story telling about battles, view live shooting performance and an activity where visitors can practice shooting at “terrorists-mechablim” cardboard pictures hung on the wall.

The word used for terrorist in Hebrew is “Mechabel” (mechablim for terrorists). In Israeli discourse this is a synonym for Palestinian.