    by Richard H. Shulman   I just vacationed for two weeks in
Israel. This makes me an expert. Now, on to my preconceived
notions which I validated by selective observation of the facts.
The highlights of my trip were a private, half-day tour of
Judea, my relatives' exceptionally affectionate treatment of me,
a visit to Mitzpe Ramon (a crater resulting from erosion, one of
three uniquely in Israel), the breathtaking view across the Dead
Sea, and the Village Green, a vegetarian and largely organic
restaurant in Jerusalem, high in quality and low in price.
People back home expressed concern for our safety. I thank them
but didn't share their concern. It is true that we passed
through Beersheba, hours before a rocket struck in the vicinity.
We visited relatives near Ashdod, where a rocket landed a few
hours later. We left the Old City by a route where, hours later,
Arabs rioted. Returning to the hotel from the tour of Judea, we
saw police cars going to where they barred my friends that
night, as they captured