[quote]Shay wrote

"Events that take place between Israel and her neighbors have the potential to affect Americans' plans for visiting Israel".

[/quote]

I'm confused. You are concerned about events that happen 500+ miles from the trail.  Why don't we remember few simple facts:

The Sinai peninsula is base to Al Quaida. When you hike from Eilat to Netafim (1st or last day of the trail) you end the day just 300 meters from Hilton Taba where just two years ago an explosion destroyed the hotel and several people were killed. All this day you hike along the Egyptian border (Sinai peninsula) and there's practically nothing that prevents potential terrorists from attacking hikers on the trail.

Most of the trail goes in a distance that is not greater than 10 km (6 miles!!!) from a border. Only  the section between Zihor to Arad is relatively "Safe" from this perspective. When you hike north of Arad in Yatir forest preserve you hike for two days along the west bank at times just 100 meters from the security zone....

The section from Beit Gubrin all the way to Latrun (4 days) is whitin the 6 miles from the west bank. When you hit Latrun you hike for two days on the green line. From Tel Aviv to Carmel it's "safe": Just 15 miles from the green line. Hiking north from Camel to Mt. Tabor you hike near or in Arab towns and villages: Kaabiya, Mashad, Shibly. My daughter was attacked with stones when she hiked with three freinds in Mashad (2004). Did that prevent me from hiking alone in Mashad a year alter? No way.

And how about the 3-4 days in the norht? In some places the trail is jsut 1 mile rom the Lebanese border (Hizbulla & stuff...)

Lets face it: Israel is not a safe country.  You have your state depratment who issues cosntant warnings about the danger of travelling to Israel.

Why don't we talk about hiking stuff only? If I were you, I would take out completley the events stuff, unless you want to post about hot air baloons, music festivals etc.

You have my permission to delete my post after you've read it.  

Enjoy the trail stuff my young friend.