Foreign backpackers make peace pilgrimage to Israel Trail
Europeans, Americans on Walk About Peace hike across the country with dreams of changing the world
While ruthless conflicts loom on Israel’s horizon, the novel response of one pro-peace organization allows its members to claim, “I took the road less travelled, literally.”
On March 20, over 60 hikers of Walk About Love set out from Eilat. Since then, they winded through the Negev, traced the western shore of the Dead Sea, and ascended towards Jerusalem for an arrival scheduled Thursday. Their ultimate destination: the summit of Mount Hermon by July 2.
Notably, though, aspirations run deeper than completion of the Israel Trail. Through the activity of walking, the organization intends “to spread a message of love, to create beautiful music together, to change the image of Israel, revealing its friendly side to the world, and to bring people of different cultures closer.”
International backpackers, hailing primarily from Europe and America, comprise nearly half the group. The organization welcomes members from everywhere for any portion of the journey. Even local Arabs periodically join the group, either in daytime hikes or evenings of acoustic music and dinner. The group unhesitatingly passes through Arab villages, where members often play instruments and sing. The group reports only warm receptions therein.
As a matter of principle, the organization steers away from any conventional political position. In the words of one member, “We aren’t leftists. We aren’t searching for any technical solutions. We aren’t talking about ‘maybe someday there will be peace.’ We are just human beings, people from all over the world, living in peace right now. It’s already here, so we celebrate it and enjoy playing a lot of music together.”
The idea originated in the mind of Rea Pasternak, a veteran of the IDF’s Golani Brigade. During the Second Lebanon War, Pasternak glued himself to the television, watching coverage safely from Sydney, Australia. Over the phone, he learned of his reserve recruitment draft notice and that one close friend was severely wounded in battle. Amid the emotional hardship, Pasternak suddenly envisioned an alternative reality: “a group of people from all over the world, walking in the landscape of the Israel trails in a journey of peace and love together, with colors and music, bringing a very strong message, going through a positive experience in Israel and move on, a journey of love that comes to fix and heal the land after the war journeys that were done here in the last 60 years… instead of soldiers, I see backpackers; instead of weapons, I see musical instruments; instead of hate and destruction, comes a great love and brotherhood.”
Pasternak began immediate work to realize his vision. In 2008, he founded Walk About Love as a non-profit organization. Since then, members have completed the three-month journey over four consecutive summers.
Some aptly described the organization as an “army of love.” Certainly, the military background of Pasternak and his staff aids the logistics of the operation, navigation especially. Vehicles conveniently transport camping equipment and personal belongings between campsites, recharge electrical devices, and supply food, water, and firewood, for a nominal fee. The organization constructs a Bedouin-style tent and community fire at each campsite.
The group impressively maintains a state of unity, despite the divergence of their personal backgrounds. On the other hand, perhaps mutual value of nature, hiking, music, and the very establishment of a cohesive yet diverse community outweighs the repercussions of their diversity. In any case, the group, for its openness, offers a glimpse into an unprecedented social and cultural phenomenon.
With its arrival to the city, Walk About Love will host a several live musical performances in the Jerusalem forest on Friday, followed by Shabbat services and a communal meal. Their website provides additional information on these events and joining the trails: www.walkaboutlove.org.il.
