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Usually I would try and blag my way through this report by making some funny jokes and doing the old "I'm just sitting here in front of the computer looking around and…" thing, but I don't think it would do my experience any justice.
It all started about 2 weeks ago when, according to my Personal Statement, I was 'chosen to represent Jewish Youth in Israel'. My name was actually chosen out of a hat, but no matter, I was still chuffed.
This led to me going today to Har Herzl where Yitzhak Rabin is buried, not quite sure what to expect. The woman from the Jewish agency told me that I would be doing something to do with a wreath and someone from the Jewish Agency. What she didn't tell me was that I would be going on live national TV, whilst presenting a wreath to the head of the Jewish Agency in front of Ariel Sharon, Shimon Perez, 'Boogie' (the head of the army) and a fair few other people who are clearly far better than I am.
When I got to Har Herzl, there was an insane amount of security. Two bag searches and then two sets of X-rays and metal detectors. There were also helicopters flying overhead and a huge police presence on the streets outside. Inside, there were sweeps being done by who I was told were the most elite group in the army. They were massive and they had huge, huge guns…not that that impresses me. Continuing with the impressive/scary security theme, when all the dignitaries came in, they were surrounded by a bunch of bodyguards. But, it was Senor Sharon that beat them all with at least 10. It was difficult for me not to shout 'get down Mr. President!', but I just managed.
When the Tekkes started, I started to have a proper look around. No more than ten metres away from me were a bunch of the most important people that Israel and also the wider world have to offer. I thought to myself that these were the remnants of the famous generation of pioneers to Israel, the last people that can claim that they had been with Israel from the beginning. It was they that had first set up this country and now 56 years on, they were at a memorial for one of their fallen friends. Looking around more, I saw representatives from many of Israel's youth movements, though not Habo because they exist only in the form of Hanoah Ha'Oved. It doesn't take a genius to work out the symbolism here; Israel past and future. After having felt quite pessimistic about the political situation here in Israel (Pulling out vs. staying in Gaza) over the last few days I suddenly felt, perhaps naively, that things may not be as bad as they seem. There are so many people in this country who care enough to see that the dream of those early pioneers is followed through and maintained. As to whether they will be successful is impossible to say, but I'd like to hope so.
When all this thinking was done, all that was left for me to do was to present a wreath to the head of the Jewish Agency who then laid it on Rabin's grave. Though I was unbelievably nervous, it went really quickly. Afterwards I had the chance to mingle with Rabin's family and the dignitaries who paid their private respects. I got a piccy of Sharon and Shimon Perez and met all of the family and then left feeling slightly more important and proud to be in Israel than when I got there this morning.
So now I'm here at three the nest morning, doing exactly what I said I wouldn't and saying how I'm sat here in front of the computer... but it's late and now I'm off. Bobbie just came in and he wants to go to sleep. This is Oli Gee, the TV star/friend to the stars/political analyst/shnattie signing off.
Good Night Vienna.
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