Getting there - what happened in '07.

The last time I travelled to Israel-Palestine the nonsense began before I even got there.  

I had a connection flight from Switzerland, where I would get onto my Tel Aviv-bound flight, operated by El Al.  This is an Israeli airline.  Cue the madness.

I take my boarding pass to the ticket guy.  You know, he's the one who's supposed to take it, tear off the stub and say "Have a nice flight."

But instead, it goes like this:

"What's the purpose of your trip?"

"Holiday."

"Where are you going?"

"Palestine."

"I've never heard of a place called Palestine."

I stand there, looking a bit sheepish and confused.  

As I stood there, this gentleman starts laughing with his colleague,

"I don't know this 'Palestine'!"

I feel weird.  And then, bang, it hits me:  This guy is exactly what it's all about - this disgusting conflict - all the hate and the racism - even here, from an Israeli El Al employee in Switzerland.

It's Swiss!  Neutral for god's sake!

I feel physically queazy.  

Let me explain:

I grew up in the UK.  I live in London, together with people from every nation on earth.  I take a liberal, open & free society for granted.

This guy, at some flippin airport gate in Geneva, really shocked me.

Vile, closed-mindedness so openly expressed.

I was not in Kansas anymore Toto!