AKUS’s postcard from Israel: Sderot and Sapir College

A guest post by AKUS

A barrage of 20 or so kassams from Gaza seems to have ended, so it’s time to hop into your rented car and visit the local branch of the University of Beersheva, Sapir College, and stop in for lunch on the way back at Sderot. Both are frequent targets for the murderous “militants” of Gaza, and worth a visit to see what and who the Gazans are targeting.

Reaching the Sapir College, you can park in a public lot equipped with a bomb shelter just in case your visit is interrupted by a siren and announcement of “Tseva Adm” – incoming kassams.

But once past this uninspiring entrance, you encounter some of the students. Casually dressed men and elegantly dressed Bedouin women seem to be the norm:

Numerous Bedouin woman students of all ages can be seen strolling around the campus – in indication of the increasing acceptance of modern way such as education for women by this formerly nomadic community:

Their modest dress makes a contrast with the statue created by the Souriya Nazarian,  from Los Angeles, at the entrance to the spectacular library building donated by the Nazarians:

A sign nearby tells us that there is a room set aside for breast-feeding mothers and a Muslim prayer room:

Lunch is available in the student building – not crowded since it’s the summer break:

Remember that this college is 15 seconds from Gaza as the kassam flies, so if you need to take a bus home, you can be sure there is a nearby shelter adjoining the bus-stop in case someone in Gaza decides it’s a good day to try and hit the college:

But it’s time for lunch, so let’s head 5 minutes up the road to the center of Sderot:

Perhaps purchase a couple of Endi Blyton’s books at Steimatsky’s for the kids – the Secret Seven and the Famous Five seem to be popular:

And then head to Café Café for lunch before driving home:

Just another day within range of Gaza.

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