Talk:FAQ

Re: bilingual approach, you might mention that something similar was done in Buenos Aires, and was very well received by attendees. Sj 10:37, 20 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Elephant in the room

I see no talk of security anywhere on the site. I think most people know that there is ongoing armed conflict in Israel. What assurances do we have that this is going to be a safe event, and that the conflict does not spill into the conference from outside.

Also, for that matter, if various pages on English Wikipedia are any indication, the mere mention of Israel tends to stir up multiple groups into verbal brawls. What assurances do we have that said Wikipedians won't turn said brawls physical.

I'd appreciate it if we could get some insight into both event and regional security. Sven Manguard 21:11, 4 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Sven,

We find that this question is misinformed about the reality of everyday life inside Israel. For the last years, at least since about 2005, the number of violent/terrorist acts within Israel has been very minimal, in fact very close to zero. The last major terrorist attack on Israeli soil was in March 2008, and the Israeli-Lebanese border has been very peaceful since the Second Lebanon War of August 2006.

Israeli public life and its streets are safe from both criminal dangers and from violence related to the Israeli-Arab conflict, and Haifa is as peaceful as most European cities if not safer than quite a few. Certainly it's a far cry from "ongoing armed conflict inside Israel". While the geopolitical situation in the Middle East is unlike other parts of the world, it's much more complex and involved than how it looks on TV and I can assure you that unless there is a massive, unexpected and unforeseeable overall regional deterioration, the conference will be safe and peaceful. As a result of Israel's past experience it is typical in Israel to screen people (quick search of their bags) when entering public buildings (the venue will be no exception, and we'll have security on premises), and Israel's Ben Gurion Airport is often considered the safest in the world. Harel 21:33, 4 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Bicycles in Haifa

Where is it possible to rent a bicycle in Haifa? How much is it? --Everton137 17:21, 20 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I'll search for information about this and add it soon. --Amir E. Aharoni 17:41, 20 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

If you are talking about taking a pair of bicycles from one point in the city and returning them in another point close to where you need to reach - this service currently exists only in Tel Aviv and is still in experimental stages (the whole idea of bicycles as a mean of transportation - rather than merely for amusement or sport - is quite new to Israel). Haifa, unlike Tel Aviv, has the disadvantage of having a steep terrain, so riding bicycles there is less attractive, unless you are well experienced. Note that Haifa and the surrounding area do not have special lanes for bicycles (these are introduced in Israel very gradually, and currently quite rare even in big cities, let alone intercity roads). Riding bicycles is permitted near the right sideline of the road, wearing a helmet (a new regulation). Riders are advised to be very careful as they ride side by side with cars, trucks and buses (some cycling enthusiasts have recently distributed to drivers stickers with a drawing of bicycles saying, "Pay attention, there is life at the sidelines"). Riding on sidewalks inside the city is technically illegal, though often overlooked, especially when the street is narrow, and yet sidewalks are not so free of interruptions, so a great deal of carefulness is needed in such cases as well. DrorK 02:28, 21 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]