Negev: Ben Gurion’s Vision Today’s Miracle

It’s winter in Jerusalem, Israel,

a good time to go south and see the Negev.

On the day we were going past southern farms

 Negev farmers were headed to Jerusalem for a protest.

I wondered why all those Israeli flags?

A friend who was stuck in traffic and unable to get around

because of blocked streets later supplied the answer.

Ben Gurion would be amazed today!

The newest army complex in the Negev

named for Ariel Sharon, is larger than many Israeli cities.

In the winter, plantings

have turned the desert green.

Power lines stretch as far as the eye can see,

while the Negev Guardian stands watch.

Really!

Emillo Mogilner’s 450 ton sculpture sits next to Route 40.

Also, along those Negev roads

are new Bedouin encampments

dotting the landscape in more locations

than I could count.

Winter is a great time for changing weather

and also for photos of stormy clouds.

There are desert sands and farms,

growing technology at the new Intel facility at Kiryat Gat,

plus the cyber-tech attached to Ben Gurion University,

and the rapidly developing Beer-Sheva area.

So much amazing progress in such a short period of time,

plus a winning sports team.

This t-shirt is hanging next to the Beer-Sheva mayor’s office.

The shirt signed by the Beer-Sheva football (soccer) team

after winning championship games.

Beer-Sheva has developed a lot over  the last 30 years.

For some of my nephews, this shirt is a big deal.

Could Ben Gurion imagine today’s miracle of the Negev?