John Kerry likened it to a New England snowstorm. Israelis took cover, lost power, and made the best of it. Scenes from a crazy planet that lasted all of a week.
Though it’s known for the long, hot, sunny summers that bleach the desert and send the country running for the beaches, for a few weeks each year Israel turns into something of a winter wonderland. Torrential rains drench the coastal plains and Mt. Hermon gets enough snow for a ski run. Once in a while Jerusalem’s stone turns pale with cold and gets blanketed by snow, making the city “of gold, of bronze and of light” glow white. Then, as if winter never happened, the country transforms back into comfortable rhythm of warmth and sun.
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Banner Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
- Photos: White Fire on Gold / Aviram Valdman
A view of the Temple Mount and the Old City dusted by snow. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
A family enjoys Mount Hermon, the southernmost section of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
Worshipers make it to the Western Wall despite one of the worst storms in Israel in decades. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
A valley in the Jerusalem hills is warmed by the sun. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
Jerusalemites enjoy their city during a cold snap. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
On the Mount of Olives, snow rises on the graves. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
A yeshiva boy of the snowy Holy City. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
Israeli border police on patrol with an extra set of eyes. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
In the Hermon, sunshine prevails after days of heavy weather. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
Only nine more snowmen before they have a snowminyan. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
The perfect opportunity for some off-road action. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
This guy probably wishes he had a motorcycle. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
The Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, covered in frost. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
A couple make snow angels on their apartment’s solar energy panel. Photo: Aviram Valdman / The Tower
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