posted on Feb, 19 2004 @ 11:14 AM
An explosion has been reported in the Israeli port of Haifa.
Haifa is the third largest city in Israel, with a population of approximately 250,000, and perhaps its most progressive. It has always had a large
Arab population and, today, Haifa is one of the few places in Israel where Jews and Arabs are in regular contact and make genuine efforts to promote
coexistence.
Other minorities have also found Haifa a comfortable place to live. In fact, it is the world headquarters for the Baha'i faith, whose spectacular
golden-domed shrine of the Bab is one of the city's landmarks. The shrine, along with the fabulous gardens at the center, make the center a popular
tourist attraction.
Haifa is a blue-collar town -- it is the place where the Histadrut - Labor Federation - was founded in 1920 -- that also has a reputation for having a
more pluralist approach to Judaism. It is the only city in Israel where the buses run on Shabbat and where many businesses stay open. This has
enhanced the city's image as a good party town. Moreover, the city is a cultural mecca with its own symphony orchestra, theaters, museums and a
zoo.
[Edited on 19-2-2004 by Nerdling]