Mayhem in the Middle East hasnt dampened Israels tourism industry

Friends just returned from three weeks in Israel.It was family functions — weddings, bar mitzvahs, veal cutlet dinners, who knows what.What they said after their return:“You wouldn’t know the country was in chaos.

Beaches are packed.The big obstacle is getting a reservation at a coveted restaurant.“The wedding was on the waterfront of ancient Roman-era Caesarea.

The bridal canopy waterside.Hors d’oeuvres, cocktails.

The couple emerged along a parapet built by the Crusaders.Atheists, they wrote their own vows.

The marriage performed by a friend.Bride and groom stomped on the traditional glass recalling the destruction of the Temple 2,000 years ago.

Then eating and dancing till midnight.“Hotel Dan Caesarea was packed.Said a couple from London, ‘We usually go to Spain — but with the outburst of antisemitism, we came here where we knew we’d be welcome.’ ”More notes on the trip:“It was an afternoon at the movies (‘Minions & Monsters’), then strolling the mall in North Tel Aviv, which had Chanel, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren.

Plus Israeli brands.“Another day, brunch at a packed countryside dairy farm.This 10-minute drive from the chaos of the West Bank sold homemade jams, oils, macaroons, breads, cakes.

An Arab-Israeli family — Mom, Dad, two kids gorged on the sandwiches and pastries.“Weekend was at Jerusalem’s King David Hotel.A nighttime tour of frenetic Mahane Yehuda market, sampling Libyan, Syrian, Polish, Palestinian, Turkish foods washed down with Israeli wine.

Next day, the park and pool were glorious.Then, feast at an Arab restaurant.

A lit garden under the trees in a village in the Jerusalem Hills.Almost surreal.“Rooms were with family north of Tel Aviv.

Ritzy 10-story apartment building, four bedrooms, two bathrooms.A bedroom was also the apartment’s fortified safe room.”Flying back was Lufthansa, Air France, Swiss, KLM.

They flew home nonstop — to the problems of their own country. America’s film ind...