Image by Getty Images

By Lior Zaltzman September 9, 2015

Today, Israel looks a lot more like the planet from Star Wars than we’re used to. Since Tuesday, country has been swept by a sandstorm, the worst one the country has seen in 75 years.

Apparently, all that sand is coming from Syria and Jordan. (Thanks!)

As an Israeli, I’ve witnessed many such storms. This one, however, is highly unusual— they don’t usually occur in the summer.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The heavy storm, coupled with rising temperatures, has made it difficult for people to live their lives. School trips and internal flights have been cancelled and the ministry of health encouraged people to stay inside and avoid strenuous activity. The heavy haze can be a health hazard, especially for children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with lung and heart disease.

Here are some eerie pictures of what it was like to be outside in Israel during the storm:

Some swimmers were not willing to skip a summer beach day:

Image by Getty Images

This lone bather in Eilat washes herself in the middle of the storm

Some, like this Palestinian man, wore face masks to avoid breathing in the sand:

On any other day, you would be able to see Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Mont of Olives:

Image by Getty Images

Another Tel Aviv couple braves the storm for a leisurely walk:

Some very persistent vacationers in Eilat:

Tel Aviv from the set of a sci-fi movie:

Image by Getty Images

I asked my family in Tel Aviv how they were handling the smog, and my brother sent me the following selfie:

So yeah, pretty bad.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $325,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount