On the afternoon (Israel time) of September 11th I had just seen off a relative at the airport ahead of his flight to Europe. Hard to believe that was twenty five years ago but that afternoon will forever by etched in my memory.

I waved goodbye to him as he went through security then went off to catch the bus to Tel Aviv to meet my husband after work. On my bus the driver had the radio on, a news station, and I remember hearing something vague about an aircraft crashing into a building, but I was sitting several rows back and it was hard to make out all the details.

I remember thinking it was odd, it was afternoon and they were talking about a plane crashing into a tower in the morning, why was it only being reported now?

Only when the bus pulled into the massive Tel Aviv central bus station did I and the other passengers start to understand what had happened and that with the time difference this was a developing story taking place in the morning in America.

The bus station at the time had loads of televisions in and outside its many eateries, barbers and kiosks. People were gathered outside every single one staring in shock at the news reports coming in from New York. Payphones had long queues as people tried to check-in with family and friends. Complete strangers clustered together watching the television screens crying and stunned as we saw the second 'plane crash into the second tower in real time. Shopkeepers came out with cups of water to those overcome, strangers comforted those standing next to them. We couldn't believe what we were seeing, like watching a real life disaster film unfolding on live television broadcast around the world.

As a country which had suffered, was suffering, so many terrorist attacks every Israeli had profound sympathy for what the American people were suffering. There was a strong sense of solidarity with the people of New York, with Americans in general. Israelis felt their pain and shock. Within hours of the 9/11 attacks messages of support for the United States and sympathy with its people along with many American flags started going up in windows, on shop fronts and on vehicles all around Israel.

The 9/11 memorial in Jerusalem's Arazim Valley forest is an expression of that outpouring of sympathy and solidarity with the American people. Inscribed on it are the names of all the victims of 9/11 and a memorial ceremony is held there each year.