Israeli skateboarder Boaz Alquino performs a trick in Tel Aviv. Photo: Screenshot

Despite the “never-ending conflict over there,” Israel turned out to be one European skateboarding photographer’s ideal location for a three-part series called Shekel Me Not, released by Red Bull and featuring sponsored skateboarders from around the globe.

Belgium-based Davy Van Laere toured six Israeli cities along with Brazil’s Felipe Gustavo, Belgium’s Fries Taillieu, the UK’s Korahn Gayle, Holland’s Rob Maatman and the local Boaz Aquino, releasing the first of the series on Red Bull’s skate website on Monday.

“As a photographer, my eye likes to see raw spots, of which Israel had plenty,” wrote Laere. “In those 12 days, we skated six cities: Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Haifa, Jerusalem, Netanya and Beersheba. Each city definitely had its own flavour; I want to go back!”

“I really didn’t know what to expect because you hear all these crazy stories in the news,” says Maatman at the beginning of the 5-minute installment, the second of which will be released January 28.

“You come here and you see it’s really modern, and there’s not too much drama or stress on the streets,” says Aquino.

“It’s pretty mellow and people are really friendly,” agrees Maatman.

Check out the video below: