Had many encounters myself on the beaches of Haifa. Witchtower and Afake peddlers are out nearly year round if there are beach goers. Trouble is, it is technically illegal to do what the Witlesses do there but the Jews are pretty tolerant folk, well at least to the book bag packers..
I'll be there in ten days myself to see some of my old stompin grounds, but won't make it to Bersheba..
carmel