israeli politics

murders in Arab Neighborhoods - 1.31.26

there are hundreds of thousands of people demonstrating tonight in Tel Aviv protesting the police neglect of Arab neighborhoods. 

It has been going on for years – gangs ruling the streets, involved in every single aspect of society.  “Don’t drive to our house,” friends told me, “We’ll pick you up at the entrance to the town” some people told me when I went to visit in Taibeh.  At first I thought it was because I’m so ditsy, and then I thought it was because the terrible condition of the roads neglected by the government, but it turned out to be a general danger – the vulnerability of strangers.  

But the past few years have been totally lawless.   I reported two years ago that the son of Naim Araidi, Rabia Araidi, was murdered and his head left at the entrance to the school with which he was associated.  

I wish I didn’t have to do a CT tonight.  This is a demonstration I shouldn’t miss.

 

murders in Arab Neighborhoods – 1.31.26 Read Post »

israeli politics

full gas in neutral - 1.29.26

it’s a hebrew idiom – i don’t know it in another language, but it is characteristic of many experiences in this country.  For example, I have done everything I can do to prepare for a war – hysterically filling my cupboards with food, airing out the shelter, finishing as much of my work as I could possibly do, even asking forgiveness of as many people as I can think I may have sinned against.  and nothing is moving. 

but I’d rather that nothing moves. 

We have all kinds of plans for the next month, all kinds of things to do – parties, interviews, books launches, and we’re pretending that it’s fine – but the rockets are almost certain to come down on us in quantity and quality and we still haven’t overcome the destruction of a few months back. 

so forgive me if i’m a little jumpy.

 

 

  

full gas in Neutral – 1 Read Post »

israeli politics

thank goodness - 1.28.26

thank goodness I make myself write almost every night – it gives me some perspective about the day’s events.  That – and Ezi.  

I watched the news on tv while i was straightening up, and the first thing was the announcement by Iran that if the US attacks, they will massively attack tel aviv.  

I immediately changed from my ratty night shirt into serviceable pajamas, checked to make sure my coat was next to the door, and made sure my slippers were available.

Then I called my kids and pretended that nothing was up.

Then Ezi walked in the room and I told him the news.  “That’s not news,” he said, flippantly, and pointed out that Iran ha been threatening to bomb us for years, each time releasing greater and greater threats of more and more violence.

Then I heard Bibi’s little speech about (sleepy) Joe’s responsibility for our lack of ammunition and our endangerment of both Gazans and Israelis – and i calmed down.  Such lies are so patent they can only be a plea for mercy to Trump.   

Remember, I’m a Biden fan from way back.

 

thank goodness -1.28.26 Read Post »

israeli politics

sympathy -1.25.26

While I was talking to some friends about feeling sympathy for the victims of October 7, then for all the women whose partners or parents have been overwhelmed with the demands of military service for well over two years, one of my friends added that if we were feeling sympathy for women we might also feel sympathy for women in Gaza.  She reported that she knows that women there, without protection and a home, are subject to violence and rape – by Hamas.  How do you know that? Someone asked. Its a common situation for societies in conflict, in transition, in disarray. someone else remarked.  And think of the women in Iran , another woman chimed in.  

No one denied it – women have the least power and suffer most in wars.

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israeli politics

anemones, narcissus, marigolds - 1.24.26

On Tuesday we travelled up north – in a bus made for people half our size – to see the spring flowers.  A sign of new beginnings, they awakened our hope for new beginnings.  Despite the discomfort, the long journey, the hunger and thirst, we were inspired.

Today we went to the neighborhood nature preserve.  And there were all the flowers we could wish for – a short walk away. 

We’ve even got narcissus sprouting in our window box.

There is something about this country that is always renewing itself.  Every time I read Melville or Twain or any of the writers who wrote about this land and the desolation they encountered I look around me with appreciation and wonder.

 

 

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israeli politics

pre-purim - 1.23.26

this must be the time of year that Haman is making his nefarious plans to get rid of all the Jews in Persia, so it occurred to me that there might be a queen Esther out there to save us from the attack that is sure to come when the US bombs Iran.  Not a very optimistic thought, but one that keeps popping up in my mind this week.  Most people here are pretty confident this weekend is the one that will drive us all underground for a number of days, and yet the atmosphere is pretty blase’ –  

I myself buckled down under the strain and regressed to my usual behavior, buying out the supermarket.  The prices are higher than usual, and the coupons symbolic, but i managed to eke out a few discounts.  

It comforts me to have a full refrigerator in wartime.

 

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israeli politics

anemones and cyclamen - 1.21.26

From here, you can see many of the kibbutzim in the north.  Here, you can see memorials to the lost soldiers of the kibbutzim.  You can also see memorials to the kibbutz members who were killed on October 7.  sometimes whole families.

In the neighborhood are fields and fields of flowers – anemones, shy cyclamen.  Overwhelming.

anemones and cyclamen – 1.21.26 Read Post »