This should be a day of reflecting and planning – of talking with the Jihad and certainly talking with Hamas and Fatach.  But we’re just thinking about the next shvuot vacation. 

We’re also very into the results of the Eurovision contest and the fact that our star, Noa Kirel, and why she didn’t win the first prize, but only the third.  We’re such a frivolous people.

We don’t talk about the fact that there were two people killed in Israel – one an elderly woman who couldn’t make it down to the shelter and two a worker from Gaza.  The fact that the carpet bombing usually injures the helpless and not the ‘enemy’ is always ignored.  The fact is that this is the time to talk – not proclaim victory – is terribly crucial, but we crow and then never use that victory.  

what should we be talking about?  that we’re not going away but we understand that they have needs and we can work through some of them.  And we all need psychological support.