There’s more action today than usual – as if we’re ending with a bang. As if we’re heading for a ceasefire and have to use up all our equipment before its over. But I don’t know what anyone has gained from it. We’re breaking even – with many lives and entire fortunes lost.
In any case the chance of a few rockets over us tonight are greater than usual.
may 19, 2021 – pre-ceasefire grandstand Read Post »
i am sure grandmothers in Gaza and all over the country here were being squeezed out of bed, or at least out of their comfort zone, by frightened children. Me, I got a rejection from a poetry magazine I was sure would take a poem of mine. And I sat thinking that no one is going to publish anything by an Israeli poem now, so why should I even try. and by the time I got to bed, a child came along frightened by a motorcycle that sounded like a siren, and squeezed in. Even the amulet didn’t convince her that she was safe.
in the morning I put on the shirt I bought twenty years ago in Trinity College – it’s a translation from Irish about a monk and his cat – both up at night, the cat chasing mice, and he chasing knowledge – “turning darkness into light” – this shirt, now ragged, will help me get through the day.
may 19, 2021 – getting through the night Read Post »
the last item on the news I saw was a Gazan grandmother looking for her family. That was before my grandchildren came to stay over tonight. They don’t have a shelter and I was worried about their safety – especially tonight. We know there are launchers aimed at us out there, and as a therapist my daughter is in great demand at work and her partner is even more needed in the public sphere. So I asked to have them visit.
But as we were finishing dinner it turned out that one is so totally traumatized she can’t go to the bathroom by herself and has terrible nightmares.
And then – as we were watching a late night movie, it was announced that they have school on zoom in the morning.
The eight year old couldn’t sleep and I put an amulet under her pillow after a long comforting conversation. But now I’ll never relax – how will i get them down to the shelter in time? How stupid was I to think I could do more than get my old ass out of range?
Yes, I want the fighting to stop. I don’t want to hear about more losses of life in Gaza. The people I have met in Gaza – every single one of them – was as dear as my own sweet granddaughter. But I don’t want to have her attacked again.
may 18, 2021 – grandmothers Read Post »
A quiet morning. After gym I packed my mail and went to the post office (strangely the only native Israeli in the crowd). I didn’t have to go grocery shopping I thought because I had ordered a whole bunch of food from supersal, and after lunch thought I’d go to the pharmacy to get my prescriptions filled.
That’s when I got the message from the supermarket chain that my order had been cancelled because delivery men didn’t come to work.
Right. The day of rage – Arab strike.
Good for them. Who could not identify with the poor people of Gaza who are being terrorized – never mind that our blasts are aimed only at military targets, they hit civilians as well.
then wait a minute – what prescriptions? the pharmacists I like are also Arab.
wait a minute – the rockets have been hitting again – killing people who – like the people in the post office – are only here to work.
maybe I’ll just stay home today and kvetch. Work or any activity not immediately critical will wait.
may 18, 2021 – chaos 5 Read Post »
One thing that really surprises me whenever a rocket falls on some house here is how the inhabitants, the neighbors, the bystanders, as well as the police and ambulances, know exactly what to do to save lives. Many of these people are Arab as well as Jews – and they are right there when it comes to protecting the lives of all concerned.
Even today, when there is supposed to be a ‘day of rage’ and a strike in the Arab population here, most of the doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists are right on their job. I find it amazing.
may 18, 2021 – the unsung heroes Read Post »
The vision I released last night of how we are being played with released me from the constant terror and I slept all night. Ezi on the other hand kept watch all night….
may 18, 2021 – slept all night Read Post »
here i was hysterical that at any minute a rocket would hit my building, and then they announced that if we didn’t behave they’d attack Israel again. So now I know I’ve got a few hours until they get it together, and I can take my shoes off for a little while.
And suddenly I realized who I am playing chess with – Azmi Beshara. When he was a member of Knesset here I loved his wit and humor, and then when he escaped to Qatar and started Al Jezeira I kind of forgot him. Now his face suddenly appeared to me – I may well be wrong, but somehow his face opposite me makes me understand and follow what’s going on.
so if they can get their act together they’re going to wait until just after I fall asleep and then WHIRR the sirens go off and I grab my shoes and my phone and run down the stairs.
Azmi, This time I’m fooling you – I’m taking a nap right now. Ha Ha.
may 17, 2021 – rockets over tel aviv? Read Post »
This is not the way I want to spend a holiday – certainly not Sukkot – My plan had been to be surrounded by children and grandchildren, or, as an alternative, getting a massage and mud bath at the Dead Sea. But we’re not going anywhere – we’re too chicken. And the kids should stay close to home as well, and not be influenced by a scaredy-cat granny. (I’m usually much more of a heroine – but right now I’m not there.)
may 17, 2021 – chained to the news Read Post »
