israeli politics

Oct 7

I often say I don’t write about Oct 7 because I don’t have the authority – that people who suffered on that day have much more that should be listened to.  But today I found myself writing this on Facebook: 

This day, October 7, we recall some of the horror stories from last year, terrible events that have left an indelible mark on civilization. So many of these horrible incidents could not have been comprehended while they were occuring, and their monstrous proportion still can not be seen in their entirety because the hostages are still missing. The entire civilized world needs to come together to end this terrible chapter of history.

 

Oct 7 Read Post »

israeli politics

Youth of Today - 4.10.24

How often have I sat around with friends my age and complained about the next generation?  How often have we worried about how they will manage to maintain normality when they do not have basic skills?  Well it turns out that they have basic skills and more.  They are overcoming amazing obstacles, especially our government.  In every aspect of our lives right now it is the next generation that is winning this war.  They are not only the fighters, the communicators, the chefs, the doctors, the healers, and all that.  And they are doing it all with such dedication and originality, I can only admire them.

We are also losing them in the defence of our country.  Each one a gem, fighting from love of their country, not hatred of their enemies.  

I am humbled by every one I meet.

 

Youth of Today – 4.10.24 Read Post »

israeli politics

As it happens - 2.10.24

No, I’m not going to tell you about what happens as it happens, but I will tell you how it feels.  

Yes, we’ve been busy avoiding rockets.  It takes great concentration to be ready at any given moment to run for shelter.  You have to know where every shelter is wherever you are, and be dressed for it.  We sleep in our clothes because the shelter is 2 stories down and full of people nowadays.  We open the door of our building to make sure that passersby come in, and usually there is someone we don’t know with us.  The rockets last night were particularly loud and shook the building so much that my neighbour said – “well, we won’t have to argue about remodelling any more.  But even though there were many of them, we weren’t hit at all, and went upstairs to our dinners when it was over as if nothing had happened.  The neighbour’s salmon burnt, but not too badly.

The area not far from us, though, had holes 30 feet deep.

I believe the Iranians thought they were targeting military bases, and we were just collateral damage.  But the weapons they were using were so powerful there was bound to be serious civilian damage.  And I don’t think they cared.

Yes, I know we hurt people in Lebanon and Gaza and Yemen as well, and it doesn’t matter to the victims that it was on purpose or not, but I am sure we haven’t thought about how the lives of every one – injured or not – has been radically altered in every way.

And I have started using a timer on my stove so the food doesn’t get burnt if I have to run off.  Highly advised.

 

 

 

 

As it happens – 2.10.24 Read Post »