israeli politics

innocence and guilt - 7.3.24

I was watching an interview with Roger Waters yesterday about “the filthy disgusting lies” the Israelis told about the violent massacre.  The interviewer stopped him to decry Waters’ lies and was answered with “there is no evidence.”  Since the Hamas and Nukba murderers filmed their own crimes, it’s clear that there is a great deal of evidence and no one has to rely on victims and witnesses.  Nevertheless, although Waters made light of his rape and murder denial, it feels to me like it is exactly parallel to the murder crimes themselves, aiding and abetting.

Maybe he should have paid attention to school about the difference between facts and opinions.

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israeli politics

Prices - 6.2.24

 I took a taxi home from the hospital today – my first time in an incredibly long time.  The price was double what I paid last time.  On the other hand, the driver was a young man, quick, efficient, and silent. 

When I think of how expensive it was, I compare it to my visit to the hospital itself where within an hour I had all my tests – halter, blood test, stress tests, ultrasounds, etc. evaluated by the surgeon – and it all cost me nothing.  

What a joy to only pay for a taxi.

p.s. I’m fine

 

 

 

Prices – 6 Read Post »

israeli politics

Who's on First - 7.1.24

I tell you, I’m more confused than Costello.

I mean I don’t know who is doing what or why.  Did the director of Shifa hospital really know about all the Hamas hiding there among the patients?  Is the reason he was let out  was that he was innocent?  Who was giving the commands for letting all the prisoners of war free?  Is there going to be a war?  Will our shelter take a direct hit? Will we survive this situation? No wonder we are confused.

 

 

who’s on First – 7.1.24 Read Post »

israeli politics

weaponization of Sexual Atrocities - 6.30.24

The other night I heard this discussion about rape and rape denial have been used against Israel.  I was overwhelmed.  

Video June 25, 2024: JLJS program Weaponization of Sexual Atrocities in Israel – YouTube

That’s when I realized Israel’s going through a post-rape trauma.  It’s not only that all those women were raped, but the country that is going through the usual rape denial where the victim is blamed for her short skirt.  And we believe that accusation.  We’re blaming ourselves.  And when we blame the victimizers we feel guilty.

 

 

weaponization of Sexual Atrocities – 6. Read Post »

israeli politics

tel aviv port - 6.29.24

Celebrating Orit’s birthday late at the port it was hard to believe there’s a war going on.  Families, couples, children  promenading or sitting in cafes and restaurants – speaking Hebrew, English, Arabic – but not to each other. 

Shops are open sinc the Sabbath has ended and most of the sales people are Arab, while most of the waiters are Jewish.

Nearby, the demonstrations went on.  There are fewer people than usual because it’s becoming hard to believe that it matters, that it will change anything.  

And yet we go on.

tel aviv port – 6.29.24 Read Post »

israeli politics

trauma and post - 6.29.24

Almost impossible to believe, but after an hour of sharing how much we are traumatized, we managed to ignore the present situation and turn our minds to trips we took long ago.  It’s still trauma, but it may be moving into some place better.  We didn’t even mention Gaza once.

A few days ago there was an article about how we don’t seem to be sympathetic to the plight of the Gazan population.  I don’t know if I mentioned it here, but not a day goes by without discussion about what we can do for the Gazan people.  I’ve seen my friends up north abandoned by our leaders while they wander about the country and sometimes around the world for 9 months. I’ve watched the way the aid trucks have been hijacked by Hamas and their contents sold on the market and wondered how we’d be able to get past the people in charge and get our lives back.  We think we have many things in common. 

sorry if this doesn’t make sense.  i don’t reread or fix and I’m tired of trying to live a normal life.

 

trauma and post – Read Post »

israeli politics

in my genes - 6.27.24

After years of bureaucracy and failed escapes, my parents managed to get out of Danzig on the last bus.  As they left, Hitler’s troops invaded.  So I was only born because they knew when to get out. 

My kids are considering leaving for the war – afer all, what good could they do since they can’t fight?  But so far, they remain.  

And so do we.

Why? Why can’t I even take a summer house in Switzerland? Friends who were evacuated from the north are living in hotels and being pressured to go stay with their relatives in America, but they stay in those cruddy hotels without even the comforts of home and they won’t leave.   They listen to the news to hear if it is their house that has been bombed today, and they try not to kvetch.

So maybe we’ve got more of the Massada genes than the Holocaust experience.  Maybe we’re deceived by the false appearance of some kind of normality… I mean personally I still have a pretty good life, even if it means dusting off the chairs in the shelter.  But now that I think about it, I’m not sure I brought enough water for everyone, and I really should upgrade the first aid kit…

in my genes – 6.27.24 Read Post »

israeli politics

It’s been hard to write lately. As you know I never correct what I write, and I write spontaneously with no censorship.  But in the past few weeks I just don’t know where to begin.  I can’t begin to list the government’s crimes I’ve always suspected that are now coming to light, I can’t begin to list the crimes against us (Israel, Jews, Humanity) that are not acknowledged – not in the press, not on the media, not online.  I can’t begin to list the range of emotions we go through every day.  Here’s an example:  we met Meira for lunch today on the beach – the food was amazing, the sea was gorgeous, and the beer was divine.  We avoided mentioning the fact that there is a good chance we will be annihilated in the near future.  We avoided talking about the fact that 81 kibbutzim and towns in the north have been vacated because of the incessant bombing.  We said nothing about the fact that we cleaned our air raid shelter today and are ready to occupy it at a moment’s notice.  The announcements that the lifeguards are off duty came over the speaker in Arabic, Hebrew, English and Russian.  We kept talking about birthdays and grandchildren.  I guess the title i wrote before i wrote this piece doesn’t really fit.  But I never really know what I’m going to say until I say it.

Stiff Upper Lip - 6.26.24

stiff upper lip – 6.26.24 Read Post »