israeli politics

It's Not Over - 1.12.24

With the Houtis still sending us rockets, and Isis trying to take over Syria, our troubles are not over.   

I’m used to the sirens so I follow the rules automatically.

But I’m just waiting for the hostages to come home and then I’ll start worrying about Isis and then maybe the Houtis.

And then, maybe, I can start worrying about concentrating on writing.  

This is not just a personal confession.  Not only is the Israel Association of Writers in English holding an evening about “uncertainty” but SELI, the organization of English departments in Israeli universities, is having a conference next month about the difficulty of writing now.    Creativity as well as Concentration is much more difficult in this extended war.

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israeli politics

Protected Buses - 29.11.24

We took a trip to the Negev a few days ago, to see the Nabatean city of Mamshit, the winter daffodils of the desert, the development center in Yerucham, and were hosted by a wonderful Bedouin lady in her tent.  It has taken me three days to recover, not because of the places we visited, but the long bus journey. 

The buses the nature society uses have narrow seats, little leg room, and no bathroom.  We stop regularly and stand in line for the public toilets.  No one else seems to mind, but I sit on my aisle seat, trying not to fall into the aisle, and waiting for any opportunity to stand up.

The bus is not reinforced, but even though we shared the sites with Arab groups, my greatest fear is that the bathroom will not be clean.  

Today there was an attack on a bus – not a tour bus – but a bus in the territories.  9 People were injured by a single terrorist.  What am I complaining about?  I got to see the most amazing sites, and met the most amazing people, and never felt danger for a moment.

Oh yes, we had an armed guard with us the entire time.

How do these flowers exist in the Negev?  There is nothing aroun but an occasional flower, and yet there are purple and yellow flowers peeking out of the stony earth everywhere.

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israeli politics

Thanksgiving - 26.11.24

For years I ignored thanksgiving, thinking that being in Israel I have enough holidays to celebrate.  But in recent years I see more and more how delicate existence is, and how we shouldn’t miss a chance to say thank you – to the Lord (why take a chance), to our family (whether they stick by us or not) to our friends (who do stick by us – no matter what others are saying), to our enemies (who can always change their mind), and to all those in the middle.  (I’m not an easy person to like)

 

  

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israeli politics

turkey - 27.11.24

This war has really made me mess up plans all year.  Or maybe it’s just me.  So when I invited the kids for thanksgiving last week, I immediately ordered the turkey for today so I could brine it and roast it tomorrow.  But this afternoon when it didn’t arrive, I checked it out and realized I had forgotten to press the send button.  So tonight we made our way to the Russian supermarket that is always open and went for the meat counter.  There was only a 20 pound turkey, and the Russian butchers had no idea what it was or why I would buy something the size of a two year old child.  Even though I invited them over for the dinner, they laughingly refused – would never eat something like that.  They suggested I take it home on a leash.  

I should have cancelled the whole event but it’s not only Oren’s birthday, there’s no way we could avoid celebrating even a questionable ceasefire.  


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israeli politics
Skies Over IsraelDownload

some thoughts on ceasefire - 11.27.24

Actually, I don’t have that much to say.  I don’t believe it, I guess.  Already my friend from Metula says they are  seeing threatening figures on the other side of the border.  The army here fired some warning shots over their heads  and they left, but it’s clear no one really understands the terms of the ceasefire.  If only if only it leads to the release of the hostages in Gaza…. 

Every night on TV there is an interview with a different former hostage.  I can watch a minute or two and then switch to something less terrifying – like Lebanon.  War is something I can understand, but the physical and mental torture is impossible to conceive.  Elyakim Rubinstein, former head of the high court, said that each of us should conceive of himself as if he/she is one of the hostages, or a family of a hostage.  I think most of us do exactly that.

So the most important thing about the ceasefire on my mind is just that – will it further the hostage return…

And in my head is the video that David Azoulay, the mayor of Metula, sent my friend of the damages in her home.  It’s a big mess and will take much renewal – but the piece of shrapnel she saved from the Gulf War is still sitting on a doily in her cupboard – a grisly reminder of the previous damages in an earlier war.

 

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israeli politics

Ceasefire Surprise (draft) 27.11.24

Ceasefire Surprise (a draft)

 

Stop talking

Turn off the television.

Take off your clothes.

Fill up the bath.

How does it feel

to allow yourself

to be away from news

to be vulnerable

for the first time

after so long.

 

So what

if you don’t know

what evening

will bring.

So what

if the world

blames you

for being strangers

to this land –

like Abraham,

like Moses.

 

You know they

will soon be back

at your door

and who knows

perhaps

without fear

you can welcome them in.

 

Ceasefire Surprise (draft) 27.11.24 Read Post »