STAND WITH ISRAEL. The community solidarity gathering for Israel at Adath Jeshurun synagogue today July 24th at 7:30PM is really needed! As an American Jew I have had the opportunity to go to Israel every summer for the last twenty years. I have watched and enjoyed Israeli culture, music, food, and beautiful beaches. But more importantly, I have watched how Israel has grown and developed into a productive country with leading science and technology. They have contributed to the advancement of agriculture, computer science, electronics, genetics, health care, solar energy, and other areas. I truly believe if Israel did not have to constantly protect its borders it would surpass the United States with their advanced technology. This year I had the opportunity to experience the conflict with Gaza and politics for the first time. I do not feel like a tourist looking from the outside anymore! I have been here since June 12 beginning with the kidnapping of Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaer and Eyal Yifrah. I did light extra Shabbat candles in hope they would return. They were murdered. I watched and followed the news as an Arab boy, Muhammad Abu Khdeir was killed by three Jews. The perpetrators were found and are being prosecuted for their horrendous crime. The killers of the three boys may never be found. The situation escalated and rockets started coming into Israel resulting in Operation Protective Edge. Israel responded just as any other country would respond to protect its border and people. But the difference is, Israel uses missiles to protect civilians while Hamas uses civilians to protect their missiles. Israel has continually tried to avoid harming civilians by dropping warnings and telephoning civilians to leave the area. Unfortunately, the ground invasion started after Israel agreed to the cease fire and Hamas refused the cease fire and continued terrorizing Israeli civilians with rockets. The conflict continues. It is terrible to read what is happening to innocent civilians in Gaza. It is also very difficult to sort out the false media coming from Gaza. I think the article by Jonathan Messing is a valuable read. jonathanmessing/author/jmessing/. The world needs to care about all deaths created by conflict in and outside of Israel. Life is continuing in Israel but it is different experiencing it from inside Israel. No, we are not in the south where it is so much worse. We are in the central region listening to sirens but still going out to cafés, beaches, and doing our errands. We do not travel south of Jerusalem. However, just as Minnesotans plan and organize for thunderstorms and tornadoes we plan and organize when we are in a large area with a meeting place in case something happens. This is a bizarre feeling and and at the same time we feel safe. But it is getting quieter especially with the airline flights being cancelled. You feel the pressure and the weight of the quiet. There are signs for shelters everywhere. There are signs with rockets indicating where you can go and hear the news in English, French and Russian. There are notices of funerals for soldiers and signs of shiva dates and time. Now we are starting to bury soldiers. The negative media reports, the lack of support from world leaders, criticism of Israels operations in Gaza, and the plain hatred of Jews is a heavy burden. What is happening in Europe and elsewhere is appalling! The angry mobs are blatantly anti-Semitic. I know the lack of support from world leaders is not something new but Israel could really use a little support from their friends. The protesters are louder than the supporters. Or it is the media giving the protesters more media coverage? I do not know. Last night we went to the first public gathering in Netanya, People Protecting Soldiers. There were approximately a thousand people waving the Israel flag singing songs and prayers for those soldiers who have died protecting their country and people who have died in Israel and Gaza. It was sad to acknowledge the loss but extremely uplifting to feel supported! Israel needs our support and partnership with Jewish people hood!
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 14:34:24 +0000
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