Today is Day 128
My phone is lit up with warnings about Rafah. US media is warning the ‘world’ as seriously as serious can be about Israel’s persistence and tsk tsk “audacity” to continue operations in Rafah.
Really?!
What choice does Israel have?
As I read in the Jerusalem Post this morning, Hamas took more than our hostages…they hold the whole of the Gazan people hostage. And for that matter, Hamas holds the world hostage.
“Cleaning out” the Hamas infrastructure is essential for Israel’s security and future. I knew that even before I visited Israel a couple of weeks ago. Israel has had to engage methodically and that takes time. No military has ever attempted this type of battle. Israel is slowly (or is it actually rapidly?) getting the job done. Israel is not creating more enemies. Israel is liberating the Gazans from Hamas. More time is needed to set the stage for a true ceasefire.
A recent Tablet Magazine article outlines some of the methodologies the IDF has used to limit casualties, both among its members and also, among the people of Gaza. It’s also explained here how the “civilian” count is largely combatants. If you have a few minutes it’s well worth the read. And if this is your introduction to Tablet, keep reading. It’s a treasure.
Sinwar is presumably still alive in Gaza. Hamas still has the ability to speak to the world and promote its evil. Hamas also has the ability to release the hostages.
This has to change and I am proud that Israel has the national unity and guts to carry this out.
……………………..
Now for some GREAT news! No. I’m serious. Remember the paradigm I wrote bout a few weeks ago of perpetrators, upstanders, bystanders?
Yesterday I met an amazing group of upstanders living here in S Pete. We gathered at my friend Lisa’s house. We had never met one another but instantly we recognized that together we were in a safe zone where we could talk about what it means to be Jewish in 2024. I shared with these 15 people my impressions of traveling in Israel on the solidarity mission. I expected people would ask if I felt safe. I expected to be asked if Israelis want visitors at a time like this.
Yes. Yes. To both questions. I was asked can short stints of volunteering make a difference. Again yes!
I reflected with this wonderful group (mostly women) that being in Israel at this time is like a BOGO (I had to translate this for Sam: Buy one get one free) deal at the grocery. Simple:
I went to offer emotional support by simply being there. I got emotional support.
I had always understood that while $$$ are essential the fact of me being physically present made a world of difference. What I did not anticipate was how much value the experience has ended up meaning in terms of my life back in America. Sharing my experiences gives me a portal to connect with my neighbors and my community.
I am constantly delighted to discover where that portal can lead me to. Friday, Lisa reminded our gathering how essential it is to contact our elected officials every day. Not just once and then check off that item. She calls every single day to leave her messages for support of Israel and the safe return of the hostages. Lisa is a upstander! Wow that was a great reminder. We all need to remember to SHARE our small acts with others. We can act alone and create our personal responses but when we share with one another our voices are magnified.
I was amazed at the depth of insight, the range of experience and reflection each person has been grappling with because of the war and the dis-ease we are experiencing with antisemitic and anti Israel rhetoric that is rampant in our American media and universities.
Both Sam and I felt like we were surrounded by people who "get it"
Getting it means being able to ask questions about our lives as American Jews. Getting it means realizing that we are experiencing a shifting landscape.
Now in the afterglow of great conversations I feel empowered to do more.
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