Re “No. 1 Mystery of the War: Why Israel’s Allies Turned Into Ice”
[Editor’s Note: As Hamas terrorists continue firing rockets into Israel, sending frightened residents underground, our correspondent resumes her daily update.]
Dateline Jerusalem — Only 56 Code Red Siren Alerts yesterday. However, that doesn't mean only 56 rockets. Sometimes several rockets are launched consecutively at Israel and only one siren sounds. One time we counted eight booms, the sound made when the Iron Dome shoots them down. But there was only one siren for all eight.
It was a relatively quiet day if you did not live in the Tel Aviv area. The FAA's extortion, coercion, or to put it nicely, economic boycott of Israel by following through on the Western world's threat to isolate Israel, was rescinded within hours of having been extended. Tremendous pressure was put on the U.S. and Europe to lift the no-fly ban. India, England, Ukraine, Russia and Canada were among the 22 countries that did not blindly follow the FAA's directives. They continued to fly to and from Israel. Because the flights were allowed to resume, Hamas once again decided to launch a series of barrages of rockets and missiles at Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The Iron Dome intercepted them, but the bombardment of Palestinian rockets shot at Tel Aviv and its surrounding areas were like a fireworks display on the 4th of July. One after another bursting in air.
I am asked how my life has changed since the onslaught of rockets and terror just 19 days ago. In addition to moving from my bedroom to my living room to be closer to the front door that goes out to the stairwell where I go for safety, and that means no television since the television is in the bedroom, I time my showers after the alarms are over. I know I will have a few minutes of calm. No more luxuriating in a hot steamy shower. In and out. As for getting dressed, I put on and take off one item at a time so that I only have to grab one piece of clothing in case the Code Red Siren wails. My biggest fear is having to go to the bathroom during an attack.
I no longer accept Shabbat dinner and lunch invitations from friends who live a long walking distance from my apartment. Instead of walking in my city, I take taxis so that I am not stranded on a street where I do not know the location of a shelter and cannot ask because my command of the Hebrew language is negligible. Because I am not getting my exercise walking, I am gaining weight sitting around all day and night. I try only to cook in the oven so that I do not have to turn on the gas burners of my stove. My telephone to the U.S. and my cell phone are with me everywhere I go in my apartment. My computer is on day and night so I do not miss the latest Code Red Alert or a Breaking News announcement.
I never got much sleep before this. Now I am a zombie. An organization I belong to cancelled its events. Instead of shopping at the butcher, vegetable store, market, and supermarket, I limit the number of places I go. That translates to no fresh fruits and vegetables, lots of carbohydrates. I keep my freezer filled with meats and plenty of bottles of water. Living in California earthquake country prepared me for disaster. Like a teenager out on a date for the first time, every time I run to my stairwell I must “check in” with one of my children in the States and send another SMS message when it is over that I am safe.
A Sign of Our Unity
A couple of friends started a campaign with the following slogan and picture that they have had translated into several languages. They are asking that it be sent to as many people as possible.
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The most wonderful part of all is knowing that I have caring, concerned friends and relatives. They are praying not only for my safety, but for the Israeli soldiers risking their lives protecting the civilian population of Israel, and for all of Israel. Thank you so much.
L'hitraot. Shachar