Re “How Hamas Fattens Its Blame-Israel Death Toll”
[Editor’s Note: As Hamas terrorists continue firing rockets into Israel, sending frightened residents underground, our correspondent resumes her daily update.]
Dateline Jerusalem — Being the daughter of a former U.S .Naval Academy father and a U.S. Marines mother, I strongly admire Israelis for coming together in time of need, and they support their troops. Unlike U.S. soldiers who risk their lives overseas to protect U.S. freedoms and democracy at home, and who often return from war as outcasts, not appreciated, Israeli soldiers are respected. Perhaps because both men and women are drafted into the Israeli military, serving one's country never is given a second thought. Israelis are more cognizant of the fact that the existence of Israel is dependent upon its brave soldiers. Men must do reserve duty until their mid-forties. Religious women do not have to serve, although some do. In lieu of military service, they do national service, such as working in hospitals, with the elderly, with small children.
The first Israeli casualty of the War in Gaza was a civilian volunteer delivering food to Israeli soldiers. He was in the process of bringing food packages and gifts made by children when he was killed by Hamas mortar fire. May he rest in peace and his memory be a blessing.
On a daily basis, an Israeli farmer who lives close to Gaza prepares 35,000 free pita sandwiches filled with vegetables provided by local farmers and meat supplied by a Haifa butcher for the soldiers in the war. Costs are overwhelming. Everyone either donates or volunteers. He organized 250 volunteers to help. The farmer described the motivation behind it this way:
“Citizens of this beautiful country don't work by the book. We work with our hearts. It's possible to do everything for free, as long as you have love.”
How Everyone Participates
The Hebrew word “chesed” means loving kindness.
Not only have catering companies and mobile kitchens volunteered on the front lines, but the soldiers receive free toiletries, underwear, socks, assorted supplies, and various professional services. Some volunteers give free haircuts, shaves and even massages for aching limbs. Plumbers set up mobile water tank showers. Businesses across the country plunged into involvement. For a month after soldiers return home, they will be able to attend free movies and sporting events at stadiums. The entire country of Israel pulled together.
A Druze family in the Haifa area closed their restaurant and had all their employees drive down to southern Israel to prepare food for Israeli troops. The Druze are Arabs who serve in the Israeli military and in politics. They are the only non-Jewish minority drafted in the Israeli army. In 2007, a Druze served as the acting President of Israel. Compared to their small minority in the Israeli population, they have a large number of lawmakers in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament or legislature. Because they are so patriotic and nationalistic, it was not surprising that they joined Israeli Jews in the effort to support and provide food and supplies to the soldiers of this Gaza war.
Not only are Druze helping, but some Muslim Bedouin Arabs are also. When the three teenage boys were kidnapped by Hamas in Fatah territory two months ago, 50 Bedouin Arab trackers joined in the search. Although they are not drafted into the Army like Druze, a large group of Bedouins volunteer to serve in the Israeli military. Mostly trackers, a large percentage hold high ranks.
In what other country would 30,000 people attend a funeral for a soldier they never met? In what other country would thousands travel far distances to visit hospitals and injured soldiers they never met? In what other country would strangers risk their own lives to shelter babies and small children with their bodies as rockets and debris fell from the skies. During the Code Red Siren alerts, Israeli shopkeepers pulled pedestrians off the streets into their businesses and bomb shelters for safety. When the elderly and ill could not run to stairwells or shelters, young boys and men carried them. Others made sure to knock on their neighbors' doors and ring their door bells to make sure everyone knew to find shelter and safety.
Latest news on the cease fire. Quote from Hamas with respect to a permanent cease fire:”Our fighters in Gaza are waiting to return, with Allah's help, to the battlefield — or else wait and prepare for the next round of fighting. There is no escape. It's either jihad now or jihad after we are well prepared.”
So ends Day Two of the cease-fire.
L'hitraot. Shachar
