[img]96|left|||no_popup[/img]Dateline Jerusalem – I am relatively calm, easy-going, patient, non-aggressive. Often I have been described as a doormat. I might complain when I write my articles, but writing is my release. It was my original intention to write about my “balagan” (mess, fiasco, chaotic state) of a day. Just when I thought I had had enough aggravation for one day, I arrived home tonight to learn that Israel was on high alert. My worries and problems were put into perspective. They are insignificant compared to what the rest of my countrymen have been experiencing.
I woke up early so I could change my address at the local bureaucratic agency, only to discover today is the one day of the week that the Bureau is closed in the morning. Things went downhill from there. I ended my day arguing with my new landlady who complained about cleaning the new apartment when I pointed out that the bathrooms were beyond filthy. I cannot even describe them without being crude. The apartment floors were dirty. Paint was dropped everywhere on counter-tops and sinks, on windows and floors. Even dirt in the new cabinets. What riled me was the attitude of the landlady. She believed I should pay for someone to clean the apartment. As far as she was concerned, the apartment had been renovated. To top this, it took me and a friend 45 minutes to lock the front door.
When I arrived back at my old apartment, I received distressing news. After the last seven years, since Israel forcibly removed Israeli citizens from their homes in Gaza to provide land to the so-called Palestinians, Israeli citizens in the south have endured rockets and missiles bombarding them on a daily basis. After one million Israelis living in bomb shelters, after air raid sirens screaming and disturbing peaceful Shabbats, and after 160 rockets were fired into Israel within a 48-hour period just this week, the Israeli government finally said enough is enough. What convinced the Israeli government to protect its citizens, secure its borders, and defend its very existence? Was it because for the first time Hamas (the military wing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza) aimed its missiles at Israel's nuclear facilities? Was it because tunnels in Gaza were found to have long distance missiles with the capability of striking Tel Aviv?
Whatever the reason for finally acting, Israel decided to assassinate the Hamas leader responsible for planning and executing the rocket, missile, mortar assaults and terror perpetrated against Israel. The terrorist chief has been referred to as “the Bin Laden of Hamas.” Israel also bombed some of the Gaza tunnels that housed the missiles aimed at Israeli population centers. True to form, the media coverage has been abominable. Most outlets only mention Israel's strike, completely avoiding the events precipitating it. Why is Israel the only country in the world denied the right of self-defense?
Thank G-d so few Israelis have died. Many, though, have been gravely injured, their homes reduced to rubble. The Iron Dome is an Israeli-developed all-weather air defense system designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets whose trajectory would take them to populated areas. It has helped save lives in heavily populated areas. That Israel puts a high value on the lives of its citizens, as opposed to Palestinians who use their citizens as human targets by hiding ammunition, rockets, and other weapons in hospitals and civilian neighborhoods, is another reason for the low casualty rate for Israelis and higher rate among Palestinians.
For those of you concerned about my safety, I live in the middle of the country, only a few miles from where the sirens went off last weekend. If the Palestinian long-range rockets can reach Tel Aviv, my city is well within their range. I am where the central and the southern areas of Israel meet. Good news is that I have one minute to find shelter. Those in the south have 7 seconds. Good news is my new apartment is on the first floor, closer to the building bomb shelter. Bad news is I have not yet moved from my old apartment.
Are we at war? No one knows yet. But Egypt removed its ambassador from Israel, and Syria has shot at Israeli soldiers in the north. The country is on high alert. Israel has no alternative but to defend itself. It cannot depend on anyone else.
L'hitraot. Shachar