Friends:
It has been some time since I have communicated with you. Five months after the attack of October 7th, it was time to return to real life. Some – not most – of the international airlines had returned to our skies and many in the news media had decided to forget that Israel was attacked on October 7th. Not just attacked but jolted by the most heinous crimes committed in my lifetime including the murder, rape, torture and beheading of our youth. As if Hamas had not filmed so much of their savagery on October 7th, some have questioned whether the attack even took place and if you really want far-fetched, there were even voices that claimed the bridge in Baltimore was destroyed by the Mossad to deflect attention from the situation in Gaza. My, what a complicated web we weave!
Here was one take on the situation and while I do not agree with everything Dan Perry says, he does offer an interesting take: The News Media Has Helped Normalize Hamas | Opinion (msn.com)
For those of us on the ground, we had a different lens of October 7th. We know people who lost their children, people whose homes were burnt down and psychologists treating the few hostages that were returned, while 133 remain in Hamas captivity. Most perplexing to me is the fact that still – after more than six months – there are days and nights where Hamas is able to fire missiles into Israel and one must ask, “How? How is this possible if Israel has destroyed their infrastructure?” With all of this in mind, I returned to the USA in March and resumed my business activities. While in Manhattan, a group of us attended a business conference only to be accosted outside by throngs of people holding signs including the eloquent, “Death to Israel. Death to America.” When I think of the many things Israel and the USA have in common, I often am reminded of our remarkable and sadistic approach to free speech. It seems as if there is no limit.
Then came the six-month anniversary of the attacks on Israeli soil and just a few days later…..drones. Drones, missiles and a variety of aerial attacks courtesy of Iran, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. I imagine the Ayatollah said, “Let’s get the band back together again!” Now some argue the attack from Iran was retribution for an Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria. This is one argument. However, when a consulate is used to plan terrorist attacks on foreign soil, I’m not sure they deserve their “exempt status.” Just ask Ecuador. Mexico wasn’t planning a terrorist attack on Ecuador. They were merely harboring a former member of the Ecuadorian government and their compound was invaded without warning. So if the Mossad has eyes on Damascus and learns members of the Iranian military are planning a terrorist attack on Israel, it would seem they have every right to – shall we say – deploy appropriate resources. This was done, of course, in true Israeli fashion and not a single civilian was killed.
So there we were this past Saturday (Shabbos) afternoon ensconced in a hotel room outside of Philadelphia. A knock at the door. I opened it and was told, “Turn on the TV. Iran is attacking Israel.” Happy 6-month anniversary! As I am shomer Shabbat (Sabbath observant), turning on the TV was not an option. In this case, it was done for me. What we learned is that more than 170 drones (UAV’s), 130 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel. One landed in Oman, another sent a Bedouin child to the hospital but all in all, Israel and her allies were able to intercept everything Iran sent our way. As a reader of the Teheran Times (Iran’s largest English newspaper), I was amazed at how they presented this event and the “historic attack” on Israel. Reading their depiction of these same events, one clearly is presented with an alternate universe.
I have to admit to being tired of all of this. The second Sabbath to be interrupted in six months with news of an attack. Ironically, we were probably less concerned on October 7th when we were on the ground than this past Saturday knowing we were so far away from our loved ones. Not knowing what was coming creates an abnormal amount of fear and trepidation. With many friends in the IDF we are perhaps privy to information that gives us some solace. Moreover, we know that G-d is keeping His eternal promise to the People of Israel and is protecting us from what could have been a catastrophic event.
I landed back in the Holy Land this morning. Pesach (Passover) – our Biblical march to freedom begins on Monday evening. All we can do is to offer a blessing. Hands and voices far more powerful than mine will make decisions in the coming days and months that continue to shape our region and often not in a good way. My blessing is that this Passover – whether you celebrate it or not – may the Lord Above, the Creator of all of us, help us to find our common ground. May we one day realize we are all brothers and may those whose hatred blinds them from seeing this truth – may their swords turn to plowshares. I know. You’re thinking this is far-fetched. It is. Nevertheless, Pesach (Passover) is a time of miracles and unless we used our quota this past Saturday – we could really use another one.
With love and blessings for all –
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David
David at People for Israel
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Since October 7, 2023
