Today is our last day. I think I’ve already mentioned it, but our actual itinerary has changed a lot and varies quite a bit from what I’ve posted here. I will take down the automatic posts in a few days, once I’ve had time to process everything. I will then begin to post what we actually did, as well as hopefully insights, thoughts, etc.
There is SO much swirling around in my brain. I’ve always felt strongly about the importance of supporting Israel, but until today, I’m not sure I really understood why. I’ll explain more later, but I will say this. Today, we visited Sderot. It’s a town very near Gaza. They live in constant threat of rocket fire and they receive at least 2-3 on a “quiet” week. We were taken up on a hill where we could see Gaza. We were shown the mechanisms and electronic systems they have in place for early detection. Even with all this advanced equipment, they are so close that once the air raid siren sounds, they have at most, 15 seconds to find cover. Imagine going about your life always having to know where the nearest bomb shelter is. There are bomb shelters in playgrounds and at bus stops. And you’re not living in fear that an attack might happen, but rather in anticipation of the next one. If this was happening in the United States, we would do anything we could do to make it stop, and to make sure our children were safe. Yet, when Israel actually takes action (which in this case is rare because of their moral stance and the possibly collateral damage), they’re persecuted for it.
I have a lot more to say but not enough time right now to say it. But let me leave you with this. Before you form an opinion, do some research. The media that’s readily available, and dare I say, manufactured for us is deliberately misleading.
