Chilling sounds of warning sirens.
I wake up at 6:00 A.M., I turn on Israeli news before I get my feet on the ground.
I put my eyes and ears on full alert, did a siren go off and where?
I can hear the reporters try and talk over the loud and chilling sounds of warning sirens.
I jump out of bed and immediately begin texting my family members and friends.
A routine that my heart has not adapted to.
Sometimes I am the bearer of bad news, they haven’t heard the siren near their home yet.
The Danger of Bibi Netanyahu is felt in every breath.
I have been here before, they have been here before, we have been here before.
Sounds surreal right?
I text with a friend, and she is waiting with loads of fear and worry that her grandson will arrive home before the next missile is launched.
We text and share words of love, nothing else can really be said.
“I was giving a lecture on couple relationships, the sirens went off, we all rushed to the nearest shelters. Without blinking everyone returned and the talk of relationship continued. As if that moment before never occurred.”
Sounds surreal right?
I have been here before, they have been here before, we have been here before.
Children on both sides grow another branch of trauma in their soul.
A dear friend writes as he awaits the next siren.
“We go through this over and over again, for what, it does not bring peace any closer.”
Children on both sides grow another branch of trauma in their soul.
Moments of happy childhood memories will be replaced by the unimaginable fears of war.
I continue to send emojis of hearts, for there is nothing left to be said.
I have been here before, they have been here before, we have been here before.
Bibi Netanyahu, afraid of his own future, risks the lives of Israel’s people.
Bibi Netanyahu, afraid of his own future, risks the lives of Israel’s people.
The Israeli Prime Minister hopes the Sat night streets of Israel, that have been filled with hundreds of thousands of democracy lovers and protesters will remain empty.
The Danger of Bibi Netanyahu is so prevalent.
The reality of life-threatening moments will keep them silent.
He will then have a place to claim his heroism, protector of Israel.
Optimizing the situation to shut voices of justice down.
Alas calls to show up at the demonstrations, in full force still arrive in my email box.
I can feel the winds of hope trying desperately to embrace us.
I have been here before, they have been here before, we have been here before.
Two more people have been badly injured by missile shards.
It is Shabbat (Sabbath, Saturday) afternoon in Israel.
The European music competition Eurovision is about to begin.
Israel’s singer Noah Kriel is competing.
Despite the situation, news reporters smile as they share their hope for her win.
For a few minutes the sounds of sirens are forgotten, and we are just like any other country competing.
But then, a news flash, two more people have been badly injured by missile shards.
I have been here before, they have been here before, we have been here before.
Bibi Netanyahu believes he does.
I am a Savta (grandmother in Hebrew), peace activist and believer in the greatness of the human spirit.
However, I am also a realist and know the damages of war that cannot be revoked.
I have taken to the streets of Tel-Aviv together fighting for democracy with my brothers and sisters.
A young wife, I sent a spouse to the fields of war, and known those that have not returned.
My family members have paid that price.
What right does any man or woman in government power have to evoke these traumas for their own personal favors?
Bibi Netanyahu believes he does.
I have been here before, they have been here before, we have been here before.
Resilience is funny like that
Although my words may be filled with despair, and perhaps anger, I continue to believe.
As an Israeli and an American I have witnessed good appearing at the most challenging of times.
Resilience is funny like that; it sneaks into the rooms of our soul and lifts us.
So, for today, for now I send my prayers of peace and resilience to all those held hostage by this horrific situation.
I have been here before, they have been here before, we have been here before.
A Prayer for Peace
May there be no more hatred,
between one human being and another.
Let there be love and peace in the words our hearts speak.
So, we may be together with compassion and empathy.
And not allow the powers of violence and evil to control our moments.
May the voices of our children guide us as we make our decisions.
Let the gift of life always remain precious as.
And may we all be blessed with the riches of peace.
Amen.
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