I write this tonight as I sit on the rooftop of my hotel looking at the Knesset, the building that houses Israel’s parliament. This is a nation at war. Hostages are still being held by Hamas and the families/friends of these hostages are rightfully screaming for their release. Soldiers are dying. Their families/friends are rightfully distraught. Everyone has someone they love actively engaged in the IDF, defending Israel. So many lost loved ones on 7 October and the months that have followed. The country is still mourning.
The north continues to be under assault, extremely dangerous. Tens of thousands of Israelis are displaced, forced from their homes, living in hotels and elsewhere in the south. Some are returning to the western Negev, but the threat of Hamas persists. Homes and business have been destroyed in these regions and need to be rebuilt. Soldiers continue to fall, and the nation mourns daily. Throughout the country, the economy is shattered. The tourists aren’t here. The stores are empty if they are even open. On top of this, the fight over whether the ultra-Orthodox should be required to serve in the IDF rages on and this is causing more anger in an already outraged society.
Most people I talk to are not really interested in talking about politics. Their focus is on the war and trying as hard as possible to remain united during this terrible time. This does not mean they don’t have their opinions. They just don’t want to be dragged down by the complexities of politics.
The majority of people I’ve come in contact with seem to agree that Netanyahu has run his course. Some are furious at him and want him out now, but very few people know who is out there to replace him. As in US politics, there are those who say that anybody is better, but there is really no sense of what the options are. There is also an awareness that when elections are held, Netanyahu might win again.
There are protests. Large protests. Loud protests. Sometimes there is violence. Sometimes the police respond with force. But, from my experience, these protests are just a part of Israeli society. Just like in the US, they are attended by certain people and groups. Many do not attend. This doesn’t mean they don’t support or oppose the issues addressed by the protesters. If you are not aware of the protests, if you are not around one, life goes on. It also depends on where you are in country and what neighborhood you are in. Tel Aviv, for example, is much more political than Jerusalem – but that is not to say that protests do not exist here Jerusalem. There was one that just wrapped up by the Knesset as I began to write this post.
Most Israelis want the hostages released immediately. One dear friend, a grandmother of IDF soldiers active in Gaza, said “while it hurts me terribly to admit it, we need to see the hostages as causalities of this war. I don’t want more of our kids to die attempting to save these innocent lives from Hamas.” Her children and grandchildren disagree with her. Everywhere you go, the faces of the hostages are visible. Some feel that the liberation of the hostages would be enough, victory for Israel. But most of the people I’ve spoken with know that this would not be enough. Hamas and Hezbollah must be defeated. Iran’s influence must be stopped. Many feel, rightfully so, that the war is dragging on too long. Some blame Netanyahu and his government for this. Some blame President Biden and our government for tying Israel’s hands. Many blame both. And, yes, there is still support for Netanyahu. Our cab driver today said: “I support Bibi because I love Israel.”
Many who used to protest for peace before 7 October are devastated. Their world has been turned upside down. They have lost trust in those they felt where their Muslim brothers and sisters. Some have shared that they are embarrassed that they were “so naive.” Many Israelis are frustrated that their government didn’t act sooner, long before 7 October to stop Hamas. And some are frustrated that the US has not done enough to stop Iran and the Iranian puppets. Some people I’ve spoken with who are very anti-Trump shared with disgust that they feel perhaps 7 October wouldn’t have happened if the former President was in power. Most people I’ve spoken with have accepted that there is no quick fix to stopping the enemies of Israel – but they know that enemies must be stopped. Being patient while missiles and drones continue to be launched into Israel, terror attacks are (thankfully) thwarted, war continues to be waged, and hostages remain captive, is torturous.
People are tired. Very tired. Their spirits are low. You can see it in the eyes of everyone. While most people still have hope, they feel the future is very uncertain. Israel, they say will unquestionably survive and, Gd willing, soon thrive – but how, no one can really say.
Israelis need our support more than ever. They need to know that, politics aside, we stand with them. Many Israelis see the hate directed at them from the media and have come to believe that we have turned our backs on them. Our support makes a difference. Please know that. Israelis need you.
I spoke to a woman who was selling sunflowers (yellow for the hostages) before Shabbat at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. She is very liberal. Very anti-Netanyahu. I asked her if she had hope. Without hesitating she said, “yes, because of our youth. The way they have responded to this war, defending the nation, helping to lift up the country, serving, volunteering. They are proof that Israel is strong. Our youth will lead us with strength into the future.”
I have no doubt that this woman is right. Yes, Israelis are very tired. Their spirits are low. But, referring to the words the prophet, Yoel, Debbie Friedman reminds us, “the old shall dream dreams, and the youth shall see visions, and our hopes shall rise up to the sky. We must live for today; we must build for tomorrow. Give us time, give us strength, give us life.”
Am Yisrael Chai
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