By Michael Kuttner…
What a difference a week can make.
This time last week Israelis were busy planning their summer vacations. Should they take the family overseas? If so, where should they go? Advertisements offering a multitude of deals provided multiple choices for destinations and accommodation.
Summer camps for children ranging from youngsters to late teens were gearing up for their annual influx of locals and overseas participants.
Schools were scheduling end of year exams and excursions.
Then, suddenly the balloon went up and the country faced a war situation. Sirens, air raid shelters, missiles and drones became a fact of daily life. Nights were interrupted with alerts and alarms. The airport is closed although some repatriation flights of Israelis stranded overseas have now commenced. Outward bound flights are still suspended.
Meanwhile, as usual, Israelis are making the best of a difficult situation and looking forward to positive developments.
MESSAGE FROM ISRAEL’S PRESIDENT
President Herzog clearly explains why Israel had to act.
This should be circulated to all those who still fail to understand why “de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue” are policies which do not work with terror supporting regimes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_JJOHJdlLE
COMMUNAL SOLIDARITY
A glimpse of how Israelis and visitors are coping with the current situation.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, resilience, a sense of humour, chutzpah and resoluteness prevails.
Note the reactions of youngsters and a New Zealand tourist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8dBEtnjhBM
EYEWITNESS FROM TEL AVIV
This short video explains how Iranian disinformation is being used to misinform and spread lies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcA5qahXDFw
Michael Kuttner is a Jewish New Zealander who for many years was actively involved with various communal organisations connected to Judaism and Israel. He now lives in Israel.
[This article was originally published on J-Wire and is reproduced here with permission from Michael Kuttner.]
