For the past two days the posts that I’ve written have gotten erased. Deleted. Vanished like a magician’s rabbit. Gone. Was I distracted and hit a wrong button? Was it something else??? So now, I’ll try to recreate as best I can what I believe to be two of the best posts I’ve ever written. And if you find interesting or informative any of what I wrote please share. If you know of any outlet that will publish my writing, please contact me/them. Thank you for your readership.
Last week was an incredibly hard week for the people of Israel as we faced one tragedy after another. The South Africans pressed charges of genocide against Israel and we are now defending ourselves and have been ordered to present evidence that we are NOT committing genocide in the International Court of Justice.
Last Tuesday the nation was devastated (that’s mildly putting it) to learn that 24 of our IDF soldiers were killed in action in less than 24 hours. Monday an antitank missile was fired towards a tank outside Khan Younis. Simultaneously an RPG hit two adjacent 2-story buildings that imploded and collapsed. Nearby a booby trapped building heavy with explosives detonated killing and wounding a small platoon of 9 soldiers inside.
Captain, Reserves, Nir Binyamin, 29
Nir Binyamin, 29, was born and raised in Tiberias. He had recently finished his engineering degree from Bar Ilan University, was working in Tel Aviv, and living in the Tel Aviv suburbs. He was called up and entered the reserves shortly after 7 October. While on leave two weeks ago, he spoke with his parents about his decision to propose to his longtime girlfriend on his next leave. He was killed in the building collapse. Last week, his mother, Michal, gave her son’s eulogy. Our hearts were ripped in two when we heard this strong woman on the television:
“After I had visited Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum) and gone to see the burned out houses at Kibbutz Aza, I understood. I finally understood. That only if we will be together, united and be there for one another with strong faith in G-d, our strength will push back every enemy. We are a strong nation. My son fell for the sake of this country. On his behalf, I want to ask you (over 1000 mourners gathered at the funeral) a small favor. Will you now shout loudly with me? “ Am Yisrael Chai!” ( The people of Israel live!)
Not all of those IDF soldiers killed were Jewish… some were not even Israeli. Sgt. 1st class, res., age 26 was an Arab Israeli Bedouin Muslim. He was a husband a father to a one year old daughter. He was killed in the booby trapped building.
Before a soldier here enters into war or serves in a dangerous area, they sit down and writes a letter to be delivered to their next of kin in the event of their death. I am always amazed at the eloquence of these letters. Abu Latif wrote:
“ I am proud to be a Bedouin Israeli. From my perspective, the people I knew all lived together and respect each other in our land. I am proud to be a Bedouin serving in the IDF as a warrior. I have had the privilege to defend and protect in a meaningful service that I will never forget. For the past decades Gaza has become a completely different place than it was. Today there is a murderous terror organization there that does not distinguish between Jews and Arabs. People from my community have contributed a lot to this country, to the soldiers, to the kibbutzim. Bedouins, too, have been killed and kidnapped. We all share the same fate and we must stand together united. Unfortunately, there are people who don’t believe in cooperation between sectors, trying to intimidate, provoke and ruin relationships, to destroy trust. Do not believe them. Do not let it happen.”
Not all the soldiers who serve in the IDF and give their lives are native born Israelis. Cedrick Garin came to Israel with his parents as a toddler. They were from the Philippines. His mother, Imelda, was a devout Catholic. She worked as a house cleaner and took on jobs caring for others in order to make and send money back home to support her family there. Rico, Cedrick’s father, was deported back to the Philippines when his visa was found over expired.
Cedrick lost his way and fell into a wrong crowd in high school. He stopped going to church. Eventually he dropped out and opted for life in the streets. He was arrested several times for petty crimes, but he tried to hide this from his mother. Imelda continued to pray for him. One night the police came to their apartment. Cedrick Garin’s life changed again when, being led out the door in handcuffs, he realized how badly he had caused his mother so much pain.
Cedrick finished his high school, went back to Mass regularly with his mother and enlisted in the IDF. It is nearly impossible to get into a combat unit with a criminal record, but Garin was persistent and proved his worth.
While in regular service he was stationed in Hebron, a holy site to Jews and Christians as it is where the Cave of the Patriarchs, Machpelah, is. The burial place of Abraham & Sarah; Isaac & Rebecca; Jacob & Leah. It is a small Orthodox Jewish neighborhood surrounded by Muslims, many radicalized. Jews consider Hebron to be part of Judaea, the Biblical heartland. Others, the West Bank and occupied Territory. Pvt. Garin was on duty one day and saw a man in a kefiyya with a knife in one hand and axe in the other. He saw the man stalking an obviously Orthodox Jew headed to the cave to worship and before the terrorist could stab him, Garin shot him in the leg and neutralized the perpetrator.
Cedrick Garin recently married his sweetheart, Daniella, a caregiver from the Philippines. They planned on starting a family in the near future. Cedrick Garin was one of the soldiers killed in the building blast.
If you have ever watched the award winning TV drama series, Fauda, on Netflix, then you are familiar with Idan Amedi who plays the character Sagi.
Idan Amedi, 35, is also a singer and songwriter who was discovered on Israel’s version of Star Search. He is one of the top Israeli superstars and is also a captain in an elite reserve unit of the military.
Seven weeks ago, Amedi’s unit was ambushed in Northern Gaza and hit by an RPG. He was treated on the scene by military paramedics and evacuated to Sheba Medical Center. He arrived sedated, intubated and burned, covered in soot so that he was unrecognizable. Amedi spent several weeks in ICU. He was released last Friday to shikum, intensive rehabilitation and physiotherapy. He gave a statement to the press upon his release.
“I want to share a hug with the grieving families. As someone who knows loss up close, I know there are no words to mend a shattered heart. Though I was seriously injured, my spirit is strong. I refuse to make this injury the story of my life. It’s just another milestone. I will come back to sing and act and with G-d’s help will also return to fight for my country. The Israeli people are the strongest people in the world. When we are united we are invincible. It will take time, but we will win this war. We have no other choice. As you have supported me, I only ask that you support my brothers in arms.”
Among the soldiers killed on the deadliest day since the war began was 35 year old Elkana Vizem. He lived in Gaza when it was part of Israel, when Israelis and Arabs lived side by side in peace. In the days before the Israelis were forcibly removed by their own government in a land for peace deal, the Oslo Accords. Elkana was the father of four small children.
He wrote in this letter he left his family:
“If you are reading this, something must have happened to me.
First, in the event that I have been taken captive, I demand that no deal for the release of a single terrorist be made for my release. Our resounding victory is more important than anything else, so please simply continue putting all of your effort into ensuring that our victory is as resounding as possible.
Perhaps I have been killed in battle. When a soldier is killed in battle, it’s sad. But I ask you to be happy. Don’t be sad when you bid farewell to me. Sing a lot, enter people’s hearts, hold one another’s hands and strengthen one another. We have so much to be proud of and be happy about. We are a generation of redemption! We are writing the most significant moments in the history of our nation and of the entire world. So I ask you to please be optimistic. Keep always choosing life – a life of love, hope, purity, and optimism.
Look those who are dear to you in the whites of their eyes and remind them that everything they experience in this life is worth it and they have a great deal to live for. Live! Don’t stop the power of life for even a single moment!
I was already wounded in Operation Protective Edge. I had the option of staying behind, but not for a moment do I regret my decision to go back into combat. On the contrary: it’s the best decision I ever made.”
For the past week delegates from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, the CIA and Mossad have been meeting in Paris to discuss a hostage release/ceasefire deal. Hamas has demanded a release of 150 ( later updated to 250) prisoners (terrorists) released from Israeli prisons per hostage or body released. They have also called for a complete ceasefire on Israel’s part. And a continuation of UNRWA humanitarian aid (hijacked by Hamas terrorists that does not get to the civilians).
They have no food. No water. No shelter. No fuel. No power. Despite the 250 semi truckloads of aid entering into Gaza from 3 checkpoints. But they do have this:
Yesterday evening, just after nightfall, as the citizens in the Tel Aviv area were coming home from work the sirens sounded again and again and again and again. 48 rockets were launched from Khan Younis.
I cannot begin to imagine the horrors of the people still held in captivity by Hamas/Isis and the PIJ. I do not want to even think the tremendous torture the families of these hostages. It’s all we think about. Every time we step out of our house (seriously) there is a poster or photographs of those still held. We know someone who’s best friend is a 79 year old man there. I think of the Bibas children, Kfir, who spent his first birthday in a tunnel. And his brother, Ariel, age 4. Two gorgeous redheads. And their mom.
Every week Hamas runs a pay-op on us. Three weeks ago they sent out a little game show. Photos of three hostages. We had to guess which ones were alive and which were dead: a young woman (the one on videoed screaming from the motorcycle), and two men.
Two weeks ago they released a video (that went viral) of four kidnapped young women, hands tied behind their backs, ages 18-31: a track star, a talented violinist were two of the girls. They had obviously been beaten and looked very thin.
This week, the Hamas ba$+arD$ released another photo.
I understand the families that want to bring these loved ones home at any and all costs. But there are serious games being played now. One is to blame everything on Netanyahu, to oust him from office and cause him to resign. He is far from perfect and has done several things I cannot honor, but now is not the time.
There are those who want to see Israel fall. It is no secret. Israel has many enemies in this world. To divide Israel and send her into chaos would be perfect. To arrange a deal where Israel would have to ceasefire and Hamas could regroup, rearm, recharge, replan, fortified with all the terrorists we’ve captured would send many Israelis over the top.
To arrange a deal where land would be promised for peace again, where the Palestinians would live peaceably, side by side with Israel is a pipe dream. They will not recognize Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign nation. It would split the country in two.
We are receiving news that the war cabinet is meeting. That foreign dignitaries are calling and visiting. There is intense pressure for an agreement to be cobbled together. Already this morning, several right wing Knesset members have stated that they will dissolve the current government if a deal like the above is reached.
Just 15 minutes ago, I read, opposition leader Yair Lapid (who was interim Prime Minister for 4 months last year) stated he would step in as head of an emergency government should the current one collapse.
The people want unity. The people of Israel want to see a just conclusion to this war where the evil Hamas regime is completely disassembled and can no longer wage war against Israel. The soldiers are willing to fight and die for their country. Despite pulling troops, despite scaling back Air Force attacks, despite sending in foreign aid which is known to contain contraband, they are making tremendous headway in Southern Gaza.
Lastly, I leave you with the story of Eitan Mor, 25, who was working as a security guard at the Supernova Festival. After helping hundreds of concert goers escape the terrorist invasion, he himself, was woman’s captured. Today he spends his 116th day in captivity somewhere in. Gaza hellhole.
Wotan’s parents, Tzvika & Ditza, are absolutely adamant that there not be a hostage release in exchange for letting convicted terrorists free. It has happened before and is a recipe for disaster. As Tzvika reminded the journalists interviewing him, the mastermind, milithead of Hamas, Yayha Sinwar was held in an Israeli prison where he learned Hebrew and got two degrees. He was successfully treated for a brain tumor in the best Israeli hospitals. Sinwar was released in the hostage exchange for Gilad Shalit in 2015… when over 1000 prisoners were let go for one hostage. If this kind of deal happens, our soldiers would have all fought and died in vain.
Ditza appeared on national news stating:
“I’m a mother of 8 children, including my eldest son, Eitan. But if now Eitan was released in exchange for terrorists with blood on their hands or terrorists in general, I have a responsibility to my little 5 year old daughter and her siblings. Because the same terrorist or terrorists who are released in this deal can come and kidnap and murder my daughters and sons in a few years time. I want that Eitan could be here so I could bake his favorite cake and hug him and hold him tight. But I’m also responsible to the rest of my children and, of course, to almost 10 million Israeli citizens as well. I love my son more than my heart can bear, but I also love my people.”
Israel Dreams 