So far this week has been totally normal for me but unfortunately not for all Israelis. Starting last Thursday there was a major increase in violence in the South that resulted in over 222 missiles being launched from Gaza into Israel. 13% of Israeli's spent the weekend in bomb shelters to avoid the missiles. It is such a hard situation because if Israel were to invade Gaza and stop the bombing the international community would be angered and it would hurt any sort of peace negations to come. I tried to think about what the US would do if we were bombed by 222 missiles and I know the reaction would be very different from Israel. It is not that Israel in incapable of invading Gaza and ending the violence it is just the ramifications that will follow. The conflict is so complicated.
The reason behind the missile attack this weekend was in response to Israel killing Zuhair al-Qaissi. Zuhair al-Qaissa was the commander of the group who abducted an Israeli solider Gilad Schalit (a whole other story). Another issue is the internal conflict going on between Hamas and the Islamic Jihad over the control of Gaza. Right now Hamas is in control but the Islamic Jihad claims to be in control of the attack. But some people think Hamas is actually responsible. As you see this is SO COMPLICATED. We have all been keeping up with the news a little more closely this week. Here is a link from the Israeli Defense Force explaining the attacks on Israel. Keep in mind it is a little slanted.
http://www.idfblog.com/2012/03/10/israel-under-fire-gaza/
But a cease fire has been called with Egypt mediating. It did surprise me to hear the the international media was hardly covering the events occurring. The whole situation is one big back and forth argument. The only problem is lives have been lost. I have a major problem with people who are so Pro-Israel or so Pro-Palestine because they only see the small picture and forget that so many people are effected. Everyone should be Pro-People if peace is ever going to come to the Middle East.
Although all this violence does exist life still goes on as normal. Our travel plans to the South have been postponed but nothing major has happened to us expect worrying about our friends in the Army and in the places being attacked. One Israeli even told us "Just take a plane to the South because the plane flies higher than the missiles." As you see Israeli's are very used to all the violence and simply adjust plans. One major defense used by Israel is the "Iron Dome." I'm not sure why we have decided this is hilarious but everyone talks about the almighty Iron Dome and it cracks us all up. They actually have 3 Iron Domes and are hoping to get a 4th soon. I am thankful for the Iron Dome because it has intercepted a lot of missiles from Gaza.
I know this all sounds scary but don't worry because I live in Jerusalem. Not only is it about 2 hours from the missiles but no one will bomb Jerusalem. The Dome of the Rock is the 3rd holiest sites in Islam and therefore no Muslim country or organization is willing to destroy such a sacred place.
On Monday night we tried to catch the train but it had been evacuated after a 'suspicious package' was found aboard. I think back to the first few weeks here and think how scared I would have been then. But now we gripped about having to pay for a cab and still went downtown, hardly batting an eye. Today I even complained about tourists clogging up downtown when I was trying to get to the market. I have gone from a tourist to a local in two months! Of course my Israeli friends would most definitely disagree because they think I am the most American person in the world.
Both of Milia's and Marissa's parents are visiting! It has been so nice to have a mom around for the week. Plus going out to dinner has been great too! Monday night we took the Mom's with us to the Orthodox Karaoke bar. As usual we had a great time singing and meeting Orthodox women. Then I spent Tuesday afternoon downtown sipping coffee, reading and people watching. I love to people watch here because anything goes. You can see an Orthodox women completely covered, an Arab women wearing a Hijab, a monk, soldiers and then an Israeli teenage girl wearing a cute sundress. I have never seen such a diverse population is such a small area.
One thing I've learned from Israeli's is you live for the moment because you don't know what tomorrow will bring. I love it! It makes everyday adventurous. I have been here for 2 months and I can not even fathom the amount of information I have learned. Not just Hebrew or Foreign Policy from class but the culture and lifestyle of the people around me.
xoxo,
Katy Ann
No comments:
Post a Comment