There are so many ways to show the difference between what is important in Gaza vs. what is important in Israel. Perhaps, to be fair, I should say the difference between the leaderships in both places but since we Israelis and those in Gaza voted in our governments, it really does amount to the same thing.
What came out of Gaza is the knowledge that they can indeed hit Tel Aviv and though they didn’t manage to hit Jerusalem, they took aim and got close. The Fajir 5 is a missile they created to kill our people. At least one couple in Gaza named their new born baby “Fajir5”.
What came out of Israel is a new defense missile called “Magic Wand” that will protect Tel Aviv and Jerusalem from these missiles that can fly 75 kilometers to kill and maim.
This morning, an Arab crossed into Israel from Gaza and broke into a Jewish home very close to the border. Inside the house, the Arab stabbed a Jewish girl before soldiers caught him and killed him.
In Syria today and yesterday, the government opened fire on its people, murdering dozens and destroying buildings, property and lives.
In the United Nations, they are likely soon to discuss and condemn Israel for this aggression or another. The Fajir5 will not be discussed. The deaths of 5 innocent Israels are nothing to the world, though they are everything to their families.
What came out of Operation Pillar of Defense is almost exactly what went in – one culture determined to injure, murder and destroy another; one culture determined to defend its people at all costs; and one world, silent, oblivious, fooled.
And lest you think I am silent, oblivious and fooled, what also came out of Operation Pillar of Defense is knowledge spread among a few, shared with friends – who love Israel and support her. They were not silent in giving us their support; they were never oblivious and I am so grateful that they are not fooled by endless claims of massacres that never were; destruction that was on a huge scale completely justified by the offense weapons that were destroyed within their walls.
I am grateful, again, for the swift and tireless efforts of the Israel Defense Forces – but also of the IDF Spokesperson’s Office and tireless bloggers who didn’t let them get away with re-using pictures from Syria (and even Israel, if you can believe that) and say it was Gaza.
What came out of Operation Pillar of Defense is a few days of quiet for our children in the south; no sirens in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Last evening, Aliza called as she walked home. She said we didn’t have to keep talking, she wasn’t afraid of a siren. She just wanted me to know she would be home soon. What came home, for so many of us, were our sons. We know that had there been a ground invasion, more mothers would not be saying that today. We know the future, but it won’t be today. We believe today will be quiet, another day to heal our children, our hearts.
It’s too early to know whether Netanyahu’s folding before Washington’s pressure was a good thing or a bad thing in the long term. Few believe we won’t be going back in to Gaza in the future to stop the missiles at our cities, the Fajir 5 and its next generations. But we are a people that look to today and the sun is shining, it is a beautiful, clear, pleasant day here in this most holy land. There were no missiles this morning as our children went to school and we need to believe there won’t be any as they return in several hours. The early morning threat to one Jewish home ended in their loss – the child is in fair condition and though she will be traumatized, we’ll take care of her with love and she will be fine.
So, today is good – and yes, part of that is a result of Operation Pillar of Defense.
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