At Chavat Gilad, where we are working to reverse the government decree against water and electricity supplies to the community, we once again bonded with the families there.
The Golan was glorious in its vistas and archeological wonders. Aharon Pulver, of the Israel Independence Fund, met us at the innovative technical school in Hispin, where haredi, Ethiopian, and Russian boys are learning to be technicians in the Israeli Air Force. Traveling down the Jordan Valley, we stopped at Maskiot, the new home for Gush Katif refugees from S’Dot Yam.
We visited Mevo’ot Yericho, close to PA-controlled Jericho, which is struggling to survive despite the lack of government help. Residents must cope with fences broken and herds of sheep stolen by Bedouins.
It is good to hear Prime Minister Netanyahu speak about a strong Israel; however, when we see some of the upsetting things described above, we have to wonder when the strong arm of enforcement will come into play. Until then, we work and pray, and continue to make plans for our next Chizuk mission to Israel.
Helen Freedman is executive director of Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI.