It is already November 2nd. Recently I have been thinking (I still do that sometimes, i.e. - think/ponder) that I came back to Israel on October 23rd 2022. I moved into my new home on November 14, 2022.
The elections were held on November 26, 2022. I could not vote, even though I am a citizen, because of some bureaucratic snafu. Bibi Netanyahu was voted in - again - that is, his Likud party. Would my one vote against him have made a difference? I actually do think that one person does make a difference in the grand scheme of things.
At that time the people I know in Israel were very upset that he returned to power. They knew things were changing, sliding downhill, but I don't think anyone foresaw the dreadful war that would erupt on October 7th, 2023, and still continues to this very day. From November 2022 protests began against the judicial reform - nothing changed, then came the war, protests continued - this time to bring back the hostages
, to end the war. Nothing changed. There is a "ceasefire" that is broken, remade, broken, no victory, still 11 hostage remains to be returned. Protests continue. The nation is traumatised. Last night I spoke to my. niece - I told her that every time I hear a car door slam, a siren, any kind of screech, my heart kind of stops, then pounds - "Oh no," I think, here we go. She says it is exactly the same for her, and her children, and everyone she knows. Two years of being on high alert is not particularly good for one's nervous system. People are angry, sad, confused. There are thousands of soldiers - wounded in body and spirit. Almost 1000 killed, the judicial reform continues, the corruption of the highest officials worsens ---- there is little hope, the religious continues to protest enlistment. Who would EVER have imagined what is happening.
As you may see, I am not writing for the people of Gaza - it is almost impossible to imagine their suffering.
All of the above is my excuse for not posting entries for almost three weeks. I just have not the heart to say anything, but I suppose I should - sort of to bear witness, so here, I have posted an entry. Thanks to those who read this.
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