Late Friday afternoon, Erev Shabbat, November 16, 2012, warning sirens blew in earnest in Jerusalem for the first time since we have lived here. Later reports claimed that two rockets launched from Gaza had landed close to, but outside the city. Even though Marcia, the neighbors and I had all heard and felt faint concussions from explosions that Hamas later boasted came from “improved Qassam” rockets, everyone here remained calm.
Out on the street, pedestrians walked at the same leisurely pace as before. In an apartment next door, an orthodox gathering sang together while the sirens wailed, preparing for blessings over wine and bread and a Sabbath meal.
But after all kinds of prior talk about being prepared, Marcia and I still weren’t quite sure what to do; then Marcia’s all-girl intelligence network kicked in. Her cell phone rang continually as she gathered tactical assessments from women all over town. Everyone and everything seemed okay. After a quick meeting with our fellow building mates we agreed to meet in Miriam’s makhsan (storage room) if the sirens blew again. (Modern buildings in Israel all have fortified safe rooms, by code, but ours was built well before this rule, sometime in the 1930s.)
While Jerusalem’s and Tel Aviv’s recent experience is relatively unique, missiles have fallen regularly into southern Israel from heroic positions in Gaza (urban centers, hospitals and schools) for years. Citizens in the south are urged to reach shelter within fifteen seconds of an alert to be safe.
Here in Jerusalem the recommended time to respond is a luxurious 30-90 seconds.
Shortly after the missile attack we watched English language television news and saw a video of a US state department press conference during which a spokesman stated, “Israel has the right to defend itself.”
How amazingly kind.
An American journalist then asked, “Do the Palestinian people not have the right to defend themselves as well?”
The reporter’s disingenuous question defies common sense and smacks of what Caroline Glick has called the new antisemitism. Gone forever among the clever and polite are direct attacks on Jews. They can now pursue their animosity well within the bounds of political correctness by supporting Palestinians in every instance regardless of the circumstances, no matter the dangers or inequities their unconditional support may heap upon Israel.
It is a real, virulent phenomenon and it is not going away.
PHOTO: PALESTINIAN MEDIA WATCH
So, here in tiny Israel, as the IDF prepares to call up 75,000 reserves and launch a costly operation for the sole purpose of stopping Hamas from bombing, killing, traumatizing and terrorizing Israeli citizens, Americans should prepare for award-winning photo-journalism showing selective collateral damage that proves Israel wrong for losing patience and finally attacking missile launchers tactically nested behind the innocent. Also prepare for overuse of the phrase, “disproportionate response,” as if the world would praise Israel for turning terrorist like her enemies and launching thousands of rockets into Gaza.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman asked rhetorically during an interview , where is, where has been the outrage from humanitarian activists on behalf of the terror victims of southern Israel?
We all know the answer. As the old English proverb goes, a wink is as good as a nod to a blind horse. But Israel will endure. Former Prime Minister of Israel, Golda Meir once said,
We Jews have a secret weapon in our struggle with the Arabs; we have no place to go.”
Not only have we no place else to go, but the UN and US favor giving half of the little we have to a fictional people committed to our extinction and who suffer tremendously in this region only because of their hateful ideology.
But Ms. Meir was mistaken about Israel’s ultimate secret weapon…
Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right arm them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. (Psalms 17:7)
Our real secret weapon, the right arm of God, will be no secret in time .
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Bonus: Grim assessment of American election results: The party of victory.
glad to hear you are ok. nice to hear from someone besides our media…… 🙂
take care. we keep you in our thoughts and prayers!
Many prayers for His Chosen People in His Promised Land are being said from moment to moment here in the US. Thank you for sharing your insights and please know that all of you are deeply loved because you are!
Thanks for this update/. I have the privilege to help with the IDF and have ben base in Ber Sheva past weeks. Been very interesting. The sirens and nearby very loud booms were for real. We must all remember “that He who keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps”
Love to all and always your friend.
Cliff and Marcia, we were worried about the attacks, but you knew exactly what you were doing when you went home to Israel. Many of us are horrified by our country’s new attitude toward almost everything that is honest and good. The election caused a deep depression for me. We are all in for some very hard times. It is in the hands of God and I guess we will just have to continue to do what we know is right, honest and good. God bless you and thank you for keeping us informed.
Cliff, Excellent, excellent article to those who love and care about Israel, you and Marcia. May the Lord bless you abundantly for ‘standing in the gap’ for us and keeping us informed. We know how biased our news is – we don’t always get the truth. Your friend in Messiah – Patti
Cliff & Marcia – I believe we met last year when Anna & I came to Israel – we were with Andrea. Great article. And amen that you have a secreat WEAPON, the God of Israel! Praying for you, Maureen D.
Hi Cliff and Marcia,
I am glad to know you are safe and among those who can be at peace in the midst of great challenge. It seems surreal to be a witness to events prophesied so long ago. Ezekiel 38 -39 may not be a direct correlation yet, but looking to those passages and the events of this week, it sure does give us a glimpse of the not so far off future. We all pray with great hope for Peace, Security and Freedom, but the Word reminds us of the great battle (at His Direction) to be waged before those finally becomes ours forever. I don’t want or wish for it but I will believe the Word with eyes wide open and As for Me and My House, We Shall Serve the Lord. Blessings and Safety to you, Marcia and your neighbors.
Rob
Prayers for you all. Please keep us updated to the “real” news. God Bless!!
Cliff, thank you for this update on Marcia and you, as well as insight into what is happening there. You two and the entire nation of Israel are in my prayers. And you’re right…God is indeed Israel’s secret weapon!
Amen and amen!!! We pray for Israel, grieve for the response of our nation, and trust you will be safe. Thank you again for this blog!
Hi Marcia and Cliff. Once again, I apologize for my 2am call (you’d think I could add and keep my am and pm straight; would you belive that i even waited until that time to call? I miss my mind, but you were gracious as always, and it was wonderful to talk with you and hear that you are well. I know that you are under that cover of the wings of the Soverign Lord and that gives all of us the peace that surpasses all understanding….. but it is still so nice to talk with you and hear what is going on with you.
Cliff, your article says it all so well! As you know, not all of us in the US are blinded by or dumb to the rhetoric spewed in the UN or the liberal US media, but we are saddened by the numb hearts and skewed perspective of many! Keep writing and sharing!
Love you both!
Babs
I loved your comment concerning what the US State Department said during a press conference when the spokesperson said “Israel has the right to defend itself”:
How amazingly kind.
Touche!
I tried emailing Marcia after the news showed the recent attacks. I was wanting to know that you are safe. The letter came back so I mush not have her correct address. Look us up when you come to SC. I will stay atuned and pray for your welfare.
Excellent article as usual Cliff! Keep ’em coming!