Minutes after I began this entry on Thursday, July 10 at about 6:00 PM, sirens sounded here in Jerusalem for the second time since Hamas, the people of Gaza’s elected terrorist government, began the latest round of rocket fire against Israeli homes and schools. Marcia and I counted 6 explosions after the sirens sounded yet we remain hopeful that, as was the case two nights ago, none in Jerusalem were harmed by the attack. Soon after the excitement ended, a friend told us that she, while waiting at a nearby Jerusalem bus stop, had watched first hand as Iron Dome missiles intercepted two incoming rockets overhead.
A man stopped traffic to hop out of his car and take pictures.
The rockets, of course, came from Gaza, the territory that Israel ceded to the Arabs nine years ago in hopes of furthering peace.
In February, 2005, the Knesset approved a unilateral disengagement plan and began evacuating Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip on August 15, 2005. The evacuation was completed on September 12. All Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip … were dismantled, and 9,000 Israelis … were forcibly evicted. (Link)
Italian columnist Giulio Meotti, in a recent column about the Jewish Victim Mentality (a piece that suggests that Israeli Jews are not morally superior for refusing to act in their own interests), sized up that once hopeful Gaza giveaway as follows…
…Israel evicted 8,000 brave Jews…from a paradise in the middle of misery called Gush Katif. Then it built a sophisticated fence around the Gaza Strip in hope of not being harmed by the Muslim terrorists. And [those terrorists] have fired more than 20,000 rockets at the Jews since then.
Does it seem safe to say, then, that Israel’s liberal approach to radical Islam has not worked out ?
Now the Israeli government has called up 40,000 reservists in response to the crisis and has begun amassing them at the Israel/Gaza border. Israeli children in the south are learning a heartbreaking “Code Red” song to help reduce the trauma of rocket attacks.
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Contrast the video above with the image below, taken from This Ongoing War, a blog which characterizes these armed Palestinian children, sarcastically, as evidence of the US and Europe’s “return on investment.”
Despite all, civilian life in Jerusalem (unlike in the south) has hardly been affected. People here go to work, walk dogs, shop, ride buses and eat out as they did before. Last week an Arab gentleman who works regularly in our landlord’s garden blew a shoe. When Marcia brought him a roll of (genuine, imported American) duct tape with which to reattach its sole, he was delighted.
His work continued with a smile, proving that some things can be repaired simply.
John Kerry’s recent mind-numbing experiences in the Middle East (see, America is the Arsonist in the Middle East) prove that others cannot.
Extra: Has the New York Times morphed from one of Israel’s many biased US detractors to her outright enemy? (A Palestinian Sob Story, critique of a New York Times article overrunning with malicious half-truths.)
Most of us that read and understand do not support what the USA is doing. The politicians are out of control, and do not represent the will of the majority of people in most cases. Those that try to make change can’t get it done. Prices are going up here, real estate in many locations is soft, and the overall economy is not in good shape…as you probably know.
Glad you are okay. Thanks for the post; keep the information coming.
Best Regards, Jet.
Cliff and Marcia,
I think of you everyday and pray for you and for all of Israel. Keep safe!
Thinking of you two all the time and pray that you stay safe. I would like to call,but the time diff interfers .
My love to you both.
THE Aunt
I miss you both so much. My heart is on Mitudela and I wish I were there with you. Praying for everyone’s safety, including Tomi’s. Please give Miriam my love too. Sandy
It is a blessing Cliff to hear from you and Marcia! I’ve been so worried about yall! Been praying for yall, Israel and the IDF as they protect Israel so well.
That video of the kids is so precious. So glad they are keeping happy and their families faith strong.
The report you give makes me feel better. The reports I’m getting from the IDF on FB, including videos of rockets coming every 11 minutes in some places!
I will continue to pray!! May God bless yall!
Just wanted you to know how much I appreciate Standing by the Gate. Thank you for sharing.
Appreciate the update and insider perspectives. Stay safe, my friend!
I have been waiting to see a post from you! Hope you are well. The pictures, videos and posts that are coming into FB are disturbing to say the least! Please tell Marcia to check her “other” file on FB….tried to see how y’all are. I am planning a trip to Israel in January with Wisdom In Torah. I hope we can have a small reunion! We’ll be staying in Jerusalem most of the trip. Take care! We’re all thinking about you.
Cliff our prayers are with you and Marcia. We pray for your safety and that God will bring peace to Israel for only He can do so. I have read the last chapter, and His Peace will prevail….
Thanks for the news. Greg and I were talking about you and Marcia this past week and wondering how this was affecting you’all. We keep that area in our prayers. We appreciate hearing the news from a civilian who is there and not just the media. Our best to you both