Today is the 13th day of the Israeli operation in Gaza. Operation Cast Lead had not affected me much until yesterday when rockets from Lebanon hit Na-ariya, about 20 miles north of me. Before that I felt safe here. I am in the north, far away from Gaza and the rockets being sent into southern Israel on a daily basis. We even went on a trip to the Negev this week, and though I could see the military planes and helicopters flying overhead, I felt safe. Israeli's have lived with terror and war for so long that they have learned to live their lives despite the situation, and I am so amazed by them. I have felt safe because everyone around me has been relaxed and unconcerned. Everyone talks about what is going on in the south and fears for their families there, but they do not stop their lives, it doesn't affect their daily activities. Yesterday a terrorist group in Lebanon (apparently not Hezbolleh...they have more advanced, longer range weapons, and they would have sent 100 not 4) sent rockets into two towns in northern Israel. Thankfully, they were met with a swift response from the IDF. For the first time, the kibbutzniks started asking me if I knew where the bomb shelters were and what to do in case of a Siren alarm.

I was really anxious all day yesterday, because this is a situation I have never had to deal with before. As my dad said, no one is sending rockets to Burlington, not even to Woburn. But I do not want to go home. Part of this is because I honestly don't feel that I am in very much danger, especially not on the kibbutz. The northern front has been quiet until now, and the fact that Hezbolleh allowed a smaller group to send a few rockets is being generally interpreted here as a show of support and solidarity with the Palestinians, but not a real threat against the safety of those in the north of Israel. Also, here there is a government that cares about its citizens. There is a warning system in place and safe places to go in case of emergency. There is such a disproportionate number of civilian deaths because Hamas does not care about its people. The IDF calls homes before they bomb them, but that is the only warning the people get. Hamas has not installed any warning system or given the people a safe place to go. Beyond that, they hide their weapons and their terrorists in the civilian homes, deliberately making them targets. I hate war and violence in all forms, and I want peace here as much, if not more than most, but Israel is not the one blocking it. I read the papers and I get so upset about the way the world is perceiving this. People in America are chanting "Palestine from the river to the sea". I can't tell if they are just stupid and do not understand that this is a call for the destruction of the Jewish State at all costs, or if they truly want that. In either case, the anti-war people who support the palestinian people are joining a side who's solution to the conflict is the complete destruction of another country.

I am planning on leaving Israel at the beginning of April, and I am going to stay here for as much of that time as I can. I know I am not a citizen of this country, and I would never stay in any other country when it was at war, but this is not just an attack on Israel. Hamas wants the destruction of Israel becuase it is a Jewish state. I do not want to run away from an attack on the Jewish people. I am no hero, and I will probably leave as soon as I am in serious danger, but I can't leave now. Partly because I would feel like a coward and like I was running away, and partly becuase I think that if I came back to the States right now, I would end up fighting with too many people and I would just be angry and unhappy. I am very liberal, especially in terms of American social policy, and I am generally anti-war, but it has become clear to me that you cannot be completely anti-war when there are groups that want nothing more than war and destruction.

For everyone at home that I love and miss, I am totally safe, and I promise to do everything I can to stay that way. (My travel plans for after the Ulpan are very dependent on what is going on where and which areas are definately safe, I do not want to take chances). Despite everythign that is happening here, I am still having a wonderful time and I am loving my life :)

CHAG SHEL CHAGIM - HOLIDAY OF HOLIDAYS



Haifa has this great festival every saturday in December in an area called Wadi Nissnass. It is a loud hectic amazing fusion of Muslim, Jewish and Christian traditions. People sing songs, roast chestnuts, sell everything you can think of and even have snakes to take pictures with...

Me, Jackie, and Hannah went with our adopted family from the kibbutz. They took us to the festival and then to dinner at this delicious, but tiny restaurant down one of the many winding alleys. It was basic middleeastern food, but the Hummus was home made and incredible, and I had the BEST lemonade I have ever tasted, it was mixed with rosewater.





kids from "seeds for peace", an organization that brings Jewish and Arab kids together for summer camp and other activities to foster understanding and peace.


Face painting!
Adam


Yasmine

Me, Hannah, Jackie, Denisse, Asaf, Yasmine and Adam


Israeli fashion kills me...



Capuara..brazilian martial arts/dance


We finished the day eating dessert (amaazing chalvah) at the beach and looking for sea shells with the kids.