weekend of the siren

The lead up to this last Shabbat was not a good. Hamas and Islamic Jihad are still launching rockets into Israel. There have been casualties on both sides. It is especially horrific when innocent civilians have to be caught in the line of fire. Being here for the foreseeable future, it was interesting to say the least to experience the things that have happened here. Being in Shuk Hatikva and seeing that normal market business was going on was reassuring to me. It was funny when after the siren the fruit and vegetable vendors started dancing and singing "Am Yisrael Chai".  On Friday when I was there it was just as busy as it is on a normal Friday. Everyone buying food for Shabbat as they usually do. Made dinner and Kiddush with some of my flatmates which was very good. Then I had some beers with a college friend of mine Dan. He is about to begin his service in the IDF. It was really great to see him before his time in the IDF. If the shuk(market) was reassuring, being out on Friday night was even more reassuring. The bar we were at was busy which was a good sign. On Saturday my friend Jeremy and I were playing soccer with some of the neighborhood and I saw the Iron Dome in action. The explosion over the sky was followed by the kids running straight home including my friend and  I. Sunday I had volunteering in the morning and my other volunteer site was cancelled. I was at home for another one of the sounds that I hate to hear. Today was normal with ulpan in the morning and learning more about the current conflict with Gaza. 

I just want to say that it makes me sick to see innocent people die in conflict. No one wants to hear the news of a civilian casualty. On both sides it is hard. When I say that I agree with Israel's right to defend themselves I mean it. While I might not like to hear the horrific news that comes as a result of war, it happens. This is the reality of trading rocket attacks from Hamas and Islamic Jihad for IAF strikes. Right now I am safe. I am definitely maturing a lot with this balegan( mess) going on right now. It still hurts to know that even when I am safe in Tel Aviv  there are families in Netivot, Sderot, Ofakim, and other towns and cities in the south of Israel that have been in their bomb shelters constantly. I hope that it stops for those Israelis down south, and those Palestinians in Gaza. Violence is never a good thing. I pray and hope that this week something positive happens. More to come from Tel Aviv and Eretz Yisrael soon.