This continues to be agonizing.
We have waited for more than five months.
As early reports emerged from the cauldron of hate roiling out of Gaza into Israel we were horrified to learn of the unforgivable acts of brutality by Hamas. The invaders proudly took videos of them desecrating Jewish bodies and abducting young and old, shorn, bleeding and weeping to sites still unknown in Gaza. We do not know what has become of them. They violated women and decapitated babies wreaking destruction and leaving a trail of blood.
It is no wonder sleep has been elusive.
There has also been an outpouring of support from the non-Jewish community. People have called texting, stopped by the synagogue to register their solidarity and dismay at the evil acts perpetrated by Hamas.
Many have asked what they can do to show their support. Here is the answer we can give them:
Speak up. When people say that the Israelis deserve the murderous assault, tell them they are supporting violence and terror. Do not let them get away with blaming the victim.
When they say that the response of Israel to the terrorism is disproportionate, remind them that there is no equivalence defending innocent civilians from unspeakable horrors and Hamas’ brutality on the elderly, women, children and men.
As leaflets are distributed around the community declaring that Jews are evil, as synagogues are smeared with Nazi symbols, as Jewish college students feel unsafe in their campuses, talk to your minister about delivering a sermon on love and the need to defend the minority who were already embattled by the meteoric rise of anti-Semitism. Is this not the function of religion to defend against hatred?
As demonstrations focus their ire on Israel and Gaza remind yourselves and them that this is all about freeing hostages. Innocents. People who have been caged for almost half a year. The dead still unaccounted for. The stories of mass rapes, children burned alive, mutilations… that have emerged since October 6 should shake every citizen of the world to their core. Can there be any peace until each hostage is returned to their homes?
This war is about security. No nation on earth would countenance the deadly menace poised on their borders to commit atrocities. None. Why the double standard that disallows Israel from protecting her citizens?
To be equitable, the world should insist that the perpetrators of the recently mass killing in Moscow be allowed to have their own state. Let the Russians show restraint and listen to the demands of ISIS. They must have good reason to murder innocents and we should endeavor to hear them. Just like the United States did after 9/11.
Reading articles, hearing the news, perusing social media that accuse Israel of any number of crimes write, comment and tell them that nothing - no matter how real or specious their comments – would warrant torture and murder.
“Silence is assent.”
To remain quiet in the aftermath of this bloodbath is to give permission to the murderers
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