We sent out a prayer email last week on Monday evening as we learned of the bodies of Gilad, Eyal and Naftali being found. Tuesday was a mournful day for all of Israel, as a people and a nation. It was palpable, as one rode the bus or train or walked the streets - and yet, life goes on. The funeral was the next day, Tuesday at 5 pm in Modi'in, where the three boys were laid to rest together.
At the same time as the funeral, there began an unrest in Jerusalem amongst those who would have been peers of these three youth. It began last Tuesday about 4 pm at the "string bridge" just a few blocks from where CFI is temporarily located (at our "Lighthouse" Distribution Center) near the Central Bus Station. However, we didn't know about this until we left from work a little after 4:30 pm - right into the middle of the riot/demonstrators who were then moving towards, and then down, Yafo/Jaffa Street.
While these angry Jewish young people took to the streets, hollered out awful things (calling for revenge and death to Arabs), caused some damage, attacked some innocent Arab people, with several being arrested, it was not quite as bad as you may have seen in the news. While their words and actions were very wrong, they felt the need to get their anger out. If only they had just marched down the streets, blocking traffic and the train - and not speaking words of hatred and causing harm.
Having walked down Yafo not far behind this growing number of people, it seemed they were headed towards the Old City. Not wanting to go home, but looking at an opportunity to grieve with, and show solidarity to a People who are constantly targeted, I decided to go to Zion Square on Yafo Street. Here, was a group lighting candles in memory of the boys and who were in prayer for the families. There were also two men singing appropriate songs in which a small crowd gathered to mourn together and read Scriptures and prayers through the loud speaker.
At one point the men were singing a popular Israeli song, Am Yisrael Chai - The People of Israel Live. It was then that the large crowd of rioters/demonstrators made their way back from the Old City - having been turned away by the police with threats of tear gas - towards Zion Square. As they passed by, it was a strange dichotomy of the wide range of emotions going on in Israel - pain, hurt, and anger. Much of which, we were were feeling as well. The below video during that moment was a picture of all this emotion.
It was then that we needed to make our way to the coastal city of Ashdod to pick up a coworker who was visiting holocaust survivors when the car broke down. We stopped home briefly, to find that rockets were once again coming out of Gaza into Israel. The rockets were landing about 50 miles south of Ashdod, and we made our way in that direction. Once we arrived, we had to wait some time for the tow truck to get there, so we went to the beach, a five minute drive away. As we stood there with our feet in the Mediterranean Sea looking at the stars, it was so calm and peaceful - yet not far to the south there were rockets launched by terrorists, rioting in Jerusalem, and a lot of hurting people.
As we were getting ready for work the next morning, emotionally exhausted and sleep deprived, we heard the news of the young Arab teen that was found dead. Starting last Wednesday there has been a lot of Arab rioting. They have caused much damage, even to the point that the Jerusalem light rail train is not running north of Ammunition Hill due to damage caused by one of the train stations being set on fire. The riots have continued in Arab towns around Israel and Arab sections of Jerusalem.
At the same time, we can tell you from personal experience, that this is only in pockets. On the buses and trains and shops, Jews and Arabs are side by side with no contention. So, yes, it's really bad in many areas as you will see in the news. But overall, things are somewhat "normal" at this point for us in Jerusalem and most other cities in Israel.
The authorities have already arrested the murderers of this crime. As 3 of the 6 men arrested have already confessed, sad to say it was a revenge killing by these angry Jewish individuals taking things into their own hands. Needless to say, the Arab community is outraged and letting it be known with violence everywhere. Several Jewish people have been attacked, and the police have tried to squelch the rioting without much success.
The Jewish community is literally shocked. No one wants to believe that a Jew could possibly commit such an atrocity. There is such embarrassment and anger and frustration, and the word on everyone's lips is "shameful". So, not even 24 hours after the funeral of these three young Jewish boys, they are almost forgotten, as the (literal) raging fires burn in the Arab communities over the murder of this young Arab boy. And no one has even mentioned the young Jewish woman in the north who was brutally stabbed 17 times by an Arab taxi driver (who confessed) just a few weeks ago.
Since our blog about 1 ½ weeks ago, Israel has had about 350 more rockets come in from Gaza. 40 in just one hour last night! 100 for all of yesterday. Even since we've been writing this post our siren alert app keeps going off. About 150 more today. Jim was supposed to deliver some much needed supplies to soldiers this week, but the IDF said all visits had to be cancelled; they will send soldiers to pick up the equipment.
The IDF has been slowly sending troops to the Gaza border since last Friday. Earlier today, IDF asked to deploy 40,000 soldiers to replace soldiers around Israel so they could then be sent to the Gaza border region. Even just now Israel shot down a rocket over Tel Aviv.
Normally rockets land in open areas, and there is no damage. With this many, though, homes, buildings, and cars are beginning to receive damage. Last week, in the midst of the rocket fire and sirens, students in Sderot (the most commonly hit city) took exams for schooling. Can you even imagine your child living like this??
As "Operation Protective Edge" gets under way (beginning last night), Israel's leaders have said it's "time to take the gloves off" as we enter an operation that probably won't end real soon. Cities within 40 miles from Gaza are taking strict precautions preparing for this war with instructions from Home Front Command, including preparing bomb shelters. This directive is now spreading to cities further away, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Up to this point Israel's response has been through the Air Force, but it is also likely that the IDF will begin a ground defensive. Please keep these brave warriors in your prayers. And their parents....remember, Israel's infantry army is mostly age 18-21.
A while ago we downloaded an app that alerts us whenever a code red siren goes off in Israel - alerting of incoming rockets. "Red Alert" provides real time alerts every time a terrorist fires rockets, mortars or missiles into the State of Israel. Here's a link to learn more if you are interested in this app so you can pray for the safety of the people in these areas - it's now in English, so when you hear the alert, you will know to pray.
Check out this app on iTunes:
| ||||
http://www.jpost.com http://www.timesofisrael.com | ||||
| One of the frustrating things during this is the world - including the United States government - calling on Israel to "show restraint". To go through what this nation has endured over the past few days, weeks and even years - and do nothing. They need to remember how they felt on September 11th, when America's peace was ripped out from among her by terrorists. How they wanted to stop these Islamic terrorists from ever harming their citizens again. How they would feel having rockets fired constantly at them, their families, their children. Israel has the same mandate to protect its people - and Her enemies are only mere miles away....This video shows the reality Israel faces each day. |
We ask, do you really want to have a clear understanding of the situation in Israel? If so, please watch this 5 ½ minute video. It's easy to understand, clear, precise and to the point. Bottom line: if Israel's enemies were to lay down their weapons today, there would be peace. If Israel were to lay down Her weapons.....there would be no Israel.
We ask that you would please agree with us in prayer -
That God's truth will reign, and the enemy will not deceive the world with negative propaganda against Israel.
That He will give discernment to Israel's leaders on how to handle each of the volatile situations its facing.
That those who need to be brought to justice for crimes committed will be (they have still not caught the murders of the 3 Jewish boys).
That He will protect the soldiers and the people and the Land.
That a blanket of peace will fall over this nation.
That His will - will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
No comments:
Post a Comment