Who the Israeli people are during a time of war

There is no doubt that adversity and tragedy often bring out the best in people, and it is also particularly when the light of Israelis shines at its brightest. 

Although politically divided into two bitter rival camps just a few weeks ago, Israelis have come together in a way that only the threat of our existence could accomplish. Putting aside business pursuits, money making and the daily cares of life, just about everyone has gone the extra mile to bless someone else in whatever way they could. 

Mostly empty restaurants, rather than focusing on their own losses, are stepping up to the plate and cooking for soldiers, supplying food wherever needed. Lending institutions for those who live in the south have frozen mortgage payments and, in our case, a particularly poignant story unfolded once this war began.

Our oldest grandson, Gefen was scheduled to get married on Oct. 20, near his kibbutz in the area where the initial terror attacks occurred. Once everything ignited, it was clear that the wedding would not take place and certainly not at its intended location. Much to our relief, Gefen was up north, on a weekend getaway, when everything started, and it soon became clear that he would not be able to return home to his own kibbutz, which was also under attack.

As the days went by, the thought of postponing the happy event was not something that Gefen and his bride-to-be were willing to do, and so his parents arranged for a very impromptu substitute to take place on the same day. This is where total strangers entered the picture, extending their overwhelming generosity and resources to help make this day the best possible experience, under extremely difficult circumstances. 

The owner of an exclusive villa with a park-like garden offered her home, not only for the wedding to take place, but also for Gefen to live for free until such time that he can return to his kibbutz. She even welcomed his 96-year-old grandfather, who also needed to escape his Ashkelon home, which had no bomb shelter. His area was under constant bombardment from rocket fire and he even showed us a photo of rocket damage caused to his home, which missed him by inches. He’s now safe and sound in an adjoining living facility within the villa. 

When word about the spontaneous wedding spread, it made its way to one of Israel’s most popular singers, Idan Haviv who volunteered to come and play for free. His father, a professional photographer, also agreed to take the pictures, with no charge, creating a beautiful digital album which brings tears to anyone’s eyes.

No one is counting the cost of helping their fellow man. It is what Israelis do best when push comes to shove. The many guesthouses, which ordinarily make their living through the constant tourism that never stops except in the event of war, are now posting their welcome to anyone who needs a temporary place to stay, free of charge, while their area is more heavily hit. 

Almost every large hotel in Eilat, the Dead Sea and other tourist areas, which are relatively quiet, are filled with those who no longer have a home they can return to.

Individual citizens are purchasing, from their own pockets, supplies for soldiers which the military is not able to provide, and organizations everywhere are collecting goods and whatever is needed to make sure that there is no lack for citizens and soldiers.

Maybe the most surprising thing of all, is the report that over 2,000 ultra-Orthodox,young men have expressed a desire to be drafted into the military in order to serve along with the other soldiers. To think that just a few weeks ago, the idea of their serving in the military was anathema to their leaders, who fought tooth and nail to make sure that reforms would include a permanent abstention for those who were too busy studying their holy books to help defend the same country which finances those studies.

The existential threat has suddenly been responsible for a new revelation that they, too, need to contribute to the Jewish homeland and be an integral part of the place that makes sure they are cared for and protected. 

When considering the stark difference between ordinary Israeli citizens, merchants, hoteliers and most every segment of Israeli society, there is something here that massively sets us apart from our neighboring Arab countries that, at the moment, are unwilling to offer entrance to Gazans who are desperate to escape what will be an imminent ground war in their communities. The lack of compassion or impulse to help their fellow countrymen escape the ravages of war is simply stunning. 

Of course, we know that their own Hamas terrorist leaders want them to stay put in order to use them as human shields, aware that massive death could result, but what do they care? The more dead bodies, the greater the publicity and the turning of world sentiment towards their side, strengthening their claim that they are the true victims.

But when you think about it, they really are victims because they are part of a culture that has no human pathos, pity or regard for life. They are only useful in body bags, and the sooner the world understands that, the sooner the truth of their plight can come to light. 

Israelis, who welcomed many of them into their homes since they were given work permits to be employed in the same southern communities which were viciously and savagely attacked, are not the impediment to their having a better life. Those same Gazans provided personal information to Hamas, of family members for whom they worked, locations and whatever they needed to facilitate the attacks. If anything, this only proves that the generosity of Israelis did nothing to move their own morality needle.

Israelis are far from perfect, but there is something very special about their depth of caring, their sense of compassion and their desire to see justice and fairness meted out to all mankind. It is part of their DNA, and until it becomes part of the psyche of the other side, nothing will change for them. They must reject the hatred, the cycle of suffering and degradation which they are being forced to endure by the evil they are being taught to perpetuate.

It is time for them to join the living so that they can finally discover just how sweet and satisfying life can be when we are motivated to care about others and choose to bless them from a heart of compassion and mercy rather than living in the dark pit of hatred which only leads to death and destruction!