The Happenings Here

Many of you may have heard about what has been happening here in Israel... Well, here is a post dedicated to me ranting and raving about the politics are terrorism going on in this country currently.

A few days ago three teenage civilians were kidnapped. The government suspects it is Hamas. 

This isn't just some prisoners of war. They took CIVILIANS who are CHILDREN. 16-19 years of age. My brother is turning 18 this week, and thinking about losing him to a terrorist is incomprehensible to me. But it is a reality in Israel. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters... losing a loved one to terrorists. 

This also breaks international law. The fact that they are civilians breaks it. 

Last night the West Bank was closed off. No one in and no one out except for medical reasons. The errected a wall to block off Hebron because they suspected Hamas organization there. Last night they found and arrested Hamas operatives in Hebron.

As a reminder, the last time three people were taken like this, two were returned dead within a short amount of time, and the other took 6 years to get back and the release of thousands of criminals and Hamas terrorists.

Isreal has yet to get a response from the West, which is extremely disappointing. Last week they were attacked on both the South and North fronts by rockets. Last night, 4 rockets were shot at a town near Gaza, of which I know 2 locals who live there. 2 rockets were shot down by the iron domes and two landed in open fields.

Yesterday, there were 30,000 people gathered at the Western Wall praying for the kidnapped boys. It is a powerful movement, and prayer needs to happen ESPECIALLY during this time. Because they suspect it to be Hamas and an act of terror they know that torture will happen. They also know that Hamas has a large influence in the West Bank, although it's leader is in Gaza. Hamas has come out with a nasty video saying that if soldiers come in to save the boys for the public to rise up against them and arm themselves to kill the IDF soldiers.

The more I learn about this culture and am here the more I realize how young the IDF soldiers defending this country are. EVERY ONE is required to serve in the Military at the age of 18. Girls for 2 years, and boys for 3. Once again, my brother who is turning 18 this week would be going into the Military. It is a state of mind in this country. Every one does it and it is expected of you. However, in a country so small, and so alone in the world it is the only way for survival. 

As I think of these young men and women who defend their country fight to save the three civilian boys my heart is saddened. Will no one rise up with the nation of Israel? They are forced to sign peace agreements with Palestinian authorities to have peace in a land that is Israel's to a people who don't even exist. There is no Palestine, only Israel. And then, when they guard their holy sites and keep their territories safe, Israel gets rewarded by kidnapped teens. Then the whole world screams at them for shutting down a city, Hebron, and setting up military there to infiltrate houses to get terrorists out. However, unless my memory fails me, I remember America doing the EXACT SAME THING last year after the Boston bombings when trying to locate the bombers. But no one got mad at America.

A lof of this is my own personal opinion. If you want more information you can read updated information on ynetnews.com or jpost.com. Also, I'm pretty sure this has made International news, but those are the best places for information.

It makes it easy to look at these happenings, especially with the increasing anti-semitism in Europe and attacks that have happened there the past month. It is also easy to be sitting at your computer reading this and thinking about your to-do list, or what you will be making for dinner, but here, in Isreal, people have lost their sons to terrorism and their lives are being halted because of the fear they face. These are REAL people. And we can not turn our heads AGAIN against the Jewish people and community. Do not be tolerant towards this hate and terrorism, America needs to wake up and take a stand for Israel. HOWEVER for some reason, someone decided it would be a good idea to give money to Iran, which funds a lot of the terrorist organizations here. So, America is now PAYING for terrorists here in the Middle East. Your tax dollars at work. It's a great feeling isnt it? The best way we can awaken the hard hearted is through prayer

Pray that media does not make this situation worse, nor will politics. Pray that eyes will be opened towards these three human lives. 

There is much more information, but for the sake of my sanity and physical health I must call it a night. I am officially stepping off of my soap box and asking you to look past land rights and religious beliefs and to pray that the Arab and Muslim people will realize what Hamas is doing and take a stand against it from within. Pray that the safety of the boys will be miraculous and that God will make this something for the books of how these boys were spared and saved. That Nations will take a stand with Israel and that true shalom will fall upon this nation. Plus so much more. There is a lot of tension and conflict here now because of this.

However, I must say thank you for reading my personal rant (with all of my typos) and Laila Tov (good night).