A sense of gloom - things not looking good in Israel

Hi everyone, I know I don't get to post here very often so I'll just try and briefly let you know what life looks like over here right now.

The death toll of recent terror attacks is horrendous in Israeli terms. With over 50 people killed each week + hundreds of wounded. That's the same proportion as 10,000 victims (dead - not wounded) each month in the US. Imagine, having terror attacks like you had in 9/11 twice a month and you can see how terrfying that is. And the attacks are everywhere - markets, restaurants, shopping malls, private homes, roads, you name it!

Hubby is now carrying a gun (he has to because he's in the military) so we sleep with an Uzi under our mattress... We hardly go out at all, no one does anymore. It's all pretty depressing to say the least. We only go out when we have to - to take baby Ron to the doctor and such. No movies or restaurans... It's too depressing anyway, as all the places are virtually empty.

I just hope and pray that this will be over soon. We can't go on like this for very long. I know Israel may have seemed like a dangerous place all along, but it wasn't really, not until now that is. :-(

Anne- I pray that all in Israel will return to peace. I can't believe the stubborness of some people. I pray for you and your loved ones. Can you not move some place until all is safe? Its very heart-breaking to hear a beloved one in a dangerous place. What bothers me the most as a Christian is they have their battles in Christ's birthplace. Have they no shame? Why can't they have a war somewhere else? I pray that all will be over soon!

Pleasse keep safe! Ron needs you. I hope your husband is being extra careful when doing his military duty. I am keeping you in my prayers and I think of you every night during the news.

I will be praying for you and your family as well as all of those suffering during this terrible time in Israel. I was just thinking of you while I was reading an article in the paper at lunch about all of this. Stay safe and peace be with you.

Anne,
Everytime I see a suicide bombing or breaking news, I wonder if you and your family are safe .... Please stay safe & I hope everything will be resolved.

My opinion: sorry, but those damn Palestinians just need to cut their crap out ..... Why can't they just get along???? And, Yasar Arafat .... well, he is just plain dumb. He condones violence, yet he lets his people bomb! I guess I will never understand ......

Anne:

I also think of you every night when I see this stuff on the news. I even told my husband about you last night! You and your family are in my thought and prayers. I don't know what it's going to take to make everyone to realize that all this violence is not getting anyone anywhere. I just don't understand why people actually think that blowing up innocent people is going to make people accept their way of thinking.

Sending warm thoughts and kitty purrs to you...

in such a terrifying predicament. I am glad that Ron is offering a bright ray of hope during such a bleak, black time. To sleep with an uzi under your pillow, I can't imagine the terror you are facing. Please stay safe, you continue to be in my prayers and thoughts.


Thank you for the email....

My prayers are with you and your family - may god keep you all safe....Shalom

I've been following all of this, on MSNBC. The civilized world is going to have to get together and stop tolerating terorism. Anne, be safe, be well. Shalom

I think of you and your family every time I see all these terrible things on the news, and wonder hope you cope. Good thoughts, prayers, and purrs to you and yours. Please let us know how you are.

As always, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry you have to endure all of this, especially when now should be the happiest time of your life, with a new baby and all. I never forget you in my prayers, and we all love you very much and can't wait for this fighting over there to be over.

My thoughts are with you and your family, and your entire country. It must be terrifying to be living in the middle of such violence and terror.

Stay safe ,and check in here when you can.

Love and prayers to you.

Anne - Thank you so much for posting. I've been thinking about you every day and praying for your safety. I hope you don't mind, but I passed your message along to my friends at church so we can all pray for you. I can't imagine the fear and terror you must be feeling every day. I so hope you take care and keep safe. Please, please keep us updated.

Oh, Anne, I can't even imagine. To have this happening around you and raising a small child too. I pray for your safety and for an end to the violence.

Barb and I are both thinking of you and you and your family are in our prayers.

Thank you everyone! You have no idea how much international support is important to us in this time of crisis. We really appreciate the American stand which recognizes Israel's right to defend herself when under such a terrible attack.

I fail to understand Arafat and the Palestinian leadership as well. I am and always have been very pro peace. 2 years ago it looked like Barak was going to bring peace when he offered the Palestinians a most generous offer of peace with practically everything they claim to want (and that was just the basis for further negotiations). When Arafat turned down that offer we just couldn't figure out why. The disappointment was what made Sharon prime minister - many Israelis felt that the Palestinian leadership simply does not want peace. It really looks like they won't accept any non-Arab presence in the Middle East. Since then the situation has deteriorated constantly until reaching current levels.

The IDF is now fighting inside the Palestinian authority's territories, bringing in terrorists and confiscating arms (it's scary to see how much there is!). This is not an act of revenge, but really is self defence. When the wanted terrorists surrender themselves in, they are never harmed - all are brought to face justice in Israel. Only those who keep fighting and fighting sometimes get killed. I too regret the fighting that is taking place in holy places. I know that the IDF is doing the best they can not to bring the war into the churches, but the Palestinian gunmen are using those places in a very cynical way, claiming to seek refuge while shooting out of those places...

I feel very sorry for the majority of the Palestinians though, especially for the children. I realize that they too are going through hell right now and they have been suffering for years and years. It's a shame they can't see that the only solution that can be good for everyone is peace and they keep supporting their leaders in their terrorist activities...

We are trying to keep safe, but it is very frustrating. We still have to work and live! We can't just stay shut inside our homes all the time. Thoday hubby and I are celebrating our 6th anniversary. I really want us to go out to a nice restaurant and have a romantic dinner together (leaving Ron with his grandmother). Hubby is apprehensive but we'll try and choose a relatively safe place in a small town. Still, I know we won't feel completely safe anywhere, as nowhere is really safe... We'll do our best to concentrate on dinner and each other but I know it won't be easy.

Thank you all once again for your support and for letting me rant here... I gotta go back to baby Ron (left him in his grandpa's arms to pop in here )

Happy Anniversary, Anne! Enjoy your day!

:rainbow:

Keep safe Anne and try to have a wonderful time tonight.

Happy Anniversary. I hope you have a fun, romantic, and safe date tonight with your husband.

and please be safe - I can't imagine what it's like there. You are a strong person and I know you and your family will persevere.... take care and think PEACE! :