I'm proud to be an Israeli living in Switzerland right now

I cannot count the number of messages I have been gotten in the last 5 days. Hundreds? Thousands?

All of them messages of support, coming from my local and expat friends in Switzerland:

"I stand with Israel".

"We support you."

"We are with you".

"Stay strong."

Switzerland is a mosaic of identities:

Local Swiss (Swiss-German speaking, French speaking, Italian speaking, Swiss-Romansh speaking), and many, highly-educated and capable expatriates who live here.

Everyone - both the local and the expats - work incredibly hard every day to contribute a strong and stable Swiss economy.

I have always been proud to belong to the community of expats living in Switzerland.

Our common denominator is that we all work hard, and care about our children's safety and education in this country.

But two days ago I was deeply moved by belonging to this country:

A 1'000 of us - Israelis, Swiss, Jews and non-Jews - gathered in the Fraumuenster square in the heart of Zurich, to show solidarity with Israel.

The police surrounded us calmly.

Not a single counter-demonstration was to be seen or heard.

We stood there feeling safe, focused, listening carefully to the words of the Swiss and Israeli officials who spoke.

We could raise the Israeli flag, alongside the Swiss flag.

We sang our national anthem - called "Hope" - without fear.

Believe me, I do not take this for granted.

I am 40 years old, and it's the first time I experience war while being a resident in another country.

I am proud to be an Israeli living in Switzerland.

Thank you, Switzerland.

For giving us the space to gather in the heart of Zurich without any violence or fear, in such a fragile and difficult moment for our nation.

For starting to realize that we, Israelis, cannot live like this any longer in our home country.

For hearing our voices loud and clear.

THANK YOU, SWITZERLAND.

Yours, Shira