Love of Israel - That's The Name of the Game
Over the last period - especially before and during the war - many cracks were revealed in Israel. Quite a lot of divided opinions, hate, separation and division. It's not that it wasn't there before. It simply took off in a very negative way when tempers were running high, and it was really disgusting to watch the waves of hatred growing stronger and stronger from protest to protest.
We were literally on the verge of a civil war here inside Israel, when we were attacked and the war broke out. It will probably be remembered as the worst day in our country's history.
The silver lining is that we're learning a bit about ourselves. Now we can see the things that need to be fixed and changed.
On the one hand it's a horrible situation, but the silver lining is that we're learning a bit about ourselves. Now we can see the things that need to be fixed and changed.
When it comes to opinions, no one here is willing to budge. Even at the heavy price of killing each other or selling Israel to get what they want. No one is willing to compromise when it comes to ideological issues - Israel is the toughest place on the planet. There is no other nation like this in the entire world. Everyone clashes on all kinds of things, but with us it's the ideological issue that's always at the forefront.
So it's good that it's being revealed. This awareness is starting to penetrate in the collective consciousness of the public as all these developments are being shared on social media. Whether it's about the government or the judicial system, or whether it's about the structure of society or the relationships in society - it's a tidal wave of negative revelations that keeps growing and becoming more and more negative.
But potentially, we have a situation where if we pull ourselves together against it, in order to develop a new attitude toward one another - for example, treating each other with kindness and patience in contrast to the current trends. Then we'll be creating something completely new that doesn't exist. So we have resistance on the one hand, yet our efforts to create a good atmosphere despite all these negative things creates a new reality.
It's not a simply feat, and is actually quite complicated. In this initial stage we're not doing it from a place of love, because we haven't achieved that yet between us. We're also not doing it for utopian reasons, but rather because we have no other options. Due to the existential threat, the economic threat to our livelihood - all the things pressuring us come from these cracks that are being revealed between us.
But again - if we continue to act this way toward one another with these walls we put between us - with each of us shouting - I'm King! - the situation will get worse. And you don't have to be a prophet to realize that. But if we leverage this situation to potentially make things better for everyone - we'll be far more effective in overcoming all our current challenges. Whether it's the war, recovery of the economy, etc. Our efforts to come together can be very effective in reducing all these threats we're experiencing.
Love of Israel is the name of the game. At this very moment the war is on two fronts. There is the war that our army and security forces are fighting with such bravery - they deserve to be treated as kings each and every one of them. The unbelievable level of sacrifice our heroes continue to make every single day while risking their lives to protect us.
The other part of this war is us citizens on the home front. We need to provide the soldiers with this foundation called LOVE OF ISRAEL. Which by the way - is what they've been asking us to do for months now. They want to feel these efforts on our part. This strong emotional support. That no matter where we are - at work, with friends, or with the family - we're trying to restrain ourselves from getting into the negative issues that divide us.
The true test for each of us to check ourselves is to commit to this for as long as we are at war. It is the obligation of each citizen to make the utmost effort not to protest - not for Right or Left. To not look for the clashes of opinions. And since the issues are not being solved - our external struggles keep growing. This is a formula that's been tested by time and again throughout our history. It shouldn't come as any surprise.
Remember the amazing vibe of unity we had at the beginning of the war? Even though it was wartime everything was running so smoothly between us. Everyone wanted to help everyone regardless of their affiliation to this or that side. It became irrelevant for about eight weeks.
The atmosphere here inside Israel felt like when I first moved here in 1978 and the war with Lebanon started. Everyone was on the same team back then, It was such a powerful feeling.
But after only two months into this war we went back to our old tricks and the results could be seen all around us - all these things place the hostages and soldiers in greater danger. The bereaved parents are the most sensitive to this fact. And this toxic atmosphere is not helping us look after the families who have lost loved ones in this war, and so many soldiers, reservists and families who need support these days.