My Letter to You from Israel

My Dearest Friends and Colleagues around the world,

After I’ve received so many heart-strengthening and supportive messages from you, I had to write back to my business community to share with you what has been going on from my personal view.

Any of you who have met an Israeli or two in your life most likely have learned that one thing that we are very good at is banding together and prevailing in the most impossible circumstances. Over the last few days, after being completely blindsided and suffering the most catastrophic terror attack and crime against our people we have experienced since the Holocaust, it took us about 2 days to regain our footing, and we are back on our feet ready to fight like a young Muhammad Ali. 300K reservists have been called upon to serve the Israeli Defense Forces – 400K showed up. These are the spirits of our people.

?

At home, everyone who is not in uniform is volunteering and contributing in ways that are inspiring beyond words. Hordes of developers are creating technology to find hostages, all of the world-class restaurants and chefs of Tel Aviv contributing their kitchens to cater world-class food to our brave soldiers on their way to fight so that they don’t have to eat tuna out of cans, hotels and real estate developers providing free housing to all of the evacuated residents of the affected areas, and people that simply have nothing to do getting in their cars and showing up at logistical centers to deliver anything to anywhere that will contribute to the war effort… it is truly incredible. While all of this is going on, the images we’ve seen over the last few days have scarred everyone’s minds and souls. Being in action is often a sort of defense mechanism to keep our minds off of the pain and every few hours from within all of the hustle and bustle, people often step aside and break down crying until reminding ourselves that only action will make a difference.

?

I am asked all of the time by my friends and colleagues around the world – “what can we do to support you?”

?

Here is my answer to you. Help us by standing firmly against Hamas when you find yourselves in conversation on the subject either in person or on social media.

?

One thing that we Israelis are not very good at is amassing grassroots world support. The leaders of the world at the moment are standing by Israel strongly in unprecedented fashion however you will see that this will soon begin to waver. As soon as the Israeli Defense Force begins to operate inside of Gaza to eradicate the NAZI-ISIS-hybrid that is Hamas, you will very quickly begin to be bombarded by an onslaught of images and stories from the collateral damage which happens during the horrible throws of war. There will be a tidal wave of anti-semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric. There will be propaganda, fake news, lies, gaslighting, online and offline shaming. Much of this is backed by Iran and state funded players such as Qatar who are masters at this game. All we request is your steadfast resolve not to be intimidated. Stand for what you believe in. Make your voice heard. Do not fold under the intimidation tactics.

?

One last thing. Many of you have not met me in person, if you did, you would see that I roll from place to place using a wheelchair. I suffered a spinal cord injury as a Tank Commander in the IDF while leading my men in Lebanon against Hezbollah. Though I am proud and do not regret my injury for a moment, I do not believe that there is any logic to justify my being paralyzed at the age of 20. I see no logic why there should not be peace, prosperity and brotherhood between all peoples of all religions, races and creeds in the Middle East. There is simply NO REASON. The main deterrent to the possibility of peace and prosperity in the Middle East it is not Islam, it is not the settlements, it is not what many call “the occupation” and it is not the Palestinians. It is the existence of radical terrorist entities like Hamas and many others that will never ever allow peace to arise as long as they are on the prowl. They are the small pebble in the shoe that makes walking together hand in hand unbearable and impossible. I cannot wait to see the days when all of our people can sit freely and safely to negotiate the most glorious peace partnership that will end the longest controversy in human history. For that I will fight without end.

?

If there are any of you who might have been offended by anything I’ve written, I am yearning for us to meet together face to face one day, to eat together, to drink together and to share stories together so that we see that we are all on the same side and live for the same purpose.

?

If any of you would like to reach out to me for any reason whatsoever, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you and Godspeed. Ron.