Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel’s visit to Israel

Before leaving her beloved position as chancellor of one of the strongest nations in Europe and in the world, Angela Merkel pays a visit to the leading nation of the Middle East. This is a very important visit as Merkel is known for a strong support of Israel. This, however, is not what I want to address. The great nation transferred 100 million dollars to the Palestinian authorities and there are many who are frustrated with prime minister Naftali Bennett for not stopping this act.I can understand their frustration and here’s why:

Germany transferred this amount to the Palestinian authorities to support Palestinian citizen in the area, and even though there are great intentions behind this act, it will definitely hurt Israeli citizens (both Jewish, Arab, and other minority groups) one way or the other.

First of all, this money will 100% not go to the welfare of the Palestinian citizens, but rather to support Hamas and terror acts against Israeli citizens. So let me measure you, the citizens will not see a penny.

If this is not enough of a problem, Palestinian authorities will use the money to invade more territory in C Regions, through building more villages and expanding their agricultural fields. I am a big supporter of co- existence, especially in controversial places such as this, but the whole point of an act like this one is to push Israel to the corner as Israel knows that as soon as they will try to take back control over the C regions, the world will turn against Israel and will accuse it for inhuman acts and harm to innocent people. The worst thing of all is that it will probably be true because the “invaders” are most likely to be ordinary citizens who have nothing to do with Hamas and harming them will actually be a crime.

If I was part of the Israeli authority, I would use my resources for a campaign, showing what is actually going on in Israel. The main problem and the reason to why there is so much support to the Palestinians in the media is their great campaign on social media. Weather you actually support Palestine or completely clueless about the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, the news, social media are all supporting and spreading the Palestinians as the main victims of the story (I do believe that there is some truth in that) and therefore spreading the Palestinian side of the story, completely neglecting the Israeli side (which in fact I do not think is perfect and could have done better to go towards the Palestinians). Of course there are many other reason to why Israel is actually losing this conflict on the global level (anti- semitism is a big one) but bad campaign is the main one.

תמונה צולמה ע״י שלומי אמסלם, משרד החוץ, נלקחה מאתר ערוץ 7

October 10, 2021 0

What Is Happening On The Israel- Gaza Border?

It has been over a week since the first violent protest on the Israel- Gaza border. Hamas is negotiating with Israeli government about the Qatari money, meant to improve the lives of the Palestinians in Gaza, yet both sides didn’t reach an agreement. As a result, Hamas calls to all Palestinian citizens in Gaza to protest.

However, in one of the protests, an armed terrorist approached to the border and shot as point- blank range, Israeli Border Police Barel Shmueli, who is still fighting for his life. Israeli government has received a lot of criticism for its conduct in relation to the soldiers and the commands given to them. How is it possible that a terrorist approaches to the border and not only wasn’t stopped but also could injure an Israeli soldier with almost nothing to stop him?

Hamas also launched incendiary balloons, that burn Israeli agricultural fields in the area, and harm the livelihood of farmers. Again, Israeli government didn’t respond and received a lot of criticism for that as well. Only after a few days of going back and forth with Hamas, Israel attacked terror target in Gaza.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Naftali Benett met President of the United States, Joe Biden and as part of the meeting, discussed the Palestinian situation in Gaza. President Biden promised to help ensure the safety of Israel agains terrorism and reach peach with the Palestinians. At the moment, the protests on the border continue, as well as launching of incendiary balloons and Israeli attack of terror targets in Gaza.

As for today, over 100 cars were sent to Gaza today and there are over 500 cars intended to be sent soon! In addition, Egypt wants to re-open Rafiah Crossing for the citizens as long as Hamas shows more interest in finding a common ground with Israel.

I wish that leaders of both sides will be able to put personal interests aside, reach an agreement and stop the violent riots on the border. Moreover, I really hope citizens of both Israel and Gaza will be able to enjoy safety and peace soon.

Israeli Border Police, Barel Shmueli shot from a point- blank range

Palestinians’ protest on the Israeli- Gaza border

August 29, 2021 1

Israel is Under Attack

For the past 6 days, over 2000 rockets were fired to Israel from the Gaza Strip. As a soldier serving in the area, I can tell that I can understand the struggle of the citizens living close to the border. There is no time to relax from the “Red Alert” sirens and the time to get to the shelters is 10 seconds at best.

Southern Israel is on fire. The realization that so many people are in danger and it is my friends and I how are standing up front protecting the country. So many places in the country are on fire and the situation between the Jewish and the Arab citizens in the country is getting worse.

All I can hope for is that we will be able to live peacefully together, if not completely then at least the way we were before.

I got to be home for the weekend, take a little rest from the craziness of what is going on. There are sirens in Tel Aviv, and now I know that there is no a safe place. To be honest, I want to go back to base as soon as possible and help my friends fight for peace and the safety of our citizens.

There is one thing I want to make clear: Israel is not attacking Gaza! Israel is DEFENDING herself from Hamas’s rockets and its terrorists, trying to cross the borders to harm Israeli citizens and soldiers. Hamas uses its own citizen to protect its own political interests. Don’t let the media fool you! Don’t blindly follow your favourite celebrities! Read more about the situation. Educate yourself, your friends and communities.

There are so many people doing so much to ensure safety and peace. Don’t take it for granted!

Help Israel and share the truth about what is going on! We all deserve to live in peace with our neighbours. Protect our families and friends. Both Israel and Gaza need our global community to understand what Hamas does with its power.

May 15, 2021 1

The “Typical” Israeli

As many populations around the world, Israelis too have the few things that stand out from the crowd. Loud, cut lines and rude and let me tell you- all of these might be true, yet there is one thing that represents all Israelis- in big celebrations or grief, we all become one- there are no religious or secular Jews, nor Jews and Arabs. We unite together, stand for each other and support one another. When an Israeli gets recognized globally, it is everybody’s success.

Lag Ba’Omer, a Holiday celebrated mostly celebrated by kids, having a bonfire with friends and classmates. One big tradition on this holiday is to gather on mount Meron where Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and Rabbi Eleazar are buried. Just like every year, thousands of people gathered on mount Meron, to celebrate the holiday, yet this time there was no happy ending.

Thousands of people, had very little space to move. People suffocated and had no escape as there was only one enterence and one exist- that was blocked by the police. This tragic event ended with 45 people trampled to death and over 150 people injured.

This event shocked the entire country- it didn’t matter whether you were secular, Hassidic Christian or Muslim. We are one. Thousands of Israelis gathered together to donate blood for the injured in the hospitals and other donated food and other essentials for the families who lost their loved ones. Everyone has done the best the could to stand united, defend their brothers and sisters. There was no left wing or right wing- just a big family supporting its hurt brothers and sisters. This is what being an Israeli means to me.

My blessings are with the injured and their families. If anyone sees this and need/ know of anyone who needs assistance, please contact me via comments or social media!

Israeli rescue forces and police near the scene after a crush wounded dozens during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** ל”ג בעומר לג בעומר אסון קריסה במה מתים אנשים חסידים חרדים חג הר מרון הר מירון

May 1, 2021 0

Independence Day and Everything in Between

Independence Day has always been very special to me. As a daughter of immigrants, I grew up knowing that living in Israel should never be taken for granted. Generations over generations, dreaming to get a chance to visit Jerusalem, let alone celebrating the existence of a prospering Jewish state.

So now, as I proudly wear my IDF uniform and spend my time protecting the borders of Israel with Gaza, I can tell that I live the dream of many. I am so thankful for that. If I am being honest, I really wanted to celebrate the holiday with family and friends. However, there is nothing I enjoy more than celebrating holidays in the army, it just feels different. Getting no sleep for days and spending the very few spare hours I have preparing and planning a big party or a meal for my friends. This makes me so happy.

For Independence Day my friends and I went to the nearby shopping center and got lot’s of food and decorations for the party, and even got to eat breakfast in a small a restaurant. We really did use the time off base to enjoy and forget all the problems we had over the last week.

During the day we didn’t do anything special but yesterday evening, right before I was going to get some sleep before finally going home, a rocket was fired from the strip toward an Israeli settlement in Southern Israel. As we do our best to ensure the safety of the troops and Israeli citizens I realised that what I do is way better than eating steaks at the park- I make sure that Israel will be able to celebrate its 74th birthday!

Happy Independence Day! Here are some pictures from the party:

April 16, 2021 0