(Also e-mailed to our congregation:)
Dear Friends:
As Israelis prepare for Shabbat today, a large part of the country has been under attack. Rockets from the Gaza Strip have landed in cities all over southern Israel, and have been fired toward the southern approaches of Jerusalem and at Tel Aviv. Israel has responded, so far largely through air attacks on Hamas targets. As of now, we do not know whether this will escalate even more into a major military operation.
In this moment, each of us has a few responsibilities. One is to reach out to Israelis we know, to let them know we are concerned for their safety and wellbeing. Another is to stay informed, and not to rely only on television news or the local papers for information. The Israeli press is a thorough and independent source of information. I look primarily at two Israeli newspapers that are available in English online — The Jerusalem Post and Haaretz. I urge you to bookmark them and read them daily.
Especially in New Hampshire, we have a third responsibility, which is to be able to speak knowledgeably about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (A couple years ago I posted an overview with some maps online, for you or to share.) You may have friends who ask you what is going on. Or who express outrage at Israel. What do you say?
Being informed through good news sources is one part. Having a perspective to share is another.
We have to stand by our brothers and sisters in Israel. Israeli civilians have been killed by rockets. Many hundreds of thousands are sleeping in bomb shelters this week. Their government is acting this week to defend and protect them.
Hamas is a terrorist group that rules the Gaza Strip. Their charter calls for Israel's destruction, and they fire rockets indiscriminately toward Israeli towns and cities. The Israeli Defense Forces attacks military targets, and sometimes individuals who are responsible for the rockets. Palestinian civilians are not the target of Israeli attacks, though even this week they have been killed nearby.
It is important for others to know that when we say these things and stand with Israel, we are not giving up our humanity. Palestinians are human beings, created in God's image, and their suffering is real.
I hope and pray that calm and peace will come quickly. Our thoughts are particularly with the Israelis we know, the family members and friends from our congregation who are living in Israel.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Jon
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