Collectively Biting the Bullet
Remember those old cowboy movies where one guy gets shot and they call the doctor? The doctor says that he has to remove the bullet - but there is no anesthetic. The wounded cowboy says "do what you gotta do doc", and then they give him a shot of whiskey and a bullet to bite on.
This is more or less the mood here in Israel. The IAF has been doing a great job of destroying the amunition that Hizbalah has in the northern parts of Lebanon - but the katyushas are still falling and killing our people. After the first fight in south Lebanon between IDF ground forces and Hizballah they found that the terrorists have built bunkers and tunnels - sometimes under civilian houses - where they have stored the rockets. They come out periodically, shoot them into Israel, and then go back in. The IDF can bomb just so much from the air - but at some point they have to go in by foot, find the tunnels and bunkers, and kill Hizballah. Everyone knows it is going to be bloody.
Reserve soldiers have been called up. I personally know of five men (just in my neighborhood) who have received their tzav 8 (special call up in times of war). Two are going to places in Judea and Samaria so that the regular army guys can go up north - and three are going up north themselves.
The men are doing what they have to do - packing their duffel bags and leaving, and the women are doing what they do best - close ranks. The women who can are packing up the kids and going to grandma. The others, who have decided to stay home - are going to be spoiled by the other women in our community. Inviting their kids to play, and bringing over a casserole are just two small things we do to help - knowing that the sympathetic ear we bring along with the food is the most important contribution we can make.
There are some encouraging things though. We are almost 100% united here in Israel on the need for this. Yes, there are some radical lefties (who are so left that they are in danger of falling off the edge) who are protesting the war already - but they are a tiny minority. I was surprised to hear usually far left radio personalities use the phrase "Higiya mayim ad nefesh" - which is the Israeli phrase for "We've had it up to here!" We've switched gears into survival mode - and the Jews always win when our backs are against the wall.
Another encouraging thing is the constant calls by the IDF to the civilians in south Lebanon to leave - with a specific geographical marker now mentioned - the Litani. I hope this means he IDF will not be walking on eggshells there - they are going to do what they have to and if civilians are caught in the crossfire - so be it. They certainly had enough warning to get out.
Remember those old cowboy movies where one guy gets shot and they call the doctor? The doctor says that he has to remove the bullet - but there is no anesthetic. The wounded cowboy says "do what you gotta do doc", and then they give him a shot of whiskey and a bullet to bite on.
This is more or less the mood here in Israel. The IAF has been doing a great job of destroying the amunition that Hizbalah has in the northern parts of Lebanon - but the katyushas are still falling and killing our people. After the first fight in south Lebanon between IDF ground forces and Hizballah they found that the terrorists have built bunkers and tunnels - sometimes under civilian houses - where they have stored the rockets. They come out periodically, shoot them into Israel, and then go back in. The IDF can bomb just so much from the air - but at some point they have to go in by foot, find the tunnels and bunkers, and kill Hizballah. Everyone knows it is going to be bloody.
Reserve soldiers have been called up. I personally know of five men (just in my neighborhood) who have received their tzav 8 (special call up in times of war). Two are going to places in Judea and Samaria so that the regular army guys can go up north - and three are going up north themselves.
The men are doing what they have to do - packing their duffel bags and leaving, and the women are doing what they do best - close ranks. The women who can are packing up the kids and going to grandma. The others, who have decided to stay home - are going to be spoiled by the other women in our community. Inviting their kids to play, and bringing over a casserole are just two small things we do to help - knowing that the sympathetic ear we bring along with the food is the most important contribution we can make.
There are some encouraging things though. We are almost 100% united here in Israel on the need for this. Yes, there are some radical lefties (who are so left that they are in danger of falling off the edge) who are protesting the war already - but they are a tiny minority. I was surprised to hear usually far left radio personalities use the phrase "Higiya mayim ad nefesh" - which is the Israeli phrase for "We've had it up to here!" We've switched gears into survival mode - and the Jews always win when our backs are against the wall.
Another encouraging thing is the constant calls by the IDF to the civilians in south Lebanon to leave - with a specific geographical marker now mentioned - the Litani. I hope this means he IDF will not be walking on eggshells there - they are going to do what they have to and if civilians are caught in the crossfire - so be it. They certainly had enough warning to get out.
posted by westbankmama at 6:52 AM
1 Comments:
May your soldiers be protected by G-d Almighty!
Post a Comment
<< Home