Friday, July 14, 2006

Israel

Many people have suggested that by returning from Israel earlier this week, I left "just in time". I know what they're trying to say, but I'm not sure what that means.

We still one bus of students in Israel, not to mention Hillel professionals studying at Pardes, and another staff group due to arrive next week to participate in a Livnot program. There are hundreds of groups in Israel right now - Ramah, USY, birthright, NFTY, B'nei Akiva, JCC etc. They're all modifying their itineraries as need be based on recommendations from the Ministry of Education's Situation Room. From what I've heard, the most stressful part of the situation for the staff are the parents who keep calling.

Ronnie reminded me that we were in Israel for 6 weeks when the war with Lebanon began in 1982. It was in the days before cell phones and email and CNN, but other than jets flying overhead, I don't think we were really aware of the situation at all. That said, it was as long time ago and things have changed.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, things HAVE changed, but it seems....not enough.

Anonymous said...

I don't even remember hearing the planes overhead. What I do remember is that our great guide--what was his name?--was called up in the middle of our trip, so we didn't have him back until the last week or two.

Israel is being attacked from two sovereign territories: Gaza, which we ethnically cleansed our own people from; and Lebanon, which, after our withdrawal in 2000, we meticulously had the U.N.(!) sign off that we had moved back beyond the "Blue Line." But still, so much of the international community blames Israel or, at the very least, calls for restraint. I hope Israel doesn't listen to that siren song.
-Ronnie

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