War Diary: What Terrifies Me More Than Anything Else
Todayis the 21st day of war. A war that started when Hamas terrorists infiltratedthrough many breaches in Israel's security fence to massacre more than 1,000civilians and soldiers in kibbutzim and towns. A war that started when Hamas kidnappedmore than 200 Israelis and foreigners and took them captive in Gaza. A war thatstarted when Hamas shot barrage after barrage of rockets into Israeli cities. Awar that started when Hezbollah launched mortar attacks across Israel'snorthern borders.
Awar that Israel has no choice but to win. A war for our very existence as theJewish homeland.
Myfamily is relatively safe. My son and son-in-law are too old for IDF reserveduty. I don't personally know any of the victims or the hostages. But for me,and my family, this is all very personal. If the Hamas terrorists had had theirway, they would have continued to drive into the heart of Israel and murder,rape, and pillage. Even today, we have security inspections at the gate of our moshavnear Jerusalem. We are on alert.
We grieve
Wefeel the grief of those who lost their loved ones. We are heartbroken for thefamilies with hostages in Gaza. We are shocked to see the scenes of destructionin the kibbutzim along the Gaza border. Our eyes tear when we hear the storiesof the survivors. And our spirits are lifted when we hear of the bravery ofthose who fought the terrorists.
Weare shocked when we see the demonstrations held all over the world, whereprotestors shout out that Israel is at fault. That the attacks 3 weeks ago (notterror, but acts of militants), were a result of Israel's oppression andoccupation of the Palestinians. 'Liberate Palestine' they cry out. Yes, thereare deaths in Gaza, as well. Innocent civilians are being killed by Israelibombs. But those civilians are being held hostage. Hamas is preventingthem from evacuating, using them as human shields to safeguard their terroristleaders.
A terrorist brags about murdering of Jews
Ofall this, one thing terrifies me more than anything else. And that is the recordingof one of the terrorists as he ran amok in his killing spree on the morning ofSaturday, October 7th.
"Lookhow many I killed with my own hands!" he shouts into the phone of one hismurdered victims. "Your son has killed Jews!" he proudly informs hisfamily back in Gaza.
Therecording was presented by the Israeli Defense Forces to foreign journalists alongwith additional recordings, security camera footage, Hamas terrorists’ bodycameras and cellphone videos of the terrorists, victims, and first responders.
Thenext words heard on the video are chilling.
"Checkyour WhatsApp," he invites his parents, eager to show them images of hisvictims. "Mom, your son is a hero!'
"Iwish I was there with you," she responds.
"Kill!Kill! Kill!" his father implores him.
Thisis not a war for the liberation of Palestine. Our enemies are not fighting arightwing Israeli government. They are not acting to stop Israeli settlementsor end the occupation. They want to kill Jews. Simply that.
Jewsare not safe today anywhere in the world. Take a look at the protests in Europeand at American universities. Jews are not safe in Israel, either. But there isone difference here. We will fight back.
Thisis war, and it is a war that we must win.
Listen to the horrific recording.
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