In Times of War

Israel's People Come Together In Time of War

January 8, 2009

The Israeli people’s determination to establish and protect the Jewish homeland is what has kept us strong and confident in the face of terror for the past 60 years. The morale of Israelis has not been broken by the endless attacks launched on us by our neighbors. Instead, these vicious acts have strengthened us in our conviction that God promised Israel to the Jews and will keep us victorious in order to protect and watch over His land. Despite our trials, we have not lost faith in the biblical principles of hope, love, and the need to confront evil.

Logic says that we should be ready to give up on our 2000 year old dream of living in our biblical homeland, because Israel has been at war since the establishment of the Jewish state sixty years ago. We have been attacked by every single one of our neighboring countries and demonized by countless others. We have seen terror attacks cruel beyond imagination – bombs detonated on public buses full of innocent civilians on their way to work and school, scores killed and injured while celebrating the sacred holiday of Passover, women with infants murdered while waiting outside a synagogue. We have become all too accustomed to harsh, unfair treatment by world governing bodies like the U.N. and to calls from world governments to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Yes, it may seem like our morale should be broken, but all of these atrocities have only strengthened our resolve to protect our people and nation.

During my recent visits to the war-torn southern part of Israel, I was shocked to see that the streets are not ghost towns. In fact, people from northern Israel are traveling south to show their solidarity and lend a hand to the most helpless residents. We are seeing teenagers spending days in Sderot and Ashkelon, going house to house and shelter to shelter visiting the elderly, playing with children, and showing their love and support in whatever way possible. Instead of spending their days at malls and movies, our youth spend their extra time volunteering in war zones.

Most Israelis believe this is a just war. This is inspiring since, in the game of politics, no one ever seems to agree. Yet in this instance it is different. After seven years of watching Israeli citizens in the south terrorized by missiles, Israelis seem to know that, as terrible as it is, war is the only option left to bring the hope of peace.

This war is a bloody war, and not because we try to kill Palestinian civilians. In fact, Israel deliberately tries to avoid Palestinian civilian casualties by carefully targeting terrorist leadership. The blame lies with Hamas, which uses its own people as human shields, its children’s school houses as missile launching sites, and university dorm rooms as weapon storage areas. Israelis sympathize with and regret Palestinian suffering, yet we know enough to see that this suffering has come about due to their own rulers’ lack of respect for the sanctity for life – both Israeli and Palestinian.

Speaking to Fellowship friends on the phone, I have realized that there is not one of you whose hearts and prayers are not directed towards Israel during this time of war. I have heard your tears from far away, and it gives me strength to know that you understand our suffering and support us. Your generous donations to The Fellowship’s Victims of War and Terror Fund have already reached the suffering population in southern Israel, and have contributed to the successful 24 hour a day operations in the Fellowship-funded trauma centers and bomb shelter projects, programs to provide the needy with food coupons, programs to provide the elderly and infirm with emergency transportation to and from medical appointments, and so much more. American Christians are truly standing for Israel by offering us help in this time of desperate need.

Throughout the year your gifts have helped to prepare the Israeli people for whatever arises, and therefore the people here have learned to trust and rely on you. When The Fellowship comes to their homes with food, clothing, and other assistance, the Israeli residents know it is given with love – and that is the best gift possible. Thank you for your genuine concern, prayers, and compassionate action on behalf of the Jewish people.

Shabbat Shalom,
Yael