Forever,
There was something wrong,
As truth deflected
Off their twisted lies.

But I had never
Known their darkness,
Until I saw it
Through your eyes.

​S.S.

I cannot imagine a better moment than this.
​BREAKING: Footage revealed from the moments elite Yamam commandos directed by the IDF and Shin Bet rescued two hostages from Rafah, Gaza: ”The hostages are in our hands, safe and sound, we are boarding a helicopter and flying to Tel Hashomer Hospital”.
Helmet-cam footage shows the first words exchanging by the commandos and the rescued civilian hostages.
https://www.facebook.com/sarit.scheidemann.3/videos/922766215753797

Growing up in Israel, whenever I asked someone:
‘How are you?’
The answer was always:
‘Yihiye Beseder’… (It will be ok…)
This was the automated response, as far back as I can remember.
When my cousin from South Africa came to visit, both of us barely adults, I asked him one day, ‘How are you?’
His answer was: ‘Great, really good!’
(Or something to that affect; it was a long time ago).
I remember it to this day, because it took me by surprise.
No one had ever answered that question that way.
‘What do you mean good? No one is ‘good’!
And that is how it was, growing up in Israel. Even in times of peace, of some sorts, things were never quite ‘good’.
My cousin, who I loved dearly, despite the brief acquaintance, died of cancer at the age of 26. A true light in this world was taken from us then.
Now days, when I ask friends and family in Israel and elsewhere, how are they coping, the answer is usually something like:
‘Ok, not great. But it could be worse.’
Of course it could be worse! Especially within Jewish life, in Israel, and abroad. But that is not what I asked. I asked: ‘How are YOU?’
Pain is pain, it is not relative. One’s pain it is not negated, nor is it legitimised, by another’s. There is no lesser pain!
People in Israel struggle to express their pain, because they will not permit themselves the right to acknowledge it. How dare I complain when so many have suffered more. How dare I hurt when so many are subjected to unimaginable brutality as we speak?!
They feel undeserving of their own space to hurt, to fear, to grieve, when so many others suffer.
We owe it to ourselves, our families, and our people, to be kind to ourselves, just as we are supportive and kind to our fellow beings. Israelis and Jews worldwide are good at that, at supporting each other. But how can we look to the future, each and every one of us, separately, and as a nation, if we do not allow ourselves the space within ourselves, to heal?

​בשבעה באוקטובר נפל סרן יפתח יעבץ זכרו לברכה. לאורך שירותו הצבאי נהגו יפתח ואמו שירה לשלוח אחד לשניה שיר לשבת. שירה קיבצה את השירים לספר והעניקה את הספר ליפתח. כעת הספר מופיע לראשונה כאן בגרסה דיגיטלית ובגרסה קולית-מוזיקלית מיוחדת במינה. מוזמנים להוריד ללא תשלום את שתי הגרסאות (מומלץ לקרוא ולהאזין יחדיו) ולהפיץ את היופי הזה לכמה שיותר אנשים.
שיר לשבת מאת סופרים שונים ‏https://www.e-vrit.co.il/product/30941?utm_source=app...

The fact that the UN houses a bunch of anti-Semitic criminals is no secret. But this time, they have been caught with their pants down! Raping people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1X52GUkNAI​

_around the world:
• After it was reported that 12 UNRWA employees were complicit in the October 7 massacre, the United States announced the temporary suspension of aid to the organization. After that, other countries joined the decision - Canada, Australia, Italy, Great Britain and Finland.
So, good news, right? But I ask you:
What is Australia doing on this list?!
The Australian Government gave 6 MILLION AUD TO UNWRA ONLY 11 DAYS AGO, in their incredibly insulting visit to Israel (read a few posts below)!
They were told about UNWRA’s association with Hamas at the time, but shrugged it off saying that UNWRA was their point of contact for funds and will remain so!
So, what happens now? Will the funds be frozen? Will the agreement be rescinded? And if the funds have already been received, I don’t think there will be any backsies…
So, I ask you again, what is Australia doing on this otherwise noble list? Is this another attempt by the Australian Government to sit on the fence? Surely their backsides are getting pretty well chafed by now!
****
Well, a couple of answers and a whole lot of confirmation, see news clip below.
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQsH2cQx7uk

Months later, many have waivered, more have folded. Douglass Murray stands strong and remains a true friend to Israel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1IAEobpQpQ​

And to be fair, I am behind the 8 ball on this one. I thought they would, in Xmas, but didn't realise they did. Good on them, yet again!
The Gospel According to Berkeley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcLCe5iBvVc

I didn't post this before, because I thought it was in bad taste, at least in terms of Australian outlook. However, given recent events, it seems surprisingly appropriate.
Gaza’s sky is black but Qatar is always sunny
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUMl58i4m0w