A comment on the current situation
and one way to help, but life needs to go on
There are few of us who are not continually mindful of what is going on in Israel and the potential horrors to come in Gaza. However we have our lives to lead, and it is important that despite our sympathies, we live our lives as normally as possible.
I am very grateful to Carolyne Davis for her contribution this weekend as she comments on the current situation. She makes some very important points, which we will do well to remember. We are very lucky to have someone like her writing for us.
However I truly believe there is much we can do, to help. I have three times in the last couple of days been in discussion with people who were horrified by the current situation, and even more horrified at the death and destruction which would happen if Israel invades, the water and power and food remains shut off. It soon became apparent that these people knew nothing about Israel, except the propaganda put out by our enemies. I started to tell them. One of them, my neighbour who is a Tunisian just lost his temper and told me Jews have no right to a country called Israel. But the other two were genuinely interested.
I started with going lightly into the situation of Jews in Eastern Europe towards the end of the 19th century and the birth of Zionism. The establishment in a land managed by the Turkish Empire which did not seem to mind the new immigrants who started Kibbutzim and had a positive influence over this territory. I explained that the 1st World War saw the end of the Turkish Empire and the allotment to France of Syria and Lebanon and to Britain of Trans-Jordania.
I went to the Balfour Declaration and the start of a Jewish Army and that despite the Declaration nothing really happened till after the defeat of Nazi Germany and the discovers of the extent of the Holocaust, which is why the State of Israel was declared in 1948.
I then mention all the times that our neigbours attacked Israel from 1948, including Suez, the 6 day war and Yom Kippur Wars.
I will be truthful, my memory might not have been as exact as it could be, but when I recounted this, both the people who were naturally pro-Israel, were very grateful and understood much more - Carolyne's piece takes it up to date.
Just remember, Hamas are financed and supported by Iran, Iran hates the fact that even Saudi was being pulled towards the Abrahamic Accords, which is why they have encourage Hamas, and armed and financed them, so that this disaster will happen.
A final remark on this subject - If you are fed up with BBC and its attitude - GBNews is much more open to hear and report our side of things.
Meanwhile, apart from Carolyne's article, we art brought back to earth by the recipe from Corinne Rachelle - for Traditional Irish Stew.
I am delighted to say that we now have Jack Kaye's reports on Brighton's last 3 games v Aston Villa (A total disaster) Marseille, a European point earned, for the first time, and against Liverpool, where another fine performance has been recorded.
May I wish you all the best for Shabbat Shalom and lets pray for better things in the weeks to come.
Nick