Are we still at war? I have been writing this column “War Diaries” for over two years now and for the most part have documented the feelings, motivations and realities that we are facing in Israel since that terrible day on 7 October 2023. For most of that time, Israel was engaged in active war. Not only were our soldiers out there, fighting terrible enemies, but the entire nation was living a war-time existence. Whether we were running to bomb shelters to dodge missiles and armed drones coming from Iran, Lebanon or Yemen; whether we were managing the home front while our fathers, sons or brothers were off fighting; or whether we were engaged in ongoing mourning over the many wonderful people who fell in this bloody war, we felt we were living through an interminable war.
Sarah, her friend and her goats—protecting the Land of Israel. | Photo: Sondra Oster Baras
My son just recently got drafted once again for a 3-month stint, this time in Lebanon. Another son had been drafted on 28 February, the day the war with Iran began, and was only released at the end of May. They are both high-school teachers and have missed months of school. There are so many teachers in the IDF reserves which has seriously compromised the education Israeli students have been receiving for nearly three years. And then there are my daughters-in-law who are constantly dealing with their children and daily life without the help of their husbands. And this is going on amongst young families all over Israel.
Grateful for Every Calm Day
And yet, on the other hand, life goes on in a very normal way. We go to work, the children go to school. We are back to planning holidays, both in the country and abroad. We will be taking our children and grandchildren for a wonderful few days up north, renting holiday cottages with a pool and looking forward to the wonderful activities we love to do as a family—rafting down the Jordan River, hiking in the Galilee and the Golan Heights, enjoying a BBQ, getting lots of pizza pies, and just enjoying our time together as a family.
When we booked this holiday, we were much more limited than usual—we could not go anywhere close to the Lebanese border for fear of bombs and missiles. During these past few weeks, those attacks have been suspended, but we expect them to be renewed at any time. After all, my son is in Lebanon uncovering Hezbollah command centers and weapons caches daily, engaging in battle with terrorists. Hezbollah is still out there, amassing weapons wherever possible. So all-out war can resume at any time. But if we can, we will raft down the Jordan and thank God for whatever quiet we can enjoy.
My husband and I are also planning a week’s holiday in Europe. Of course, we booked our flights on El Al because it is likely that something will happen and whatever foreign airlines are currently flying to Israel will cancel with no notice and with no sense of responsibility to provide us with alternative arrangements. For most of the past three years, we did not travel abroad. We were hesitant to leave the country when our children are serving or when missiles could start flying at any minute. But after all this time, war has become part of our routine and we are moving forward.
Israeli Elections
Part of our current routine is the upcoming elections for the Knesset. For the first time in Israeli history, the Knesset and government will be serving its full term. No one believed it was possible, especially given the fact that this government served during the worst tragedy in the history of the country. On the one hand, there seems to be more hostility between the coalition and the opposition and their respective supporters than ever before. Accusations flying from one side of the aisle to the other in the Knesset, journalists aligning themselves in support of either the opposition or the government, flinging accusations at one another—these are regular occurrences for years now.
On the other hand, there is more agreement between the various sectors of Israeli society on basic ideologies and principles than ever before. Support for a Palestinian State is practically unheard of, support for decisive measures against our enemies is at an all-time high, and most of the country identifies more strongly with traditional values and are finding comfort in faith and Jewish heritage more than ever before.
Politics is a hugely divisive arena. There are arguments over priorities, the economy, the military, education and judicial reform. The current government is very right-wing and as a result, have pushed forward amazing developments in Judea and Samaria. But unfortunately, some of those accomplishments have been achieved by appeasing coalition partners with policies that are antithetical to classic Zionism. It makes you wonder—why can’t politicians reflect the values of the people?
But the most explosive issue in the current political culture is our prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu. While he is an extremely capable man, he has been in power far too long. Too many, politicians and ordinary citizens alike, carry such terrible resentment against him, for real and not so real reasons, that he is totally incapable of creating consensus on any issue—even issues that are in consensus. And the politicians are always so angry—always on the defensive, arguing against a politician rather than for a good policy.
So as we approach elections, as tensions rise, the challenge will be to see past the politics and remember the values and sentiments that connect us all. But the good news is that most Israelis realize this and are seeking new ways to create a political culture, to elect political leaders, who will represent the values that truly unite us and create consensus, cooperation and enable the amazing solidarity that we all feel towards one another and towards our country to be expressed in the Knesset as well as on the streets. It is possible—only time will tell if we succeed!
So yes, we are still at war but we have learned to live with war. And our political arena is a mess, not much different from what is happening in so many countries. But the political tensions do not truly represent the real feelings in the country. We are strong and we stand together, always. We have faced the worst enemies ever and we have prevailed.
A Visit to the Heartland
A few days ago, I visited one of the new farms that have sprouted up all over Judea and Samaria. The owners of the farm, a young family with four children, have been developing farms for years, dedicated to protecting the land from Palestinian encroachment. Now in their newest location, on a strategic mountain range between the highest mountains in Samaria and the Jordan Valley, the view is amazing. Located between hostile Arab villages and the nearby community of Migdalim, their sheep and goats graze on vast stretches of empty land, protecting the land and ensuring the continued safety of the people of Judea and Samaria.
Sarah hosted us in her home and showed us the exercise studio she had built and which now boasts 120 members. And we visited the goat pen. She is an extraordinary woman, mother, exercise coach and shepherd. And she is building up the land. Sarah represents the best of Israel, a woman who cares nothing for politics but is acting on her beliefs, with kindness and dedication. This is what Israel is really about. And when you support the people of Israel, these are the people you are helping. Thanks to your continued support and prayers, and with God’s help, we will continue to prevail.
Sondra Oster Baras
International President | CFOIC Heartland