Reminiscent of COVID-19 and 7 October

While people in Israel may have a sense of déjà vu to the COVID-19 pandemic when they were forced to stay in their homes, we in South Africa have a sense of a prolonged 7 October. What do I mean by this?

People in Israel this week felt far more frightened when they got an alert than they have felt before. However, sitting indoors for so many hours has brought on that sense of the pandemic. While they are putting on a brave face, knowing that apartment blocks are being destroyed in central Israel and so far more than 24 people are dead because of Iranian strikes, Israelis are genuinely afraid for themselves and their loved ones. By Wednesday morning, more than 804 people had been injured.

As many as 3 800 people have had to be evacuated from their homes because of these Iranian missile strikes, and close to 20 000 are having to claim damages because of the harm done to their homes, businesses, vehicles, and other belongings. Whether anyone wants to be or not, people are afraid. And Israelis generally don’t do afraid very well or often.

Having said that, I have yet to come across an Israeli or oleh who believes that Israel shouldn’t have attacked Iran’s nuclear might. I’m talking about people to the left, right, and centre. Israel is united on this, and Israelis appreciate that it’s better to endure what they are going through now than have the country destroyed by an Iranian nuclear attack.

However, Israelis aren’t great at being forced to stay home, nor do they enjoy having to rush to shelters this often. They didn’t much like this during the pandemic either, but this sense of Groundhog Day is making people feel uncomfortable.

Here, in South Africa, our sense – or can I say my sense because I can’t really speak for everyone – is that we’re worried, afraid, and wanting to save our brethren in Israel, but can do absolutely nothing to help.

When I wake up every morning, and sometimes in the middle of the night, I grab my phone to see what has happened in Israel. Have there been any direct hits and where did they take place? The fact that Israel has stopped informing where the hits have taken place is understandable because we certainly wouldn’t want to help our enemies know where their missiles landed. However, I desperately want to know that the hits occurred nowhere near my family and loved ones. Not knowing adds to our anxiety and fear.

Every morning, all I want to do is call all my family and loved ones to check that they are all alright. I also feel guilty that they are experiencing such extreme stress and anxiety with repeated red alerts and rushing to their safe rooms while I can sleep soundly in safety.

I’ve realised that when I reach out to my family and friends every morning to check in on them and tell them how worried I am, I’m not making them feel any better. In fact, I’m distressing them when they have enough on their plate.

The problem is, if I don’t know that they are okay, how can I get on with my day? I’m worried. I’m afraid. But I can’t very well keep harassing them in Israel because of my issues, can I?

When I say that these past few days have been like 7 October for us in the diaspora, I’m referring to fear for those we love. I’m also referring to the horror on seeing the footage of the devastation wrought in cities we know and love. The horror of seeing once beautiful apartment blocks bombed, knowing those blocks were homes to so many peace-loving, innocent, civilian families. The horror of knowing that this is happening to our people.

The difference, however, between 7 October and this situation is that 7 October was one day, and this seems to be going on and on. Every day, we wake up with more bad news. Obviously, there’s nothing as horrifying as the 7 October massacre, but in this case, the fear is constant.

Also, like 7 October, while Jews everywhere are horrified and shocked, the rest of the world can only see the bad that Jews and Israel do, not the harm done to Israel. So, while we sweat and worry, others demean Israel and its people for attacking poor, innocent Iran.

This is totally illogical. I can understand why people are devastated about Gazans being caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hamas. There’s no question that many innocent people have died in that war. However, to call a strategic attack on the nuclear power of Iran devastating isn’t logical in any way.

Let’s be honest, the Islamic Republic of Iran leaders have for many years made it clear they are determined to eradicate Israel. They have many proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the like who are doing their work. It’s clear that Iran was close to having the power to create nuclear bombs, which it had no qualms about using against Israel or the Western world.

Iran has one of the world’s worst human rights records. It systemically discriminates against and is violent towards women, girls, LGBTI people, and ethnic and religious minorities. Thousands of Iranians are arbitrarily detained, interrogated, harassed, and unjustly prosecuted for exercising their human rights. Enforced disappearances and torture and other ill-treatment is widespread and systemic. This is according to Amnesty International.

I appreciate that peace-loving people believe that violence begets violence, and they aren’t wrong. But should Israel and the West wait for Iran to eradicate Israel with nuclear weapons?

Once the button is pressed for nuclear war, there’s no turning back. So, while I certainly wish the war in Gaza was long over and the remaining hostages were all home, I find this particular attack on Iran easier to understand.

The worry for those I love in Israel, however, is far from over. May the days of Israel at war come to an end, and peace between Israel and its neighbours begin.

Shabbat shalom!

Peta Krost

Editor