Am Yisrael Chai

I first learned of the horrific surprise attack on Israel while attending shul on Saturday morning. As I type, at least 700 Israelis are dead with the number still likely to rise. There will be an investigation into the how both US and Israeli intelligence agencies missed this but that will wait. Much like it was 50 years ago, Israel is at war again. Israel did not start this war. Once again, it is Hamas that fired rockets into Israel. They took Israelis captive.

Israel responded to these attacks as it always does—with force and trying to kill as few civilians as possible. The nation of Israel is united in what is now being referred to as The First Gaza War. The judicial protests will wait for now as Hamas must be defeated and their actions must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It’s sad that we have politicians putting out statements that do not condemn Hamas. It’s not enough to just want peace and mourn the dead. We have to call out terrorism.

I join my fellow Jews in praying for the State of Israel, Israeli Defense Forces, and Israelis being held in captivity. I also leave you with Psalm 121: