By Elisabeth Hinze
Dear Brave Israeli soldiers
I saw you yesterday at the train station. The train doors opened and you poured out. Your usually oh-so-neat uniform in disarray. Your shirt stiff with days and nights of sweat, untucked, hastily buttoned. Your cheeks probably much gaunter than when you left here only a few weeks ago. The stubble hides it well. I looked into your eyes for a moment and gauged you anywhere between 19 and 90. You sighed, hoisted your backpack higher and off you went. I hope you are home for Shabbat. That your family will treat you like the hero you are. I wanted to run after you then, put my hand on your shoulder and tell you something. But that would have been odd. So I didn’t.
I saw you this afternoon on my way to the park with Bella the basset hound. You walked past, paused, turned around. You didn’t ask if you could stroke her or if she would bite. Without a word you crouched to stroke her ears. I stood, Bella stood and you crouched, stroking, stroking, like Bella was something so ordinary, so innocent. And you wanted to be part of it. She loved the attention, slobbered all over your uniform. That made you smile. I wanted to tell you something then, but you got up and walked away. So I didn’t.
I saw your picture on the news late last night. You are the 33th Israeli soldier killed in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge. You were older, my age. There are pictures of you, your wife and your son on his second birthday. Your wife is pregnant again. You were a lawyer. And I wondered if anybody had taken the time to tell you, if you knew.
I used to see you guys everywhere, in groups touring Jerusalem, in twos or threes having coffee or on your own, hurrying home from the base for a few days of leave. But now your country is at war. And there is something that I want to tell you. I’ll never do it in person. You’ll probably never read this, I know. But still…
Firstly, I want you to know how much your country loves you, how highly they value you, how firmly they stand behind you. I know, because I see it everywhere, in everyone. Signs popped up outside every store and on every street corner: “To our soldiers. We stand with you.” At most of the restaurants you’ll be able to eat at a discount. Some will even feed you at half price. I see the young people on Zion Square selling sunflowers to raise money for you. Some of them have choreographed little dance routines. Nobody walks past without contributing. They certainly aren’t giving money because of the awesome dancing if you get my drift. They are giving money to you. You matter to them. Donation boxes stand outside the shuk and the grocery stores. They are filled with cookies, chocolates and all the other treats that are probably not on the army’s menu. Your people want to treat you, to make sure that you have something sweet. I see the people praying for you. I hear their prayers. And I want to make sure that you know about these things, that you know what your people are doing to show that they care. Because you are not here to see it.
Secondly, I want you to know that Israel is not alone. Yes, I know. I know all about the international criticism and the outcries against you. I know about the horrendous choices you have to make. I’ve heard the stories of Hamas charging at you with a gun in the one hand and a child in the other. I’ve heard. But I can’t imagine. I know how you have to fight against an evil that can’t even be imagined or understood by our Western mindsets. Yet you have to confront it head-on. I know about your bravery. About going from house to house, wondering if this one is booby trapped, if you will hear an explosion that will end your life. I know about the tunnels. About having to crawl in there to clear it out of the weapons raining down on your people. And I know about your kindness, your humanity, your willingness to risk your life to make sure that those who wish you dead can have a chance at life. I know about the extra-ordinary lengths you go to. I know…
And I know that despite your impossible sacrifices, despite doing everything in your power and putting your life on the line… I know that the international community wants to accuse you of war crimes, of killing women and children, of being bloodthirsty, cruel, inhuman. I know about the blatant hypocrisy, the flagrant injustice of silence in the face of what is happening in Syria, in the Sudan, in the Ukraine. Yet you are the ones being singled out, despised, jeered. I know that it’s not a humanity thing, because if it was, you would be the hero.
I want you to know that I know all these things. And that I’m not the only one. Far from it. My government might be against you. My press may call you a monster. But there is another voice as well. It might not be as loud as the one you hear through the official channels. But it is there. And it will not be silenced. Our voices will mingle with those of your people. We promise to pray for you, to tell our friends and family about you, to speak out on your behalf.
To every brave Israeli soldier. As you get off the train, bone weary, as you crouch to appreciate the simple beauty of a basset hound, as you face atrocious choices, crawl through the darkness and fight like a warrior on behalf of your people. You are not alone. Somewhere, even in the remotes locations that you might never visit, there will be someone on your side.
Why? Simple. You fight for Israel. My God calls Himself the God of Israel. See where I’m going with this?
Brave soldier of Israel, I salute you (probably very, very badly). Stand strong. I wish you shalom.
Elisabeth
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David Bullen says
What beautiful statement to Israels soldiers who are fighting an evil that here in the west we have yet to face. God is with the IDF
Eve M says
Beautifully moving Elisabeth. I hope some soldiers will be able to read these words of love that comes from ALL our hearts, these words and prayers that come from those that stand with you; unequivocally.
Much love ; to you BELOVED Israel.
Kelly says
Beautiful letter, Elizabeth.
You should send this to Jpost and to the IDF. They NEED to see this. It is beautiful, and so heartfelt. I feel that way, too. I have been to Israel twice and fell in love. I am praying daily for Israel.
By the way, is your shop located in the Old City near the Jaffa Gate or is it just an online site? I recall visiting a gift shop there, and am wondering if it is one and the same.
J.G.S Editor says
Shalom, Thank you for you prayers and heartfelt love for Gods Land and People! While the Jerusalem Gift Shop is mostly an online shop we are located in downtown Jerusalem near Zion Square. You are welcome to come visit us when you visit the Land.
Blessings,
Joe
Linda McElwain says
Beautiful story, a story of love of country and sacrifice. God is in control and I know that Holy Land is His and his chosen are defending themselves, against all the odds. Praying here for Jerusalem/Israel daily, asking the Lord to deliver his children. God bless Israel! Blessings and shalom.
Becky says
Thank you Elisabeth for sharing your soldier letter , I am one who only sees the Israeli soldier in media. I pray for them , for Israel . Now through your eyes , your heart encounter , I can pray more personal and sympathetically.
Sally Prittie says
You speak for so many of us who are broken over the cost in young lives for Israel’s fight for survival. This war may not make it into the history books, but at this time in this situation it IS great. It is in the teeth of so much pressure not to wage it and so much vilifying at every turn. YET our support stands firm and in every way we can, by prayer, by giving, by advocating for Israel and explaining, by protesting our media’s skewed reporting, by encouraging our Israeli friends, we ARE fighting behind the lines. HaShem is so clearly with you and He will be victorious. Moschiach draws near. We love you Israel! And we are proud of how you are fighting this war.
Fern Smith says
Thank you Elisabeth for the poignant, heartfelt letter. I love Israel and stand with her daily. I pray the soldiers will somehow get to read this letter. It is beautiful and says what many of us feel and believe.
Andrew M. Cheyvollier says
July 31 2014
May G-D bless Israel and her people!
I pled with The Citizens of Israel.. . Please, do not think all people in America stand in agree with the current administration.
There are good G-D fearing and People who stand United and in 100% Solidarity with Israel!
If it were up to me I would be on the next airplane to Israel and the moment I arrived would join the IDF ! May the People of Israel know that they are prayed for and thought of often and they are loved very much.
Eileen Weaver says
If God is with you who can be against you.
God bless all your soldiers.
My prayers are with you
Eileen.
Gabrielle Mary says
Dear brothers and sisters in the IDF and in Israel and in all the places around the earth where we are still scattered to,
Please study Yahuwah Almighty God’s Word and see and hear what He is doing.
He is bringing all nations up against Israel and Yahuwah will get the Glory before all nations.
YES! Yahuwah is the God of ISRAEL! Hallelu Yah! Amen.
Let us all TRUST in Yahuwah and watch and see and hear what He is doing. Let all Israel now repent of all sin so that we can stand in His Presence. Amen. Let us, ALL Israel CLEAVE to Yahuwah and walk with Him in spirit and truth. Yahuwah LOVES all Israel and all His people. Yahuwah has promised to save ALL Israel so let us REST in Him, even at the same time that our IDF brothers and sister fight against our enemies and that each of us are also in one way or another fighting the good fight against evil. Yahushua Ha Mochiach is coming soon. Let us all be strong and of good courage and He will strengthen our heart. Amen.
Yahuwah bless and keep all His IDF soldiers and ALL ISRAEL. Amen.
We love you IDF soldiers! You ARE most assuredly in all our prayers. Do not worry about Goliath raising his ugly head, Yahushua Mochiach is COMING and will tread down all our enemies. Amen.
May every IDF soldier feel blessed with The Shalom of Yahuwah El Shaddai. Amen. And may every IDF soldier AND every Israelite KNOW that Yahuwah Almighty God is WITH US and will NEVER forsake us. Amen.
Dear IDF soldiers and ALL Israel, listen to and HEAR Yahuwah Almighty God, not the wicked, godless world. Amen.
Thank you Elizabeth. Yahuwah bless you and keep you. Amen.
Love, peace, joy and strength in Yahushua Messiah,
Gabrielle X
Suzanne Shanks says
Thank you, Elizabeth, for putting into words the heartfelt love, thoughts, and prayers of so many of us. Israel’s brave soldiers are in my thoughts, and constantly in my prayers… as is their wonderful country. God’s chosen people are amazing in their strength, their devotion to what is right and true, and their shining example to the rest of us, who can only imagine the daily onslaught of terror they experience. Regardless of the world media and its misleading stories, know that there are MULTITUDES who know the truth and support you wholeheartedly! We will be your prayer warriors during this continuing time of turmoil! God will carry His people through it all! He has amazing plans for you!! Much love to you ALL!