By Elisabeth Hinze
The Israeli team didn’t make it to the Soccer World Cup. My friend, Saul, explains, “We’re just not good enough.” “But what is your national sport then?” I ask (secretly hoping to learn about an ancient sport steeped in tradition and passed along from fathers to sons for the past 6 000 odd years). But his answer dashes that hope. “High-tech. Israel’s national sport is high-tech.” I think about that for a moment. “That kind of sucks then, doesn’t it? There is no High-tech Word Cup for you guys to win.” Saul sighs in exasperation, “If there was a High-tech Word Cup, Israel would probably be the only country making it through the qualifying matches.”
Arrogant statement? Of course. But then, nobody has ever accused the Israelis of being a bashful bunch. Egos aside for a moment, Saul’s statement isn’t far off. Bella the basset hound and I got a personal demonstration just the other day.
The afternoon was winding down and Bella and I made our way to Independence Park in the heart of Jerusalem. Ears streaming, Bella was joyfully leaping over to her doggy friends in a way that only basset hounds can joyfully leap… when the air-raid siren started its mournful wail. “Bad, bad, bad timing,” was the first thought that popped into my head. See, you have 15 seconds from the start of the siren to find shelter. And out there in the middle of the park is way more than 15 seconds away from any bomb shelter.
I look around for advice, for an example to follow. Half of the dog owners remain seated. The other half, dogs in tow, makes their way to a low wall and crouches there for cover. Bella and I follow the latter half. We’ll be brave on a different day. Today we’ll crouch.
I come to an awkward standstill against an Israeli youngster who smiles encouragingly at me, “Don’t be scared. Hamas won’t hit this close to the Old City.” It’s true. They probably won’t. Because hitting the Old City would mean damaging the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam. Probably… Seconds later we hear the first dull thud. “Karov! (close)”, breathes Israeli youngster.
And then we both see it at the same time: the tell-tale white streaks against the blue of the sky followed by a white puff of smoke as the Iron Dome intercepts the incoming rocket. It’s an awesome moment, one I share with thousands of Israelis the country over. The knowledge that the rocket heading your way was just shot straight out of the sky, harmless. Imagine, a bullet taken out by another bullet. Spontaneous cheers erupt from our little crouching group. Israel’s nation sport is indeed high-tech.
We smile sheepishly at one another as we try to brush ourselves off in a dignified manner. My hands shake a little as I stroke Bella’s head. Trying to clip her leash back on takes longer than usual. I don’t want to leave the park. I want to stay with the little group I crouched with. So we stand around a bit and discuss sport. Israel’s national sport to be exact. And in particular, the awesome Iron Dome.
So here is the technical side (from a girl who knows nothing about gadgets). It’s simple really: the Iron Dome intercepts and destroys rockets fired into Israel. Using radar, it traces the rocket as soon as it is fired across the Gaza border. Advanced software then figures out where the rocket will hit. If it’s heading for an open area, the Iron Dome lets it go (now you know why the majority of rockets that hit Israel, fall in open areas). If it’s heading anywhere it can cause damage, the Iron Dome fires interceptor missiles to blow the rocket into smithereens in the air. You can see the Iron Dome in action here
And it works. Exceptionally well. The past six days of Operation Protective Edge have seen relatively little damage and thankfully no civilian casualties here in Israel. Not that Hamas hasn’t put in their best effort. More than 800 rockets into Israel in six days give you more than 160 rockets per day. One rocket every 15 minutes. That’s not an attack. It’s a bombardment.
Which is where the Iron Dome, or Kippat Barzel (כִּפַּת בַּרְזֶל) in Hebrew, comes in. With a 90% success rate, it has literally changed the entire way in which this war is fought. Who knows how many rockets would have found its mark, how many lives would have been lost?
The Iron Dome guards the heavens over Israel. Making it impossible for harm to break through its barrier and harm its people. The Iron Dome literally draws an arch, a dome, a kippa of iron over Israel.
He Who watches over Israel promised to be a shield, a strong tower in times of trouble. Is it any wonder then that He gave Israel high-tech as its national sport?
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Tom Brennan says
Thank you for this excellent article. All of Israel is on the “front lines” So far none of the mainstream media in the USA has icke up on the Hamas spokesman who admitted openly that Hamas tells Gaza residents to stay in their homes while they use the neighborhood for launchig sites ! What prejudice ! What lying ! Iron Dome protects ALL citizens no matter who they are ! Hamas sacrifices its population for prejudiced headlines.Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and thank the Almighty for Iron Dome !
Lisa says
FAN-TASTIC!!!
Nadean says
There are many Americans that the world is not aware of that pray for Israel’s security continually. Messianic Jewish congregations pray for Adonai ‘s protection over Israel weekly and every time they all convene. The Iron Dome is 90 per cent but our Savior is with us 100 per cent of the time if we only turn to Him. You are Adonai’s example to Believers everywhere that He is continually with His people. Be strong in Him.
Pamela says
Interesting article…so proud of Israel! Praying for the Peace of Jerusalem!
Stephanie Heller says
What an inspiring and informative article! Here in America, there are many Christians praying with our Jewish friends for Israel’s safety. We have learned to take everything our news media shows us (regarding the Israel/Gaza conflict) with a grain of salt. Thank you for sharing the real story.
Elisabeth says
Thanks so much for the feedback – it means so much. Bella the basset hound also sends her love.
Linda Sue says
As I sit in my home in Kansas State USA, I can’t imagine living with the constant threat that you must live with. We watch the news everyday to keep ourselves abreast of what is happening there. But it’s stories like yours that really makes the whole thing real for us. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Know that there are many Christians in the US that are praying for you and are very pro-Israel.