By Joseph Korson
When Hamas launches a barrage of missiles towards Israel they succeed in their goals even before the missiles land.
I am an Israeli citizen and I live here with my wife and children. I have a mother that lives in Tel Aviv and many friends all over the country. I am typical of millions of Israelis who are trying to build a better future for themselves and those close to them. Like most people around the world politics are not our first priority nor does it dominate out day to day lives. We live our lives doing what everyone does and may engage in politics in our spare time.
As soon as Hamas launches a barrage of missiles all of that normal living comes crashing to a halt and that’s when the terror starts.
After the initial disbelief and confusion of hearing the shrill sound of air raid sirens, fear rises up and triggers some basic survival instincts. It’s a weird and unsettling feeling to know that in the sky at that moment is flying a missile armed with an explosive head and you have no way of knowing where it’s going to land. Stop for a moment and gaze into the sky and imagine that scenario. Any second that missile can land where you are standing or in a place where a loved one is! What if you are in an area that you don’t know? You understand that you must find shelter immediately but don’t know where the nearest bomb shelter is. You have seconds to act and the paralysis of indecision is a harrowing feeling. You can stay where you are and find something to hide behind or you can frantically run until you find other people running to bomb shelters. In the mean time precious seconds are passing and your level of anxiety and adrenalin are rising! People around you are shouting and crying. The screams of fear from the children chill your bones! You find your cover and are sharing it with mothers, children, police officers and soldiers and you are all helpless. You look around and everyone with you has the same look in their eyes! I hope we survive this! Times slows down and things quiet down until the moment you hear the impact. Near or far the tearing boom rips through your soul and a glimpse of horror creeps in! Everyone one reacts. A shout of surprise, a scream of utter fear and then the hysterical tears! You wait until the impacts stop. You comfort those around you and wait for the all clear siren. Everyone tentatively leaves there place of cover and surveys the scene around them sizing up signs of danger.
Once you have established that you and those around you are safe you press call on your mobile phone to check on everyone else that is close to you. The phone rings and with every ring unanswered you mind starts to think worst case scenario. It’s even worse when you get a busy signal and that happens allot when everyone else is calling at the same time. The relief you feel when your loved one picks up may be a moment but it is felt deeply. Imagine if your worst fears are realized!
After you have confirmed all is ok with those you love you try to go back to normal life but it becomes harder that day because you know at any moment it could happen again!
This scenario is what happens every time a missile is launched against Israel. Some Israelis have been living with this reality for years. Millions of Israelis should not have to live with that terror, that uncertainty. Most people in the west rarely have to feel these type of feelings and I pray they never do.
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David says
Joseph:
I hope and I do Pray for your continued safety, I do understand what some of you are going thru, I am a Vietnam veteran, I lived that life for only one year. And I know a little about what you are suffering. I will continue to pray, and know that the GOD of Israel is still in control, I am a christian, and know that our GOD will take care of his people.
David Blankenship
USA
Tom Brennan says
Joe,
no one but an Israeli can truly describe what has become a daily fact of life for all of Israel’s citizens (Jew, Arab and Christian). And no one but an Israeli could ever consider that this would become a fact of life: the expectation of a missile atttack.
As I read the Amercian media, I want all our brothers and sisters to understand that a huge number of REAL Americans are 110% standing with Israel. Right now many of us feel genuinely betrayed by our so-called leaders and their puppet-press.
Only an Israeli can do day’ work, move fast at the sound of the sirens and then take count of loved ones and go back to work. Day by day my admiration for the people of Israel grows and intensifies.
Stick to it Israel ! The REAL Americans have got your back !
Andrew Cheyvollier says
I am an American second A Believer in The L-rd and Hebrew- Christian first and foremost !
I pray to have tolerance and love all people and that is required of me and a commandment not a suggestion!
What I do not understand is what follows.
According to each and every believer who claims there faith to be that of Islam, I am told that The Koran is a Muslim’s “Holy Book.” After reading and studying “The Koran. I looked up the definition of the word “Infidel” according to the “Koran, an Infidel is any man, women or child who does not follow Islam(?)
* THIS WOULD MAKE ME AN INFIDEL. . . { OK }
In the same Koran , it also is declared {PER} the Islamic prophet Muhammad
That it IS PERMISSIBLE to LIE AND/OR BE DECEPTIVE when dwelling in the lands of the INFIDEL! AS LONG AS IT IS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ISLAM!
* THIS TELLS ME THAT SINCE I AM AN INFIDEL/ DUE TO THE FACT I AM NOT A MUSLIM. I ALSO IIVE IN AMERICA, WHICH DESPITE THE CURRENT GOVERNING ADMINISTRATION.
*AMERICA IS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN A JUDIO/CHRISTIAN NATION!
* THAT MAKES THIS THE LAND OF THE INFIDEL! ONE CAN ASSUME THAT IS WHY WE ARE REFERRED TO AS THE GREAT SATEN AND WE HERE MUSLIMS ALL OVER THE WORLD CHANT ” DEATH TO AMERICA” WE EVEN HERE IN AMERICA!
* MY FINAL QUESTION IS
*. WHY WOULD ANYONE WHO IS GIVEN THE TITLE. * INFIDEL ( as many Americans) or ( Non- Muslims)
* AND IT IS PERMISSIBLE/ O.K. / ACCEPTABLE TO LIE / DECEIVE (or) MANIPULATE EACH AND EVERY INFIDEL (or) NON MUSLIM!
* Than I ASK WHY WOULD ANY SINGLE MAN, WOMEN , CHILD (or) NATION . . . BELIEVE, SUBMIT, CONVERT (or) ALLOW THEMSELVES AND/OR FAMILIES AND/OR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN TO BE ENSLAVED BY ISLAM!
* AS JEWS WE ARE TAUGHT G-D’S LAW SUPERSEDES ALL LAWS AND WE ARE TO LOVE EVERYONE AND THAT JUDGE IS RESERVED FOR G-D ALONE!
*AS CHRISTIAN’S WE ARE TAUGHT THAT YESUHA/JESUS IS THE MESSIAH AND THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW AND ABOVE ALL WE ARE TO LOVE THE L-RD our G-D WITH ALL our HEART and SOUL and MIND. WE ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELF’S!
* AS MUSLIMS (THEY) ARE ENCOURAGED TO FORCE CONVERSION (or) PILLAGE (and) PLUNDER (or) KILL/MURDER (any/all) THOSE WHO ARE NOT FELLOW FOLLOWERS of MUHAMMAD/MUSLIM
I HAVE COME TO THE VERY REAL REALIZATION WHEN (A/ANY ) PEOPLE ARE TAUGHT THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE and EVEN HONORABLE TO LIVE COMPLETELY DISHONEST WITH ZERO CONSEQUENCES AND THE SAME PEOPLE ARE/AND BECOME APPALLED WHEN THE INFIDELS (as they title them) DO NOT TRUST ANYTHING THEY SAY!
I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT I MAY NOT SIT IN JUDGEMENT ON SUCH PEOPLE AND I NEED TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE OTHERS.
* HOWEVER KING SOLOMON STATES VERY CLEARLY IN PROVERBS THAT KEEPING COMPANY WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO MORAlS , CORRUPTS THOSE WHO STRIVE TO LIVE A UPRIGHT LIFE!
* WE AS JEWS AND CHRISTIANS MUST HEED KING SOLOMON’S WISDOM and AVOID PEOPLE WHO ARE COMFORTABLE LIVING WITH CORRUPTION!
* YES WE NEED TO PRAY FOR THESE PEOPLE. and WE MUST NOT HATE THEM. HOWEVER WE NEED NOT COMPROMISE OUR VALUES!