A cease fire!

Just a few words as I am waiting to hear more... 

After fifty days of war, and after another angry wave of bombings from Gaza (and no doubt return bombing), a cease fire seems to have been agreed upon. Maybe this time, it's for real. So what did we get? 

2,000 war dead
A destroyed infrastructure in Gaza.
Traumatized border communities in Israel. 
Probably plenty of tunnels that we can now imagine in much greater detail. 

And maybe a new front in the north, who knows?

Gaza is celebrating, the media say. I can't say the same for Jerusalem. People remarked on the massive bombings earlier in the day when I was shopping, that's about it. 

And why should there be celebrations? As far as I can see, Hamas has won this war hands down. This might sound cynical since, after all, many people died, many more were injured and traumatized but Hamas received recognition, the crossings have been re-opened, sea rights have been extended, and no doubt more will follow. Bibi could have given this to President Abbas, and perhaps strengthened a more moderate faction. Instead, he seems to want to get Israelis used to constant (relative) war fare. 

So now there'll be sheket, quiet on the western front. Till the next war at least. 

Just another balmy summer evening in Jerusalem

In Jerusalem, this summer is, as many call it, קצת משונה, just a teeny bit different. Living here, it is relatively easy to ignore the war and the horrors taking place just a few hours away from us--as long as you don't read or listen to the news, don't have the "red alert" app, don't talk to the neighbors, and don't go to the Old City (more about that another time). Unless, that is, the air raid alarm happens to go off. Since I am here, it has gone off only three times. Once early in the morning, in Gush Etzion (far away from me), once while I was soaped up under the shower (not so much fun), and once tonight, also far away. I immediately received a text from my husband in New York, who is glued to the news: "Siren in Jerusalem!"

On Friday, as we were on the beach when a siren came, I saw the Iron Dome for the first time with my own eyes. Here's a video:

Pretty surreal, eh?

The Iron Dome really introduces Disney into the whole equation. It is easy to dismiss the rockets as toys. Now, they aren't exactly inter-continental missiles, but if they fall until on you, it won't be good. But mostly, the Iron Dome makes us complacent. Israelis seem less willing to force Bibi to move towards a political solution, and the missiles and rockets raining on southern Israelis are ignored. Your problem if you chose to live in Nahal Oz (a community right by Gaza)! And so, a lot of people ignore the news, and ignore the horrors lived out in Gaza, and in the southern communities, and across Europe and elsewhere where anti-semitic attacks are seen as a legitimate reaction to the war. That is a pity because it also allows Bibi to avoid real negotiations, is good for the military and the industries supported by the military, but it is not good for Israelis and Palestinians who are living here. Apparently, we are all supposed to get used to the war.