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In Tel Aviv, life goes on

Posted: Friday, January 09, 2009 11:15 AM
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TEL AVIV, Israel – I woke up one morning this week to what sounded like a small and low-flying plane nearby. Having spent time on alert in this conflicted region before, I took a quick look out of my window and immediately spotted the culprit. 

Small and low-flying: yes. Cause for alarm: not so much.

It was a powered parachute out for a gentle morning flight over the beautiful beachfront next to the Tel Aviv Marina.

Geoff Tofield / NBC News
Snapshot taken from Geoff Tofield's cell phone as a glider went by his window overlooking the Tel Aviv Marina.

A couple of joggers and an elderly couple at an exercise station on the beach watched him for a few seconds and returned to their routines.

Driving through the city later I noted the fine weather and another view of the Mediterranean. "That’s what’s so nice about Tel Aviv," said a local Israeli along for the ride. "The war is," he said as he waved vaguely off to the distance, "… out there."

"Out there" might be Sderot, a city about an hour’s drive south of Tel Aviv bordering Gaza that has been the frequent target of Hamas militants’ rockets. A sign there welcomes visitors with a running tally of the rocket strikes – 5,726 and counting.

But at a sunny sidewalk café, a man named Avni said that when it comes to living in Tel Aviv, "You resign yourself to whatever is going to happen."

He elaborated on what my other friend said earlier, "Israel is like two countries … You have the north, south, Jerusalem is one part … and then there is Tel Aviv."

Working in Tel Aviv during a crisis elsewhere in Israel, the calm is almost disarming.  For years, I covered turmoil-wracked Central America, and at the first sign of trouble, cities would virtually shut down.

Yet in Tel Aviv, strollers stroll, workers work, people sip coffee at sidewalk cafes. The radio volume might be a little higher, the debate a little more animated – but in the end it really is striking: Life just goes on.

 

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It is this cavalier attitude by some Israelis towards this war while we are committing war crimes against civilians that frightens me as an American Jew.  We of all people shoud be sensitive to "casualties o war".  Embarrassing.
When I lived in Israel during the second intafada from 1999 to 2002 I was always amazed that there could be a bombing at a mall in Netanya and people would still go shopping.  Likewise, when helicopter gunships fired missles at the neighboring city of Tulkarem one night, the next morning everyone on both sides of the green line went back to work.  With so much pain and blood on both sides all one can do is continue to live life the best they can.
This article is completely false. People are praying for peace all over Israel and the world. Things are not fine. We as Jews are feeling all the pain. Even the Arabs who are swearing to wipe us off the face off this earth for no reason but just to hate. We care about you because you are a creation of g-d we are all creations of g-d. And it is not our responsibly to kill we leave that in G-d hand. As sons of Abraham our father we are taught to love everyone. I truly hope the killing stops on both ends. I realize as a Jew how much life is so precious and to see both sides not doing anything for these children that have been thrown in the lions den by there own people and women being told to be human shields is quit disturbing to see how far they would go just for some headlines. So no as a Jew who has lived in Israel “life is not going on”. It’s going on to try and do good in the world and begging G-d and the worlds forgiveness. I hope for a day when there truly is peace and we all put our differences be hide us and truly care for one another. Please all say psalm 46 if you truly want peace. And let us not let the media and slander dictate our live s with lies.
Tel Aviv is lucky SO FAR.

If Tijuana, Mexico (Gaza) was shooting rockets at San Diego (Sderot) because they wanted "Occupied California" (Israel) returned to them, then started hitting Los Angeles (Ashkelon), with intentions of aiming at San Francisco or Sacremento (Tel Aviv), I bet things would look ALOT different to Hollywood Liberals who blame democracies FIRST (USA or Israel).

Israel has a God given right to defend itself.
"Mankind must remember that peace is not God's gift to his creatures; peace is our gift to each other.”
Elie Wiesel

In Israel we don't let terror win. Life goes on. We pray and worry but life goes on. Don't forget all the suicide bombings that affected all cities including Tel Aviv. The next day you couldn't notice what happened. this is not because Tel Aviv is another country. It's because Israel will always live on. Israel has the right to defend itself. 3,200 rockets in 2008 alone, close to 9,000 since 2000 and the world is objecting? Hamas is using children as human shields. If this is not a war crime then I don't know what is!
Just curious as to whom Ionnie from Houston would lay the blame on? The countless civilians who lost their homes to overwhelming Israeli firepower? And since when do red-necks care about what the "Hollywood liberals" think or blame anyway?

As for the "God given right to defend itself", the same can be said about the Palestenians.
It is so sad that life goes on as usual in Israel as its commiting atrocities in Gaza. Aren't those families human, do those kids not deserve food and medicines. Aren't those elderly and young humans... We are supposed to be just and fight for the weak. Where is the American spirit now.Please wake up America. I am all for Israels right to exist but we have to recongnize others right to live as well. Be just for once!!.. Its shameful.. truly shameful
I am deeply concerned over the plight of the innocents being shelled in Gaza. Civilian casualties are always upsetting in any war.

However I find it equally upsetting and difficult to justify the continued relentless violent political positions and military aggressions that Hamas inflicts on Israel. This has been going on for way too many years. I am frustrated. Please do not confuse Hamas' indiscriminant launching of munitions on unspecified non-military targets as an act to defend a country. Thess are aggressive, disruptive, offensive military attacks, pure and simple.

First I ask this; what would your government do if 50-60 rocket/ mortor rounds a day flew in from the border of a country ruled by a hostile organization like Hamas? Let's not forget the public Hamas position; that Israel should cease to exist.

Next I ask.... How do you weed out the Hamas fighters that do not wear uniforms and fight from positions in heavily populated civilian areas? Further no one except Israel is attempting to arrest them for their violent militant activity? Hamas has done little control let alone stop this crap.

In my opinion Hamas has very poor leadership. They need to face the facts. They are facing an overwhelming dominant enemy who used its vastly superior army to establish a nation. Israel is not going anywhere soon and Hamas does not possess the military ability to do anything about it. Hamas' rockets are like shooting bullets at a battleship. That is why their army does not fight out in the open. Hamas can't win.

They need to face reality. Try thinking for a change. Negotiate....Hello!!!   Israel has what you say you want. They have officered most of it too you. Make a deal. You can get your own country. Why don't you try showing the world how good you are by developing a strong successful nation without the aggressive militant stuff?

Smart leaders who are facing defeat or significant losses negotiate. Dumb bloodthirsty headstrong radicals put their own populations in harms way in order to fight to the bitter end.

Fatah will get their piece of the pie through smart negotiation.

Hamas…..It’s time to wake up!
Palestinians….don’t forget to vote for true leaders next time!

And lastly to the writer of this article. Did you stop for coffee on the way to work yesterday? and what time did you get home from the gym last night. Your right. Life does go on for those who seek and live in peace.


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