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Adar Gandelsman

A little request for peace from southern Israel

Opinion: I think it's time for someone to take matters into their own hands and seek a permanent solution for the people in the south, a solution that will bring calm to our communities and families - that's not too much to ask, is it?

As a person who was born and who has lived all of her life in southern Israel, I had no other choice but to get used to the twisted reality that disrupts my life. The same reality that paralyzes me with fear every time I get into my car because I will be helpless should the air raid alarm sound. Because of this reality I think twice before taking a shower. Its is a depressing reality.

 

 

For too many years, we in the south have not known what is to have a normal routine. Instead we have rockets, balloons with firebombs attached, and - every now again - a cease-fire. Amd then it all starts again from the beginning. It is a nightmarish routine.

 

Residents of southern Israel protesting the security situation (Photo: Avi Rokah)  (Photo: Avi Roccah)
Residents of southern Israel protesting the security situation (Photo: Avi Rokah)

  

When the first rocket "accidently" landed in central Israel, I must confess I was a tiny bit happy. I said to myself, "now it is going to end."

 

For when a rocket lands even "accidentally" in central Israel, there is a response that includes an urgent cabinet meeting, live news broadcasts into the night, the deployment of IDF units and thoughts and prayers for the people affected.

 

Tanks on the Gaza border
Tanks on the Gaza border

 

This week I was horrified by the destruction caused by the rocket that hit a house in Mishmeret.

 

It was miraculous that no one was seriously injured.


The Mishmeret home destroyed in a rocket strike from Gaza (Photo: Yair Sagi)
The Mishmeret home destroyed in a rocket strike from Gaza (Photo: Yair Sagi)

 

But I'm tired of praying for miracles. I want action!

 

And when the rockets began falling on the south again - as expected - we never got the same reaction. 

 

In reality, no one cares when residents in the south are constantly running for shelters - not even Culture Minister Miri Regev who dismissed us all with a simple: "So what if Ashkelon is under fire?"


A young resident of Kibbutz Nir-Am filmed herself crying as she huddled in a bomb shelter with her dog
A young resident of Kibbutz Nir-Am filmed herself crying as she huddled in a bomb shelter with her dog

 

So how am I supposed to feel now? My parents came to this country out of pure Zionism, and are now having second thoughts about life here after the elections. 

 

I think it is time for someone to take matters into their own hands and find a permanent solution for the people in the south. A real solution that will bring peace to our little corner of the world. I don't think that it's really too much to ask.

 

Adar Gandelsman is a resident of Ashkelon and Miss Universe Israel 2017

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.29.19, 18:59
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