| After a delicious dinner at Elon Moreh, we said our farewells to our hosts, posed for a group photo, boarded our bus, and drove to Ben Gurion Airport for the flight back to the United States. During the bus ride, we took turns speaking to the rest of our group through our open microphone. Each person, some with tears in their eyes, spoke about the extraordinary strength we had received from the remarkable Israelis with whom we met on our travels. There is no question that visiting Gush Katif/Gaza, the Hebron hills and Hebron itself, Gush Etzion, the Shomron, and exploring the reclaimed areas of east Jerusalem gives one an appreciation of the people and the land that cannot be derived in any other way. While pundits proclaim "solutions" to the Arab/Israeli conflict that defy logic, and belong in the theater of the absurd, we, who have walked on the hilltops and on the desert sand, have enjoyed the beauty of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea on the Gaza coast, and have prayed in many of Israel's holiest places, understand the strength of the people and the land. It has no connection with the talk going on in the halls of government meeting places, whether they are in Israel, the U.S., the U.N., the EU, Egypt, Jordan, or anywhere in the Arab world. Israel's right to exist is a biblical, historical, and moral imperative. The brave Israelis who have fought the many wars, suffered the intolerable losses of the Arab reign of terror, endured the indecencies of the Israeli court system, and are trampled upon by the undemocratic policies of the Sharon government, are the ones who deserve our great appreciation and love. The very "settlers" who are castigated by the ignorant are those who are preserving the Holy Land for all Christians and Jews who treasure its existence. We, at Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI, feel incredibly indebted to them. We will continue our semi-annual AFSI Chizuk missions to Israel, concentrating on those areas which are the most threatened by their own Israeli government. This is our answer to the disconnect that exists in Israel today. We will remain closely connected. Am Yisrael Chai - The Nation of Israel Lives - but only with your help. Will you be in our next group picture? |
