On the other hand

What a difference a week can make.

This time last week, Israelis were busy planning their summer vacations. Should they take the family overseas? If so, where should they go? Advertisements offering a multitude of deals provided multiple choices for destinations and accommodation.

Summer camps for children ranging from youngsters to late teens were gearing up for their annual influx of locals and overseas participants.

Schools were scheduling end-of-year exams and excursions.

Then, suddenly, the balloon went up, and the country faced a war situation. Sirens, air raid shelters, missiles and drones became a fact of daily life. Nights were interrupted with alerts and alarms. The airport is closed, although some repatriation flights of Israelis stranded overseas have now commenced. Outward-bound flights are still suspended.

Meanwhile, as usual, Israelis are making the best of a difficult situation and looking forward to positive developments.

 

MESSAGE FROM ISRAEL’S PRESIDENT

 President Herzog clearly explains why Israel had to act.

This should be circulated to all those who still fail to understand why “de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue” are policies which do not work with terror supporting regimes.

 

 COMMUNAL SOLIDARITY

 A glimpse of how Israelis and visitors are coping with the current situation.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, resilience, a sense of humour, chutzpah and resoluteness prevails.

Note the reactions of youngsters and a New Zealand tourist.

 

EYEWITNESS FROM TEL AVIV

 This short video explains how Iranian disinformation is being used to misinform and spread lies.