Israel’s battle, Spain’s silence

At the cusp of Rosh Hashanah, I reflect on my aliyah, just three years ago, from beautiful Barcelona, Spain. While I never doubted that Israel is the only place for me, Spain’s rabid antisemitism reminds me that in the most challenging times, we have no other land ( אין לנו ארץ אחרת).

Yesterday, just like many Israelis, I was relaxing at home in Jerusalem and, just like many of my fellow Spaniards, thinking about the Barcelona soccer match. What seemed to be a quiet night in Jerusalem was interrupted by multiple telephone alarms: “Everyone must go to a shelter until further notice.” Can you imagine the panic and fear that would arise in Barcelona after such an alert? Although it is not the first time here, in Israel, it’s no different. Millions of Israelis experienced a wave of uncertainty and panic, fearing what was to come. Were the rumors of an imminent attack from Iran true? More than 180 ballistic missiles were launched against Israel with a single purpose: to kill as many Jews as possible. For an hour, sirens blared throughout the country, paralyzing us all.

Once outside of the bomb shelter, I reached out to Cadena Ser, a prestigious Spanish radio channel, as they were looking for Spaniards living in Israel to provide testimony. After several questions about my experience, they explained they would call me at 9:30 AM the following day for a live interview scheduled for that morning. After a sleepless night of immense stress, they called, apologizing that the interview would be canceled. The reason? “Since the situation in Israel is calm and nothing is happening today, we don’t want to bring on speakers to share their testimony so as not to exaggerate the situation.”

For the mainstream Spanish media, it would appear that the largest ballistic missile attack in history, with no justification other than to wipe Israel off the map, is a “calm situation”? Hearing the testimony of a fellow Spaniard who spent the night in a bunker while indiscriminate missiles sought to end his life and that of so many others is “exaggerating the situation”?

By hiding the truth, Cadena Ser becomes an accomplice to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s terrorist regime and fuels antisemitism in Spain, which is more alive than ever. I grew up listening to Cadena Ser on my morning car rides to school; now it seems they do not want the next generation of listeners to hear the reality in Israel. Following are the words I would have addressed to the Spanish listeners:

“Yesterday was a night of anxiety, but one of complete confidence in our army and country, who work day and night to protect us. Our defense managed to protect us from this historic attack, whose aim was to massacre Jews, although sadly, seven innocent people were brutally murdered by two Palestinian terrorists in Tel Aviv hours before.

I am more concerned about my Jewish brothers and sisters in Spain, who cannot go to the synagogue without police trucks blocking the entrance or walk with a kippah for fear of aggression.

We are alive because our country values each of our lives as if it were a universe and invests everything in our defense. Unfortunately, this is not the reality in Gaza or Lebanon, where all the money they receive is invested in terror. Instead of building a Singapore, they have built a Kabul, and they are all victims of the Iranian regime.

Yesterday you saw Iran’s intentions toward Israel, but the reality is they will not stop here. All of the West is at risk from Iran and its nuclear plans. We are fighting the world’s war without the world’s support. Voices in Spain should stop condemning us and simply say thank you. Thank you, Israel, for being the only brave country to protect Spanish, Judeo-Christian, and Western values.”

For Spain, I wish for the many voices of truth, along with the many Spanish allies of Israel, to triumph despite the unpopular government and their antisemitism.

Even in these uncertain times, one thing is clear: the Jewish people are resilient and here to stay, in our only homeland. This Rosh Hashanah is different from others; we still have 101 hostages in Gaza, 70,000 evacuees from the north, and thousands of soldiers away from their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. May they all safely return home soon. In the face of our enemies, let us stand united as one. Shana Tova and Beshorot Tovot. Am Israel Hai LeNetzah.