The Blogs: Only in Israel

Photo credit: The Gvili Family

(I originally posted this on my Facebook page following the last hostage release to Israel: the body of Ran Gvili, of blessed memory. My brief article sparked a number of comments from readers worldwide, a few of which are featured.)

“An eye weeps bitterly, and the heart rejoices.”

Talik Gvili, mother of Ran, at his funeral.

More than 100,000 Israelis who were vacationing abroad when the October 7th massacre took place, frantically rushed back to Israel immediately to protect our beloved country. Take a moment to absorb that. Where else in the world would that happen?

And name a country where you will find the likes of Ran Gvili, a member of an elite police unit, who was waiting in a hospital on the morning of October 7th, to undergo surgery for a broken shoulder. Hearing of hamas’s brutal and murderous assault, Ran rushed home, donned his uniform and hurried into battle, saving almost 100 people from the Nova festival, who were running hysterically for their lives – and also taking out 14 murderous terrorists.

And where else would you see 700 of our soldiers searching for – and eventually finding Ran’s body – still in uniform, after 843 days, in a G-d forsaken burial site, deep in the heart of Gaza?

Ran, our last hostage, was laid to rest accompanied by thousands of people en route to the cemetery, and tens of thousands – probably more – watching online, shedding tears, and paying our final respects to one of the great heroes of Israel, who will be forever remembered with dignity, respect and honor.

Only in Israel.

Postscript: It is painful to know that all those young Jews abroad, whose minds have been poisoned to hate Israel, will never know what it means – and emotionally feels like – when our country, with all its faults, and regardless of political persuasion, stands as one, strong and undivided, and is unified when confronting existential issues. They will never attain a sense of genuine self – fulfilment, and a life filled with Jewish purpose and meaning. But more than that, when all is said and done, these only in Israel moments engender feelings of pride and dare I say it, love and admiration for our people and our country, which is indestructible, and which no one can tear asunder.

עם ישראל חי – The People of Israel live!

Thank you for sharing this. I am Israeli born, proudly Jewish, unflinchingly Zionist, and a great lover of our extraordinary land, Israel ‼️‼️❤️‼️‼️‼️
We are blessed to bear witness to miracles – even in the face of tragedy in the shadow of Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Through tears of joy and sorrow on this day, we remain united throughout the world.
Believe me – I am a diaspora Jewess, and my heart has always been in Israel. My grandmother, aunt, uncle and their baby were all mercilessly murdered. I never knew any precious Boba or Zeida. I am 81, soon to be 82 and that dreadful Shoah is very much with me – always. I can’t believe the age – old, cancerous hatred is alive and growing. I thank Hashem – G-d, every day for my spiritual home. We have numerous family members in Israel. Know that the majority of Am Yisrael – the People of Israel, are with you every step of the way.
You have captured something that Israel has that no other country has: A true feeling of connection and belonging.
Unfortunately, many American Jews of all ages naively think they are Americans first. And Israel is not of much importance to them. We know how that goes. It’s a חבל – a shame, that support for Israel in America depends so much on Evangelicals. In fact, it’s shameful that so many of our American brethren, as bright and out of proportion successful as they are, have not learnt the Passover lesson.
Ran died “al Kiddush Hashem” – sanctifying G-d’s name, and is therefore, no doubt, in an elevated spiritual plane for those holy souls who have the merit to reach such a place. May his memory be a blessing for his family which includes the proud nation of Israel and Jews across the globe.
I can feel the love for Israel in each word you chose to endorse the reality and truth of its uniqueness, and its magnanimity as a country beloved to its people within, and in the diaspora. I welled up with pride and more love while reading it.
Israel is the home of my heart and soul. I am unapologetically Zionist.