Protecting Israel…from Washington to Nir Oz

We were tired having arrived home late Tuesday night from a stressful AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) Congressional Summit in Washington DC. But we set our alarm so we could tune into i24, to watch the heartbreaking funeral near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz for the Bibas twins, Ariel and Kfir, and their mother Shiri. On a split screen we saw photos of the beautiful three, joyful and alive, and we listened to the anguish of friends, family and an entire nation try to say goodbye. We cried thousands of miles away with the other mourners.

The horror of the October 7^th massacre has played out over the past sixteen months and the brutality of Hamas leveled against the three Bibases has crystalized the reality of the monsters who swarm on Israel’s borders. Not to minimize the death of Israeli soldiers and civilians, the danger to the remaining hostages, the injuries and the psychic damage to so many, the Bibas catastrophe is an iconic moment contrasting innocence and pure evil.

As part of the AIPAC gathering, two days of presentations included vignettes of beloved and suffering Israel that broke your heart, and analyses of the geopolitical complexities made your head hurt. Hostage survivors and family of those still in captivity were there. Experts in warfare and international affairs did their best to elucidate the multi-layers of where we are and what the future might offer. We heard affirming messages delivered from senior leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives from both political parties. It was AIPAC at their very best.

On the last day, we traveled up to Capitol Hill to lobby Congresspeople to advocate for support of the important American-Israel partnership. We met with Democrats and Republicans. The right “to petition” is in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. We addressed legislation dealing with the Iranian menace, and cooperative military and technology initiatives benefiting both countries. We thanked our Representatives for their actions and asked for their support for important legislation.

At the funeral, Shiri’s husband Yarden, a released Hamas captive, and the father of the slain children, choked out in his eulogy the words that he was, “…sorry that he could not protect you.” All those at the AIPAC event were there because protecting Israel, the Jewish people, and their nation are central to their lives. They donate funds, time and energy to support pro-Israel candidates and defeat candidates who are Israel’s detractors. They communicate to their representatives what is on their mind.

Any Jew or any American who cares about Israel or understands the importance of her survival needs to do their part. Shrinking from the realities of the threats, the hate and the pain suffered by the Israeli people is unconscionable. All need to do their part. No, you can’t don an IDF uniform to defend borders or fly thousands of miles to destroy enemies sworn to your death. There are multiple ways to contribute, and AIPAC is one of them. Don’t wait. Don’t be sorry you didn’t help protect Israel.