Tales from the Land of Milk and Misery

Tel Aviv has been fortunate to have two visionary doers, Shlomo Lahat and Ron Huldai. They incredibly developed the city, constantly building and improving. Tel Aviv is such a lovely city. In each visit, I find new things to explore and relish.

My favorite place on earth is the Herbert Samuel promenade which I hold as one of the most beautiful promenades in the world. Lahat started the project from the old Tel Aviv Port to the old Jaffa Port and Huldai completed it. Walking the promenade, looking at the sea, eating at one of the beach restaurants, looking at the people who have leisure time and simply relaxing. What a wonderful feeling of tranquility that is needed so much in Israel. Lovely.

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Watching the sunset on the promenade, walking at dusk to the old Jaffa Port. Enjoying seafood and fish with a cold drink in a sunny day. One song says ‘There is nothing like Jaffa at night.’ Jaffa is enchanting and beautiful.

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In Jerusalem I see more “stupid” phones than smart phones. Phones that were in fashion during the early 2000 feature prominently in Jerusalem. The Haredi population, who follow the instructions of their rabbis, is a very large market for those phones. The so-called kosher phone is stripped down to its original function: making and receiving calls. There’s no text messaging, no internet access, no video options, no camera, all to ensure that the Haredi remain secluded from the world, protected from its many vices and sins. More than 10,000 numbers for phone sex, dating services and other offerings are blocked. A team of rabbinical overseers makes sure the list is up to date.

Yet, every once in a while I see a Haredi rebel, usually young, who holds a smart phone. These rebels who are exposed to the 2025 world need to fight the temptation hard as they are curious to know what the rabbis are so afraid of. GPS, of course, is not available, which explain why Haredi people approach me for directions.

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I love the Zion community in Jerusalem. Tamar Elad-Appelbom leads the community with grace and wisdom. She is kind and wise. Every sermon is a joy to listen to. I cannot fault her. Her values are my values: justice, tolerance, peace, kindness, responsibility, and selfless leadership. I wish all leaders were like her. And the constant singing fills my heart with tranquility, happiness and hope. A treasure community in Jerusalem.

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I asked a shop keeper where can we have tea. He pointed a small shop opposite him that we ignored. My friend and I went to have tea. As we exited the little place, the shop keeper was waiting for us. “Now come visit my shop”, he said. “I showed you where to have tea. Now please come to my shop.”

We were in a hurry. Therefore apologized and said we will come at another time.

The next day, we strolled the old city. The same shop keeper saw us and said: “You remember that you promised to visit my shop. Please come.”

Promises need to be kept. We entered his shop. First he offered things to my friend, an English gentleman, who put a stop to the endless suggestions by saying: “My wife told me not to bring her anything.” Then the shopkeeper focused on me. I saw something and asked for the price. The shopkeeper said: “400”. I responded with “No, thank you.” Within a minute, the price went down to 100, which still seemed to me excessive. I made my last counteroffer, which he refused.

Let’s see if he will remember us next time we pass next to his shop.

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Visiting Yad VaShem is always emotional. This time I visited this sad place with a Christian friend from England. He was deeply touched and wanted to return as he felt we did not spend enough time during our visit. Know from where you are coming in order to know where you are going. Six million souls hover eternally above Israel, a silent testament to memory and loss.

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My friend Tim, an elderly Christian gentleman from Hull, was so touched by the hostages that he asked to volunteer in the hostages’ tent. On 13 May, he spent the morning at the tent, helping the volunteers with whatever was needed. Thereafter, he returned to Yad VaShem for his second visit.

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My flight from London to Tel Aviv was delayed. The plane is the same plane that flys from Tel Aviv to London, and it encountered the Houthi missile that landed during the boarding process. Luckily, not often do I hear such explanations for a delay. I hope it is once in a life time.

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In Haredi families, children are tasked with heavy responsibilities. It is not unusual to see a young girl, 7 or 8- years-old, with a baby and no adult around. Or to see a 12-year-old child with three younger brothers and sisters on the bus.

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Netanyahu is saying: this and that is not my idea. It is the Chief of Staff’s idea. But who appointed the Chief of Staff after careful scrutiny of his views and his response to Netanyahu’s ideas and questions?

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The government said that it would not form a state commission of inquiry into its failures surrounding the 7 October massacre. The government and Knesset would propose a law to establish a special committee that would represent the whole spectrum of public opinion, theoretically guaranteeing its legitimacy.

Netanyahu says that, of course, there needs to be an investigation committee to reveal all the misconceptions and mistakes that led to 7 October 2023. But, Netanyahu maintains, this inquiry committee should reflect all segments of the population.

Why?

The committee should reflect the facts as it finds them. Who is responsible for the tragedy? What mistakes were made? How Hamas was able to inflict such pain on Israeli society?

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Without shame, ministers in this regrettable government are saying that the hostages are not the first priority. The destruction of Hamas is the first priority. They infer that the hostages are collateral damage. They can live with their death.

Heartless. Irresponsible. Disgrace.

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The hostages’ families continue to wage their fight and we support them, going to the demonstrations, shout, scream, voicing our alarm and discontent. Every day there is at least one demonstration. Never lose hope. This is our duty and obligation for the hostages and their families. Sadly, the government does not think it is their responsibility.

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So happy that Edan Alexander is back home. This is thanks to President Trump. If only PM Netanyahu set his priorities right and put the release of all hostages as the number 1 priority of Israel. Many lives could have been saved. It is time to release the remaining hostages. 58 Israelis, both dead and alive, are in the hands of Hamas. They all should return to Israel.