What?

Just heard that the Bet Tamchui in Schderoth is appealing for funds.

I have friends who chose to live there despite or because of the proximity to the border of GAZA. They are truly wonderful people.

The Government should be looking out for these citizens, too!

I remember Gaza during Israel’s occupation. I visited there frequently with foreign journalists. I was proud to show off the school where older Arab girls were studying English and when asked by a visitor why…they explained that, if one were well educated they could find work in the Emirates and also a husband!

I have also visited the Kibbutzim in the area. Also great people, in my opinion salt of the earth. Have I said that it is quite a beautiful place in which to live.

If only?

I remember too the late Ruth Dayan’s project’s in Gaza: to help local women develop their talents in embroidery and basket weaving so that, these products could be sold on the Israeli market!

Also too, the high quality of produce from their orchards. I remember the open sewer and the interest that foreign journalists took in this appalling siuation…an open sewer in the middle of a town? I discovered that “no one(UN.EU)” wanted to divvy up the money to fix it, although Israel offered to pay half…as I understood it!

How did we get to such an appalling situation?

It’s no good blaming those who cannot speak up from the grave. However we have failed miserably in many directions because of questionable policies.

We need broad minded and worldly people to lead us, not blind ideology.

During the latest horrific terror attacks I was torn between my own personal contacts in this land which is supposed to be “for all of its citizens.” Those friends who are both Jews and Arabs. Can we distinguish between a potential victim and a potential killer?

Sadly, in my dotage I can no longer make the difference. However I will continue to encourage both co-existence and Road Safety, in any way that I can. We have to face it! In an “organised” society there are certain dangers that affect everyone, whether they be road accidents or deaths of building workers. All could be avoided if not for “man’s inhumanity to man”. I feel sure that no contractor deliberately fails to provide the necessary means (safeguards) to stop death and serious injury. As far as the roads are concerned ,what happened to all of our projects for young drivers?