NOW

We began the day in Jaffa; port; alleys; church; Peter; Jonah; Market – a simple way to start our journey. The skies were blue; the air was dry; welcome to Israel in May. But the day would not end as it began with basic truths and Bible stories and a man with a mission to spread the Jesus story to Rome (Peter) and a man running from God calling him to proclaim the truth of repentance and forgiveness to Nineveh (Jonah).

The stuff of life.

And then we drove to South Tel Aviv and Maayan took us on a Graffiti tour all of which were created since October 7th. Powerful stuff. She asked us to post this one.

Of the sexual violence committed by Hamas against the women then and probably still now. There is so much to say about the courage and creativity of these artists. Another day.

We ended our day with a briefing at the Headquarters of the Hostages Families Forum. They advocate for the kidnapped and abducted and care for the families of the hostages financially, emotionally, physically, and in any way that they can. We heard from two members of different hostage families. Daniel Lifschitz whose grandfather is 83 years old and is still sitting in a tunnel or cell somewhere in Gaza or worse and Gilad Korngold, father of Tal Shoham whose son was abducted with his wife, two children and other members of his family. All but Tal were released in a Hostage deal. Tal is still in captivity.

You can’t imagine the power of their stories. You can’t believe the words you are hearing. Your brain processes the narratives; your heart just breaks. It was a profoundly powerful introduction to Israel post 10/7. Each hostage is a hole in Israel’s soul. There is a sense of loss and betrayal. There is anger against their government and the nation player states that do not demand from Hamas a return of the innocent. I could go on but there is still tomorrow and other stories and an Israel that is the home of a people connected to this land, building and rebuilding from the past a future of hope. Look for Israel Diary 4. But for now:

Bring them home – now.