Letter from #Israel #2 - They're everywhere
Reminder: I want to better understand Israeli perspectives on the #war. It’s been nearly 25 years that I’ve lived in the UK and the world looks very different from here, even more so since 7th October.
On the flight from Britain, they didn't just wish us a pleasant flight, but a 'pleasant and safe' flight. When we landed, the captain reminded us to be grateful for the security services that enabled us to travel safely. Normal for a country at war.
He then reminded us that as we were going home, we should hope the hostages come home too. On the way from the plane to baggage reclaiming, we passed a row of posters with pictures and names of the hostages. Bring them home is the national chant. It's everywhere. The photo is from Domino's Pizza ("Bring them home now").
It seems obligatory for every news show and talk show to either have a piece about one of the people murdered in the October atrocities, or interview family members of one of the hostages. It's every day, it's nonstop. Still wet from the October rain, as the song almost said.
[CW: baseless pop psychology] On the one hand, this seems to be part of a process of working through collective trauma. On the other hand, it feels manipulative when it come from the media. Either way, it's impossible to have closure without resolving the hostage situation. As #Hamas maximises emotional blackmail and Israel takes the bait, it's bad news for everyone, especially for #Gaza.
I feel I should end on a more positive note. Maybe I should go to another protest.
