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How Well Have Israelis Handled the War?

(Times of Israel) Dr. Daniel Polisar - Over the past year, most Israelis have dedicated themselves to the war effort with remarkable focus and perseverance. This starts with hundreds of thousands of soldiers, mostly reservists who were called away from their homes and careers, and have risked life and limb to defend their country. They could not have done so effectively and with peace of mind without the unwavering backing of their spouses, who for months at a time have taken care of their families while providing emotional and logistical support to their life partners on the front lines. The spirit of voluntarism remains powerfully alive throughout society twelve months into the war, and is shared by young and old alike - who have taken upon themselves a myriad of activities to support the troops, the Israelis displaced from the Gaza envelope and the areas near the Lebanese border, and the families of the hostages. In addition, a remarkably large number of Jews and other supporters of Israel around the world have gone well above and beyond to support Israelis in need of their assistance, especially to our soldiers and to the victims of Oct. 7. Speaking with dozens of soldiers and hearing and reading the words of hundreds more, a clear picture emerges. They are animated by a touching nobility of purpose: They are fighting so that their family, friends, and neighbors can enjoy the good and simple things in life, so that the hostages can be reunited with their families, and the displaced residents of the south and north can return to their homes, till their fields in peace, and send their children to their own schools so that they can flourish and contribute in turn to their country. Israelis as a whole are largely motivated by these same goals and are also dedicated to doing everything possible so the soldiers return home safely at war's end and so those injured in body or spirit can recover and lead full lives in communities that embrace and uplift them. This suggests that when we look back on a horrific year, we should also do so with a measure of pride and optimism. The writer is executive vice president of Shalem College in Jerusalem.
2024-10-10 00:00:00
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