“Except the weather, Everything’s fine.” That was the answer from a family member in Paris. “Except the weather”… it highlighted the stark contrast in our lives. When I look up, I’m checking for missiles, whether they are intercepted or not. That’s my “weather” report.
“How about you, how are you?” Honestly, it’s a complex mix of emotions. It’s all about perspective, I suppose.
Anger
It’s infuriating to hear so-called experts judge our reality and propose misguided solutions. It makes my blood boil.
Worry
Despite our best efforts, our children cannot fully escape the psychological impact of this ongoing conflict.
Pride
We have risen from chaos, united like the heroes of our past, both soldiers and civilians standing together.
Respect
The true strength here lies in Israeli women, who manage to balance everything while remaining incredibly resilient.
Gratitude
Ultimately, I am here with my family, a blessing denied to many. Too many children orphaned, women widowed, and individuals severely injured, not to mention countless broken families.
I understand that you might be tired of this conflict. It feels distant, endless, and perhaps irrelevant to you. But it’s not. We may be the ones currently targeted by rockets, but make no mistake—you are also a target. Those who come for us will eventually come for you. In fact, they already have. They have attacked journalists, partygoers in Paris, runners in Boston, and office workers in New York.
While you might think we are arguing over a piece of land, we are fundamentally defending OUR civilization. We are fighting for normalcy, for a future where everyone can live authentically, dress as they choose, and love freely. We want to continue striving to cure diseases, innovating like with Waze, and designing the next generation of technology. We don’t even ask for the world’s approval—just to be allowed to live. Normally.
“(…) Our hope is not yet lost, The hope that is two thousand years old, To be a free nation in our land, The Land of Zion, Jerusalem.” – Hatikva, Israel’s National Anthem
Israel is our only home. It’s an integral part of our identity. It’s mentioned 613 times in the Torah. Even the Quran refers to us as “the Children of Israel” 44 times. If this conflict were simply about territory, it would have concluded 75 years ago when the UN proposed a two-state solution: one for Jews and one for Arabs. We accepted; they refused, desiring it all —“from the river to the sea.” Does that sound familiar?
This conflict is fueled by ego, pride, power, money, and control. It’s about the domination of one ideology over another. Conquest. Have you ever wondered how “Arab leaders” like Haniyeh amass billions in personal wealth while their people starve? What is the ultimate goal? I honestly don’t know.
Does the Iranian way of life appeal to anyone outside of its proponents? To our neighbors in Iran 🇮🇷, Lebanon 🇱🇧, Syria 🇸🇾, Palestine 🇵🇸, Egypt 🇪🇬, and Yemen 🇾🇪 — together, we have an opportunity to build a Middle East that resembles Dubai more than Gaza or Damascus. A region of peace and prosperity, free from terrorism, where our children can coexist. A region where our “how-are-you” answers could begin with, “Except the weather….”.
