Israel 24,
April 6, 2024,
Hi Everyone,
Today I woke up to sunny skies, 25C with a mild breeze. I wandered over to the marina to watch the boats go out. There were 12 to 15 knots and it looked like a great day to sail. There were about 15 dinghies out racing and a few keel boats. As usual, like everywhere, there are more boats in the harbour than out sailing. It is the same here in Israel, in Canada and in France. I spoke to the manager who gave me a fellow to call to see if I could race on someone’s boat.
When the war started, I made several applications to volunteer to serve in Israel. I sent a letter to the Minister of Health to work as a physician but there were too many applicants. The kibbutzim don’t take anyone over 35 except as a day labourer. I applied to MDA, the civil ambulance service but I was 131 on the list in Canada alone. I finally was accepted to work on a military base as an unskilled labourer doing various tasks. I have 1 more week to complete my contract with them.
Last week, I received an acceptance letter to work on an ambulance as a physician-ambulance technician. Finally I will get to do something in my field. I could not refuse. Next Sunday on my return from the army base I will go to Jerusalem for some basic training. I will then be placed on an ambulance in Tel Aviv. I changed my flight back to Montreal as I will be with MDA for 4 weeks. It will be shift work with certain days off. I am very excited to do this type of work. I have ACLS training as a ski patroller. I will exchange my IDF uniform for an ambulance tech uniform. Wow.
This evening I did something that I have never done before. I attended a mass demonstration. Every Saturday evening in Tel Aviv and in Jerusalem crowds gather to protest against BiBi. It is hard for me to estimate the size, but there were people as far as the eye could see. 50.000? 100,000 ? I don’t know. The crowd was very peaceful but very animated. There was only a hand full of police present as there is never any violence. Many people had Israeli flags and posters. They sang Hatikvah at the beginning. It was very moving. There were several speeches from a large platform that had been set up for the occasion. This is a weekly event. There were several large screens in various areas so that everyone could see. They also showed the demonstration in Jerusalem. People were chanting, singing, applauding and booing every time BiBi’s name was mentioned. It was like Purim with the graggers. The general theme was ‘elections now’!
As usual I am writing my blog in a restaurant on the beach, sipping a beer and watching the waves come in.
Love,
Brian
gobriantravel 
Bibi/Escobar? They really hate him now!
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