2024-03 Israel

Israel 27,

April 13, 2024,

Hi Everyone,

I have not written my blog for a few days, 1) because until yesterday, my life has been rather ‘routine’ for a while, and 2) I wanted to allow my readers to get caught up with my adventures.

My last day at Matzrap was somewhat memorable as we finished off the fruits of a weeks labour. We had placed 12 card board boxes on our work tables. We then filled the boxes with various medications and bandages. We then took 1 or 2 items from each box and placed them into plastic bags which one of us then sealed. 775 bags, not one more or one less. We then placed the 775 bags along with other bags diligently prepared by another group, into big 2’ by 3’ boxes and sealed them. What an accomplishment. Our labour was accompanied by selected 60s to 70s music tracks generously supplied by Spotify with a small ampli-speaker. I said good-bye to my new friends and finished the job off by challenging Israel ( pronounced Yisrawale ) to an arm wrestle. This was the 1st arm wrestle that I ever lost in my life as I usually only challenge people I know I can beat.

We took a bus back to Tel Aviv where I am staying at Maxim Hotel as usual. I have not been making much progress with my Hebrew as there are too many English speaking people here. The Israelis switch to English on my 3rd word. I went out and bought a Hebrew grammar book that may help me with my tenses. There are only 3 tenses in Hebrew and somehow I can’t manage to learn them.

2 evenings ago I walked through the Florentine neighbourhood. It is an older area that has not been gentrified yet but may be in the process of doing so soon. The streets are very narrow, many do not permit a car to drive through due to the width. There are electrical lines everywhere. The area is packed with inexpensive bars, cafes and restaurants. The area caters to students and young working people and everyone seems to be out enjoying themselves. I had already eaten or I would have joined them. I took many pictures. I usually don’t like graffiti, however the buildings are covered with some great art work. I will return another day to take pictures.

Last night I drove out to my cousin’s place in the south half way between Gaza and Beersheva. She took me for a drive in the area. She showed me many farms and kibbutzim that had been evacuated and where the people are still living elsewhere. 250,000 Israelis have had to be evacuated in the north and near Gaza and still can not return to their homes. This is never reported in the western press due to the anti-Zionist fervour that has infected the world. The Israeli PR has been a complete failure for 20 years. Farms are privately owned. In kibbutzim all of the land and produce are owned and distributed to the community. It is true communal living that was popular here beginning in the 1880s but slowly decreasing over the last 30 years for various reasons. In a moshav where my cousin lives, the land and homes are owned by individuals but the major equipment is owned by the community.

We drove to the school where she used to teach but which has been evacuated since Oct. 7. The school is a sprawling complex with multiple low rise buildings housing 1500 students. The school has been located elsewhere due to its proximity to Gaza. The school complex resembles a summer camp, much different from Monklands High which I went to in Montreal. We drove as close to Gaza as possible and still be safe (relatively I suppose). There was some gun fire noise in the background coming from Gaza. I could see Gaza with binoculars and took some pictures which are too distant to discern anything. Shari lives in a lovely house on the moshav. She also owns another property which she might be willing to sell to me if I was interested in having a country house in Israel……She and her husband have 4 lovely children who I met and had Shabat dinner with. I drove back to Tel Aviv late in the evening. The drive took me about 1.5 hours and is very pleasant. The country side here is semi arid with a lot of agriculture which can occur with micro irrigation which was developed in Israel. The Arab countries could learn a lot from Israel if they chose to study the system instead of only pulling oil from the ground.

The news from Canada is horrendous. People on the military bases come from all over the world. 30% are not Jewish but are very pro-Israel. It seems to be 1933 all over again with the world once again finding a scape goat. Everyone has heard about Trudeau. What a bad reputation he has given to our country. How much money did it take to pay him off for his duplicity. Toronto is vying for the number 1 position for number of pro-Palestinian rallies that have taken place. There have been over 300 since Oct 7. It took his father much less time to ‘read the riot act’ and disperse these hoodlums. They are all cowards. At 74 years of age, I am here defending my beliefs. How many have gone to Palestine to defend theirs? It is much too easy to demonstrate against 12 year old students, or elder synagogue goers. Why don’t they come here and fight for Palestine or demonstrate in Israel. Afraid?…

Tomorrow I go to Jerusalem to meet my MDA co-ordinators and will have a short training course. I will go by train and spend the rest of the day visiting Jerusalem, a city that is home to 3 religions. I always try to stay away from religious places as I harbour a distinct allergy to organized religion.

Love,

Brian

Last day at the base

Florentine

Shari’s school

Along the road in the moshav. The cactus is called a sabra which is the nickname for

native born Israelis. Prickly on the outside, soft and juicy on the inside. Apparently you

can eat them.

There were about 100 boats out racing today in 10-15 knots of breeze without me. ‘Here I am in Motown with the Memphis blues again.