2025-03 Israel

Israel 3,

Mar. 22, 2025,

HI Everyone,

Last evening I went to Vickie’s for Shabat dinner. She invited me as soon as she knew that I was in Israel. Last year she was instrumental in getting me a position as a physician on an MDA ambulance. Several months later, she arranged to have a Sword’s of Iron, medal sent to me. The medal was only made for this war and was sent to about 150 physicians who volunteered to serve on an MDA ambulance during the war. It made me very proud to receive it and I displayed it in my office for several months.

Vickie invited me with 2 of her children and grandchildren along with 2 Turkish students who I met last year and are now living in Israel. Vickie always associates herself with young people who I have met on several occasions that I have been invited. We were not supposed to talk politics but how can you avoid this topic in Israel? Her son had lived in New York for many years and is very well informed of the situation. I asked him 3 questions: ‘What do you want to happen? What do you think will happen? What will happen?’ He answered me in a very candid manner that I will not discuss here. His answer made me think very seriously about the position that I have taken and re-evaluate my thoughts for the future.

Today I woke up to nicer weather, 18C sunny with cloudy periods, in other words not beach weather but great weather for walking around. The water is rough and swimming is not permitted except for the surfers who are wearing wet suits. I took a long walk for 3 hours along the boardwalk taking similar pictures to those that I took last year. I met a few people that I had known from the IDF Sar-El group from last year. It’s a small world.

I am sitting on a beach chair over looking the blue-green waters of the Med., writing my blog and sipping a cappuccino. Life is pretty easy. The boardwalk is filled with people strolling along enjoying the day. There is a cool breeze which makes the sun very comfortable, great spring weather. Young people in bathing suits are playing beach volleyball. They also play another game that resembles volleyball but you use a soccer ball and send it back and forth across the the net using only your head, feet and chest. It looks impossible to learn at my age and limited soccer skills.

Tonight I will pack as I am leaving for an IDF base tomorrow morning.

Love,

Brian

2025-03 Israel

Israel 2,

Mar. 21, 2025,

Hi Everyone,

I spent the last 2 days packing and unpacking, trying to take the least amount of necessities. I have an IDF army uniform for 2 weeks and an MDA uniform for 2 weeks so I really don’t need a lot of clothes. Finally I reduced my life to what I could put into a carry on and something called a personal belongings sack. My clothes fit into the carry on and my medical supplies and electronics fit into the personal belongings sack. 55 years ago I travelled for 1 year with 7 lbs of luggage. I really think that my medical supplies weigh more than that and I consider myself to be in good shape. As for the electronics, you don’t realize how many wires, adapters and chargers that you need to carry when you are at home.

I arrived in Israel yesterday in the pouring rain, a phenomenon that is rare at this time of year. At the last moment before leaving Montreal I managed to throw a raincoat into my already bulging carry-on and it became of use to me on my first day here. Apparently, it has been 25C-30C all week but the temperature dropped just for me to make it easier for me to acclimatize. I managed to take the correct train to Tel Aviv without getting lost and then bought an Israeli bus-train card that you fill up with shekels to travel with. It is a good system. It’s hard to believe that 3 weeks ago I was skiing in -24C and in +15C last weekend.

I am staying at the Maxim Hotel which is where all the volunteers stay so it is easy to make friends here. I am across the road from the beach but the water is rough, cold and uninviting. The manager, came over to me right away and greeted me with an Israeli hug. I stayed here for 2 months last year. I met up with a few friends that I had known last year. People tend to come the same weeks from year to year as it probably fits in with their personal schedules. I went out to dinner with a Dutch friend that I knew from last year. We went out to an Italian style restaurant. As I have said before, if you are in a foreign country and are unsure of the food, you can always find a good Italian restaurant. The restaurants are great here and there is a lot of variety.

Today I went to Carmel market and met up with 2 Spanish ladies for lunch. They have lived in Venezuela, Spain, France, Spanish Morocco and Miami and speak several languages. In spite of what we hear in the news, they say that there is very little antisemitism in Spain except for the government which is left wing and therefore pro-Palestinian. On the other hand antisemitism is very prevalent in Holland except for the government which is right wing and pro-Israel. It is hard to decide which side we should dance with.

There has been isolated rocket fire from Hamas. They always seem to be running out of food, on the verge of a humanitarian crisis and starving because of the ‘genocide.’ They never seem to run out of rockets. The dichotomy is that in spite of their hardships, the population is increasing. The night before I came, the sirens went off in Tel Aviv and people had to rush to a shelter. The Houthis fired a missile at Tel Aviv that had to be taken out by the iron dome. Their missiles are dangerous as they are very big, long range and probably more accurate. I guess that they knew that I was coming and wanted to welcome me here. Last year the Houthis fired missiles, rockets and drones at me while I was in Eilat forcing me to take shelter in a converted sewer pipe. I am beginning to take this

The war ends when 1 side drops their weapons, gets on their knees, puts their hands over their heads and says don’t shoot. That has always been the rule of warfare. Cease fire only means, that the Israelis cease, and they reload and fire. That is what they have been doing for 80 years. We want the hostages home now. I don’t believe that there will be another cease fire until they hand over the hostages and Hamas relinquishes power.

Love ,

Brian

2025-03 Israel

Israel 1,

Mar. 19, 2025,

Hi Everyone,

I have lived my entire life in Canada and have never personally, until recently, experienced any act of antisemitism against me.
My great grandparents came here and made lives for themselves. My grand parents came here and made lives for themselves. My parents were born here. My father spent 6 years in the Canadian Army fighting for freedom and democracy. Of the 21 young fellows that my father trained with, 9 came home. My father was in a truck as a corporal and had 2 drivers. He lost 4 drivers.
I was born here. My children and grandchildren were born here.

The contribution to society by Jewish people can not be compared to any other race or nationality. Michael Dell is Jewish. A number of executives of Apple and Microsoft are Jewish. If the BDS movement wants to desist from Jewish companies, let them stop using computers. Waze is an Israeli GPS. Don’t use it to protest Israel and get lost. Nvidia makes games. Don’t play them. Many medications were developed in Israel. Don’t take them and use natural medicines. The USB is an Israeli invention. Just write on paper and mail letters. Don’t watch Hollywood movies because they are nothing but Jewish propaganda. Jews make up 0.2% of the world population and have received 22% on Nobel prizes. The list is endless.
I never thought that I would see what I am witnessing now. What kind of world am I leaving to my children?

If you had told me on October 6 that I would be going to war, I would have thought that you were crazy.
On Oct 7, I made the grave decision to go to war. I spent 4 weeks on an IDF base and 4 weeks on an MDA ambulance. I was bombed twice. I treated 100 cases, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, heart attacks, choking, and suicides. I was often 1km from Gaza. I trained 74 years for those 2 months.

People asked me if I was ever afraid. Never! If there is speed or danger, I get exhilarated. I once asked a young girl about the war. She replied, ‘We did not want or ask for the war. We have confidence in our army. We have confidence in ourselves. We are not afraid.’ After 3 weeks in Israel I adopted the same reasoning. Israel stands alone. They will never trust or allow any country to be responsible for their security. If you read my blog you may have noticed that at the beginning, I talked about the Israelis doing this or that. After 3 weeks I changed the noun, ’the Israelis’ to the pronoun “we”.

Will I return to Israel in the near future? That all depends if Hezbollah ‘invites’ me. I myself have decided on a ‘red line’ which if crossed, would force my hand for an immediate return. My finger is on the trigger. My contribution however small it was, was not negligible. I could leave for Israel with 7 days notice.

During the 8 weeks I renewed acquaintances with my 4 cousins and their families, one of whom came to Canada for a visit. It has not been easy for us in the diaspora. Although I have not personally experienced any direct antisemitism, I have observed anti Israel demonstrations on a weekly basis. I recently attended an Oct 7 memorial. There were 1000 students present in front of McGill. It was very sad. There were speeches and everyone sang Hatikva and Jerusalem (Yerushaliam). I also attended a memorial service in Hampstead Park. There were 4000 people present. One lady who had lost her son at the Nova festival spoke. Another young woman from the kibbutz that was attacked also spoke. It was very peaceful. At the same time, there was a pro-Palestinian march from Concordia University to McGill. They broke windows all along Sherbrooke Street. They climbed the Rodrick Gates at McGill, spray painted the buildings and broke windows. Finally the police were called and used tear to disperse the crowd. Good for them! Their old chant was ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’. Can any of them name, which river and which sea? The latest chant is ‘we don’t want 2 states, we go back to 48’. Do any of them know what was decided by the UN in 47?

I am 75 year of age. I will not live to see the end of this. My children will ask ‘how could you not see this coming?’ My grandchildren will say ‘why did you do nothing to prevent it?’ I have no answer for them.

On a different note, I am on the Canadian National Triathlon Team. I am currently in Torremolinos, Spain to do the World Championship Triathlon, Sprint, Age Group 75-79. You can follow me on the web site. You can also follow me on my blog. gobriantravel.com.
I will be in Torremolinos for 1 week. Afterwards, I rented a motorcycle and will tour Andalusia. I will fly to France for the 3rd week to see my medical school buddies. We have been friends for 52 years.

I am in the 4th quarter of my 4th and final quarter of my life. The world is a lousy place. I am glad that I am leaving it soon. Hoping to hear from you.

Brian
brianmorrrismd@gmail.com

All

All my bags are packed
I’m ready to go
I’m standin’ here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin’
It’s early morn
The taxi’s waitin’
He’s blowin’ his horn
Already I’m so lonesome
I could die
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

2025-03 Israel

Israel 1,

Oct. 19, 2025,

Hi Everyone,

I am in the airport waiting for my plane to take off. 1 year ago at the same time, I left for Israel. At the time, Israel was in the middle of a war. I volunteered to work on an IDF army base and on an MDA ambulance as a physician eventually staying for 2 months. I didn‘t know what to expect. Now I do. I loved the experience. At the time I knew that I would go back but I was not sure when. After watching the events of the past year, it became obvious to me that the ‘when’ was going to be ‘now’.

This time I volunteered to work on the IDF base for 2 weeks and then spend 2 weeks on an MDA ambulance as a paramedic rather than a physician. MDA is not officially taking foreign physicians now but with my contacts, I was able to secure a place on an ambulance.

I have written to all my friends and relatives in Israel and should be able to visit with all of them.

I had a busy year since returning from Israel in May. I spent 2 months renovating my 3 boats. I suppose that one could ask if I really need to own 3 boats. But that is another question and another discussion. I played 80 games of hockey. I raced my sailboat. I am on the Canadian National Triathlon Team Age Group 75-79 and did the World Championships for Canada in Torremolinos Spain. I did a motorcycle trip and visited my friends in France last fall. In the winter I skied 34 days, teaching skiing on Fridays and working with the Ski Patrol on Sundays. I wrote about all these adventures in my blog.

I will fly with Air Austria, landing in Vienna tomorrow and then on to Tel Aviv. I will be on the beach tomorrow afternoon. I have 2 days off in Tel Aviv staying at the same hotel as last year. Most of the volunteers stay at the hotel. It is very easy to meet people who come from all over the world. They all come from highly intellectual backgrounds so the discussions around the dinner table is always high level.

We had a cease-fire for a few weeks and everyone was hoping that it would hold. Hamas refuses to give up the hostages without being allowed to hold onto power. This is unacceptable to the Israelis and hence the bombing campaign started yesterday. J’entre dans la guelle du loup.

When I told people that I was return to Israel, I receive a very positive response. I sent out email invitations to friends and family and received over 50 emails of encouragement. I am happy.

I have lived my entire life in Canada and have never personally, until recently, experienced any act of antisemitism against me..
My great grandparents came here and made lives for themselves. My grand parents came here and made lives for themselves. My parents were born here. My father spent 6 years in the Canadian Army fighting for freedom and democracy. Of the 21 young fellows that my father trained with, 9 came home. My father was in a truck as a corporal and had 2 drivers. He lost 4 drivers.
I was born here. My children and grandchildren were born here.

The contribution to society by Jewish people can not be compared to any other race or nationality. Michael Dell is Jewish. A number of executives of Apple and Microsoft are Jewish. If the BDS movement wants to desist from Jewish companies, let them stop using computers. Waze is an Israeli GPS. Don’t use it to protest Israel and get lost. Nvidia makes games. Don’t play them. Many medications were developed in Israel. Don’t take them and use natural medicines. The USB is an Israeli invention. Just write on paper and mail letters. Don’t watch Hollywood movies because they are nothing but Jewish propaganda. Jews make up 0.2% of the world population and have received 22% on Nobel prizes. The list is endless.
I never thought that I would see what I am witnessing now. What kind of world am I leaving to my children?

If you had told me on October 6 that I would be going to war, I would have thought that you were crazy.
On Oct 7, I made the grave decision to go to war. I spent 4 weeks on an IDF base and 4 weeks on an MDA ambulance. I was bombed twice. I treated 100 cases, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, heart attacks, choking, and suicides. I was often 1km from Gaza. I trained 74 years for those 2 months.

People asked me if I was ever afraid. Never! If there is speed or danger, I get exhilarated. I once asked a young girl about the war. She replied, ‘We did not want or ask for the war. We have confidence in our army. We have confidence in ourselves. We are not afraid.’ After 3 weeks in Israel I adopted the same reasoning. Israel stands alone. They will never trust or allow any country to be responsible for their security. If you read my blog you may have noticed that at the beginning, I talked about the Israelis doing this or that. After 3 weeks I changed the noun, ’the Israelis’ to the pronoun “we”.

Will I return to Israel in the near future? That all depends if Hezbollah ‘invites’ me. I myself have decided on a ‘red line’ which if crossed, would force my hand for an immediate return. My finger is on the trigger. My contribution however small it was, was not negligible. I could leave for Israel with 7 days notice.

During the 8 weeks I renewed acquaintances with my 4 cousins and their families, one of whom came to Canada for a visit. It has not been easy for us in the diaspora. Although I have not personally experienced any direct antisemitism, I have observed anti Israel demonstrations on a weekly basis. I recently attended an Oct 7 memorial. There were 1000 students present in front of McGill. It was very sad. There were speeches and everyone sang Hatikva and Jerusalem (Yerushaliam). I also attended a memorial service in Hampstead Park. There were 4000 people present. One lady who had lost her son at the Nova festival spoke. Another young woman from the kibbutz that was attacked also spoke. It was very peaceful. At the same time, there was a pro-Palestinian march from Concordia University to McGill. They broke windows all along Sherbrooke Street. They climbed the Rodrick Gates at McGill, spray painted the buildings and broke windows. Finally the police were called and used tear to disperse the crowd. Good for them! Their old chant was ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’. Can any of them name, which river and which sea? The latest chant is ‘we don’t want 2 states, we go back to 48’. Do any of them know what was decided by the UN in 47?

I am 75 year of age. I will not live to see the end of this. My children will ask ‘how could you not see this coming?’ My grandchildren will say ‘why did you do nothing to prevent it?’ I have no answer for them.

I am in the 4th quarter of my 4th and final quarter of my life. The world is a lousy place. I am glad that I am leaving it soon. Hoping to hear from you.

Brian
brianmorrrismd@gmail.com

All

Love,

Brian