By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson
MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Daily life in Israel has its ups and downs, as does life anywhere in the world. I really can’t complain, as I have many consolations. Among these are the proximity of my family and a few good friends, the constant availability of classical music, whether on the radio or in live performance, a good medical service and the sunny climate and surroundings of the Jerusalem hills. I suppose I can consider myself privileged on all those counts, in addition to having a comfortable house, enough food to eat and a decent pension from my former place of work.
But how can I sit back and enjoy my life (or what’s left of it) at a time when our hostages are still being held by Hamas in appalling conditions in the tunnels of Gaza? Being aware of their suffering, and that of their families, serves as a constant reminder of the dreadful situation in which Israel now finds itself. The government is in thrall to uncaring politicians whose main concern seems to be to channel funds to their supporters and pursue a policy that involves imposing their ideas of territorial expansion on us all, no matter what the cost. In essence, this comes at the expense of the lives and livelihoods of the general populace, soldiers and civilians alike, both in Israel and in Gaza.
And how can I enjoy life when the political situation seems to go from bad to worse, with a growing rift between the segment of the population that adheres to the ultra-orthodox version of Judaism and the wider population? While the ultra-orthodox refuse to serve in the military, they enjoy all kinds of financial benefits as a result of their growing political clout. In its early years the population of Israel was united in its determination to build and defend the country, putting an end to 2,000 years of the Jewish nation’s exile from its homeland. But today that unity of purpose seems to have been lost as a result of the differences of opinion regarding the role of religion in matters of state and the resulting disagreement as to the country’s path regarding policy and territory.
So here I am, sitting at my study, unable to accept the current state of affairs, but impotent to do anything about it other than participating in the weekly demonstrations held to try and influence the government to gain the release of the hostages and put an end to the war in Gaza. No member of my immediate family is involved in the war, and for that I am immensely thankful. But my heart goes out to all those parents of soldiers who are in danger. I find it hard to believe that I’m alone in living in this state of split personality and can only hope that some resolution can soon be found to the situation.
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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson is an author and freelance writer based in the Jerusalem suburb of Mevasseret Zion, Israel.