The author dedicated this short book to the people of Israel and their bravery. Although it is a novel, from the beginning, it captures the warmth of Jewish family gatherings as they share milestones, holidays and memories, including the observances of misfortunes, as they both celebrated and/or mourned them together on different occasions. In days gone by, these gatherings were larger and more frequent. Once, we all lived in close proximity to each other and had larger families, but they still occur, especially in Israel for those who live in collective communities called kibbutzim .
Rather than concentrating on the things that divide the people, this author painted a much more positive picture of a united people. In so few pages, following the experiences of one family, she was able to highlight their courage and perseverance in the effort to achieve peace In Israel and worldwide, as they worked toward birthing a better relationship with those in Gaza and their enemies everywhere. Somehow, although it is so brief, the book manages to highlight the past experiences of the Jewish people, notably The Holocaust and its disastrous results, along with the current events of today. At the time of publication, all of the hostages had not been released, but at the time I am writing, it is mostly a fait accompli. All but one of the remaining hostages that have been held in Gaza have been released, thanks a good deal to the current President, D. J. Trump.
The people of Israel have made monumental sacrifices in human capital to keep their country safe, relevant and prestigious. On October 7th, 2023, it suddenly seemed that it was all for naught. Barbarians invaded the country and committed the most heinous acts of mankind, on a par with those of madmen, of Isis, the Islamists and the Nazis. Would Israel and the Israelis survive such a breach of their border? Would their dreams of peace be shattered by these terrorist invaders? Their country was already experiencing the turmoil of judicial revolt, a weakness their enemies noticed and used to their advantage.
The greatest shame of that day should fall on the shoulders of those who brazenly invaded Israel, breaking the ceasefire that was in place. Their total disregard for life and limb, animal or human, living or dead, as they captured, murdered, tortured and committed unimaginable crimes, horrified most normal human being's. They raped and they plundered, and they laughed, enjoying their monstrous behavior that grew worse as the hours passed. They beheaded babies, called home to brag about the bloodshed, and happily played football with the breasts torn from women. Then they paraded the captured, wounded and dead through their streets, accompanied by the cheers of fellow barbarians. The devotion to a religion that sanctions such violent behavior helped to motivate them and clear their consciences.
I was horrified as I read this because the author put me right there at the Nova music festival, right there in the dank tunnels with the children, the teens and the elderly, right there with the terrorists who were so cruel and exhibited such uncivilized, feral behavior to the innocent, and I felt their fear and anguish. Then she put me with the soldiers of the IDF, the families praying for their loved ones, and I was proud of the Israelis and their ability to deal with such great suffering and loss with fortitude and bravery. I was proud of the loyalty the Israelis had for their country and their people. Israel values life. That cannot be said of their enemies.
Today, the hostages and survivors pretty much all agree, now that the facts are better known, that there were no innocent citizens in Gaza. In reality, not one ever stepped forward to save a hostage, rather they caught those who escaped and brought them back to the terrorists. They were all complicit. The book softens the event a bit, but it is undeniable that while the Israelis were actively employing the people from Gaza, hoping to make them friends instead of enemies, the Palestinians were actively planning to murder them all. Would there ever be justice and/or retribution?
Rather beyond belief and common sense, the barbarians who attacked Israel began to control the message with a complicit, anti-Israel media. The barbarians succeeded in turning the world against the victims of their atrocities, since the only message heard was that Israel was committing acts of genocide. That, however, was and is not true. Israel was fighting a war that they began. It was trying to survive, fighting for its very existence, and the media ignored that side of the issue. I am still asking myself why, and I have no answer. How could such ignominious behavior possibly be acceptable to anyone in their right mind, but it seems that it is acceptable to far too many.
It is obvious that Israel must gain control of the message and change it.
Perhaps this little book will be a first step in that important effort. It presents a positive view of the Jewish people and of Israel, unlike most of the legacy media and other current left-wing authors who appear to be more anti-Israel. They may not be fully aware of what they are doing to create a hateful image of Jew and Israel, but the intent, to the masses, is certainly perceived as that. Israel is falsely being painted as a country not desiring peace, but instead it is one fighting for land and more control over their enemies, randomly killing them, to eliminate them entirely. Nothing is further from the truth. Their enemies will not recognize their right to exist, and that is the only thing they fight for, their absolute right to exist. They have been attacked throughout history, unjustly, and they have just about had enough.
This book highlights the past and moves us into the future with a more positive picture of Israel and the Jewish people, and hopefully the message will get through. This book is unlike many books about that awful Black Saturday of October 7th that led to the War of Iron Swords; this book is a tribute to the men and women who lived through it, not a condemnation of those who failed to anticipate it. However, it shines a light on the savagery of Israel’s enemies and the lengths to which they will go to try and annihilate the Jews of Israel and the country itself. Their enemies are the true genocidal maniacs. The Israelis have an indomitable spirit and they will overcome the horror inflicted upon them. They will continue to build their lives in Israel.
All of the horrific events described in this short novel are based on real events. These atrocities were visited upon real people by those who have no right to be called human.