Trying to sleep off my jetlag in California, I hear a beeping noise, and SMS messages start to suddenly clog my cellphone waking me from a not so pleasant sleep. Bleary eyed, I fumbled for my glasses and try to read the messages:
"Breaking News"
"Reported Explosion at Netanya Mall"
"MDA Reports of injuries"
"Unconfirmed reports of dead"
"MDA has evacuated over 30 wounded so far"
The picture starts to clear in my head that there's been another terror attack at home.
There's a feeling of total helplessness being so far away in California, and not being able to do anything. Just hearing difficult news. In Israel, I know exactly where the mall is - I've been there before, driven by it before.
Its very different I guess hearing about a terrorist attack in Israel, from so far away. In Israel I would have received within a minute on my MDA beeper that a mass casualty event had been declared. The IDF would have sent out a similar msg, from its standpoint. About a minute after the SMS message comes from an online news service.
If I'm anywhere near there, I drop everything and get there as fast as possible to help. If I'm not there, I call my wife to make sure she was nowhere near the attack.
For those with a strong stomach, go here and here to see lots of pictures from today's attack. Warning - its not for the queasy.
The name of the mall where the attack took place in Netanya is called "Sharon."
"Breaking News"
"Reported Explosion at Netanya Mall"
"MDA Reports of injuries"
"Unconfirmed reports of dead"
"MDA has evacuated over 30 wounded so far"
The picture starts to clear in my head that there's been another terror attack at home.
There's a feeling of total helplessness being so far away in California, and not being able to do anything. Just hearing difficult news. In Israel, I know exactly where the mall is - I've been there before, driven by it before.
Its very different I guess hearing about a terrorist attack in Israel, from so far away. In Israel I would have received within a minute on my MDA beeper that a mass casualty event had been declared. The IDF would have sent out a similar msg, from its standpoint. About a minute after the SMS message comes from an online news service.
If I'm anywhere near there, I drop everything and get there as fast as possible to help. If I'm not there, I call my wife to make sure she was nowhere near the attack.
For those with a strong stomach, go here and here to see lots of pictures from today's attack. Warning - its not for the queasy.
The name of the mall where the attack took place in Netanya is called "Sharon."
Gabbai: I was fortunate to make aliya on Jan 15, 1991 - the day of the ultimatum for the first Gulf War. I'm very glad I was in Israel at the time.
ReplyDeleteIt helped alot with my klita.
I remember that day.
ReplyDeleteI remember that day (when you arrived, that is.)
ReplyDeleteJoe: Did you meet me at the airport? It seems like a long time ago...
ReplyDeleteMuqata: I've been checking out your comments on various posts. I've always enjoyed hearing(reading) what you've had to say. As for going to Chul,I had no choice but to go at the most difficult time: during the disengagement.
ReplyDeleteI went, together with my wife, to see my folks in Chicago and the entire time I was thinking of what was taking place in Israel. It turned out easier than I had thought it would be since i completely ignored the news.I did so b/s it would have been too painful for me.
BTW: I checked out the post u suggested on OC's blog. Good work!
Be'tikva, Eitan.