Wednesday, June 25th
We are into our second week here All transition in life have their difficult moments even if there is a certain amount of familiarity with the place and the environment. It makes one wonder when having fun starts. It is quite evident to me that life here in Israel can be really quite challenging, whether it is finding a number in the telephone directory: checking on train schedules, especially when they change the way the telephone directory is arranged or change the name of the familiar train station in Tel Aviv; managing the very uneven sidewalks and tile floors with the neuropathy in my feet; or on a much larger and perhaps more crucial scale, trying to follow and understand the issues that affect life in this country and in the larger middle east.
There are a number of concerns which seem to be on the agenda here. First, the ever present "peace process" which seems to be always talked about and hoped for but hardly makes any movement. Second, there is the issue of the three captured Israeli soldiers. This painful drama began two years ago, brought about the second war with Lebanon, and at this writing, is yet to be resolved. There are continuous talks, petitions, possibilities of some arrangement, and, at the last minute, negotiations come to a standstill. What anguish and heartache the families must feel. They express their pain, anger, and frustration to the government, to the courts and to the media. We hope and pray that we may soon see a favorable end to this situation.
Then we have the very fragile cease fire in Gaza, begun last Thursday, already shaken by the firing of three rockets into Sderot last night. Can Hamas really control the various factions in Gaza? Can we in Israel have some faith and exercise restraint?
Finally there is the issue of the stability of the Olmert government. There is pressure for Mr. Olmert to step aside while he faces personal legal investigation yet the country does not seem to be in the mood or ready for new elections just now. Today was supposed to be the day when the issue of dissolving the government was to come before the Knesset; political maneuvering has postponed this for the moment. We'll watch developments.
This will be an interesting summer, hopefully peaceful. More to come
Frank
There are a number of concerns which seem to be on the agenda here. First, the ever present "peace process" which seems to be always talked about and hoped for but hardly makes any movement. Second, there is the issue of the three captured Israeli soldiers. This painful drama began two years ago, brought about the second war with Lebanon, and at this writing, is yet to be resolved. There are continuous talks, petitions, possibilities of some arrangement, and, at the last minute, negotiations come to a standstill. What anguish and heartache the families must feel. They express their pain, anger, and frustration to the government, to the courts and to the media. We hope and pray that we may soon see a favorable end to this situation.
Then we have the very fragile cease fire in Gaza, begun last Thursday, already shaken by the firing of three rockets into Sderot last night. Can Hamas really control the various factions in Gaza? Can we in Israel have some faith and exercise restraint?
Finally there is the issue of the stability of the Olmert government. There is pressure for Mr. Olmert to step aside while he faces personal legal investigation yet the country does not seem to be in the mood or ready for new elections just now. Today was supposed to be the day when the issue of dissolving the government was to come before the Knesset; political maneuvering has postponed this for the moment. We'll watch developments.
This will be an interesting summer, hopefully peaceful. More to come
Frank
posted by Frank and Pat Fischer at
12:51 AM
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