Having been there what you're reporting is reality. Sad that there are two different news versions. What we hear in the US and what is really going on. I have a friend I went to school with who is Jewish, now lives in Sderot, good source for news when you're not there and have good reporting from people like you two. Thank you for your article.
Helen AfanaAugust 25, 2014
In trying to do genealogy in Bethlehem my husband grandfather was from Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Israel and Palestine. He was a Greek orthodox Christian. The issue has come up that if there are records of your family tying together all of the relatives they can be used to identify and hold family members hostage or worse. Religious strife and war dates back to Old Testament times. The names of the oppressors change over the years. The Holy Land occupies the crossroads of three continents - Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. It is hard to fathom so much hatred when we have grown up in the United States with freedom of religion.
leahAugust 25, 2014
Thank you so much for this article. I've been wondering how life is there and have been hungry for real news. I get so frustrated with US news. The main networks touch lightly on some world events and then cover celebrity news - they are more entertainment shows than news shows... and why not? I know people who do not want to know what is going on in the world because it is "too depressing". Well, how much more "depressing" will it be when it comes to our doors again - which is the stated goal of ISIS. We are IN WW3 and the enemy is radicalized Islam. How long will the US sit this war out and refuse to pitch in? I think back to WW2 and how long we let England be bombed without stepping in. When did so many here in the US become indifferent to Israel? It's anguishing! Again, thank you. keep the news coming
Mike MansfieldAugust 25, 2014
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20
Appropriate for current events in current times.
Mike MansfieldAugust 25, 2014
Thank you for sharing your on-the-ground experience. Having friends who are Israeli and Palestinian puts you in a unique position. It is unfortunate that there does not appear to be a possibility of peace - how can there be when when people will not be satisfied with anything less than the elimination of another people. I find it disappointing that anyone would sympathize with a people whose objective is genocide. Yet, here we sit with a world who seems determined to assist those whose aim is genocide in their objective to leave the Israelis without protection. As Victor Frankl stated: "There are only two races, the decent and the indecent." While it may be true that evil can be found among all peoples, it is also true that a group can accept evil and indecency as its creed. So long as people are satisfied to do nothing about evil - and perhaps sympathize with those that perpetrate such evil - then the war that continues from the other side of the veil continues to capture more victims through deception and darkness.
Bob PowelsonAugust 25, 2014
This Palestinian goal of the extermination of Israel, a the PLO shares Hamas' goal, has gone one long enough.
Think about it. The Palestinans and the Arab world have started and lost wars since the 1930's and Israel is now in abot its 9th war for self preservation. I tried to join the Israeli Army in 1967 but the war was over before I had a chance to pick up my tickets.
The Palestinians - all of their factions have behaved to badly that the have lost the support of much of the Arab World. They have betrayed several Arab countries and been expelled from many of them.
I would remind everyone of our LDS position on the Jews "in the land of Jerusalem" as set forth in Elder Orson Hydes dedicatory prayer in 1841. It is time for Isreal to finish the job. Harsh? Yes! But it is the only way,
Rex LoweAugust 25, 2014
Maureen, thank you for your on the ground commentary. Our missionary couple sister doesnt seem to have a grasp of what the Muslim ultimate goal is, i.e. world domination according to the Koran, and Jehad to all others, including Mormons and all of other religions and faiths. Factual, not based on hearsay, but on the raw facts of what is happening, not only in Israel, the Middle East, but in Britian, Europe, and the US.
My dear sister, your point of view is based on emotion, not the truth. God Bless that you might find the truth, regards Rex
Rick GoodwinAugust 25, 2014
Excellent Article unbiased and factual I really appreciated the insights
Jeanie PiersonAugust 25, 2014
Thanks for the information. In November, my husband and I are completing our mission in Moscow, Russia, with a tour of Israel with Mormon Heritage. We have loved our mission and feel that spending time in the place where the Savior whom we have served walked and taught is the perfect wrap-up.
My only concern is my own view of the political situation. I understand the pro-Israel viewpoint that you have articulated but my heart in this conflict is not with Netanyahu and the present government. Hopefully, we all want all concerned to have the hope of a peaceful, prosperous future. Evil can be found on all sides.
My question is, will my political beliefs fit in at all?
We love Meridian and have contributed to the site.
Comments | Return to Story
Calvin GarvinAugust 30, 2014
Having been there what you're reporting is reality. Sad that there are two different news versions. What we hear in the US and what is really going on. I have a friend I went to school with who is Jewish, now lives in Sderot, good source for news when you're not there and have good reporting from people like you two. Thank you for your article.
Helen AfanaAugust 25, 2014
In trying to do genealogy in Bethlehem my husband grandfather was from Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Israel and Palestine. He was a Greek orthodox Christian. The issue has come up that if there are records of your family tying together all of the relatives they can be used to identify and hold family members hostage or worse. Religious strife and war dates back to Old Testament times. The names of the oppressors change over the years. The Holy Land occupies the crossroads of three continents - Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. It is hard to fathom so much hatred when we have grown up in the United States with freedom of religion.
leahAugust 25, 2014
Thank you so much for this article. I've been wondering how life is there and have been hungry for real news. I get so frustrated with US news. The main networks touch lightly on some world events and then cover celebrity news - they are more entertainment shows than news shows... and why not? I know people who do not want to know what is going on in the world because it is "too depressing". Well, how much more "depressing" will it be when it comes to our doors again - which is the stated goal of ISIS. We are IN WW3 and the enemy is radicalized Islam. How long will the US sit this war out and refuse to pitch in? I think back to WW2 and how long we let England be bombed without stepping in. When did so many here in the US become indifferent to Israel? It's anguishing! Again, thank you. keep the news coming
Mike MansfieldAugust 25, 2014
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20 Appropriate for current events in current times.
Mike MansfieldAugust 25, 2014
Thank you for sharing your on-the-ground experience. Having friends who are Israeli and Palestinian puts you in a unique position. It is unfortunate that there does not appear to be a possibility of peace - how can there be when when people will not be satisfied with anything less than the elimination of another people. I find it disappointing that anyone would sympathize with a people whose objective is genocide. Yet, here we sit with a world who seems determined to assist those whose aim is genocide in their objective to leave the Israelis without protection. As Victor Frankl stated: "There are only two races, the decent and the indecent." While it may be true that evil can be found among all peoples, it is also true that a group can accept evil and indecency as its creed. So long as people are satisfied to do nothing about evil - and perhaps sympathize with those that perpetrate such evil - then the war that continues from the other side of the veil continues to capture more victims through deception and darkness.
Bob PowelsonAugust 25, 2014
This Palestinian goal of the extermination of Israel, a the PLO shares Hamas' goal, has gone one long enough. Think about it. The Palestinans and the Arab world have started and lost wars since the 1930's and Israel is now in abot its 9th war for self preservation. I tried to join the Israeli Army in 1967 but the war was over before I had a chance to pick up my tickets. The Palestinians - all of their factions have behaved to badly that the have lost the support of much of the Arab World. They have betrayed several Arab countries and been expelled from many of them. I would remind everyone of our LDS position on the Jews "in the land of Jerusalem" as set forth in Elder Orson Hydes dedicatory prayer in 1841. It is time for Isreal to finish the job. Harsh? Yes! But it is the only way,
Rex LoweAugust 25, 2014
Maureen, thank you for your on the ground commentary. Our missionary couple sister doesnt seem to have a grasp of what the Muslim ultimate goal is, i.e. world domination according to the Koran, and Jehad to all others, including Mormons and all of other religions and faiths. Factual, not based on hearsay, but on the raw facts of what is happening, not only in Israel, the Middle East, but in Britian, Europe, and the US. My dear sister, your point of view is based on emotion, not the truth. God Bless that you might find the truth, regards Rex
Rick GoodwinAugust 25, 2014
Excellent Article unbiased and factual I really appreciated the insights
Jeanie PiersonAugust 25, 2014
Thanks for the information. In November, my husband and I are completing our mission in Moscow, Russia, with a tour of Israel with Mormon Heritage. We have loved our mission and feel that spending time in the place where the Savior whom we have served walked and taught is the perfect wrap-up. My only concern is my own view of the political situation. I understand the pro-Israel viewpoint that you have articulated but my heart in this conflict is not with Netanyahu and the present government. Hopefully, we all want all concerned to have the hope of a peaceful, prosperous future. Evil can be found on all sides. My question is, will my political beliefs fit in at all? We love Meridian and have contributed to the site.
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