My thoughts on 365 days of October 7th in the podcast today, click the link and you can listen and let me know what you think in the comments. Below some related media and thoughts.
That Morning
This is what I wrote exactly a year ago, Devastating Attack. Much of what I wrote then stacks up today: the regional situation and how a peace deal with Saudi Arabia was a likely trigger, Hezbollah, Iran and yes, Nethanyahu.
The Killing Roads
Here is the recently released film from documentary maker Igal Hecht about the deadly highway 232 which runs parallel to Gaza’s southern border and what happened there on the morning of October 7th. Note: it is raw and violent, but important to share.
In May this year I drove the 232 a few times and there are many memorials along the road that retell the story of that morning. One of them was for Liraz Asulin, 38, who attended the Nova party and was killed near Mefalsim. Early on October 7th Liraz sent a message to her family group chat, writing "I love you, they are shooting at me" as a farewell message.
Amit Man
Amit Man was a paramedic at kibbutz Be’eri who was also pursuing a possible career in singing. She recorded the song ‘Nothing Will Hurt Me’ from the band Knesiyat HaSekhel. After hours working in the trauma area of the kibbutz she managed to communicate to her sister that the end was near just before she was murdered. After her death the band recorded a new version of the song using her voice and video, see below. My dear readers, I watched a lot of reports, interviews and testimonies over the past little while but this one was it, it did me in.
Remember that according to Canadian environmental activist Naomi Klein videos like this are part of a concerted effort to weaponize trauma, incite war and commit genocide. At least that is what she argues in this overly long piece in the Guardian a few days ago. It is really a morally abject tome made worse by releasing it during such a sensitive time for many, no doubt on purpose. Feel free to read it, but make sure you think about Amit who was a real hero and whose life needs to stand as a monument of purpose and good in a storm of hate and savagery.
Remembering
The dead, the wounded, the hostages. All over the world vigils are taking place and last night I attended the one in downtown Vancouver:
We are in the middle of a very long conflict. Stay strong and never forget those who perished on this dreadful day.
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