26th
of December 2025
6th
of Tevet 5786
812
days and Ran Gvili’s body is still in Gaza
Shabbat
Shalom! For my wonderful Christian Friends, I hope your Christmas was a blessed
one and that Boxing Day went by with friends and family
"The
darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in
times of moral crisis." Dante Alighieri
It
is now 06:00 and I felt the urge to write to you so I crept out of the bedroom
leaving Zvi to sleep another hour or so. My head was full of thoughts about
what to write for you, what would interest you and whether to write about the
less happy events and news. I never know if you prefer to understand the
aspects of life here with warts or to pretend that everything is rosy. Anyway,
Here goes.
I
suppose we need to talk about the bad news first.
As
we in the West celebrate Christmas, the season of light and hope, it is hard to
ignore the fear faced by Christians living under the Palestinian Authority.
Just this week, the Holy Redeemer Church in Jenin was firebombed and a
Christmas tree burned, a chilling reminder of the harassment and intimidation
many Christians endure as their community continues to shrink. In Beit Jala, between
the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo and Bethlehem, Christian families are still
afraid to celebrate publicly, facing threats, pressure, and the theft of
Christian-owned land. In both the PA and Gaza, Christians report extortion,
forced conversions, and even abductions, realities that stand in painful
contrast to the message of peace we mark at Christmas, and to the silence that
so often surrounds their suffering.
In
stark contrast,
the Christian population of Israel has grown and Christmas celebrations,
markets and street decorations take place in Haifa, Nazareth, Jaffa and of
course Jerusalem. In fact, here in Israel you really don’t need to be Christian
to enjoy the Carol Concerts in the Brigham Young University Concert Hall
overlooking Jerusalem’s Old City and concerts of Handel’s Messiah in Abu Ghosh
and Augusta Victoria Churches. Issa Kassassieh has created his Santa’s Grotto
again in the heart of the Old City.
In
London,
and so many other cities around the world, Jewish primary schools are having to
prepare their pupils for what to do if they face a racist shooter threatening
their lives
Murders
and honour killing
in the Arab sector has become a daily tragedy and over 300 killings have taken
place in 2025. Sadly, there is no increase in police presence and only half of
the available finances have been used by Internal Security Minister Ben Gvir.
Many of the killings take place in public areas endangering anyone in the line
of fire. Yes I know that compared to many other countries 300 is not many but this
is a country that cares about every single person, irrespective of faith, and
our news broadcasts express our dismay at each and every one.
Walter
Bingham, at 102,
is the oldest working journalist in the world and still going strong! We meet
from time to time at events and he is as clear and clever as ever. His article
in this morning’s Jerusalem Post gives a clear and concise picture of Israeli
politics and our state of mind. Well worth reading. I would love to be a fly on the wall if Walter
met our amazing friend Judit Liwerant because I can only imagine the wisdom
that would come out of that erudite meeting.
https://www.pressreader.com/israel/jerusalem-post/20251226/282007563747381
Eli
Feldstein,
a young man who worked in the Prime Minister’s Office and unknowingly received
his salary from Qatar through a man named J. Footlik, an American lobbyist for
Qatar and Morocco, Feldstein fully believed that his salary was paid by the PM’s
office. He was arrested and released and this week he was interviewed and
spilled the beans about everything he saw during his time there. Any Israelis
who watched it or heard of it are in a state of turmoil as he told his side of
the story. Take the time to read this please. https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahus-ex-aide-says-pm-was-behind-leak-of-intel-to-bild-and-lied-about-it-after/
The
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange fell sharply, by more than 2.5%, after Finance Minister
Bezalel Smotrich’s threat to double the tax on banks, which triggered declines
in bank stocks and a negative correction in insurance shares. Of course, I am
quoting the report because I don’t understand exactly how it works but I do
know that the average household will find it harder to reach the end of the
month.
As
to the continued mindless anti-Semitic demonstrations, the ability of a
violent minority to influence the mindless majority is mind blowing. More and
more I believe that there is only one place in this confused and frightening
world that is safe for Jews and that is this much maligned tiny strip of
land. The mindless many do not realise that their future will be ruled by
Sharia law. Incredibly, even in Australia, after the diabolical massacre of
Jews celebrating Chanuka in Bondi, the demonstrations continue. As Christians
in the PA, Jews around the world feel unsafe, unloved, even in societies that
appeared to be open and welcoming. History teaches us one clear truth: When
Jews begin eyeing their suitcases, the whole of society is already in deep
trouble. Because whatever corrodes the safety of Jews corrodes the nation that
houses them. It is said that when Jews start packing their suitcases society is
about to fall.
On
the other hand, Rachel sent me this amazing video this morning so that I could
share it with you! Did you know that Pablo Picasso supported WIZO (Women’s
International Zionist Organisation) just take a look, it is so uplifting. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSjZyxRjLz3/?igsh=cmtodzIwOGxpcmZr
While
Hollywood is doing it’s Woke best to dehumanise Israel, Juliette Lewis, one of
my very favourite actresses, made a big sign that said “We support our Jewish
Neighbours” and put it outside her home.
Also “AbFab” Joanna Lumley, who is arguably the perfect woman, speaks out
with moral clarity. “Extremists are always listening,” she warns, reminding us
that when Western leaders condemn terrorism in words but blur that message
through weak or inconsistent policies, violence is emboldened. For Lumley,
failing to enforce real consequences isn’t neutrality, it is silence, and
silence too often feels like permission.
Israel
joins Society of Foreign Consuls. The Society of Foreign Consuls in New
York, celebrating its 100th year, stated that it is “thrilled” to welcome
Israel as a new member and offered the Jewish state “heartfelt
congratulations.”
The
Israel Ministry of Defense Directorate of Defense Research and Development
(DDR&D) Iron Beam laser interception system, developed with Rafael Advanced
Defense Systems and Elbit Systems, has won the prestigious 2026 Aviation Week
Laureate Award.
Kim Kardashian launches stores in
Israel. SKIMS,
the American shapewear and clothing brand founded by Kim Kardashian, will open
15 stores in Israel by 2026.
Our
sportsmen and women
are reaping in gold medals throughout the gamut of activities around the world.
The latest is Peleg Rajuan, who won gold at 2025 World Sailing Youth World
Championships in Portugal. Mazal Tov Peleg!!
The
Jerusalem Open Rapid Chess Championship drew 450 competitors from 38 countries,
including some that typically avoid participating in Israeli events. The Museum
of Tolerance was chosen as an awe-inspiring venue to bring people together.
Our
week was lovely, starting with a Party for the 7th night of Chanukah
at our friends, Eli and Varda Matityahu in their apartment high above Jerusalem
with a magnificent view. As always there was loads of food, lots of music and
laughter. Sunday night, the 8th and last night of Chanukah and we
were with close friends at Nomi Ballas apartment for a more formal dinner with
dishes which reflected her Dutch origins and her late husband’s Iraqi roots.
Wherever the food came from it was delicious!
I
met with Rachel on Monday, Tuesday was our craft lesson, it sounds simple but
this time our teacher Shirli decided we should work with some fluffy wool which
involved a sharp needle and poking it through felt; the problem is that I poked
the needle through my finger more than through the felt! I felt like a
pincushion. In truth, although we do create and learn, it is a wonderful way to
meet other women in the village. Thanks to Shirli I found my milieu in Collage
and have created several works, it is wonderfully calming work. On Wednesday
there was a fascinating lecture in the village hall. There are lectures every
week, sometimes twice a week and they are always excellent. This was a lecture
by Anat Granit, former head of the Interpol section of the Israeli Police force
who studied law before joining. We learned about the workings of Interpol, that
it is more about cooperation between nations, not a police force, cooperation
to identify and grade felons so that nations can decide whether or not to
arrest or refuse entry to them when they arrive on the border. An exceptional
woman, Anat is now a private lawyer.
In
the meantime, Zvi had his usual rehearsals, meetings and one fascinating
meeting of the Jerusalem Municipality, bringing together all the various
departments to look at the future programmes and changes that running a complex
city like Jerusalem entails. Mayor Moshe Lion brought strong organisational
capabilities with his to the position since he served as Director-General of
the Prime Minister's Office, Chairman of the Israel Railways, and head of the
Jerusalem Development Authority, all qualities that are needed to be an
efficient Mayor. Zvi came home happy with what he heard.
Tonight
we are with Zvi’s boys for Shabbat Dinner, my contribution is a gluten free
Chocolate cake! First I am going to see Rachel and give Yosef his birthday hug,
he was 21 years old on the 7th night of Chanukah and Ayala of
course. Tomorrow, we relax, unless Zvi decides to go for a walk in the nature
reserve opposite!!
And
so to music.
Peter
Paul and Mary,
unlike Paul Simon, stand tall. Although Chanukah is over I thought you would
enjoy their song anyway Light One Candle https://youtu.be/h1cRXgDFiSs?si=a2MOOJiaCF4gO6Wl
In
a tribute after the Bondi terror attack the song “We are Australians”
represents the true feeling of Australians and is beautiful https://youtu.be/i19v9TzXNf4?si=CYhgmIADCIUZkYvJ
Yehudit
Ravitz
is an Israeli singer whose magical voice draws one in to the song and
allows one to identify with the words. “Shir
l’lo shem” or Song Without name is plaintif yet so beautiful. Hope you love it
as I do. https://youtu.be/aK184Uoejgo?si=yVyy2AMLefZNT6XR
With
love from Jerusalem, Shabbat Shalom, may the 3rd day of Christmas
bring you dreams come true and may all the peoples of the world be free to
worship as they want or not if that is their wish too.
Sheila
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