19 Comments
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Pnina Kaplan's avatar

Thank you, Sam, for sharing all these details of your trip to Israel. I have read many accounts of what happened inIsrael on Oct/07/2023, and of what's still happening. Many of the details you write are gut-wrenching- thank you for sharing them. The world needs to know that we are not the ones dehumenizing the Hamas and the Palestinians who join them! They dehumenized themselves with what they did on 10/07 and by what they continue to do with the Israeli hostages they took. What kind of a human being cay torture bebies , cut off body part of an alive person, rape children and much more . They call themselves human and claim the we dehumenize them?!?!

So many writers do not go into the details that you did, from fear that it will be too painful to hear. You did it; you shared it! The world needs to know ALL the details, and I thank you for sharing them.

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Sam Hilt's avatar

I think that it's only when you look closer at the details that you can really understand has happened and what's happening. This is not a battle against noble freedom fighters—it's a struggle for survival against ruthless, merciless, psychopathic killers who want to murder you and your family. And who live next door to you.

You can't dehumanize people who have already abandoned any shred of human decency. They were human once, but now they are like zombies from a horror film. And they need to be dealt with in the same way. Whether the world understands, or not.

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Susan Sullivan's avatar

Thank you for this heartbreaking but inspirational story. These courageous and inspirational hero’s of this terrible event shine a light through the darkness of that dreadful day.

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Sam Hilt's avatar

Yes, I agree completely. Thanks for putting it into words, Susan!

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Diane Steiner's avatar

Truly inspirational to read about how brave and filled with courage these Israeli people have been through one of their darkest times in recent years. Yesterday, listening to the Megillah reading at our Chabad, gave me an even greater pride in being Jewish. Just thinking about how the words and rituals have survived for thousands of years is awe inspiring. I felt the same after reading this article. Thank you for sharing such an emotion laden experience.

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Sam Hilt's avatar

Thanks for letting me know that my words reached you in a deep way. Much appreciated!

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Tim Goodsell's avatar

A remarkable piece of work. Thank you.

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Sam@Tuscany's avatar

Thanks for the kind words, Tim.

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Daw's avatar

Thank you for sharing what you have heard and seen as a witness of what these people have gone through. A few weeks ago II became a witness myself at the Nova-festival terrain and in Kibbutz Be’eri. I came back with the responsibility to share the truth in this ‘other world’ where society is misled by misinformation and sickmaking untruths. Back to work, back to daily life, while aware of these places where time is standing still, the soil is in shock and the trees are mourning.

How to speak about what’s to much to fathom.? My eyes have seen the evidence of the horror the slaughtered and the survivors have faced. Somehow tears didn’t come. They are there, like minerals in a cave.

There has to be a way to speak for the lives that faced the worst unthinkable evil. As you did through this article.

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Sam@Tuscany's avatar

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. Years ago In California I clipped out a short piece by a Native American poet that I kept over my desk long enough to memorize it:

Speak,

You who know what to say

When they come in a dream

Masked, desperate angels,

Riding from the valley of a massacre.

As I was working on this article, it came back to mind. No longer as a taunt this time. But, rather, as a command. I appreciate that you understood this dilemma so clearly.

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Jules's avatar

The story of that family will haunt me. I can’t think of anything more evil than that.

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Sam@Tuscany's avatar

I agree. It's a level of evil that's darker and uglier than anything most people have ever imagined. Like something that's escaped from the deepest pits of hell. It's the response of the Zika volunteers that makes telling the story bearable. Even transformative.

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Charlotte Roth's avatar

Thank you . I am sharing this so many others will know the truth. Am Yisrael Chai

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Sam@Tuscany's avatar

Kol HaKavod!

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Paul Yeager's avatar

And people refer to Hamas as brave and “freedom fighters”, they are cowards and murdering and raping filthy terrorists. Israel must and will destroy them all from top to bottom! I stand with Israel. 🇮🇱

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Jodi Roark Charvoz's avatar

Thank you, one of the Lion of Judah for a sharing your experience. As a fellow human and a Christian, my heart breaks for all whose lives were lost, destroyed and forever changed on that horrible day of October 7, 2023. I support Israel and whatever it takes to secure safety and peace for her people.

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Sam@Tuscany's avatar

At least half a dozen of the 35+ participants on our Mission with Shurat HaDin were Christians from the UK and the USA. Afterwards several of the Jewish participants on the trip went on to CUFI's annual Conference to hear from and support Pastor John Hagee. It's encouraging to see a growing solidarity between Jews and Christians who are finally noticing that they have much in common—including deadly enemies.

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X. P. Callahan's avatar

All proceeds from the sale of this book are donated to ZAKA Search and Rescue:

https://www.blurb.com/b/11863179-black-shirt-emblazoned

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Jan Frisch's avatar

Thank you for sharing your experiences in Israel.

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