*waves*
No real need to post anything - but want to keep people informed as to situation over here, since I get quite a few worried e-mails each day.
We had a University-wide assembly today to hear from some people with connections to the military and the press...the message is pretty consistent: people in Jerusalem are safe. People on Mt. Scopus in Jerusalem are really safe. Mt. Scopus and the Hebrew University have historically served as a fortress in times of war because it isn't a very accessible place from outside. In fact, the University of Haifa is sending its international students here for the remainder of the conflict. Israeli military expect this will be well under control in no more than four days. We'll see. Remember, Israel's military rivals any of the grassroots warfare of the surrounding nations, and their Airforce is the best in the world. They are currently cutting off all kinds of infrastructure which would make further attacks nearly impossible. Now, should domestic enemies decide to take advantage of the preoccupation with Hezbollah, well....that could be a problem. There haven't been any incidents yet.
I know CNN and other press is probably making this sound like a real mess here...it is. Relative to Rochester, it is. But not here where I am - not yet. In Haifa, in Tiberias...sure, but both are well north of here. The people in Haifa are down in their shelters...FYI we have shelters here - they are everywhere, so should something happen, it's not like back home.
The provost reminded us that never in Israel's history has travel to the outside been cut-off, so if we need to leave, we can and will. Things have been much worse than they are now. It's important to remember that we are talking about rockets which have a very limited range. The danger in Jerusalem remains suicide bombings in crowded public places like buses and cafes. We've been told to stay clear of places that seem crowded. Bombers want to take out greater numbers of people and security in crowded places is also more difficult. So, keeping that in mind, one can remain fairly safe by avoiding what a bomber would consider a good target. Much of Jerusalem is just as valuable to Israel's enemies as it is to Israel, so the chances of reckless bombings or rockets is really slim.
Anyway - those of you who worry (mom, lois), are going to worry no matter what I say, but I just want to be honest about what it's really like here - the un-newsworthy - the boring fact that I slept last night, got up, took a shower, went to class, got a test back (84), ate lunch, checked e-mail...just like thousands of other Israelis in Jerusalem, and very likely will do the same thing tomorrow.
Don't worry. Being here, now, is a big part of why I came here.
I wanted to see how other people live - and I am.
We had a University-wide assembly today to hear from some people with connections to the military and the press...the message is pretty consistent: people in Jerusalem are safe. People on Mt. Scopus in Jerusalem are really safe. Mt. Scopus and the Hebrew University have historically served as a fortress in times of war because it isn't a very accessible place from outside. In fact, the University of Haifa is sending its international students here for the remainder of the conflict. Israeli military expect this will be well under control in no more than four days. We'll see. Remember, Israel's military rivals any of the grassroots warfare of the surrounding nations, and their Airforce is the best in the world. They are currently cutting off all kinds of infrastructure which would make further attacks nearly impossible. Now, should domestic enemies decide to take advantage of the preoccupation with Hezbollah, well....that could be a problem. There haven't been any incidents yet.
I know CNN and other press is probably making this sound like a real mess here...it is. Relative to Rochester, it is. But not here where I am - not yet. In Haifa, in Tiberias...sure, but both are well north of here. The people in Haifa are down in their shelters...FYI we have shelters here - they are everywhere, so should something happen, it's not like back home.
The provost reminded us that never in Israel's history has travel to the outside been cut-off, so if we need to leave, we can and will. Things have been much worse than they are now. It's important to remember that we are talking about rockets which have a very limited range. The danger in Jerusalem remains suicide bombings in crowded public places like buses and cafes. We've been told to stay clear of places that seem crowded. Bombers want to take out greater numbers of people and security in crowded places is also more difficult. So, keeping that in mind, one can remain fairly safe by avoiding what a bomber would consider a good target. Much of Jerusalem is just as valuable to Israel's enemies as it is to Israel, so the chances of reckless bombings or rockets is really slim.
Anyway - those of you who worry (mom, lois), are going to worry no matter what I say, but I just want to be honest about what it's really like here - the un-newsworthy - the boring fact that I slept last night, got up, took a shower, went to class, got a test back (84), ate lunch, checked e-mail...just like thousands of other Israelis in Jerusalem, and very likely will do the same thing tomorrow.
Don't worry. Being here, now, is a big part of why I came here.
I wanted to see how other people live - and I am.
posted by gwistik at Sunday, July 16, 2006
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