Today, after ulpan, my husband, Jonathan and I went to Beitar Illit where we get our prescriptions filled at the Maccabi Pharmacy.   We knew of an incident earlier this morning at Beitar; however, that didn’t stop us as typically, once something happens, a Piguah (attack), the IDF and Police is there ten-fold and things typically quiet down. 

With this said, we didn’t even think twice about heading to Beitar Illit.  Both Jonathan and I have agreed, we have to continue our life as normal as possible.   If we stop, we have let them win.

We leave Jerusalem after ulpan, go through the tunnels under Beit Lechem and turn onto the road towards Beitar Illit.   In front of us is the rotary and to the right of us is an entrance to Husan.   This road is a “pick up and drop off” point for many Arabs.   There are taxis, there are cars and there are police and IDF present…nothing new.     In front of the road leading to the area are the “Area A” signs forbidding Israelis to enter.   Again, we have become accustomed to these signs as they are throughout the country.

We pass by this road and head up the “Joint Usage” road that heads to Beitar Illit.   We see a few “additional” IDF people on the road.  We see a few police cars speed by us.   We proceed around the rotary and suddenly a few female IDF soldiers jump out from nowhere and run towards the security entrance to Beitar Illit.  It is 11:02 am.

At this point, everything stops.  We are three cars back from the security gate that as Israelis, with Israeli plates, we are typically “waved into”.  However, everything is at a dead stop.   I say to Jonathan, “Just give it a minute” they are probably checking Identification; however, he knew better.  He pulled out of line and circled the rotary again, this time seeing cameras, IDF and more police approaching the scene. I tell him to relax and just wait, he refuses – rightly so and pulls out of line and off to the side of the road.  Looking at him, I insist that he is patient as I need to get a new prescription my doctor had just sent over to me.   I hadn’t taken my daily medication yet as there was a change in dosage.

It is now 11:04 am. Two minutes after we were in line.  One hundred and twenty seconds.  That is how quick things happen.   All of a sudden, both of our phones go off.   “Uncensored” an app that warns us of happenings in Israel sends messages.  “Attempted stabbing at the entrance of Beitar Illit.   Beitar Guard Stabbed.  Arab women is the stabber. Arab women shot.”  I freeze.  My face goes stone cold.  

We were three cars back.  It is very unlikely anything would have happened to us; however, we potentially could have seen the incident.  This is enough to put me over the top.  Jonathan pulls the car back onto the road and pulls off towards Route 60, towards our yishuv, Neve Daniel.  

A few minutes later, he looks at me and asks if I am ok.    I sit there and say, I just don’t understand it.   Then, pictures are sent through “Uncensored.”  Then, the video of the attack is published.

The video gets to me.   The video doesn’t provide the conversation; however, no words are needed.    A women, dressed in traditional Muslim garb walks up the guard house.  The women hands the guard her identification, which everyone, including Jews, carries around with them.   The guard looks at it.  We have no idea what words were spoken; however, as the guard looks at it the women reaches into her purse, pulls out a knife and attacks the guard.    The next thing we see is the Arab women on the ground.   She was shot; however, wasn’t killed.   In fact, currently, she is being treated at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital, Ein Kerem. 

Yes, this seems backwards to me.   I understand doctors and taking the Hippocratic Oath.  I know their goal is to save lives.   But here is this women, attempts to kill a guard, she is shot in response and she is now in an Israeli Hospital being treated.   This is just one part of "living here" that I don't get. 

We are now back on Route 60 heading south towards our yishuv.  My husband suggests we go to lunch.   I know he is trying to get my mind as far away as possible from this incident.  We go to Kfar Etzion, passed Tzomet HaGush where similar incidents have occurred.   Tzomet HaGush is presently quiet.   Kfar Etzion is also quiet.   A few ambulances go past us, likely one that had the Arab women in it. 

I keep on asking Jonathan, “Why? Are the Arabs doing this if they know we are going to shoot them in self defense.  Why do they want to die?”   Jon looks at me and says, “They love death more than you love life.”   I sit at lunch trying to digest this.   It amazes me.   Both religions are cousins; yet, we stand for totally different things.   We have argued over land for so long.   There have been wars, deaths and many injured.   Hebron, where the Caves of the Patriarchs is located, is one of the “liveliest area” today.

In this past week’s Parsha, we read that Avraham, bought the field to bury Sarah in.  It is the first recorded “land deal” ever.   In fact, it set the standard for all other real estate transactions.   There was a fair monetary exchange.  There were witnesses.    There was a verbal agreement.   Hebron is maybe thirty minutes to the south of where we live.  Today, less than 3% of Hebron is Jewish.  The Jewish area is basically a ghetto.  The Jews choose to live there; however, there can’t be anything built or a growth in population.  The other side, the Arab side, is thriving.   But the Jews, who live in Hebron, are faithful to the fact they are going to remain in Hebron.

Today was jsut terrible.  There is no other way to say it.   Terror was very close to us.  I know I shouldn’t but I keep on watching the video of the Arab women walking up and stabbing an innocent guard.   It sickens me. 

After grabbing that lunch in Kfar Etzion, my husband made the decision to head right back to Beitar Ilit so I could pick up my prescription at the pharmacy.  It is now 12:15 pm.  We went down the same route that we took just an hour before.

There were troops and police out in full force at several points on the road. It looked like there were at least two or three spots where rocks were thrown from Husan, the neighboring village above, down onto the shared roadway below. The gate to Beitar Illit, usually guarded by one or two private guards, had over a dozen or so positioned at the entrance, a mix of soldiers, police, along with additional private staff.

Going into the mall, walking towards the pharmacy was actually kind of surreal. Music was playing.  People were calmly walking towards the bakery.  The banks and the candy store were buzzing as if nothing had just happened just a short distance up the street, a short time before.

Yet, I have no desire to leave where I am.  I am in Eretz Yisrael.  The land promised to the Jews.  I don’t care if it is a tumultuous time.   I would rather be here with pepper spray in hand, looking over my shoulder and walking in the same area that my forefathers and foremothers did.  I know for some it is a hard concept to understand.   Why put ourselves at risk?  However, we hold Israel so deep in our hearts, that even though a “situation” is happening it is not going to make us leave.  Welcome to the new normal.  Am Yisrael Chai.

Eva Goldstein – Meola, M.Ed, and her husband, Jonathan, made Aliyah to Neve Daniel in July of 2015.  Eva has spent the last twenty-five plus years in education.  Most recently, over the last twelve years, she has been a private writing teacher for homeschoolers, ranging from grades 4 – 12.  Over the last decade, she moved her classes to a virtual platform.   You can see her course offerings at www.writingteacher.com.  You can follow her blog about life in Israel at https://olimmusings.wordpress.com or on Facebook.