The ceasefire with Iran was followed by a rapid return to pre-war routine for most Israelis. Life in pre-war mode, a constant, more acute in recent years.

Ceasefire and ceaseless fire. In northern Israel, Hezbollah incessantly attacks border communities. Israel retaliates, attacks Lebanon. Justification for warfare legitimates overlooking unavoidable civilian casualties, over considering alternatives. Cringe? I shrivel into my inner bone casing.

I cannot presume to imagine how it feels to live in a border community, under bihourly attack, where more individuals do not have home shelters than do. I understand that leads some to demand accelerated Israeli military action until their security is guaranteed, long-term. I understand others recognize repeated rounds of military retaliation and initiatives as proven ineffective.

Pause. For comprehension.

Observation of survivors: Shoah survivors, survivors of captivity and torture, arbitrary hate crime victims, wondering how some conclude that under no circumstances should others be treated as they were, while others conclude perceived potential perpetrators of evil, perpetrators of evil, or any population group one’s society manages to dehumanize deserve such treatment.

On the privileged side of this series of wars, I feel sad. Disappointed. Powerless. Another media analyst speaks of global trends. Forfeiting liberal democracies to autocracies. Imminent. Willing supporters of leaders and processes enabling democratically elected leaders to delegitimate judicial and legislative processes. Norms, like playdoh, molded and reshaped until processes leaders seek to evade fossilize. Indifference seems prevalent.

Concerned people demonstrate, protest, sign petitions, flood social media with their views, support efforts to counter government hijacking of liberal, democratic institutions. Feels ineffective. At best, delaying the pace.

Maybe others mostly promote economic interests of those whose interests need little protection while interests most needing protection are neglected. Is that enmeshed with rationalization justifying wars?

Transparent lives lost. Lives made miserable. Voices silenced. Incomprehensible misery. Somewhere in the middle, billions of people could be living safer, better lives too.

Post-war bliss, pre-war days. Recalling last year. Our 3-year-old granddaughter cranky, crying minutes after anyone uttered the word “siren.” Now 4, taking it in stride. Friday, baking cookies, wind whistled through the shutters. Momentarily, she said she heard a boom. Boom – popularly replaced the word “explosion,” onomatopoeically describing sounds of falling missiles, shrapnel, buildings, and interceptor launchings. A boom barely heard – maybe a neighbor dropped something, I told her. Moments later, wind whistling again, she calmly took my hand and told me to come with her. To the safe room. The wind sounded like a siren. I explained it was not. And wondered why I have to be thankful she knows what to do when it is a siren.

Harriet Gimpel, April 11, 2026

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