A few weeks have passed since the war with Iran broke out. For 12 days, Israel came to a halt. Travel was restricted, and a lockdown was enforced – eerily reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the world held its breath, Israel and Iran exchanged lethal fire.
Then the US struck Iran too, practically obliterating the Islamic Republic’s top nuclear facilities. During that short time, Israel experienced a rare global shift in which it had the full backing of the US, and was even praised by other countries for doing the “dirty work” by striking Iran first, since several other countries were afraid to take any such action.
Many Iranians thanked Israel for dismantling Iran’s nuclear threat and eliminating the top leaders of the oppressive Islamic Republic regime, under which they have suffered for many years.
Life returning to normal
Yet now, with active warfare with Iran suspended, any goodwill toward Israel has vanished. Within days after the war, life returned to normal – or at least what can be considered “normal” during a war. Israel’s courageous actions and military successes have been quickly forgotten, replaced by condemnations and accusations of war crimes from Iran and other Arab states.
While Iran has temporarily backed down, the Houthis have stepped in, targeting their missiles on ships they claim are connected to Israel, and sinking two in the Red Sea on July 6 and 7.
Meanwhile, the war in Gaza rages on. The IDF has ramped up its military campaign in a renewed effort to dismantle Hamas entirely, while soldiers continue to die and 50 hostages remain captive, with no deal in sight.
Protests and demonstrations continue, as the families and loved ones of hostages, along with their supporters, urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the Israel-Hamas War and prioritize bringing the hostages home.
But the talks are endless and the negotiations seem to be leading nowhere, causing many Israelis to become increasingly disheartened and angry at Netanyahu, his government, and even at one another.
The tension and the humor in Israeli society
With so many external enemies, I often ask myself: Why do we need to turn on each other?
I understand the frustration that comes from buckling under the weight of trauma, fear, and months of paralyzing stagnation, all of which have exacted a heavy toll. It’s hard not to be affected by that disillusionment as I witness a fragmented, polarized society, and the weakening of democracy and diplomacy as we face multiple existential threats. It is hard not to fear for Israel’s future.
In this dire atmosphere, it is a wonder that Jews in Israel and the Diaspora still hold onto hope. Yet, despite the divisiveness, I continue to be in awe of the Israeli nation’s resilience. It’s what binds us, or at the very least has the potential to unite us.
Throughout the war in Gaza, and then with Iran, my social media platforms have been flooded with funny videos created by Israelis and olim from across the political and religious spectrum, humorously depicting personal experiences. Despite our diverse backgrounds and differing political views, this content reflects how many people turn to humor to cope.
Although some may be shocked or uncomfortable with laughing during these times, finding humor amid our struggles, and entertaining others with a brief respite from the constant stream of bad news, I believe, is not just a survival tool – it’s a powerful expression of resilience.
Just a few weeks ago, I was sitting in the mamad (reinforced safe room) at 3 a.m. in my pajamas, jolted awake by the ear-piercing sirens and perturbed by how Iran had derailed my plans for the day.
Squeezed into a tiny room, surrounded by dogs barking, babies crying, and children and adults shouting over each other, it didn’t matter whether someone was Israeli, non-Israeli, right-wing, left-wing, haredi, or secular. In the mamad, we were all experiencing the same sense of fear and uncertainty.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, someone fished out a bottle of arak and started pouring it into plastic cups. Within seconds, everyone was laughing and joking at the absurdity of the situation.
While missiles flew overhead, and our lives were being ripped apart, my neighbors, local Israelis – many of whom had loved ones in the military reserves or stranded abroad – somehow managed to find the humor, even in this most bizarre, uncertain, and scariest of times.
As I took a swig of arak and laughed with my neighbors, suddenly, my lack of sleep and derailed plans didn’t seem so important anymore. We were all in the same boat.
There is a certain comfort but also strength that comes with facing trauma together. That is our power, and is why it is critical that we come together and not turn against each other. Our enemies may destroy our homes, break our families apart, and turn the world against us. But they can’t break our spirit.
The writer is a copy editor at The Jerusalem Post. She hails from London and now resides in Jerusalem.