Postcard from Israel – ‘Colour Red’

We have a single, short word in Hebrew- “HaMatzav” – which translates as “the situation”, but to any Israeli carries a loaded meaning which belies its brevity.

This past week, “HaMatzav” has been especially difficult, with incessant rocket fire from the Gaza Strip on civilian population centres, attacks on our soldiers patrolling the borders (and not just in the south) and many of our sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, called up and ready to do their part in trying to secure nothing more complicated than a normal life for their own families and their fellow citizens.

This week’s postcard will depart from our usual custom of visiting places of interest in our tiny country. Instead, the images here (taken from news outlets and social media) will try to give a sense of “HaMatzav” during the ‘Colour Red’ alerts which have been going on almost non-stop during the past week – and for the past twelve years.  

Israelis run to take cover as a warning siren sounds for possible incoming rockets in the Southern Israeli city of Kiryat Malachi. November 15, 2012. (Credit: Flash90)
‘Colour Red’ alert. Photo credit Flash90
Israelis react and seek cover as a siren sounds warning of incoming rockets in the southern town of Kiryat Malachi November 15, 2012. A Hamas rocket killed three Israelis north of the Gaza Strip on Thursday, drawing first blood from Israel as the Palestinian death toll rose to 13 and the military showdown lurched closer to all-out war.  (Credit: REUTERS)
‘Colour Red’ alert. Photo credit Reuters
Israelis take cover as a siren sounds warning of incoming rockets in the southern town of Kiryat Malachi November 15, 2012. A Hamas rocket killed three Israelis north of the Gaza Strip on Thursday, drawing first blood from Israel as the Palestinian death toll rose to 13 and the military showdown lurched closer to all-out war.  (Credit: REUTERS)
‘Colour Red’ alert. Photo credit Reuters
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man with his three sons and a daughter huddled outside their car when they stop in the southern Israeli town of Kiryat Malachai, 15 November 2012 as a 'Red Alert" sounds, signaling a rocket attack. At least one woman died in this town, and some say as many as three died when an apartment received a direct hit from a Grad missile fired by Palestinians militants in the Gaza Strip. (Credit: EPA)
‘Colour Red’ alert. Photo credit EPA
Photo
‘Colour Red’ alert. Photo credit Reuters
‘Colour Red’ alert
Israelis run for cover in response to sirens warning of rocket attacks in the southern city of Ashkelon.
‘Colour Red’ alert. Photo credit AFP

Sderot kids hiding

Tel Aviv residents bracing themselves as rocket alarm sirens sound.
‘Colour Red’ alert. Photo credit Daniel Bar On
‘Colour Red’ alert. Photo credit Getty
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