Incomplete

At university, come end of semester, it was dreadful to receive one's report card with the word "incomplete" listed alongside the course name. Such disappointment pales in comparison to the frustration, anger and rage we here in the Western Negev feel at present. Incomplete by dictionary definition means not complete, not finished. That is precisely the situation here.

Firstly, however, as a religious Jew, I want to backtrack a bit and openly thank and praise Hashem for the ongoing miracles he has wrought these weeks after Operation Cast Lead. For, as during the war itself, only a blind man would fail to see His hand that has prevented PHYSICAL damage from the rockets Chamas keeps lobbing our way. I won't go into the mental fatigue and stress suffered by those in Sederot, Sha'ar Ha'negev and the Eshkol region where sirens continue to sound on a daily basis.

However, gratitude aside, we are so frustrated, angered and truly enraged that it defies words. I had an end of semester activity in my ninth grade class a few weeks ago. Half of that class comes from Sederot. All said they were extremely concerned about the future. All felt the government let them down by ending the war prematurely. All said that for years they believed that when the IDF would eventually enter Gaza to end the shelling, they had faith that the job would be completed and their lives could finally return to normal. At present, these pupils' fear and uncertainty is palpable.

Having dual citizenship, I am grateful that America allowed my grandparents to escape Europe in the last century. However it galls me no end how our leaders here continue to kowtow to the American leadership at the expense of its own citizens. Senator Obama had to be inaugurated and heaven forbid we prevent a smooth entrance into the White House. So, we skedaddled out of Gaza with our tail between our legs. What about Gilad Shalit? What about the thousands here in the Negev, like those in Netivot this evening who ran for cover when a rocket landed near a shul in town? What about the families who lost soldiers and loved ones during Operation Cast Lead? For naught?

If I could have my way, I would insist that each incoming member of government move to our area. I reckon that once THEIR children began bed wetting at advanced ages and THEIR spouses needed tranquillizers to get through the day, the situation would probably change. The basic inherent right of an independent sovereign state is to do all that is necessary to protect its citizens. Failure to do so is dereliction of duty. Our leaders are too busy playing musical chairs for the incoming government to address our security needs. For how long? For shame!!