OdedMusic: October 2023

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

This is well worth your time to read, and maybe finally understand the gravity of standing silent, or worse defending evil. Wake up, or fully accept this reality when terrorists enter your own neighborhood, and rockets barrage hourly in the sky above you, and fall loudly in your very own city.

Monday, October 30, 2023

A message from Dr. Phil on Israel, Hamas, and our own moral compass

Thank you, Phil. it is astonishing that people - and especially established respected institutions - don't take a stance with the right side of humanity. mind boggling that the assassins are praised. unfathomable, and should be called out and brought to justice. i hope students, and not only Jewish ones, do not attend these universities. Go elsewhere, they don't deserve any good whatsoever. incredible different true colors obviously, and they should be held responsible - like Hamas.

Israel-Hamas War: 'Hamas Opened Up The Gates Of Hell' - Mosab Hassan You...

Mosab Hassan Yousef is a wise and brave prophet of truth!

Sunday, October 29, 2023

“How Does it Feel to be Jewish?”

My own horns and tail have always been present, and are completely there, whether anyone sees them or not, and i have become profoundly proud of them especially now that they’ve been hunted down by Hamas, and unbelievably accepted by most of the world. What people must know, even if they're in denial or stupid, is that they too have them, every human has them, mine happen to be Jewish.

Friday, October 27, 2023

This is from Ziggy Marley.

I wish more important sensible voices would declare this out loud! This has nothing to do with Palestinians, it’s against Hamas who are terrorists responsible for wretched ghastly crimes that hurt both the Jews and Arabs, and deteriorate any peaceful progress in the Middle East and everywhere.

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Contrary to common misguided belief, this is an example of how most Israelis and Palestinians regard each other. Sure, it's often tense, but their mutual goal is to help each other, to live alongside one another. This conflict is not about Free Palestine, it's about freeing Palestinians from Hamas, and ridding their stronghold, terror and oppression over them; the conflict has always mostly been about getting rid of the few bad loud insidious seeds in both communities that want nothing but hateful removal or annihilation of the other.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

A wake-up call for all of Europe, and beyond.

Otherwise, what happened in Israel on October 7th may just be the 'trailer'.

Remove the cancerous roots of Hamas before it's too late!

Act firmly against Hamas supporters, carry out administrative detentions, revoke citizenship, and more.

The writing is on the wall. Don't ignore it!

Sunday, October 22, 2023

https://video.sky.it/news/mondo/video/in-the-middle-east-we-are-witnessing-a-war-of-souls-an-exclusive-interview-with-yuval-noah-harari-871429

Regardless of your beliefs, listen to this short interview. It explains very clearly what Hamas is, and the state of the world as a whole.

Thursday, October 19, 2023

(FULL VIDEO): Dear Minouche Shafik, President of Columbia University

Courageous, and sensible, at the least. Silence = support, it is cowardice.

Hamas and terror groups are not about antisemitism, they are all about anti democracy, and free will. WAKE UP. SPEAK UP.

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

The recording of Hamas militants that proves - Jihad hit the hospital in...

This is one of so many examples of the cruel and detrimental irresponsibility of Hamas. Their 'for Palestinians' is so so so far from the truth, and obviously the complete opposite. I feel terrible for the Palestinians who don't have representation and care, and it's truly awful that they are helpless. I hope other nations wake up, that the whole world wakes up and SEES that war and violence do not help anyone. Israel is partly responsible, and tries to help, but now is not at all the time, Israel is fighting for its existence, for its citizens, living and abducted. Israel is fighting for YOUR existence, trust me, don't be blinded by their plea of 'freedom fighters'. This is yet more proof of devastation and lies caused by Hamas, and the irresponsible activity of terrorist organizations. What more proof does the world need to SEE that these inhumane militias and organizations are not for any good for any people anywhere on Earth, that we will all suffer - and perish - because of their beliefs and horrific actions. They use Jews and Israel and Palestine as an excuse for their cause, but please please do not be fooled, they are out for anyone and everyone, including you. What I wish for everyone in the world, or at least most, to understand is that any and all terrorist groups are not for the good of the people, any people, and that what’s happening in Israel could easily develop and get out of hand elsewhere, and it probably will, if the world doesn’t resist and condemn their actions immediately. Everyone is responsible, and all can be worked out, but not by and with terrorists.

War on Israel, on democracy, on humanity.

Amidst this turmoil, suffering is impartial to religion or gender or race, it's a cesspool of sadness, and even terrorists feel this. Yes, bad people have hearts, bladders, elbows, they have digestive systems, they have shed tears, they are exactly like their hated 'enemies', the only difference being what's inside their brains, which enables them to see things twisted and warped, to give credence to their apathy and scorn, to allow them to fiercely and indescribably torture others. it's beyond comprehension. It's a shame they don't understand and accept that no matter their reason, inflicting awful tragic pain is not the solution, not the way to bring about support for their cause. I wonder if they would take a second to look outside their viewpoint, just for a second to smell and taste something other than their conceived reality, experience a gesture, a wink, a sunbeam, a breeze, could they at once transform to something human, humane, normal? unfortunately i think it would take more than a second, more than a quick event; it would take physical, mental and emotional separation from their surroundings to eventually be able to change their sub-conscious, spirituality, spiritually. There have been insurmountable victories and triumphs throughout history, maybe there's an unforeseen unpredictable surprise that would wipe away evil, change the course of our civilization, bring about extraordinary light that would overpower and protrude the ominous darkness from their eyes and trepid minds. I would like to believe that their souls remain untarnished, that sheer goodness is found somewhere in their beings. But as much as i'd like to believe my own ramblings, it is hard to fathom right now, 12 days into this war, with the world still supporting them, and their method of operation. absolutely baffling.

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Sunday, October 15, 2023

War on Israel, on democracy, on humanity.

I'm sorry to admit, and say out loud perhaps what most think: radical beliefs, which develop slowly over time, erupting in violent attacks, are around us all, and in every backyard, every government, and if you think they are insignificant and limited, know that you are very wrong, and if you think it's all about and because of Jews, know that you are very wrong, and if you think it's a small incessant battle between Semitic tribes, again and as usual fighting somewhere far away in the Middle East, know that you are very very wrong. Wake up, and voice and vote, and educate, and hope the God it isn't already too late, because these extremists, and there are so many of them, are out to rid of everyone, including you whoever you may be, and in this case it's a terrorist group named Hamas that started it. So please do not despair, but take this seriously, if only for your own sake, the threat is not far from you, unfortunately it is right under your nose. Good luck to us all.

War on Israel, on democracy, on humanity.

But there are some things that remind you of how good this world is, that we all have a choice in what we think feel and do, and perhaps we indirectly affect others greatly, we invite others into our day, into our life, and we may surprise them as they may incredibly surprise us. It's those little huge things that happen in and around life that grab our attention in a profound and long-lasting way.

My daughter came from the army base for the weekend, and i picked her up at the bus station. We drive quickly to return to the safety of our home, but on route we stop at the grocery store. We park the car, give each other a big strong hug, and go into the store to buy some necessities and some treats to comfort family in these dark and terrible days. We bring all to the cashier, and notice one of them say to the other, give them a 'member discount'. I suddenly notice that my daughter is dressed in her army uniform. I turn back to the cashier. "Oh, how kind of you, thank you so much!" "No problem" she replies. As the cashier rings up our order, i remember that we didn't get salt and sugar so i tell my daughter who runs off to bring them. Upon her return, the cashier totals everything up, and i reach for my wallet. Before i am able to pay, the other cashier reaches with her phone to the register and pays for everything. "You're free to go," she says to me. "What?" "Go," she replies matter of factly, "you're good to go". I look at her, watery eyed and dumbfounded, and then look at my daughter who is staring at me with the same look, overtaken with awe and emotion, and we turn to the cashier, both thanking her from the bottom of our hearts. Still in shock, and overwhelmed with the cashier's act of kindness, we drive home, neither saying much, but no doubt moved and inspired. This would be a happy enough story, but here is the truly amazing thing: the cashier spoke Hebrew of course, but from her accent, we could tell she was an Arab, doesn't matter if Druze or Christian or Muslim, an Arab! She paid from her own account, using her own money to cover our cost. Incredible.

My daughter happened to be in the same store, a day or two later, and saw the same cashier, who didn't recognize my daughter in civilian clothes. She thanked her, and told her that she affected us greatly. The cashier shrugged her off, smiling naturally, and simply said "You are welcome." Ask most Israelis, and they'll admit this happens all the time here in Israel, Jews and Arabs with small little caring gestures, routinely. It's simply an every day occurrence, a regular typical behavior between us - but it's those other types from both sides that get the attention, and disturb the peace.

This is the chaos of living in Israel, where joyful happiness and deep and anxious sorrow can exist simultaneously, where day and night can switch places, where enemies can become like family members, on the fly, immediately. My experience is a small one, but throughout history, recent and ancient, there are so very many stories of Jews and Arabs behaving in a truly good way, despite their own inclinations, natural pressures, going against family or community wishes, denouncing their leaders' orders, and carving out their own futures. so many stories of acute wisdom and bravery. It's a sad shame that trauma and tragedy need to be our teachers.

Thursday, October 12, 2023

My heart is broken. into pieces. i am choking up, and my tears fall like hard rain from stained clouds. I am disappointed, devastated, and deeply hurt.

This is my friend, my buddy, my teammate, my neighbor, my inherited son. This is Tomer, a delightfully positive, genuinely kind person, incredibly bright, supremely hardworking and talented!

We last saw each other, as usual, on the volleyball court, prancing, jumping, laughing, and said our typical goodbyes with a cheer and a hug, each getting into his car, and driving home. Often, as was the case sometime a week before last, we meet up moments later on the road, one car after another waiting for the traffic light to turn green, to enter our neighborhood. i remember with my fingers giving him a sign of a heart, to which in the rear view mirror he did the same. And then he turned and entered the underground parking lot. It was a few days later, on the following Saturday, in the early morning, that this wretched ugly indescribable war began, and Hamas attacked, that i immediately followed his whereabouts in WhatsApp: 'last seen Saturday at 3:13AM', and as each day passed it remained the same. I was hoping, all who knew him were hoping he would be 'active' and we would be reassured. Each day was a new hope, a possibility, until today, when the terrible news surfaced.

Tomer was killed in the South of Israel. All who knew him are gravely saddened. Needless to say, words cannot express this sorrow, nothing at the moment can comfort this pain.

His incredible smile and insurmountable affection for life will forever be embedded in my memory, and will remain with me until i myself am no more.

War on Israel, on democracy, on humanity.

I work, i walk, i breathe. i even play sports, all to try to remain busy with 'normalcy'. but there's nothing normal about this. this is chaos, and uncertainty, it's difficult to manage the difference between reality and dream. we play sports, and when a siren is heard, we run to the bomb shelter, after a few minutes, we come up again and continue to play, until the next siren is heard. us, the neighbors, their children, dogs, caretakers, shop owners, all huddled as we hear sirens and booms. all tense, confused, and terrified. Smiling absurdly to impress hope and dignity on those present around us.

We all check the news for updates, on televisions, on mobile, word of mouth, much blaming for this disaster, lack of an authority, one that is managed with care, with precision, this grand and tragic failure years in the making, led by racist officials in office, by corrupt leaders, but this is not the time we say, but when is the time, it's way past that time.

Slowly we manage, despite being wary of impending attacks, from multiple places, from inside, from outside from the North the South, from over the ocean, from across the sea, doom in the making, and yet there is light in this darkness, our society our people gathering and working and processing and sending and delivering and providing and servicing and comforting and hoping together for one another for ourselves our friends our families.

What's harder still is the notion that you as a Jew or an Israeli don't matter, your voice unheard, your pleas your catastrophe unjustified, where people only believe what they are told to believe, not what is actual, what is here and now, and you are blamed for everything. it's exhausting and hard to fathom that you have to explain that terror is not for or about the people, that violence or war is not the solution, that in fact attacking the attacker in order to defend your existence is not right. It's far from over, only the beginning, but eventually i would like to continue to believe that the Good will win, here and everywhere.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2023/10/08/gps-1008-friedman-on-hamas-attacks.cnn

Thomas Friedman always speaks truth in volumes. And again he is so very accurate in everything he says here.

War on Israel, on democracy, on humanity.

Hardly able to concentrate, although i must, i'm busy following what's happening and feeling responsible for explaining to the world that it's an evil enemy out to get not just Jews and Israel but everyone, Muslims and Arabs included; Hamas, and other terror groups, is an enemy that doesn't care about anyone else, only itself and its beliefs. It's amazing that this is still strangely unclear to most earthlings.