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Clifford Sobin's avatar

Thank you Howard.

For years now, the northern Israel border region has held a special place in my heart. I have walked the border countless times in numerous places and interviewed many people living there. During my recent trip a couple weeks ago I focused on the several communities I had written about previously, but also spent much time on the Golan to see the changes there that range from Israeli outposts in Syria (two of which I saw from a distance), to new defensive measures along the border, to so many more wind turbines whose constant twirling makes for a peaceful backdrop.

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Clifford Sobin's avatar

Ciska - you are welcome.

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Sheri Oz's avatar

Thanks for opening the window to what has happened to our northern communities and what has to happen for them to be able to return and raise their families.

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Clifford Sobin's avatar

Thank you so much Sheri.

The other communities I visited included Metula, Kfar Giladi, Misgav Am, Kiryat Shmona, Kibbutz Dan, Merom Golan and Majdal Shams. I will be writing more about them in future newsletters and in my forthcoming book which will update my 2 prior books - one about Hezbollah and the other about settlement of Israel's border communities.

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DAVID METZGER's avatar

"viewing evil work through the devil’s eyes." That description is chilling and compelling. Always appreciate these descriptive and informative posts.

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Clifford Sobin's avatar

Thank you David. Chilling also was the destruction I saw. But inspiring the efforts underway to rebuild.

In a future article, I will write about Metula which is a town on a finger of Israeli land that sticks into Lebanon. There, many homes are also destroyed, municipal buildings damaged, and the burnt out remains of a few cars are still on the streets. Yet, the fields around it are filled with agricultural products that will one day be harvested, and like in Manara, there is already evidence of reconstruction.

So hopefully the evil work done will be undone, and the future brighter than before..

We will see.

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Dave Bender's avatar

So glad you were able to make the trip, visiting these communities, and can offer such a clear-eyed account of the current situation along the northern border. Finally meeting up with you in person in Tzfat during your sojourn was a great treat; looking forward to speaking with you soon.

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Howard Mendelson's avatar

Thank you for your commentary. Very few news sources discuss this area.

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Ciska Schenk's avatar

Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

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