War Day #245 The Families of Nir Yitzhak
In lieu of this week’s funny story: The families of Nir Yitzhak
Nir Yitzhak is a kibbutz in the northwestern Negev desert of Israel, established in 1949. Last year, it had a population of 633.
On October 7, Nir Yitzhak, like so many communities in the south, was attacked by Palestinian militants from Gaza. Hamas brutally massacred seven Nir Yitzhak residents (some of whom were originally thought to have been kidnapped); injured two, and kidnapped five more (all from the same family). The women of the family kidnapped were released in the first hostage exchange (including 17-year-old Mia, her mother, and Mia’s dog, that she had smuggled into Gaza when she was kidnapped, the dog hidden under her pajamas). The two men in the family, after 129 days in captivity, were rescued by the successful Israeli army mission in Gaza.
The kibbutz residents who weren’t killed or abducted were locked all day in their safe rooms on the kibbutz, without access to water, food or sanitation. The army was able to get there only 12 hours after the incident began. Still, Nir Yitzhak was much, much luckier than most of its neighbors.
In October, when the government relocated the south, the kibbutz opted to all move together, as a community, to Eilat.
In recent weeks, the government has made noises about the funding being discontinued for displaced southern families. Rather than split up to live with friends and family in other parts of the country, Nir Yitzhak decided, again, to move as a group so they could stay together as a community.
They put the word out on Facebook groups that they were looking for a place to move communally: Did anyone have any suggestions? They had expected maybe someone would have ideas.
What they hadn’t quite expected was the outpouring of love and support they received from all around the country.
People and communities wrote to them and urged them to come, for as long as necessary. They were offered caravans and housing, belongings, and support.
They were offered homes, all over Israel.
Because Israel is one family.
Am echad.
We are one people.
Today marks eight months since October 7. Our hostages have been in captivity for eight full months.
Bring the rest of our family home.
#BringThemHome
(Thanks to Roni for bringing this heartwarming story of Nir Yitzhak to my attention.)
ncG1vNJzZmielae7rsHSoqWgZqOqr7TAwJyiZ5ufonyxe9aaqWacka56c4CUZquhnV2brq61y6KcrGWfm3qvtdFmsKKsqp2urA%3D%3D