We did not see some of the worst of yesterday until today. The depth of the carried-over horror featured stories about infant casualties- casualties intentionally inflicted on children. This is the fifth day of incalculable cruelty. We talked about the young woman’s face yesterday. Her eyes were distant as she was dragged by her hair from one place to another.

We cannot bring ourselves to talk about intentional misery jammed into murder. The numbers this morning? Now approaching 900 Israeli casualties, and a slight increase to those Americans who may have been killed by the Hamas forces who started this campaign last Saturday morning.

This is the fifth day of it. The Writer’s Section is universally opposed to the violence of the current campaign. We are opposed to violence against civilians as a matter of principal. The story on this Hump Day? The power is reportedly out on the Gaza Strip, home to more than two million people.

We mentioned a folk-phrase that had occurred to us a long time ago near where these horrors are being committed. “Everybody has a story.” This week’s activity includes just some of them. A piece of the old Jerusalem Wall sits on the console of the desk in the Chairman’s office. There are some letters written on the side, combining to make this phrase:

“Intifada”

This piece of old Jerusalem Wall

Thrown through

My cab window

13 March 1990.”

There are reports that this is not part of the tit-for-tat exchanges that have been conducted in this place in 1948 or 1973. Those were limited in nature.It is uncertain as to what it actually is. On one hand it is a brutal provocation. On another hand, a justified response to brutal pre-mediated violence.

We have some questions about it already. They are cast with the flavor and memory of other acts of blunt death.

We won’t go further than that assertion on this violent day, And to ask for peace. Pray for it.

Copyright 2023 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com