Witnessing Israelis’ Will to Fight on

Until Complete Victory

Despite the difficult challenges the

Jewish people currently face, we will win.

By Kobi Erez, ZOA Michigan Regional Director

(FEBRUARY 6, 2024 / JNS) Sitting on an El Al plane waiting to take off, I realized that, for the first time on my many flights to Israel, I was happy to see not even one empty seat on the plane. Even though Israel is considered a war zone—in fact, because of it—the Jewish people are more motivated to travel to our beloved land than ever before.

I traveled to Israel to volunteer in patrol units around Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to visit several of the Jewish communities the Zionist Organization of America-Michigan has provided with protective gear and equipment. After the Oct. 7 massacre, volunteer community patrol units were established or expanded as Israelis realized the pressing need to defend their neighborhoods from attacks. 

While visiting some of the communities ZOA has supported, I was humbled by the sheer number of volunteers who took it upon themselves to protect their neighborhoods, even late into the night. I watched some of these incredible citizens finish their patrol shift at 6:00 am and head straight to work.

I had the honor, as sad as it was, to visit a shiva in the city of Efrat for a fallen IDF hero who was killed while fighting in Gaza. Efrat is over the “green line” and typically considered a religious community; yet it brought me strength to see Israelis from all walks of life, secular and religious, right and left, come pay their respects to our fallen soldier and comfort the bereaved family.

The message I heard over and over during my travels—from community members, soldiers and families in mourning—was a plea to continue, despite our differences, to find unity and keep going until complete victory over Hamas.