My heart is broken for our friends in Israel. The terror launched upon the innocent families, mothers, fathers, children, and defenseless babies is pure evil. I’m proud that my colleagues in the Ohio Senate passed a resolution standing firm with the sovereign nation of Israel and with our Jewish neighbors here at home.
Just last year I joined a trip with members of the Ohio General Assembly to Israel. I learned so much, as our hosts revealed to us the latest in Israeli ingenuity in everything from medical technology to defense systems, and how they educate their youth.
Some of you may know that my husband Jim has been living with Parkinson’s for several years. On our trip, we were treated to a state-of-the-art presentation from neurologists who developed technology to improve the procedure of deep brain stimulation designed specifically for Parkinson’s patients.
That treatment debuted at The Ohio State University and, ironically, Jim received that very treatment. As they talked, I was overcome with emotion, weeping tears of thankfulness and joy that half a world away we were linked through this remarkable treatment and mission to help our fellow man.
I truly believe that the doctors needed to meet someone who needed the treatment as much as I needed to meet the brilliant doctors who developed it.
This was truly a blessing.
We were able to see the remarkable Iron Dome missile defense system that today is providing such superior air defenses to the Israeli people, thwarting the barrage of rocket attacks launched by Hamas. We felt safe on our trip. So safe in fact, when I forgot my purse in Bethlehem, it was still there, untouched when I went back to look for it. That was in the cave where Jesus was born.
I think about how warmly we were welcomed and how the hospitality combined with the historic nature of the trip compares so starkly to the vicious, unprovoked ambush carried out on our friends. It shows me how precious life is –and how things can change in an instant when those who hate Israel and America plot and look for any opportunity to kill the innocent and unsuspecting. We must now expect the unexpected, stand by our allies, and unequivocally support Israel.
I want our Jewish neighbors in Ohio to know we stand by you. We support you and your friends and family in Israel. Regardless of nationality, religion, or political affiliation, the United States of America is your ally – as is the Great State of Ohio.
Sen. Theresa Gavarone represents Ohio Senate District 2
@TheresaGavarone
https://ohiosenate.gov/members/theresa-gavarone