Caught in the Shower during Rocketfall (Life Under Rocket Fire in Israel)

Shanna Fuld, CEO of Israel Daily News inside a car in Israel

This week I had to run out of my home twice in the wee hours of the morning (and once in the afternoon) because Houthi terrorists in Yemen sent rockets into central Israel, and both landed too close for comfort. For many of us, this is the reality of life under rocket fire in Israel—being jolted awake by sirens, rushing to safety, and trying to maintain some sense of normalcy amid the uncertainty. The first time was Wednesday night in Ramat Gan. I had come home from my Sunset Series event with Professor Brandon Friedman (TAU) on Syria/Saudi/Israel relations, and I was up late winding down. I was in the shower when the siren blared, and I had to jump out, makeup running down my face, and dash to the stairwell since my building doesn’t have a safe room. Thankfully, my next-door neighbor, who always smiles and makes me feel at ease, was there, too. Even in my robe, I felt comfortable around him. We have been through this so many times together. We actually had a good laugh once the panic settled, and we had a chance to look at one another in the eye. I was sopping with suds and water. He took a short video of me. 

The second time was Saturday at 4 a.m. The rocket was not intercepted by Israel’s defense systems and touched down just around the corner in Jaffa. That one really shook me. I was in a deep sleep, and waking up to the blaring alarm was ...well... alarming, yet routine. Even in my sleep I knew what I was doing. I found myself grabbing my phone and starting to record, though I don’t use electronics on Shabbat. My sleep brain forgot it was Shabbat, but remembered I was a journalist. I’ve been observing Shabbat for 8 years, but have been reporting for 12. I call it identity.

No one died, but 16 people were damaged in Jaffa and a large school building in Ramat Gan was taken down. It will cost millions to repair. And what do I have to say about all of it? I pray this ends soon for everyone (Israelis, Palestinians… Syrians), and I pray that the Houthi rebels in Yemen start using their financial resources to feed their hungry population instead of trying to kill Israelis.