An Israeli spoke about the peculiarities of the martial law: religious weddings are not canceled

— Mark, tell us what the situation is now in Tel Aviv?

– Understand correctly, we live in Israel. Here people are always ready to find themselves in a martial law. Despite the huge number of deaths – more than 600, there is no panic in the city. Yes, we are experiencing great grief, yes, many people are in shock, in mourning, in tears. But don’t panic. Many today have united and work as volunteers.

— What do volunteers do?

“The main thing now is to search for people whose fate is unknown. Volunteers are disseminating information about those whose relatives and friends are now looking for. For example, dozens of photographs are sent of people who were at the festival that took place near Kibbutz Reim on the border with Gaza, and about whose fate nothing is known. There were, in particular, tourists from other countries. Their loved ones also get in touch, asking them to spread information and photographs.

— Is this to help the official authorities? What are they doing?

— The IDF Logistics Service, together with the police, has launched a special center for searching for missing persons. Those searching for theirs must provide a photo, information and something from which the missing person’s DNA can be extracted. But the help of ordinary people is also very important.

— Is there any special help for those who have recently arrived in the country?

— Psychological assistance services are involved. Including in Russian. They are designed for recent repatriates. For those who, perhaps, have not yet managed to make friends and relatives here, do not know what to do now and where to run. There are telephone numbers distributed everywhere that you can call so that they can explain to you what to do and reassure you as much as possible. The service operates in many languages, including Russian, English, French, Spanish.

— Are there any humanitarian fees?

— There were requests on social networks about collections for the needs of babies, for example, they asked for diapers, wet wipes – they have already been fulfilled.

– What about the wounded?

— There are about two thousand of them. The Israelis help them in any way they can, for example, by donating blood en masse. In Tel Aviv, at Tel Hashomer Hospital, there is a huge line to donate blood. Blood donation points have also been opened in Jerusalem and Netanya. Haifa, their addresses and collection times are announced. In Jerusalem, by the way, Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau donated blood. The points are open 10 hours from morning until late evening. There are also long queues for change. Doctors especially need blood of type “0”; in Russia it is called the first.

— How is the situation in the north?

— Residents of 20 settlements are advised to take the essentials and be prepared to evacuate. All residents of the north have been ordered to check their “alarm suitcases” and keep them ready.

— What do they suggest those whose houses were damaged to do?

— There are hotlines that you should call and report loss or damage to property. If you can’t get through by phone, you should take pictures of everything and wait for the opportunity to pass on the information.

— How did the residents of Tel Aviv survive Saturday and especially the time of shelling?

“Of course, people were worried; not everyone had time to take refuge in shelters; many survived the shelling on the stairs of their houses. Of course, it was especially scary for the children. The situation was complicated by pets; there was no way to walk them, the pets were afraid – they howled and barked.

— Are animals allowed to be taken into the shelter?

– Yes. But it is recommended to always put muzzles on dogs, keep them on leashes, and it is better to take cages for cats and dogs and cover them with something so that the animals do not cause additional disturbance.

—What else do ordinary Israelis do during these hours?

— Let me emphasize once again: this is Israel, something may seem unusual to you. For example, the Israelis are praying now.

The rabbis called for reading Tehillim – this is the book of Psalms. It is proposed to read Psalms 20, 22, 69, 121, 122, 131, 150 – for the victory of our soldiers and the restoration of the victims.

— Did the events affect Orthodox Jews?

– Yes, sure! Some believers had a big problem. Such an important event in life as a wedding, when the marriage is celebrated in the rabbinate, has come into question. That is, if the wedding is religious and celebrated strictly according to Jewish traditions. They take a long time to prepare; it is a complex and expensive process. They are usually not tolerated.

— How do the bride and groom get out of this situation?

– The situation is completely extreme. Everyone now decides for themselves what to do. Many do not cancel marriage registration. Of course, here people first of all listen to the advice of rabbis. Most are inclined to go through the Kiddushin ceremony and move the celebration itself to a more appropriate time for the celebrations.

Let us recall that the last time clause 40 “Aleph” was used half a century ago in 1973 during the military conflict between Israel and a coalition of Arab states, which lasted from October 6 to October 25 and was called the “Yom Kippur War.”