Liraz - Roya

It started on Thursday. As I was rushing to finish the work week, news came in that there might be an attack on Iran. This wasn't a far-stretched possibility, considering the stalled talks with the U.S. and, yes, also Netanyahu's fragile coalition, which was on the brink of falling apart due to tensions with the ultra-Orthodox parties. But we all agreed that if there was something, it would be sometime the next week, right after Netanyahu's son's much-discussed wedding. On Thursday night we were busy getting ready for Pride weekend, which was supposed to make a festive comeback after last year's low-key event due to the war. And then the siren woke us up at 3 am. At first I thought it was a missile from Yemen, which we've somehow gotten used to. But it was strange that there was no information in the red-alert app. We soon learned that Israel had attacked Iran, and we were instructed to be alert and near a shelter in case there was immediate retaliation. I understand the rationale behind this, especially when not everyone has a shelter in their house, but I was pretty annoyed that I had been woken up by this very loud FYI when no rockets had been launched yet. My thoughts turned to Caitlyn Jenner, who had just landed in Israel as a guest of honor for the Pride parade. She had come to Israel to support us, and now she was stuck in the country during a war with no option to leave due to the closed airspace. But the next day, after Iran's first retaliation attack, a photo of her sitting in a shelter with a glass of wine went viral and lifted our spirits. We'll get through this. This isn't another attack, and things will be different this time, as we learned when we woke up to sirens later in the night and again early this morning, seeing the devastation of the missile strikes targeted at civilian areas.

There's still so much uncertainty, but I want to share the words the singer Liraz Charhi posted yesterday to her followers in Iran: "My sisters and brothers, freedom is coming. Don't be afraid - the songs we wrote together are coming true, we sing together. Music will connect our hearts until the day comes when we will all live, free. We are with you, closer than ever. Our dream to live together, without dictatorial rule - so close. A new day is coming when you can rejoice, dance, sing, hug and kiss in the streets. We will sing again in Freedom Square in Iran and Israel. Soon. Love and support you, Liraz". 

I vow to myself, myself

To fly my flags

tall and high

To gaze upon the horizon

With my valor

And march towards the fantasy

A heavenly innocence 

Filled with goodness

Pure and translucent as rain

Our body will glide over the ocean

My voice is intoxicated,

And you, facing me, so real

My fantasy

I wished for peace in the world

But could not understand

Who is fighting whom

I will not lose my hope

You'll see, our hearts will cross

My fantasy