As Iran launched a series of missiles and drones towards Israel, residents on the ground experienced a range of emotions.
For Tamara Jafar, a 34-year-old woman from historically Arab East Jerusalem, the attack was not taken seriously by her neighborhood. She believed the events were orchestrated by the U.S. and Israel, citing political motivations due to the upcoming elections in the U.S. and internal politics in Israel. Despite initial fear, she mentioned that they were accustomed to such situations.
David Levy, a 19-year-old student from the Givat Mordechai neighborhood in Jerusalem, described hearing loud booms unlike anything he had experienced before, followed by sirens. He and his family sought refuge in a sealed room, reciting psalms and expressing gratitude for Israel's high success rate in defending against the attacks.
Tour guide Evelyn Lufan initially dismissed Iran's threats as meaningless. However, as the situation escalated with a 48-hour deadline, she realized the seriousness of the situation. Updating her tour group of 48 people from Mexico, she reassured them of Israel's strength and the inherent risks of visiting the region. The tourists, though initially scared, found comfort in Evelyn's words and the belief in Israel's resilience.
Overall, the responses from individuals on the ground reflected a mix of skepticism, fear, and resilience in the face of the recent attacks. While some viewed the events as political maneuvers, others acknowledged the potential dangers but remained steadfast in their trust in Israel's ability to protect its citizens.
