In April 2022, I was sitting with friends in the Dizengoff area of Tel Aviv when a Palestinian terrorist suddenly appeared, opened fire in all directions, and murdered three Israelis, injuring many more.
When we heard the gunshots and saw the terrorist running while people fled in every direction, we dropped to the ground.
Right next to us were two absolutely terrified tourists.
We tried to calm them down and shield them from danger.
We managed to get them some water, and later we made our way into the restaurant’s kitchen, where they felt somewhat safer.
It was a long time before the police announced that there was no longer any immediate danger. At first, they believed there might be multiple terrorists.
We stayed with them the entire time, even after it was already safe enough for us to leave.
They told us they couldn’t believe what they had just experienced, and how grateful they were for our composure and our instinct to protect complete strangers.
They thanked us repeatedly for taking care of them and keeping them safe. We took photos together, followed each other on Instagram, and eventually went our separate ways.
Three or four days after October 7, 2023, while our loved ones had been raped, slaughtered, burned alive, and abducted to Gaza by Hamas and Gazan civilians, and more than two weeks before Israel had even entered Gaza by ground, one of those women was already sharing trendy anti-Israel stories and posts justifying October 7.
Apparently, social media trends and the need to belong matter more than anything else.
Even if it means dancing on the blood of the very people you once thanked for protecting you.