Re: “Photo exhibit shows conflict’s toll on Gaza residents; Organizers seek to open eyes to lives torn apart by war,” The Journal, Nov. 20.

I was just sent the link to The Journal article regarding the photo exhibit of Gaza residents that is now showing in Edmonton.

This item recently made today’s news in Israel:

The IDF blasted three terrorist sites in Gaza (Nov. 19) in response to two rocket attacks earlier in the day. In one attack a Grad rocket was launched at Ofakim — the first missile attack on the city in almost two years.

“Air Force pilots who fired on the terror sites reported direct hits. Arab media reported that six people were injured in the strikes, but did not report their identities or the extent of their wounds.

Experts who examined the terrorist rockets launched (Nov. 19) found that they contained white phosphorous, a material that is forbidden for use as a weapon in civilian areas under international law.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman instructed Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Meiron Reuven, to file a complaint.

This is another reminder to the international community that residents of southern Israel are forced to live in constant fear of the terrorism that takes place under the auspices of Hamas in Gaza,” Lieberman said.

In addition to the two rockets, Gaza terrorists fired seven mortar shells at Negev communities. The attacks failed to cause injury.

Several rockets and mortar shells fired by Gaza terrorists hit areas within Gaza. No injuries were reported.”

Just recently I visited Sderot, a city on the edge of the Israeli border with Gaza, which for many years had been on the receiving end of rockets from Gaza, aimed at the children, at schools, at anything that the terrorists could find in reach.

>From mid-June 2007 to mid-February 2008, 771 rockets and 857 mortar bombs were fired at Sderot and the western Negev, an average of three or four each a day.

This was one of the main reasons for what was called Operation Cast Lead. I don’t see that mentioned in The Journal article. And no one shows photos from that period.

So, I thought I would send a photo of the remains of their shelling, to illustrate some of what was going on.

These are on display outside the Sderot police station for all to see.

Included are the remains of Kassams, katyushas and many other lethal rockets — none of which carried with them messages for hope for a brighter future.

And these are only some of the ones that they have on exhibit.

I also photographed a school ground in Sderot which has recently been provided with bomb shelters to protect the children in case those same wonderful terrorists decide to bomb the children at recess: Imagine how you would feel if your children were exposed to this daily for years on end. What would you do to stop the shelling?

I also recently stood on top of a hill in Samaria looking down on the Balata refugee camp in the city of Nablus/Shechem.

I had to look from there because Jews are not allowed to enter the city itself.

A sign at the entrance forbids Jews from entering. What I saw was tragic: an Arab city with an Arab refugee camp housing perhaps 30,000 people.

The Arabs are given billions of dollars from countries around the world and yet they use this money to keep their own people in horrid conditions while the world blames Israel for their treatment.

It’s time more people came over to this part of the world on fact-finding trips of their own to see just what the current conditions are.

Although groups such as Palestine Solidarity Network, the Canada-Palestine Cultural Association, and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East portray one side of the problem, there really are two sides to this story.

More balanced reporting from journalists all over the world would really be most appreciated.

That’s the tragedy of the situation. Few people really understand the current situation and on going war that is facing the people of Israel.

Rena Dvorkin Cohen, Safed, Israel

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