Avrum, your writing indeed reflects visages of such pogroms as that of Kishinev, as well as the Nazi murder pits of the Holocaust and the bombing refugees’ tents as it drives deeply into the inestimable loss and sorrow that are the harvest not of the Israeli government’s “mistakes,” as another commenter has opined, but of its intentions. Israel, Palestine—the world—are far beyond seminal errors in judgment or ideology that may have led us to this moment. To find anything but evil intent in the ongoing slaughter in Gaza and the West Bank is to portray the pogrom of Kishinev as a noble cause.
Very powerful words, Avrum. Thank you for writing them. As a friend from Gaza a couple of months ago expressed: 'I don't have words anymore.' 'Me neither,' I answered. Our conversation stopped since then. We lost words. But your poem fills in the blank space... .
I seldom read poetry anymore, I just don't seem to be able to engage.
I've been immersed in Gaza since October 7th and seen the uncensored photos that came out of Gaza before all the journalists were murdered to stop exactly what we saw.
Your words brought those images back so vivid and clear, I desperately wanted to stop reading....but couldn't.
To the best of my knowlege, Gaza was no Kishinev: their citizens preached and practised the murder of Jews. Yes Jews, not Israelis, as the slaughterer who spoke to his mother by phone bragging his terrorism and her praise and pride by her that he slaughtered Jews. 7 October was worse than Kishniev. Thus the flames of rage back into Gaza
Excellent poetry as well as very sensible perspective on the horrific mistakes the current government of Israel has made. You continue to be a true רודף שלום.
1. [UN OCHA, Gaza reported impact snapshot, 29 July 2026](https://www.ochaopt.org/content/reported-impact-snapshot-gaza-strip-29-july-2026)
2. [Reuters, Israeli military reported to accept a death toll of approximately 70,000](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-military-reported-accept-death-toll-around-70000-gaza-2026-01-30/)
3. [The Guardian, Israeli military data indicating that 83 percent of those killed were civilians](https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/aug/21/revealed-israeli-militarys-own-data-indicates-civilian-death-rate-of-83-in-gaza-war)
4. [Original investigation by +972 Magazine, Israeli intelligence database and the 83 percent civilian estimate](https://www.972mag.com/israeli-intelligence-database-83-percent-civilians-militants/)
5. [The Lancet Global Health, full peer reviewed Gaza mortality study](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X%2825%2900522-4/fulltext)
6. [PubMed, abstract and complete bibliographical details of the Lancet study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41722607/)
7. [UN Human Rights Office, detailed report on verified Gaza fatalities](https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/countries/opt/20241106-Gaza-Update-Report-OPT.pdf)
8. [UN Human Rights Office, statement explaining that nearly 70 percent of verified fatalities were women and children](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/11/there-must-be-due-reckoning-horrific-violations-possible-atrocity-crimes)
9. [Reuters, report on the UN verification of fatalities](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/nearly-70-gaza-war-dead-women-children-un-rights-office-says-2024-11-08/)
10. [WHO, public health analysis covering recorded deaths, malnutrition and indirect mortality](https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/public-health-situation-analysis---occupied-palestinian-territory-September)
Oh what Israel has become…the horror, the horror.
Avrum, your writing indeed reflects visages of such pogroms as that of Kishinev, as well as the Nazi murder pits of the Holocaust and the bombing refugees’ tents as it drives deeply into the inestimable loss and sorrow that are the harvest not of the Israeli government’s “mistakes,” as another commenter has opined, but of its intentions. Israel, Palestine—the world—are far beyond seminal errors in judgment or ideology that may have led us to this moment. To find anything but evil intent in the ongoing slaughter in Gaza and the West Bank is to portray the pogrom of Kishinev as a noble cause.
Very powerful words, Avrum. Thank you for writing them. As a friend from Gaza a couple of months ago expressed: 'I don't have words anymore.' 'Me neither,' I answered. Our conversation stopped since then. We lost words. But your poem fills in the blank space... .
Lamentations of Gaza
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jyOzeMQi1cViJdTaeZvVHSrIAZxibMRKdbBVHGUrwr8/edit?usp=drivesdk
I seldom read poetry anymore, I just don't seem to be able to engage.
I've been immersed in Gaza since October 7th and seen the uncensored photos that came out of Gaza before all the journalists were murdered to stop exactly what we saw.
Your words brought those images back so vivid and clear, I desperately wanted to stop reading....but couldn't.
You captured the feeling so completely.
To the best of my knowlege, Gaza was no Kishinev: their citizens preached and practised the murder of Jews. Yes Jews, not Israelis, as the slaughterer who spoke to his mother by phone bragging his terrorism and her praise and pride by her that he slaughtered Jews. 7 October was worse than Kishniev. Thus the flames of rage back into Gaza
1. [UN OCHA, Gaza reported impact snapshot, 29 July 2026](https://www.ochaopt.org/content/reported-impact-snapshot-gaza-strip-29-july-2026)
2. [Reuters, Israeli military reported to accept a death toll of approximately 70,000](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-military-reported-accept-death-toll-around-70000-gaza-2026-01-30/)
3. [The Guardian, Israeli military data indicating that 83 percent of those killed were civilians](https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/aug/21/revealed-israeli-militarys-own-data-indicates-civilian-death-rate-of-83-in-gaza-war)
4. [Original investigation by +972 Magazine, Israeli intelligence database and the 83 percent civilian estimate](https://www.972mag.com/israeli-intelligence-database-83-percent-civilians-militants/)
5. [The Lancet Global Health, full peer reviewed Gaza mortality study](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X%2825%2900522-4/fulltext)
6. [PubMed, abstract and complete bibliographical details of the Lancet study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41722607/)
7. [UN Human Rights Office, detailed report on verified Gaza fatalities](https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/countries/opt/20241106-Gaza-Update-Report-OPT.pdf)
8. [UN Human Rights Office, statement explaining that nearly 70 percent of verified fatalities were women and children](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/11/there-must-be-due-reckoning-horrific-violations-possible-atrocity-crimes)
9. [Reuters, report on the UN verification of fatalities](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/nearly-70-gaza-war-dead-women-children-un-rights-office-says-2024-11-08/)
10. [WHO, public health analysis covering recorded deaths, malnutrition and indirect mortality](https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/public-health-situation-analysis---occupied-palestinian-territory-September)
Excellent poetry as well as very sensible perspective on the horrific mistakes the current government of Israel has made. You continue to be a true רודף שלום.