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To all our friends abroad,
These are difficult days following the cruel murder of three of our children in cold blood. We feel that your support from all corners of the globe is essential and strong.
Our hearts are with the families of Gil-ad, Naftali, and Eyal, but each of us feels as if they had murdered our own children. The three youths were on their way home, and were wearing yarmulkes. They were cruelly murdered simply because they were Jewish.
Following the tragic news of the murder, we received dozens of letters of support from many of you. Others voiced their support in text messages, personal emails, and on Facebook.
Those of you who know us personally, who have direct ties with Israel through us and through the lives of our families, are acquainted with our children who live here and who travel throughout the country, who often stand and wait at bus stops on their way home. You are familiar with our daily lives in Israel. Our lives here usually appear to be pastoral, admirable, filled with accomplishments, settlement, development, scientific research, and the establishment of new communities. However, as you well know, our lives here can be instantly transformed by the kidnapping of teenagers, exploding rockets, and sirens.
This is our reality. We will continue to dream, work, develop, thrive, and grow. We will continue to do this every day for ourselves and for all of you, because we believe strongly that this is the only land where Jews can live safely and in peace without threat. This belief is what enables us to go on. We feel that your continuous, unwavering and united support from communities throughout the world is essential. Every email, text message, telephone call, or publication on the social networks strengthens us each day.
Here in Ramat HaNegev we will continue to develop, to work, to grow and thrive, and to strive forward and succeed.
I speak not only for myself, but for all the residents of Ramat HaNegev!
Yours,
Shmulik Rifman
Mayor, Ramat HaNegev
