Inside Israel's Hostage Crisis

Raising Awareness on Israel's War

I flew to Israel alone on November 16th after a heartbreaking 37 days alone in Charlotte, North Carolina after the brutal October 7th attack.

I went on Birthright when I was younger and was so moved when I learned that this tiny country was protecting me abroad in case anything horrible ever happened to the Jewish people - that I immigrated - "made Aliyah" - and spent the best seven years of my life in Israel.

The savage murders on October 7th of 1200+ civilians and the kidnapping of 250 men, women, grandparents, children and babies broke me.

As days stretched into weeks, and the protests and often pro-Hamas celebrations worldwide became bigger, I realized the moment I'd imagined on my first trip to Israel - the "dangerous moment for Jews" - was right now - that "NEVER AGAIN" - was NOW.

I booked a one-way flight to Tel Aviv.

I ended up staying in Israel for FOUR MONTHS and telling the stories from the ground, desperate to HUMANIZE events to help fight disinformation about Israel. I interviewed family members of those still held hostage, traveled to the Dead Sea to meet the evacuated families AND visited Kibbutz Be'eri with a resident and survivor who lost his brother AND had his best friend Itay Svirsky murdered in captivity on Day 99 1/2.

There are still 129 hostages being held in Gaza on Day 223 of this war.

What began as a 2-6 week trip became four months, and was 90% self-funded. I have made connections with Israeli writers, the Family Forum Director, renowned Trauma Therapist and Writer Norman Fried of New York and Tom Hand has become a close friend and drove me to the airport. My Passover piece which covered the Hersh hostage video release was sent to Hersh's parents by their PR person.

I only left Israel because I depleted my checking account and am now saving to return to continue this very important work and turn the collected stories into a BOOK.

Anything would be helpful to help me get back there as quickly as possible and spend more time in the south. I am still interviewing and writing from the US and covering what is happening in Israel and HERE IN THE US - this "craziness on campus," which in my opinion, is scarier than the incoming rocket sirens in Israel.

Please take a moment to read a few articles on my website, www.Melanie-Preston.com - where you can also contact me once you subscribe.

With gratitude and peace (shalom!)

Melanie