ATLANTA — As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, metro Atlanta Jews and Palestinians are keeping a close eye on the situation.
Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik spoke to Jessica Katz via Skype. She is an East Cobb native, who recently moved to Tel Aviv.
“It’s been crazy over the last few weeks now,” said Katz, a graduate of The Weber School and University of Georgia. “I was signing a lease on a new apartment when the first siren went off in the Tel Aviv area.”
Katz told Petchenik she’s learning a new way of life and where to seek shelter if rockets threaten Tel Aviv, as they have this past week.
“I’ve been more aware of my surroundings since the sirens started here,” she said. “I’m always looking for the safe place.”
Katz took pictures of Israel’s Iron Dome defense system intercepting rockets right over her apartment.
“The Iron Dome really gives me a sense of security,” she said. “I don’t feel like I’m in any real danger.”
Even with the threat, Katz has no plans to leave Tel Aviv, despite repeated requests from family and friends back in Atlanta.
“It never crossed my mind to leave and go back to Atlanta,” she said. “I feel completely safe.”
Still, Katz said she hopes the conflict ends.
“I hope there is peace soon,” she said. “I hope this quiets down and ends very soon.”
Over in Sandy Springs, Petchenik met Imad Nassereddin, a Jerusalem native and Palestinian, who owns a Mediterranean-style restaurant on Roswell Road.
Nassereddin has been watching the conflict on Arab television and is very concerned.
“The loss of innocent lives is a sad fact no matter how you look at it,” he said. “About 25 percent of the dead are children under the age of 8.”
Nassereddin heads the Georgia chapter of the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund.
“In the past three weeks we’ve put all of our efforts to distribute Humanitarian needs in Gaza, food, water, basic medication,” he said.
Nassereddin said many Palestinian women and children have fled their homes for churches, mosques and schools, and the PCRF is sending supplies to those locations.
“It’s just a tragedy and we basically want this to stop and we’re able to go treat the children, the sick and be able to help those people,” he said.