Sam, an IDF reservist originally from London, England, and his mother, Jacqueline, spoke to Israel National News – Arutz Sheva at the home for lone soldiers in Jerusalem.
Sam says that he has been in Israel for 14 years. "I made Aliyah in 2009 as a lone soldier. I was serving in the IDF while my family was back in London. With the outbreak of the war, I was stationed down south in the Gaza border communities, protecting the areas. Then I moved up north, to the northern border, and tomorrow I am going back down south.”
Sam’s mother, Jacqueline, who arrived recently from London, added: “The first thing I want to say is how proud I am of my son. He's an incredible young man and so motivated and committed to do this, to be a lone soldier, to be living in Israel, protecting his country, I'm beyond proud. But I'm also a mum. And every minute of every day, I'm anxious and worried. I don't know what's happening. So, I decided to come to Israel – about six hours before the plane took off.”
On reports of anti-Semitism and support for Hamas in the UK and Europe, Sam claims that he is “extremely concerned by what's going on in London and other cities around the world. I've always said that I feel safer here in Israel than I do in London, even in these dark days. I think my Mum can explain more about the situation on the ground, but yeah, it's very concerning."
Jacqueline added: “I feel safer here. You know, there's so much hatred on the streets, you feel it when you're walking around, obviously since the war began. I've been to a couple of the vigils in solidarity for getting the hostages out and the Jewish community come together, and it feels very scary. Our shuls, our schools, double protection. I work for a Jewish organization, double protection; it's scary there. And even though it’s scary here, number one is to be with my son. He's my only child. So, it is very, very important to be able to spend time with him, especially at this time. But for sure, I feel part of the wider Jewish people being here. I do whatever I can to help Israel. I'm fundraising. So, I feel I'm doing my bit that somehow helps Sam.”
Sam concludes by describing “the overwhelming support we feel from everyone in Israel and everyone outside of Israel, both in terms of the actual physical things that we've received since being called up, whether it's shampoo and flip-flops, but also the spirit, the emotional support that we're feeling. And the only way that I can calm my Mum down is probably by telling her as little as possible.”