JERUSALEM – September and October are two of the most celebrated months of the year for the Jewish people. Friends and family gather from all parts of the world to spend this special holiday season in Israel, Jerusalem in particular.

This year’s holy holiday season was spent differently for the Jewish people, who spent the holidays frozen in fear for their lives and for the lives of their loved ones. I know firsthand, because I am here to witness the unprovoked terror the Jewish people have experienced. People are afraid to travel to work or to visit. Others are simply afraid to leave their homes and go about their daily lives.

Beth Isern

In just two weeks in Jerusalem, seven people are dead, 92 injured – 10 seriously, 15 moderately, 67 minor injuries, and 26 people were treated for serious emotional trauma.

Naama and Eitam Henkin, visiting from Shomron Elat, were shot as their four children witnessed the murder. Their youngest is just four months old. They were simply driving their car.

On Oct. 3, terrorists entered the Lion Gate of The Old City, where they randomly selected a Jewish family. Three members of the family were stabbed, along with Rabbi Nehemya from Jerusalem. Rabbi Nehemya Lavy and Aharon Bennet from Bytar were killed. Aharon’s wife and their 2-year-old son were injured.

On Oct. 8, three stabbings took place: one in Jerusalem, one in Tel Aviv and one near Kiryat Arba, injuring at least seven more Israelis.

On Oct. 10, a man was killed, run down by an Arab terrorist.

On Oct. 15, Haviv Hayim was killed and his wife, Shoshonna, was seriously injured. Two others were run down by terrorist driving automobiles.

On Oct. 18 in Beer Sheva, one was killed and four were injured, while a terrorist fled.

The list goes on and on. A 19-year-old stabbed an Israeli man in the neck, leaving only the handle of the knife showing. In Tel Aviv, a female soldier was stabbed and her weapon was stolen. In this incident, the terrorist was shot and killed. On Wednesday there were six attacks, injuring nine Israelis.

How many innocent Jewish people need to be killed, injured or maimed before the rest of the world finally wakes up to the fact these brutal attacks are hate crimes against citizens of the Jewish faith for absolutely no reason – no reason at all!

Why does the world continue to turn a blind eye to these innocent Jews? And then critics have the nerve to attack the Jewish people for trying to protect themselves and their families. We do not need another Holocaust against God’s chosen people. I thank God Bibi Netanyahu is the prime minister of Israel and does everything within his power to keep the Israeli citizens safe. It would be nice if Barack Obama would consider this idea for the American people. As an American, I can say this without apologies. As one woman put it, “Sometimes it’s scary to walk around.” However, she knows God will help us, she says with full faith, and I believe her.

Beth Isern owns Bethany Manufacturing LLC and helps set up business workshops for women in Israel, concentrating in the Ramat HaNegev and southern Israel.