If you’d told me a year ago that I’d enjoy living in Israel, I would’ve laughed. After fourteen years in the Land, I was tired. Tired of being an outsider, surviving rather than thriving, not being able to communicate, and scanning the streets for the nearest bomb shelter. I wanted a life of my own, with a community of people my age, in a language I understood, and in a place where I wasn’t afraid of attacks. Surely that life couldn’t be found in Israel…. Right?
Fast forward eleven months, and by God’s grace, my perspective has undergone a complete 180-degree shift. For the first time since moving to Israel, I’m seeing through restored eyes. Don’t get me wrong, there are still hardships to overcome here, but my ten months away showed me that while we can settle anywhere and be content, that doesn’t mean the loneliness and misunderstandings vanish. The real question is: Are we in the right place to break through those feelings to make an impact?
I’d like to think I made a difference while I was in Wales, and I truly enjoyed my season there. But when the New Year arrived, and I had to watch Israel mourn and celebrate the release of hostages during the ceasefire from afar, my heart cried to return. This emotional reaction surprised me because I’d spent years asking God to take me out of Israel. I expected to leave without a second glance. But the longer I was away, the stronger the longing to return home became.
What made that absence harder was that no one around me could truly understand the turmoil I felt. While some were sympathetic, most quickly moved on. In their eyes, the war was only happening in the Middle East. But a simple walk through their cities or a glance at the headlines showed that the battle was already on their doorstep.
In a recent conversation with a friend, I admitted that I’d rather face daily missile attacks than walk through Europe and face antisemitic hate. Why? Because when the sirens sound, everyone — Jew, Christian, Muslim, atheist — is affected. But when pro-Palestinians attack a Jew or Israel supporter, it’s isolated. It’s dismissed. People walk by because they don’t think it’s their problem.
I thought leaving Israel meant finding peace and safety, but I quickly learned that I had a new battle to fight. As antisemitic attacks increase worldwide, we cannot separate Israel and Jew hate as though they are not one and the same! It’s 2025, and our society is failing to stand with its neighbors, speak up against hate and discrimination, or take action when someone is in trouble. Where are today’s Good Samaritans?
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” ~ Galatians 6:9-10
To those who live in the Land, have family here, or carry this place in their hearts: keep standing firm and sharing your story with others. Although it doesn’t feel like it, more people are standing with you than against you. Nevertheless, I understand how exhausting it is to defend oneself, hide your Magen David or Chai (life) necklaces, and remain on constant alert. I hope you can find others going through similar things so you can lean on one another, because we cannot do this journey alone. As Erin Phillips wrote in her latest book, The Betrayal of Eden, “Sometimes what people need most isn’t to be saved. Just to have their struggle known eases the pain.”
To my Yeshua-believing brothers and sisters — especially those who haven’t visited Israel or who don’t yet understand the Land’s significance — I urge you to ask God to reveal His heart for Israel through His Word and begin having genuine conversations with Messianic believers and Israelis. Not to debate but to listen. Even if you don’t know what to say or how to relate, simply showing interest and being present is a powerful way to bridge the gap.
It’s not enough to say, “I support Israel,” while ignoring the antisemitism rising in your own streets — or overlooking the hurting brothers and sisters beside you who are carrying the weight of war alone. We don’t need token gestures or well-meaning slogans. We need solidarity. We need believers who are willing to listen, learn, and act. Because this war isn’t just Israel’s, it’s yours too! You are part of us. We are one Body. And it’s time to start living like it!
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” ~ Galatians 3:26-29
I’m not the same person I was a year ago, and I’m so grateful for the restorative work God is doing on my heart. The last fifteen years have affected me more than I realized. As a kid, I listened to Bible stories and thought of Israel as a far-off land. When we moved here, I got excited about walking where Yeshua walked, but I could have taken it or left it. Now, as an adult, I don’t think I could stay away for long. This nation is engraved on my heart, and being back has ignited a fire in me like never before!
Since returning home, I’ve watched the Lord answer my prayers and reshape my life here. I’ve been welcomed into a community, gained new friends, gone on adventures that highlighted His goodness, walked the streets without fear, and no longer resent Hebrew. It’s as if God were waiting for me to jump in with both feet before unlocking the blessings that come with obedience. Each day is a new opportunity to learn, encourage, and speak truth.
Though my heart longs to stay in Israel, I’m scheduled to return to the UK for a short visit at the end of this month. I pray the Lord will open doors for me to share my testimony during this upcoming trip, so others may pick up their swords and fight alongside us in this battle.
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” ~ Ephesians 1:18-19
