“From seven-and-a-half-thousand miles away, it is difficult to place yourself in a bomb shelter. It is difficult to imagine what it is like to have 90 seconds, 60 seconds, 15 seconds to find cover, all while wondering if this will be the time Iron Dome misses. It is difficult to feel the full weight of uncertainty shared by both Israelis and Palestinians and the fierce desire to restore some semblance of normalcy, calm and peace.

And it is also difficult to know how, from seven-and-a-half-thousand miles away, to show support for Israel’s right to self-defense, empathy for human suffering and commitment to a two-state-solution in a way that will promote peace and not fuel extremism.”