by Elisa Garfagna
In a fast-paced world, 15 seconds can feel like an eternity or, conversely, a fleeting moment. These are moments that allow us to dream, reflect, and act. In those brief intervals, we can perform gestures that have the power to change a day. Imagine having just enough time to embrace someone you love, feeling the warmth of their body enveloping you. Or, in that short span, you might choose to say a phrase like “You matter,” “Thank you for what you do,” or simply “I love you.”
In 15 seconds, we can pause to admire the beauty of the nature around us. We could watch a sunset spread across the sky. Every small detail of life, often overlooked, can reveal itself to be extraordinary if we only grant ourselves a moment of pause.
Now, let’s imagine a completely different context where those 15 seconds carry an unbearable weight. In Israel, the sound of the alert, the “Zeva Adom,” marks the beginning of a terrifying countdown. When the signal sounds, people have only 15 seconds to find safety. The lives of millions of Israelis are marked by this dramatic reality, where time is reduced to the blink of an eye, transforming the ordinary into a moment of terror.
In those 15 seconds, there is no room for reflection or beauty; there is only the instinct to survive. Families frantically rush to shelters, children gripping their parents’ hands tightly, hearts beating in unison in a race against time. The tension is palpable; the air is charged with fear and anxiety. Every alert becomes a cruel reminder of the fragility of life for Israelis.
Imagine the terror that grips every household, the constant thought of what could happen. Each siren echoes like a desperate scream, a warning that the world seems to ignore. In those 15 seconds, the concept of time changes radically. This is the reality for those living in Israel, where time is measured not in moments of joy but in moments of fear. Behind every number are lives, stories, and dreams waiting to be realized.
This is the daily drama of life in Israel. Let us remember this when we read yet another, “But also Israel…”