And here’s the picture I see: hundreds of settlers, sitting at the gates of their settlement, singing in defiance of the order to leave, while at the same time dozens of police and military vehicles (this is a joint operation between the Israeli police and the Israeli army) flow into the area, but not directly towards the settlement gates. These are the players that one would expect in such a situation, but what truly brings about the surreal aspect is the dozens and dozens of members of the press who are swarming all over the place. Currently, we’re watching, and amazingly listening, to a conversation between a police captain and a leader of the settlement in question (perhaps Neve Dekalim?). Since the cameras picked up this image about 3 minutes ago, these men have been swarmed with cameras and microphones, so that there are now about 10 of each on both sides of the gate that divides them, as they continue with what can only be described as a calm, cordial conversation (even though I have no idea what they are saying).

One gets the sense that both these men are resigned to the roles they have to play, and accept without contempt the role that the other has to play. Part of me feels that this is truly Israeli, despite the prickly, rude façade presented by so many of them.

Today is going to be a long day in this country, and I am quite sure that pictures of today’s events will be broadcast all over the world tonight. How interesting it will be to see how the images are interpreted in each place. Somehow, I think it is unlikely that the images of these two men will make the news elsewhere in the world. Instead, you will see what I see now: an army officer, standing in a sea of settlers dressed in orange (the symbol of opposition to the disengagement), looking exceptionally uncomfortable with his job, as settler leaders recite the history of the state, recount the lives that have been lost to gain this land, and denounce the leaders that have brought about this decision.

Somehow, the reporter has managed to get an interview with the officer now. As he speaks, one can hear the settlers continuing to energize one another with inspirational words and prayers over a bullhorn. I have to wonder, is the media reporting the news or creating it at this moment? The scene has switched to a man, hysterically crying to this officer. He is so distraught at the moment, I doubt I could understand him even if I spoke fluent Hebrew, but the message is clear. The reporter tried to ask the officer if he knew this man, and he did not receive a response, but one cannot help but think that perhaps these men know each other from the past. And now, the most amazing thing: the officer just gave the man a hug to comfort him.

What images of the disengagement will the world see tonight? Will they see that hug? Will they hear the settlers singing Hatikvah (the Israeli national anthem) through tears as they do now? Will they see young soldier leading distraught mothers away from their homes? Whatever they see, I hope the world will judge us fairly tonight.