Why we'll stay put

Jul 23 2006 By Ian Robson, The Sunday Sun

A North woman living in Israel defiantly spoke of a life under siege last night as warplanes flew overhead.

Linda Aloush, originally from Gateshead, said: "Nothing will make me leave while my son is still in the Army. Tell everyone we're all fine . . . scared, but fine."

As Linda was speaking an Israeli jet flew overhead on a military operation against Hezbollah as the conflict escalated. Earlier an enemy rocket landed just 100 metres from the family home in Ramat Yishay, about 40 miles from the border.

Others in the village have not been so lucky and were bombed. But Linda said living in constant fear was a price she was prepared to pay while her son Ricky, 21, was still conscripted into the Israeli army.

She said: "Absolutely nothing will make me leave here. My son was born in England, and is English, but as long as he is here I will be here for him.

"I would love to come back to see my mum but I will be here for Ricky. Even if it lasted another two or three years I still would not leave."

Linda, 51, from Gateshead, lives with her husband Victor in the small village 20 miles from Haifa. She settled in Israel after meeting Victor in Paris.

The village is under threat because of its proximity to a sensitive Israeli government installation.

She said: "Obviously most people are scared. Most people don't like to admit it but they are scared. Some in the village have been bombed . . . it's in a sensitive position.

"Most of Haifa is living underground in shelters and there is no day-to-day life any more. No one goes to work. No one even goes out in the streets and there are no shops except those selling the main essentials."

Linda said she has not been to Haifa, the nearest city, since the current emergency began.

She voiced the fears of every Israeli when she said: "Hezbollah say they have surprises, let's hope it's not chemical surprises, that's the worst-case scenario.

"Everyone has a gas mask but by the time you put it on you are already contaminated. If something happens they are going to wipe out a lot of people."

Ricky will finish his three-year conscription in the army in a couple of months. She said: "He is a prison guard taking care of the Hezbollah suicide bombers.

"He is an only child, and they don't put only children on the front line, but everyone is a target now.

"I have to say that I would change nothing about my life. It's a beautiful country, the people are friendly, and we all stick together.

"If there was only peace and quiet. Every Israeli wants peace. It's not like we want a war."

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