Former Oklahomans Share Experience In Israel Amid Conflict

One family living in Israel during the growing conflict has connections in Oklahoma City.

Native Oklahoman Yael Keren moved to Israel with her husband, Yoel in 2001, and they are now witnessing the devastation firsthand. 

"War crimes like I’ve never seen before in my life," Yael said. "The things that we saw here are just really horrific.” 

Images that have shocked the world, hit home for the Keren’s, "There's not one person in this country right now that hasn't lost someone, has someone missing, injured or called up to military duty to put themselves in harm’s way," Yoel explained. 

Since the attacks, two of their close friends have gone missing. 

"There's a story like that for every person you're going to meet here in this country,” Yoel said. “No one has escaped this." 

Stories like theirs are interwoven across a country the size of some states, "The country is so small, about the size of New Jersey,” Yoel said. “I found out all this was happening by going out to walk my dog at about 6:45 in the morning. I could hear the bombings all the way over here." 

The couple lives in Jerusalem, which is about 70 miles from the Gaza Strip where Hamas attacked Israel from land, air and sea. Jerusalem is also about 100 miles from the northern border, now suffering air strikes from Lebanon. 

“You can call this a war and soldiers, but it's more than that,” Yael explained. “It's a fight of good versus evil." 

"The entire highway route is lined with people handing the soldiers things as they go by on their tanks, handing them waters, snacks, things to take with them," Yoel said. 

The response reminded Yael of her home state, "That has a real homey Oklahoma type feel to me," Yael said. "The support and the care and the sort of 'bless your heart' type of feeling is the culture here." 

Their second home is coming together in the face of adversity. 

"There's this initial shock, disbelief, mourning,” Yoel said. “And then you sort of see the whole country come together and steel themselves for the work that has to be done."