The war that Israel is waging in Gaza with the terrorist group Hamas has sparked a dilemma between my people. Is it okay to go partying at times like these? Should I do it? Or should I stay at home, out of respect for the Israeli hostages and the Gazan civilians? Is partying in Israel right now a frivolité or a need?
I don't believe there's a right answer to this. I think everyone should do not what they think is convenient, but what makes them feel better. My personal feeling is that it's a necessity. Going out partying is as necessary for humans as it is for lions to go hunt in packs. We are animals, and we can't endure continuous mourning or self-flagellation for something we are not guilty of.
Like me, there are many other people I found enjoying a night out in Tel Aviv. I didn't ask them to justify their going out, but I did ask them to talk a bit about it. Firstly, I met two very endearing girls. They were sharing a pizza on a bench after work. On the right, Maya Cohen expressed that "it's a very valid dilemma, because it's a very tense situation. And many people feel the war."
"But not so much in Tel Aviv. Yes, you can still feel it, if you walk down the street here you'll see all the posters of the hostages, so you'll feel the scars of the war, and all the agony and sadness. But Tel Aviv is so intense and it has this nightlife. I think people still want to support the economy."
"You can't just stay at home cuddling your cat all day"
Her friend, Talia Levi, believes that "at first, in the first two months, everything was much tenser. Nobody went out. Instead, now it's better not to think about it for a night. It helps a lot of people. So going out is good."
Regarding Tel Aviv's nightlife, Talia admits that "it's sad. You can see the intense effects of the war. Many bars or restaurants close earlier than usual. Sometimes, there aren't many customers. It's sad because you want to do something. You can't just stay at home cuddling your cat all day."
I continued walking, only to come across a group of four alternative telavivis. They were leaving a bar after having some beers, and were heading back home. Eitan Avraham took the lead: "It was quite good, there were a lot of people."
"It hurts a lot to go out when you know your country is at war. But you have to live"
Between going out or staying at home, Eitan believes that going out "is quite necessary. In some way, I feel wrong for doing it, but still, I believe it's good for my mental health. And I like it. I enjoy it. The streets are full of people, there are a lot of people going out. You really don't feel the war from here, in Tel Aviv. It hurts a lot to go out when you know your country is at war. But you have to live."
Regarding those who choose to stay at home, Eitan expressed that "it's their choice. I won't say anything to them. Because it's probably a great choice for them. I can understand them."
I continued my way until I reached Teder, my favorite spot for Tel Aviv nightlife. At the entrance, there was a couple of Israelis sitting on a bench. She, Li Na Wang, told me that here "I feel like we all tend to distract ourselves, from everything. We can wake up and read the news and feel very sad. But then, we continue with our lives and routines, and then we forget about it."
"It's really strange to forget about it, because it's always there and it's happening right now. During the first months of the war, we talked about it more, and now it became something that is just happening. And we're ignoring it a bit, which is not normal. But we need to keep living our lives. Besides, it's very Tel Avivian to do that. To ignore things. To live in a bubble," she added.
For his part, Amir Aviram regretted that "it's quite complicated. You can feel it in many ways. The war is there, and you can't avoid it by talking to someone else. Eventually, it will be talked about. We're doing our best, and it's tough. At least for me."
"We've come to get drunk and listen to good music"
Regarding those who prefer to stay at home, Amir emphasized that "it's okay. We can't judge them. Besides, it's their way of managing this situation." And when asked about their plan for that night, Li Na smiled: "We've come to get drunk and listen to good music."
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