A number of people from metro Atlanta are in Israel trying to find their way home following this weekend’s violent attack. The Israeli consulate here in Atlanta is working directly with Delta Air Lines to get them home. See video of Atlanta residents trying to evacuate Israel.
As reported, two church groups from Loganville were among the Americans trying to return home Monday after the massive attack on Israel by Hamas, the Palestinian terror group. “The lead pastor for Graystone Church posted on social media that they were on their final flight back to Atlanta.” First Baptist Church of Loganville’s co-pastor Chase Snyder said “they are still working out a way home.”
Snyder is quoted as saying: “We are heartbroken to see the violence that is unfolding in Israel and Palestine. Last week a group from our church traveled to Israel to tour the Holy Land.” Snyder elaborated with more details regarding those in Israel: “We are in close contact with them and are grateful to know that they are safe. Their travel agency is working diligently to secure flights home, and we will continue to pray until they return.”
Snyder added that “We are praying for our team’s safe return home and for the conflict to end quickly.” Dov Wilker, the southeast director of the American Jewish Committee said “there are many other families and student groups there right now for the holiday Shemini Atzeret.”
Also, according to posts on social media, a member of the Georgia Senate is currently on a trip to Israel with his mother. “Sen. Russ Goodman, who represents District 8 in south Georgia, posted a video of an American flag being raised on a boat on the Sea of Galilee.”
Goodman provided some background for his trip to Israel. Goodman said that his mom “asked him several months back if he would go with her on a trip to the ‘holy land.’” On social media, Goodman shared photos of him “standing on top of Mount Precipice with Nazareth in the background and of him and his mom standing on top of Mt. Carmel.”
Responding to numerous texts from friends and family in south Georgia, Goodman informed “that he and his mother are safe and being well taken care of.”
Addressing the devastating attack on Israel by Hamas, Dov Wilker, exclaimed: “It has absolutely been one of the most difficult days in my life. It’s been painful to think about what’s going on with my family and friends. I’m constantly checking to see how they’re doing.” Regarding the Hamas attacks, Wilker emphasized their indiscriminate quality. “They are doing this whether someone is Jewish or not. They are seeking to destroy.”