Israeli tour guide has message for pro-Palestinian protesters in the US: 'Go really learn'

Israeli tour guide has message for pro-Palestinian protesters in the US: 'Go really learn'

Israeli tour guide Yoav Rotem talked through some of the emotions of not only enduring the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, but witnessing pro-Palestinian protests across the U.S.

Rotem has been offering tours in Israel for 18 years. His experience introduces tourists to Israel's food and culture, while also stopping at several sacred sites along the way such as the Western Wall. But the Israel-Hamas war has once again disrupted his job, which was previously put on hold during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. He is currently in the U.S. giving speeches about the conflict and, he told Fox News Digital, trying to refute some falsehoods. 

Hamas fighters launched a surprise attack on Israel  on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah on Oct. 7, resulting in the brutal murder of 1,400 Israelis. As the war approaches a month, as many as 9,900 people have been killed in the war on both sides, including at least 1,400 Israeli civilians and soldiers and 35 Americans. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claims 8,525 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and 111 in the West Bank. At least 10 Americans are feared to be among the 240 people Hamas is holding captive.

"So I can say that my emotions and, you know, many Israeli emotions, my family and everyone, starts with a lot of shock, shame… fear," Rotem told Fox News Digital. "How did it happen to us? And it moved to this emotion that we have to finish it, which, it's us or them. And we're there. We're united around that. We really understand that there is evil and good over here, and we're definitely the good. And there's no doubt about it."   

Rotem said that while the feeling of security has been damaged, the spirit of Israelis is "strong and united against whoever would want to attack us."