UPDATE

Hi, just wanted to check in. I’ve been quiet on Substack, partly due to a couple of health reasons and also because I’ve been working on a book. I’ve continued to be just as active on social media - which is where the real information war is. So I haven’t disappeared entirely. I appreciate those of you who’ve stuck with me and who get that your Substack subscriptions have allowed me to continue that fight.

Your support has also allowed me to work on my book. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done and is an account of the past two years unlike anything I believe anyone else has done or will do. If you believe anything I’ve done in this war has merit, then I promise that this book far supersedes that. It’s also completely illustrated by me - so I’ve set myself a pretty epic task. But I’m getting there. The book is expected to be released next spring.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Follow me at @leekern13 on instagram and X if you don’t already.

Below are a couple of illustrations.

Beneath that is a short thing I wrote two weeks ago at the start of the recent war with Iran to give you a sense of what the vibe is like here.

Sending all my love.

Speak soon,

Lee

Society at war

Sunlight in Bialik Square

WAR

It’s a beautiful day here in Tel Aviv. There is crisp sunshine giving sparkle to the buildings and sunlight is gathered in the trees. People have smiles on their faces. Because we are at war. Sirens sound. We go to bomb shelters. Villains are trying to kill us. And we are smiling. I went for a walk earlier and saw a rabbi I know and we hugged and expressed joy at what a happy time this is. People are trying to kill us. And we are happy. Not because we are psychopaths. Not because we are warmongers. But because we are realists with hearts full of hope. Realists because people have been trying to murder us for two years. They would slit every neck in this land if they could. Hopeful because we put our shoulder to the wheel and saw what happens if you put your mind to action. Realiars because we understand personal and collective sacrifice. Hopeful because we have seen off our enemies one by one. And so we are happy for this fresh round of war that might actually end an evil once and for all. We are happy to receive rockets if it gives us a puncher’s chance of knocking our abuser to the canvas. As I look at social media today I see a great irony. Those who live in countries with the most peace are the most scared in this world. Whilst we who live among war are the happiest. The media and the internet - with the aid of useful idiots and your enemies - have conditioned westerners to be scared. But through first hand experience we have been conditioned into resilience. We have become so accustomed to steadying the heart and the mind that wobbles are mild and infrequent. Our thresholds are different. Our analysis of risk far more precise and level headed. And because of that we understand that in this life there are moments that come around. Moments where the treasure of reward far outweighs the intimidation of risk. We have seen through our own hands - and our will - that the sheer audacity to win overcomes all odds. This century belongs to those who live without fear.