Colombia earthquake ‘reminded me of Israel’s sirens and bombs,’ Israeli in Bogota tells 'Post'
As the earthquake struck, an Israeli family experienced “something beautiful” when Colombians gathered around them and asked the family to bless them.
Israeli resident Fernando Chaim Bisker described the recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia’s coastal Choco province as reminiscent of Israel's sirens and bombs. The quake, which occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, killed at least 21 people and trapped an unknown number under rubble. Its epicenter was near San José del Palmar, with the quake originating at a depth of 79 km.
Bisker, his wife Chaya, and their two children were on holiday in Cali until yesterday, when they flew to the capital city of Bogotá. They are currently safe, as their new home is designed to withstand earthquakes. However, the tremor was extremely unsettling for Bisker. He was having breakfast after morning prayers when the shaking intensified, prompting them to exit their home and hold onto walls due to the intense shaking.
Bisker recounted the sight of buildings shaking violently on the street, likening it to scenes from movies but never experiencing it in real life. From the street in his pajamas with his two children, he witnessed the extraordinary act of kindness displayed by the local residents. Despite initial thoughts of widespread hate, Bisker was touched by the outpouring of support.
People in the street approached him, wearing kippot and declaring "Viva Israel" and asking for blessings. This unexpected display of love towards the Jewish community provided a stark contrast to the prevailing narrative of hatred.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
