The Last Soldier Sept 2013

It was windy and rainy in Jerusalem, December, 2012. I didn't expect otherwise. But what I didn't expect was the reaction that I would get from all of the Israeli soldiers. That took adjusting to...
I was walking to the Kotel with my fellow Bergen County sisters of the Bergen JWRP group. We were 17 in total. I wanted to take some pictures with our protectors, our Israeli soldiers, particularly the young women. I also wanted to tell them about my charity back in the States, Bears from Bergenfield. I thought that they would support our cause and appreciate the efforts that I was exerting. Little did I know...
I found a group of soldiers and stood with them to take their pictures. I enjoyed standing with all of the poses. I then mentioned the charity. I waited for their smiles.
None. I didn't get it. I waited a bit more. Now I was confused, big time.
"Why the silence?" I wondered out loud. "You have nothing to say?" oy did I open a can of worms. 
One leader type soldier stepped forward, and in her best English spoke up.."Eh, you don't understand, do you?" I thought to myself, "understand what?" I shook my head.
The other soldiers nodded. It felt like it was me and them. 
"It's very nice that you send toys. But we don't want toys. We want peace. Every time that you send us another toy, it just reminds us of that we need to comfort yet another child. We don't have peace. We fight for peace. We live for peace. We die for peace. You go and send toys. Send us peace instead." I expected blunt, but not this blunt. I did get what they were saying but how does one go and package peace? if Obama can't figure it out, how was I going to? All I knew was toys and pretending that peace would come. All Obama knows is how to toy with me and the rest of the world and say that if Netanyahu follows Obama's plans, then Israel would have peace. I know not to listen to Obama's policies, that it would bring about political suicide. But I do not know how to exchange toys for peace. 
"I pray that I will be the last soldier ever called up. "the leader spoke again. The rest of the soldiers nodded. "And you nice lady, won't have to send over any more toys."