Icelandic priest recounts chaotic experience during Hamas attack in Israel

During a recent visit to Israel, Thorhallur Heimisson, an Icelandic priest, recounted the chaotic experiences he lived through when Hamas launched an attack last year. Heimisson was leading a group of approximately one hundred tourists in Israel when the invasion occurred, resulting in widespread uncertainty regarding their safety and departure.

He described the situation as utter chaos, with no one knowing what would happen next. Concerned primarily for their survival, the group was eventually taken to a bomb shelter located beneath their hotel after witnessing missile fire. “It was just chaos in my memory,” he noted, reflecting on the anxiety that engulfed the group throughout that day.

Despite the harrowing memories, Heimisson expressed his gratitude that everyone returned home safely, aided by Icelandic officials. As a priest based in Sweden, he continues to travel and lead groups to various destinations, including his frequent visits to Israel where he knows many people.

Today, Heimisson finds himself troubled by the ongoing turmoil in the region, often thinking about the safety of those living in Israel. “I care deeply about this land and its people, on both sides of the conflict,” he stated.

In his current role in Malmö, he experiences heightened tension surrounding Jewish communities, similar to what he observed in Israel. Recently in Rome, he noted the armed police presence in Jewish neighborhoods, emphasizing the prevailing anxiety that resonates with his experiences in Sweden. “There are armed police protecting schools where many Jewish children are; the tension is palpable,” he explained.