Chai Noon

What we wanted to hear from not only our own leaders, but from those whom we call our friends, is finally being said: give us back our people, or we will destroy you. 

President Donald Trump has basically given Israel the privilege of deciding the next phase in the war against Hamas: If by twelve o’clock this coming Shabbat the hostages – all the hostages – are not released, then, at Israel’s discretion, there should be hell to pay. Prime Minister Netanyahu has since stated that the war will resume, and troops are being redeployed south. 

The cacophony of critics (!) is startling. This should have been Israel’s policy from October 8. What, we need a non-Jewish foreign leader to allow us to defend and protect ourselves? Are we endangering the lives of the remaining hostages? 

Disturbingly, the answer to all three questions is yes.

First, while the previous US administration paid lip service to the “ironclad  commitment” to our security, they actually prolonged the war by not only protecting the right of the civilians in Gaza to remain there, but also made us responsible for their welfare; they placed no pressure on any other country to take them in; they put conditions on military support – don’t go here, or else, don’t go there, or else. In extending the war, they endangered not only the hostages, but also our soldiers. But we were subject to the pressure because we are dependent on their support. Biden’s White House would never have tolerated unilateral action, and so we caved to the constraints. 

Second, the same way that we were reined in by a foreign leader’s agenda, we are now unbridled by a foreign leader’s agenda. Trump’s understanding and attitude to the Israel-Arab conflict is, if I may, unburdened by what has been. Rather than lament that it did not come from within, we should take advantage of the opportunity provided from without. 

Furthermore, had someone in Israel – political or military – put forth such a position, there would have been significant support, but no less significant criticism, which would have increased the threat to the lives of the hostages.      

Which brings us to third. I am of the opinion that Hamas would never let all of the hostages go. As I have said previously, Hamas is Evil. Evil does what it does, and says what it says, in order to perpetuate and achieve its agenda. The taking of  hostages was about more than freeing terrorists in Israel’s prisons. There is a kind of psychological rape of the people of Israel. We have seen and heard of the cruel conditions to which the hostages are subjected, even upon release. Not only are the families of the hostages affected. We as a nation share that pain, but we as a nation begin to question our next step: agree to a deal, or not; a deal at any price, or no deal. With the tax on our hearts and minds, we turn on each other with accusations of political agendas and heartless apathy for those being held and their loved ones. Hamas will continue this strategy, because it maintains their power. 

Will taking the fight to Hamas, and allowing for “all hell to break out” free the hostages, or bring them back alive? My crystal ball is a little murky on this, but again, what we have tried before has not worked. This just might. Our most significant ally sees this as a viable position.