Hamas’ Psychological Warfare? Nothing New

Last Thursday, Hamas released fresh videos of their Israeli hostages. Each clip had its own contrived message from the terrorist group. Whilst I don’t think Hamas are scaring anybody, it is important to put these devices in the context of how Torah perceives them. That way, we can continue to strive in the opposite direction and fortify ourselves, our communities, and our nation in this prolonged war.

I could address each video and its intended effect, but for brevity’s sake, I focus on one hostage in particular: my slain neighbor, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Hamas broadcast Hersh’s clip shortly after I returned from visiting his Shiva. In the two-minute recording, Hersh is made out to slam his beloved nation:

“…and worst of all is my own country Israel has been trying to bomb me nonstop so they don’t have to take responsibility and make a deal for their mistake of leaving me behind!”

Naturally, the claim that Israel’s Air Force was trying to kill Hersh is ludicrous, and the timing of the clip’s release (four days after his funeral) was abhorrent.  But it does little good to dwell on this. Telling everyone how callous Israel’s enemies are does not seem to achieve a great deal, so let us instead use the opportunity to better understand how they operate.

Hamas deploy psychological warfare as a matter of course. Unpredictable rocket attacks and ferocious threats are key elements of their strategy. Since emerging in the 1980s, Hamas have not been known for their competence, although October 7^th indicated that sponsors and mentors in Iran have bequeathed a veneer of ruthless professionalism. These aspects are present in Hersh’s clip, from the sound of a rapidly ticking clock to the distortions and echoes in his voice, all designed to create a sense of panic. Seeing Hersh castigate Israel is supposed to bring us to our knees. At least, that is what Hamas hope.

Hopefully we know better. Psychological warfare is not a new phenomenon, and the Torah warns us to be on our guard:

“אל תראו ואל תחפזו ואל תערצו מפניהם”

“Do not fear and do not panic and do not dread them [the adversary]”

-Deuteronomy 20:3

Back then it was the banging of drums, the shriek of war horses, the clashing of shields and the glitter of swords (Sotah 44b). The 21^st Century equivalent is online. Hamas flex their muscles in videos that exhibit their military stockpile, and yes, attempt to show the submission of Israeli hostages.

Whilst war can be a time of compromises, the Torah is quite clear that ceding to fear is not one of them. The opening topic of this week’s parsha, the אשת יפת תואר is one such compromise. Whilst intermarriage in any other circumstance is prohibited, there is a halachic possibility for the beleaguered Jewish soldier to go down this path. Rules of Kashrut can also play second fiddle to the exigencies of the battlefield. Fear, however, is never an option:

“מִי־הָאִ֤ישׁ הַיָּרֵא֙ וְרַ֣ךְ הַלֵּבָ֔ב”

Who is the man that is frightened and faint of heart?

-Deuteronomy 20:8

Any scared soldiers are commanded to go home. There is no admission for the faint-hearted, like there might be for the philanderer. There can be no space to let fear creep into the ranks.

Psychological warfare and fear creation has destructive potential. It is important to push back with full strength.

I conclude with the thoughts of Rebbe Nachman about wartime fears:

“כשהוא חזק בדעתו ומסתכל תמיד על התכלית, אז לא יוכלו לעמוד נגדו שום אויב ושונא”

“If a person is strong in his mind and looks continually at the true purpose of matters, no enemy can stand against him”

Providing we know what Hamas are trying to do, we know that the battle to be “a free people in our land” does not end with Hersh, but instead we fight ever harder to ensure these tragedies are not in vain. That way, we show Hamas’ sick taunts to be as pathetic as they truly are.