Hostages, Slavery and Freedom
A Reflection of Despair, and Contrasts, and the Path Forward
This week has been an emotional whirlwind. The release of three hostages—Emily, Romi, and Doron—brought waves of relief and joy, yet it served as a poignant reminder of the 94 hostages (living? dead? under what conditions? still held captive). The haunting images of these young women, surrounded by armed terrorist militias and paraded as propaganda, remain etched in memory. The reckless spread of twisted media narratives and weaponized pain further compounds the anguish.
Amid these emotional highs and lows, a stark contrast emerged. President Trump called it “a great day of hope for the future.” But as I watched the rhetoric and celebrations emanating from Gaza, optimism seemed distant. The scenes offered no signs of peace or progress, only amplified promises of further bloodshed and destruction.
The Gaza war was and is used to spread lies and blood libels. Just look at this troubling post by Tim Schwab in his Substack post titled ‘Is philanthropy profiting from genocide?, accusing the Gates Foundation of investing $16 billion in Companies that divestment campaigns link to Israel occupation, displacement and ethnic cleansing in Gaza ” Note the use of words imply that Israel is guilty of (all the four Big Lies in one heading).
This dangerous distortion of facts feeds into a narrative of misinformation. Gaza is not experiencing genocide. Equating it to the Holocaust—a systematic extermination of six million Jews—is a gross and offensive misrepresentation of history. Tim Schwab’s Post
While many of these narratives are fuelled by Anti-semitism which is now morphed into anti-Israelism. A recent survey by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), reported in The Wall Street Journal, found that 46% of adults worldwide harbour antisemitic attitudes, with approximately 2.2 billion people displaying such sentiments. Alarmingly, 21% believe the Holocaust is exaggerated or never happened, while 20% have never heard of it. Younger adults under 35 show particularly high levels of antisemitism, with 50% holding such views and only 39% acknowledging the Holocaust as historically accurate. The survey highlighted regional disparities, with the Middle East, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa exhibiting the highest levels of antisemitism. At the same time, Western Europe and Oceania showed comparatively lower levels (around 20% !!).
So, the challenge is that the cards are stacked against us. Can we combat this? With International Holocaust Remembrance Day approaching, we face an opportunity to challenge the bias and misinformation against Israel. This day can serve as a springboard to educate about the Holocaust, highlight Israel’s contributions to humanity, and counter antisemitism masquerading as political criticism. While one day alone cannot shift entrenched narratives, it can spark global awareness and foster understanding. By leveraging education, social media campaigns, and interfaith dialogues, we can combat prejudice and promote a more balanced perspective on Israel and the Jewish people. Change requires sustained effort, but this moment can be a powerful step forward.
The Duality of Conflict in Two Photos
Two photos this week captured the tragic duality of the conflict. On one side, Israelis embraced life and sanctity, enduring the bitter pill of releasing hardened terrorists to bring loved ones home. On the other, Hamas celebrated death, vowing more massacres akin to October 7. Their rhetoric offered no vision for hope or progress, only the grim promise of continued violence.
These images reflect an unbridgeable chasm. One side cherishes life; the other glorifies death. One dreams of freedom; the other thrives on hatred. Bridging such a gap, when fundamental values are at odds, remains an immense challenge.
In her Substack blog, An Obscene Spectacle, Melanie Phillips captures the moral depravity of these celebrations, urging readers to confront the reality of what is unfolding. Melanie Phillips’ Blog
Credit to Sky News Australia for airing this video:
Sky News host Sharri Markson outlines the “stark difference” between the “barbaric terrorism” of Hamas-controlled Gaza and the “peaceful celebration of love” in Israel. This comes amid the release of three Israeli hostages after 471 days in captivity. “This disgusting display of terrorism, of brutality. It’s everything we should and do reject as a western democracy,” Ms Markson said. “And this is the place that Penny Wong and Anthony Albanese, and the entire morally corrupt Federal Labor government would reward with statehood.”
I found this post. This sums it up!!
Insights from Einat Wilf
Einat Wilf, a former member of Israel’s Knesset representing the left-wing Labour party, and a former intelligence officer in the IDF’s elite Unit 8200, offers a sharp and insightful perspective on the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Having started her political career on the left, Wilf has undergone a profound shift in her understanding of the conflict, now advocating for a more pragmatic and uncompromising approach to peace.
Wilf argues that the Palestinians / Arabs’ refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state is the central obstacle to peace. This rejection has consistently thwarted every peace initiative, including the 1947 UN Partition Plan and all subsequent peace offerings, which sought to establish two states for two peoples. The refusal stems not from disputes over borders or settlements but from an ideological opposition to the existence of a Jewish state in any part of the land. She asserts that this issue perpetuates the conflict and remains the greatest barrier to peace.
Wilf also critiques UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency), arguing that it exacerbates the problem by entrenching the refugee narrative rather than resolving it. The call to dismantle UNRWA reflects the urgent need to address the root causes of the conflict, including the international community’s role in perpetuating it.
Her journey from a left-wing politician advocating for compromise to a vocal critic of the foundational obstacles to peace underscores her commitment to confronting hard truths. Wilf’s perspective highlights that the conflict is not primarily about land, but about the refusal to accept Israel’s legitimacy as a Jewish state. Until this issue is resolved, peace will remain unattainable.
From Ancient Egypt to Modern Hostages
This week’s Torah portion recounts the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt, an enduring symbol of hope and freedom. Yet today, the same call for freedom is twisted into a rallying cry to dismantle the Jewish state. Israel’s story teaches resilience and a commitment to life, values we uphold as we fight for the remaining 94 hostages and combat the lies fueling this conflict.
Justice, Freedom, and the Path Forward
Throughout history, justice and freedom have driven movements for equality, from the Exodus to the abolition of slavery and the end of apartheid. Yet today, the misguided “Free Palestine” movement often masks an agenda of violence and destruction. True advocacy must champion peace, coexistence, and human dignity.
The global community must reject movements that glorify terror. Upholding truth and justice requires courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to sanctifying life. The Exodus story reminds us that the fight for freedom continues—a call to shine light in a world darkened by hatred.
In my Parsha reflections, I’ve written about the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt and how their liberation became a symbol of hope and freedom throughout history. Today, this same banner of hope is twisted into a rallying cry for a “free Palestine,” not to build a state, but to deny the Jewish state’s existence. Link : (5) Home | Substack
I invite you to read and/or subscribe to my Soul of Israel blog on Substack for deeper insights. In it, I explore the intersection of ancient Biblical truths and their relevance today. (1) Soul of Israel | Substack