Living in a Blackout – The Reality of Smoke and Mirrors

On Tisha B’av, which began on Monday night, we all expected a major Iranian attack to be underway. Every Israeli on the street that I spoke to expected it, as did polls on Telegram news channels. It is the Jewish Day of Mourning, a perfect day for attack, or at least so we felt.

However, as the saddest day in the Jewish calendar dawned on us, our lives suddenly became inconspicuous. The news media, also as per cue, stopped reporting news. All the IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari could tell us is that there was no change in regulations from Home Front Command. The rest of the night was like one of those horror films where you await something happening, simply to wake up the next day as if one had a nightmare. Not only a nightmare, one that was supposed to happen and didn’t.

As such, was the 9th of Av a miracle day for us all? Afterall we all expected an attack and awoke snugly in our beds the next morning. 

The Ability to Not Give an Update

Recent days, news media in Israel has appeared as if we are watching an episode from George Orwell’s 1984. One hears the slogans of Benjamin Netanyahu, and then the chorus of echoes that the IDF is under “full preparedness”. The United States has sent an armada of naval vessels including atleast two aircraft carriers. Iran is imminently planning an attack that will start with Hezbollah. Yet Hezbollah, suddenly believing in psychological warfare, believes the wait, is as important as the end result. Its secretary general Nasrallah, as if speaking in a Turkish soap opera, has turned war talk into a form of masochistic poetry. However, action wise we wait as usual, for the promised “retaliation”.

All detached. All words on a screen or post. Almost as if we are living in another reality and the TV causes us to “tune in”. Almost, if certain actions didn’t have deadly consequences, entertainment, as if we are tuning into a virtual reality action film.

Noise everywhere, yet no actions. Every day we are killing terrorists in some hole. Hezbollah fighters are dying on a daily basis, while the Gazan death toll has reached around 30, 000. Sonic booms over Beirut. Threats to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. Lots of threats. 

Suddenly, there is word that Netanyahu is sending a delegation for a hostage deal of extreme urgency, propped up by the Egyptians, Americans, and Qataris. Will there be a hostage deal? We hope so. However will Marwan Barghouti and many murderers of Jews be freed? We hope not. Then again, there may not be a deal. Does anyone know?

Turn off the news, it is as if the October 7th war ceased to exist at all.

The Domestic Politics of Silence

If a term can be used for the last month, and in a way for a large portion of the duration of the October 7th War is the Silent War. For, unlike President Vladmir Zelensky of Ukraine, who has nightly broadcasts that updates the situation, little is forthcoming from our government. In its stead, we have a government of slogans: “Absolute Victory”, “Together we will win”, “Return all the Hostages Home”. Here and there, a localized area has Home Front Instructions to stay near shelters. Here and there we hear a warplane in the distance.

The expressions of Israelis say it all. Many wanted a hostage deal yesterday. Others still want the hostages home but not at the expense of releasing dangerous terrorists. Many believe we should strike Iran, or at the very least be harsher with Lebanon as 100 000 Israelis remain homeless. Many don’t like Netanyahu and hope elections will happen soon. Others believe he is the best leader that Israel has, and if elections happen again they will proudly vote for him again. Some believe that we are on the verge of a nuclear war, and that when it happens we will be alone. Others believe that there wont be a nuclear war as the costs are too high. Some others believe America is our best friend. Others believe America isn’t serving our interests but we have no choice.

All said, none of them have any control over policy. Like a contained steam pot, the war has shown how the average Israeli is out of loop with the handful of policy makers. We may be a nation of PhDs in Strategic Studies, but except for a few members around Netanyahu, we have as much control as if we lived in another country. 

The Way Ahead

The October 7th War will likely be regarded as days when the people of Israel have become completely detached from the few decision makers that decide how society is to be led. However, the decisions are likely made in concert with the United States who are desperate to avoid a fight with Iran. Many locals do not understand Americans eagerness to contain Iran from a war that is bound to happen anyway (and in a way has been happening at Tehran’s direction since October 7th), and some believe that Americans do not understand the mentality of the Middle East, however a desire to appease or at least to parlay with the Ayatollah regime is at play. With Kamala Harris leading in the polls, most see the situation as only deteriorating in the long term for she will favor the far left. 

As such, have we become the 51st state of the United States in all but name? Are we a Bibistan?

We really do not know. Stories from survivors of October 7th make do about Hamas actions. Otherwise, the 100 000 displaced are shadows in the midst of society moving forward as if there is no war. Hostages continue to languish in Gaza, and the only reason their fate isn’t as shadowy as the rest is due to civil society noise on their behalf.

This is our reality, living in smokes and mirrors in the midst of a war. That is until war as shown as an actual war will hit (air raid sirens are the main reminder these days). 

Even then, we may never truly know what is actually happening. Prayer to Hashem to safeguard us may be the best bet, for he, outside of Netanyahu, appears to be the only one that sees what is truly happening.