No redemption for Hamas

As if Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Mozes did not suffer enough during the 482 days in Hamas captivity they suffered even more during their ghastly transfer from Hamas hands to the Red Cross ambulance earlier today (January 30). Poor Arbel had to pass through a crowd of not just Hamas terrorists in their uniform but also of a terrifying mob of hundreds if not thousands of men and boys in civilian clothes ready to tear Arbel and Gadi into pieces. It was very painful to see the terror in Arbel’s eyes with the screaming and threatening men around her. Nazis could not have set it up better. Who were these men? Hamas in civilian clothes, or, more likely “ordinary” Gazans bringing their children for this show (by the way, they all look really well fed)?

Are the supporters of Hamas, including university students and professors, so called intellectuals, Michael D. Higgins and Pope Francis still shedding their tears for Gaza, shouldn’t they enraged by what we all just witnessed? If what we have seen is the true face of Gaza then this is just another expression of Hannah Arendt’s banality of evil. As hostages together with Palestinian terrorists are released and more negotiations to discuss the so called“end of the war” are to re-start, I wonder why the goal of these talks is called “end of the war”? Hamas is quite open about the opposite – to re-group, i.e., to recruit new terrorists (probably many of them were part of the mob) and rearm so they can attack Israel again. Why aren’t some of the discussed goals, such as humanitarian aid and reconstruction of Gaza made contingent upon degrading Hamas and adherence to real ceasefire, which would include de-militarization guaranteed by Qatar, the main financier and supporter of Hamas? Yes, it is sad to see the rubbles covering Gaza and people coming back to nothing, and it is even more sad and disturbing to see Hamas rearming so they can continue to fight Israel rather than starting cleaning up the rubble and rebuilding housing for their compatriots. But they have no compassion or desire to help their own people, including their family members (unless those are sent to Qatar), the only purpose in their lives is killing Jews. This is a death cult, pure evil with which one cannot negotiate “the end of the war” because this can end only with making Israel Juden-rein. Yes, diplomatic efforts and talks should continue with the goal to free the remaining hostages and with the goal of stopping Hamas resuscitation. One can only hope…

Today is the first day of month Shvat in the Hebrew calendar, with the New Year of Trees coming on Tu B’Shvat, the 15th of Shvat in two weeks. According to Mishna, this is the day when the sap of new trees begins to rise. It is the day of hope and renewal, of renaissance for Jewish people. Let’s try to extend this day for the whole month of Shvat so we can see the redemption of all the hostages and together with the new blossoms of almond trees we, the Jewish people, will unite se we can rise and blossom with hope of new better tidings coming through this Shvat. Shabbat Bo falls on February 1 this year. As Dr.Tehilla Elitzur from Matan Women’s Institute for Torah Studies reminds us that haftora with Jeremiah words will be read on that day: “But fear not, O Jacob My servant, and be not dismayed, O Israel; for I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. And Jacob shall return and be quiet and at ease, and none shall make him afraid”.