Sensitivity

I work as a chaplain at a hospital and was trained in Clinical Pastoral Education courses how to enter a patient’s room and be cordial, caring, empathetic and Gd forfend, not to say the “wrong thing”, i.e. something insensitive or untoward.

The Prime Minister’s words towards hostage families, as reported in these pages from multiple sources strike me as quite callous, I am sorry to say. From private recordings to more public forums, I shocked and appalled to hear of Bibi’s interactions with those going through hell.

We all realize the immense pressure that Netanyahu is under and while there are skeptics with various lines of critique about him that may hold some truth, I do believe on the whole he is trying to fight for Israel and keep the country safe from future threats.

However, I cannot overlook the way that he is reported to speak with the hostage families. Minimizing their pain, saying that he himself went through similar experiences as a soldier in training, commenting that October 7th Israel did not “lose” anything.

It’s not just him. Unfortunately, there has been bitter words tossed around between hostage families and various members of Knesset since October 7th. As someone who abhors conflict and enjoys the pleasant atmosphere of comradery, these interactions are too painful to quote, but readers are free to relive them if they so choose. It is obvious that tensions are high and naturally people get defensive and do not want to make themselves feel responsible for harming innocent Israelis. But to me, part of being a public figure is to bow one’s head at the pain of others and remain silent if nothing of value is possible to be uttered in that moment.

Jewish tradition teaches that when faced with adversity and pain, people will often say things in a rash way. We are taught not to provoke these individuals in any way; rather we have to accept their anger and grief as a natural human emotion.

No one asked for this war and all of its accompanying pain and suffering but it is here and sadly it has brought with it painful words.

It has also brought out profoundly powerful messages from some of the hostage families or families of fallen soldiers. Relying on their faith, they promote heroic actions for the nation to emulate as they remain positive and resolute, praising Israel and the IDF’s tenacious resilience.

May Gd bring back our hostages soon.