This week’s letter from Israel – March 8, 2024

March 8, 2024

My dearest friends,

After 150 days of denial and deafening silence, it’s now official. Last Monday, the UN finally published its report confirming the rapes and horrendous sexual assaults that took place in the Hamas offensive of October 7. The report presents evidence of the raping of dead bodies and the execution of naked women with their hands tied behind their backs. The report also refers to sexual abuse of the hostages and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.

This report is based on 36 in-depth interrogations, 5,000 photographs and 50 hours of video footage.

Twenty-two weeks have passed since the October 7 massacre. During this time, I’ve written and published 22 blog pieces. The aim of these weekly pieces was to help maintain awareness of the outrageous atrocities. It was my way of memorializing the victims and keeping the plight of the hostages alive.

Fighting BBC and Al Jazeera was easy. They had the resources. But we had the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The dismissive comments made by Al Jazeera’s journalists at Monday’s press conference proves they won’t allow themselves to be confused by the facts. They referred to the UN report as “an endorsement of the Israeli narrative”.

The descriptions of the atrocities committed on October 7 were so unimaginable that they negatively impacted the authenticity of the savagery. It took me a few days to fully comprehend the gravity of the situation. Shocked and outraged as I was, I never expected anything better from Hamas. Their actions were consistent with their Charter.

I was moved by the initial expressions of solidarity from the more enlightened leaders of the Free World. I knew the shelf-life of this solidarity was limited, but I never realized just how brittle their resolve and moral clarity really are. Fighting terror is dirty work. It requires commitment and fortitude. It doesn’t provide photo-opportunities for expedient politicians. It’s a job that needs to be done and only true leaders can deliver.

The behavior of the international community after the events of October 7, disappoints me to the core. Their leaders are more interested in recommending UNRWA for a Nobel Peace prize. Reality shows have better television ratings than monotonous footage of underground tunnels and never-ending firing of missiles into Israel.

Will justice ever be done? I doubt it.

The UN has yet to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization. China believes Hamas is the elected representative of the Palestinian people. When asked about her country’s opinion on the matter, Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations, replied smugly, “South Africa’s position on Hamas is in line with the United Nations.”

Hamas is clearly a terrorist organization. The events of October 7 prove that. If those weren’t acts of terror, what exactly is terror? For as long as the Free World continues to bluff itself and avoid recognizing the facts, terror will continue to plague our world.

US Vice-President, Kamala Harris, blamed Israel for not doing enough to ease the “humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza” and called for an immediate ceasefire. To be fair, she added that this was part of a deal that would free hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7.

But being fair also requires being clear. Certified Public Accountants call it “fair disclosure”. It’s a fundamental requirement of any policy statement. Yet, Ms. Harris failed to advise her audience that the contemplated deal anticipates the release of only “around 40” of the 134 hostages. So, let me ask the obvious question. What about the remaining 94 hostages?

The time has come to speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. A ceasefire will only intensify the next round of hostilities. It will protect and provide impunity to the ruthless Hamas leadership and what remains of its military infrastructure. It will enable Hamas to rearm and regroup. It will enable the release of around 400 convicted terrorists and implies abandoning the 94 hostages who will remain in captivity.

It may help her upcoming election campaign, but it doesn’t help the hostages.

Resolving a “humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza” requires the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages. All the hostages are an integral part of the “humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza”. What makes the hostages unique in this situation, is that they are excluded from the truckloads and parachuted humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza. The Red Cross, UNRWA and other UN agencies service Hamas and the people of Gaza. They’re doing absolutely nothing to ease the plight of the hostages.

Being politically correct may have its advantages in the short term, but, at the end of the day, people are elected to get difficult jobs done. Kamala Harris should be aware of that. The Free World needs leaders who can make difficult and challenging decisions, even when they might be considered controversial.

Some more bad news for the Free World.

George Galloway, was re-elected to the House of Commons as the member for Rochdale. A few months ago, he went on record saying there were no rapes on October 7. Galloway despises Jews. He makes no secret of it. He has no allegiance to the truth or to any acceptable moral standard. What does this say about those who elected him to power?

The so-called “Free World” is not in good shape. Its leadership prefers comfort and convenience. It avoids challenge and controversy. Its democratic values and freedoms are in decay. Its priorities serve its short-term interests. Worst of all, it refuses to recognize, outlaw and fight terror.

Sadly, the Free World is no longer free.

My condolences to those mourning their nearest and dearest. My wishes to the injured for a complete and speedy recovery. May God protect our brave soldiers. May the hostages soon be reunited with their families. May you all be blessed with good health to see smiles on the faces of your loved ones for many years to come.

Wishing you all Shabbat Shalom and better times ahead.

Am Yisrael Chai.

Harris Zvi Green.