THAT’S WHERE LOVE GROWS
Seeking truth
In a world where misinformation and fake news are rampant, it is crucial to seek truth actively. Sometimes, it means taking in truths that are difficult to hold. These are the first steps in making informed decisions and meaningful actions that contribute to a better future.
Many leaders, individuals, and groups worldwide are aggressively demanding a ceasefire.
Many leaders, individuals, and groups worldwide are aggressively demanding a ceasefire. What they are asking for is that Israel lay their weapons down.
Notably, most people are not aware that a ceasefire was already in place on October 7, 2023 – the day Hamas attacked civilians in Israel. This makes it clear that a ceasefire would not cause Hamas to refrain from savage attacks on Israel. Click here for more about the hostages.
A ceasefire without mutual compromise and agreement gives Hamas the green light to attack again. Hamas’ leadership is clear that they will attack again. This is a major reason Israel, and the US do not support an unconditional ceasefire. I hope this does not change.
Hamas vows to repeat the attack
Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas official, has vowed to repeat the horrific terror attacks on Israel “again and again” until the country is destroyed, insisting Israel has “no place on our land.” We know this to be true because Hamas tells Israel and the world in video. Click here to link to a video. This is the reason Israel seeks to eliminate Hamas. This mission is about Israel’s survival, not revenge.
Another video of this Hamas official vowing to repeat attacks on Israel. He says it is their right. https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/hamas-official-vows-repeat-attacks-on-israel-this-is-our-legal-right-196999237771. This is not a secret.
What is it Hamas seeks? Islamic rule. You can read it in the Doctrine of Hamas | Wilson Center. They will not stop at Israel if successful.
Demanding Israel accept a ceasefire without offering an alternative means for security is supporting her destruction. There has been little, if any, dialog about security and many ongoing demands for ceasefire. One cannot happen without the other. Furthermore, there is minimal expression of remorse about the savage attack where civilians were tortured, raped, and murdered in the most excruciating ways. These images remain burned into the consciousness of those who saw them. They cannot be unseen. Any ceasefire agreement must include considerations for Israel’s security.
If Israel stops fighting, it will be the end of this Jewish state.
Hamas leadership is forcing Israel’s hand to respond. They knew what they were doing and how Israel would respond. Hamas could stop the war and save lives right now if they desire.
CONDITIONS FOR CEASEFIRE
1) Unconditional release of all hostages
2) Complete disarmament of Hamas
3) Surrender of those who perpetrated hostilities
4) Abandonment of “River to the sea” cause.
Anything Else?
Israel, Hamas, and Gaza
Hamas is not concerned about the many civilians living and dying in Gaza. We know this because their infrastructure is planted beneath homes, mosques, hospitals, schools to the local civilian community. Hamas initiated a savage attack knowing they were forcing Israel to retalliate. Hamas and their colleagues are making use of propaganda (ex Al Jazeera) to promote their agenda.
It is relevant to remember the atrocities of October 7 – that babies were burned and beheaded, women raped and gang raped and walked through the streets dead and alive, parents – bound and gagged, were forced to watch their children tortured, burned, and killed, as well as children being forced to watch parents and so much more. These things cannot be unseen.
Hamas set this death and destruction in Israel into play. They and their partners are “working it”
Thankfully, Israel is making headway in the process of disarming Hamas. The Times of Israel reports that Israel destroyed a ‘vast tunnel network’ and captured 200 Hamas gunmen, and dozens were killed today, December 24, 2023. Click here for more on this.
EXISTENTIAL THREAT for Israel
The goal for Israel in this war is survival.
Hamas is not interested in a peaceful compromise or a two-state solution. They want Israel annihilated.
It is impossible to negotiate with someone who exists to kill you.
The Hamas doctrine below, and terrorist actions demonstrate that they want the land. Hamas will do whatever is needed to reach their goal, including killing Israelis, Gazans, Jews, and whoever they deem to be is in their way.
HAMAS IS OCCUPYING GAZA
Palestinians in Gaza are being used as human shields
Hamas is using civilians as human shields. This terrorist organization intentionally built a city of tunnels beneath civilian homes and public spaces – for more on what was found, click on this link. There is no separation. They knew that by doing this, there would be no designated “civilian” territory, a safe space for the Palestinians living in Gaza. Most of it is infected by Hamas; military bases. This is Hamas’ plan. Israel’s response was no surprise to anyone. Hamas leaders planned to ignite sympathy for their cause by means of setting up the people of Gaza.
This is an existential crisis for Israel and Gaza. Hamas is the enemy, both occupying Gaza and Israel. Gaza and its people have been and are being victimized by Hamas’ occupation. See Palestinians vent against Hamas in a rare online event from January 2022.
Not only that, the aid sent to mitigate the challenges in Gaza by the international community is not getting to the people. In this recent video (December 7, 2023,) BBC shared a video of a Gazan woman telling Al-Jazeera that Hamas is stealing all the aid. This is how this terrorist organization operates.
Hamas and Qatar
Hamas leaders live in Qatar. This is the home base for Al Jazeera News, which is funded by Qatari billionaires. These leaders live in luxury far away from the battle in Gaza. They and their loved ones are not at risk. The people of Gaza are suffering the consequences of their war.
The blood spilled in Gaza is on Hamas. They are cowards hiding behind civilians.
Israel seeks Survival
Over 1200 civilians were brutally murdered on that day, and over 3000 Israeli civilians were wounded. Hamas took hostages, 240 of them ranging in age from infants to elderly, including Shoah survivors. Negotiations brought the release of 105 Israeli hostages at this time.
Hamas officials are committed to creating havoc, humiliating, and destroying Israeli lives. The lives of Gazans are peripheral damage to Hamas. They left a sadistic trail of blood, torture, and bodies behind them, and they promised that, given a chance, they would do it again and again. This is the sole reason that Israel is focused on eliminating Hamas.
ISRAEL
I love Israel. Caring rebuke is an act of love. Netanyahu’s government has made serious mistakes. They are being judged by the international media.
Israelis took to the streets in protest
This year, Israelis took to the streets day after day for months in protest of Netanyahu’s government. Tens of thousands of protestors took to the streets. Below you will find a couple of matters they are protesting about.
West Bank and Palestine
Israelis have built settlements on the West Bank. This has been ongoing for decades. There are many reports of abuse by settlers that the IDF empowers. Palestinians can not differentiate between settlers and the IDF through dress of actions. Sadly, the Israeli government has turned a blind on this. The present government does not discourage this action.
Accountability and ethics require Israel keep promises made. The settlements are large; over half million people live in them, according to the internet. Palestinians have the right to live their lives and flourish. There needs to be resolution about this issue. Contacts in Israel report (unconfirmed) that the talks are in place to provide the Palestinians with land to help compensate for the land taken by settlers. Financial compensation is also a possibility. Trust need to be cultivated on both sides. Sadly, Israel loses credibility in the world view by allowing this matter to continue. The time to start is now. Everyone must be held accountable for their actions for justice and peace to prevail.
Bring peace now, right now!
judicial reform
The so-called “reasonableness” bill removes the power of the Supreme Court (and lower courts) to veto government decisions deemed unreasonable. It takes power away from Israel’s supreme court and allows the government’s actions to go unchecked.
Gaza
Huge numbers of losses and deaths have been reported in Gaza by Hamas. No doubt there has been a substantial loss of life and property, the destruction is intense. Hamas, however, is not a trustworthy source of information. They are a terrorist organization. Hamas knew what they were doing when they created a city of tunnels with money meant to help Gazan civilians to develop an infrastructure to provide jobs and support the community. Gaza is has beach front property that could have been a wonderful holiday destination. This wonderful resource has been allowed to go to waste.
Hamas is guilty. Much of public opinion is generated from reports of their propaganda machine. The appearance is deceptive. It looks bad for Israel on the public stage to the uninformed. We cannot know what the reality is unless we are “boots on the ground.” More information will be made available over time.
Israel has made progress in disarming Hamas – they found leaders and gunmen, an underground city made of miles of tunnels, and depots of ammunition. More will be revealed in due time. I sit with interest and curiosity. My (liberal oriented) contacts in Israel are concerned that the IDF is not going deeply enough into the infrastrucutre Hamas built.
stay human
Israel must take the high road. This means supporting the well-being of all people living in Israel. No exceptions. It has never been more urgent. Accountability, and humanitarianism go a long way. Anything else makes Israel untrustworthy in the worldview.
Israel, the Jewish people, and her allies lose credibility as a result of bad actions the currrent government has allowed. Activity like the settlers’ actions in the West Bank and Netanyahu’s government tampering with the judicial system. Israel can do better than that. We must.
Everyone is a world unto themselves.
It is more important now to remember that all peoples, all groups, are made up of individuals. Often, some people are at odds with government decisions. Remember whenTrump was presidnt? Many Americans did not agree with his policies, thisis true of the Biden presidency as well. Jews, like all peoples, are not of a single mind. The same is true of the Palestinians in Gaza are not of a single mind as well. They are being subjugated by Hamas, a terrorist organiztion.
This means that we can reach across the aisle; as it were, there is likely someone on the “other” side with the same opinion. This can sow seeds of peace.
Israel has the right and responsibility to protect herself.
We all need each other, no exceptions.
We are all interconnected and need one another. It has never been more critical Climate Change is putting Earth at risk. This war and the terrible war in Ukraine are distracting attention from existential threats that put the entire Earth and her population at risk.
In the end, I go back to bearing witness and not knowing. There is only one thing I do know, said by my beloved teacher of blessed memory.
The only way we can get it togther, is together.
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi zt”l
