In reading this excellent post, it finally hit me. If I were a hostage in Gaza, and I knew with reasonable certainty that by sacrificing my life in the absolute obliteration of Hamas, I would explicitly be saving the lives of my son, daughter and future grandchildren from future terrorism, then I would have the IDF do exactly what it’s doing now.
Hamas needs to be completely eliminated as a force and yes, as an idea (it has been done before and can be done again). It must be so decimated that no one will ever believe that they can succeed against Israel. That’s the only path to peace.
I am blown away by your idea, but it occurs to me that Jewish families in Masada sacrificed themselves to be free from Rome. Israel cannot free tomorrow's terrorists - and Iran et al must be stopped. What a horrible situation. Barbaric!
Thank you. This is Israel’s worst dilemma but unfortunately not its only one. This war has laid bare a myriad of Sophie’s choices:
1. Be admired by the world or feared by our enemies
2. Bomb hospitals/ schools/ humanitarian areas when Hamas hides within them with human shields including the hostages possibly
3. Withdraw from disputed territory so that Israel can remain both Jewish and democratic, but it leaves genocidal neighbours. Or remain as an occupying army when the population is exhausted and too tiny to indefinitely control the area.
The list could go on and on, but you get the picture. The Republic of Iran and Qatar have checkmated Israel. We can only cut our losses.
Very well explained, Eylon. No government is perfect, but what Hamas did should have been immediately condemned by every world government, not justified, as so many did. There is far more at stake than you explained. Israel faces an impossible task, but we serve a God of the impossible.
It is immensely sad that most German news sources shy away from even explaining this dilemma because it conflicts too much with their "pro-Palestinian" narrative. Letters to the editors explaining precisely these impossible choices regularly go unanswered.
Well said. We are in an excruciatingly difficult predicament and you have presented it very well. Regardless what one’s political leanings are, this is a situation that is torturous.
Catch 22 pales into insignificance. We are in a terrible situation. I would really like to see the gazans taken elsewhere. Libya or anywhere. Many of them want to leave. Yet hamas and the world won't let them! So the war is prolonged because the gazans are there. Though it is strange that not one has told the IDF where the hostages are. Not one! Keep speaking out Eylon. You do it well and we need all the bright minded people, like you, to speak out for Israel.
It seems that for the very survival of the nation the total destruction of Hamas has to be the number one goal and release of the hostages number two. They are not equivalent.
My heart grieves with our Hostages and IDF and for the People of Israel and the Jews in the diaspora. I am in full agreement with you. Qatar and Iran played the world and Israel has no good choices.
I have no other words other than I grieve for all. I even grieve for the Gazans who were used in an evil plot by Qatar, Iran, UN, UNRWA, and their lives will never improve either. I pray for the captives and their suffering.
I think what most people don't understand is the amount of evil Israel and the MENA have been fighting.
Just by way of a post script. There’s so much negativity towards Israel and So much Jew hatred it’s easy to conclude “they all hate us whatever we do”. Now I’m no fan of Eurovision but the fact that Israel came second tells us something different
I would like to agree with you and wish it were so. If you read the Times of Israel article on the topic it describes a very convoluted and easily manipulated voting system.
In reading this excellent post, it finally hit me. If I were a hostage in Gaza, and I knew with reasonable certainty that by sacrificing my life in the absolute obliteration of Hamas, I would explicitly be saving the lives of my son, daughter and future grandchildren from future terrorism, then I would have the IDF do exactly what it’s doing now.
Hamas needs to be completely eliminated as a force and yes, as an idea (it has been done before and can be done again). It must be so decimated that no one will ever believe that they can succeed against Israel. That’s the only path to peace.
Me too and I would also tell Israel to not trade for me. I would find a way to do what I needed to do for myself in the name of Israel.
I am blown away by your idea, but it occurs to me that Jewish families in Masada sacrificed themselves to be free from Rome. Israel cannot free tomorrow's terrorists - and Iran et al must be stopped. What a horrible situation. Barbaric!
Thank you Eylon. Clear, concise, painful. I agree with all you have said.
Thank you. This is Israel’s worst dilemma but unfortunately not its only one. This war has laid bare a myriad of Sophie’s choices:
1. Be admired by the world or feared by our enemies
2. Bomb hospitals/ schools/ humanitarian areas when Hamas hides within them with human shields including the hostages possibly
3. Withdraw from disputed territory so that Israel can remain both Jewish and democratic, but it leaves genocidal neighbours. Or remain as an occupying army when the population is exhausted and too tiny to indefinitely control the area.
The list could go on and on, but you get the picture. The Republic of Iran and Qatar have checkmated Israel. We can only cut our losses.
Very well explained, Eylon. No government is perfect, but what Hamas did should have been immediately condemned by every world government, not justified, as so many did. There is far more at stake than you explained. Israel faces an impossible task, but we serve a God of the impossible.
It is immensely sad that most German news sources shy away from even explaining this dilemma because it conflicts too much with their "pro-Palestinian" narrative. Letters to the editors explaining precisely these impossible choices regularly go unanswered.
Well said. We are in an excruciatingly difficult predicament and you have presented it very well. Regardless what one’s political leanings are, this is a situation that is torturous.
Thank you for expressing it so well
Why is there no death penalty for terrorists in israel? Do away with their bargaining chip once and for all!!
That is a suggestion I've never read before. It bears consideration.
Thank you for writing this.
It is the most terrible situation to be in.
Looking at Sinwar's trajectory tells you all you need to know about how dangerous the future could be for Israel- It's so painful.
Yes..I think you have explained the impossible choices almost perfectly. Thank you
This is an outstanding article that presents the horrendous dilemma that Israel faces
Unfortunately, we LOST on 7/10
Catch 22 pales into insignificance. We are in a terrible situation. I would really like to see the gazans taken elsewhere. Libya or anywhere. Many of them want to leave. Yet hamas and the world won't let them! So the war is prolonged because the gazans are there. Though it is strange that not one has told the IDF where the hostages are. Not one! Keep speaking out Eylon. You do it well and we need all the bright minded people, like you, to speak out for Israel.
Thank you for sharing from the heart, both emotionally as well as getting to the #Heartofmatters
It seems that for the very survival of the nation the total destruction of Hamas has to be the number one goal and release of the hostages number two. They are not equivalent.
Dear Mr. Levy,
My heart grieves with our Hostages and IDF and for the People of Israel and the Jews in the diaspora. I am in full agreement with you. Qatar and Iran played the world and Israel has no good choices.
I have no other words other than I grieve for all. I even grieve for the Gazans who were used in an evil plot by Qatar, Iran, UN, UNRWA, and their lives will never improve either. I pray for the captives and their suffering.
I think what most people don't understand is the amount of evil Israel and the MENA have been fighting.
Thoughtful, insightful and powerfully said
Just by way of a post script. There’s so much negativity towards Israel and So much Jew hatred it’s easy to conclude “they all hate us whatever we do”. Now I’m no fan of Eurovision but the fact that Israel came second tells us something different
I would like to agree with you and wish it were so. If you read the Times of Israel article on the topic it describes a very convoluted and easily manipulated voting system.