It is distressing to hear that there may be divisions between branches of the IDF. I believe that strong leadership, backed by political will from the PM & the Knesset, will unify the fighting men and women of the IDF. I recognize there is political and social discourse, but hope the military commanders involved in the Gaza war against Hamas/Hezbollah/Houthis will focus their unified efforts on their critical mission and not be distracted by civil or judicial affairs. I'm hoping the remaining hostages---all of them---are returned soon, and the state of Israel is secure from terrorist aggression soon. One can only hope. And---to agree with Dr. Oren's sentiments on Memorial Day---plea for unity and compromise and coordinated efforts to end this conflict.
Yeah, we certainly don't want the IDF to be concerned about "civil or judicial" affairs. The PM is a war criminal making himself and the rest of Isreal into international pariahs. Even the public opinion in Trump's America is turning. https://news.gallup.com/poll/657404/less-half-sympathetic-toward-israelis.aspx
My intent was to focus on IDF military actions in Gaza not becoming bogged down or distracted by external forces, such as civil/judicial affairs, while completing their mission objectives. If you believe Bibi is a war criminal, I accept that, but what is your opinion of Hamas?
My opinion of Hamas is irrelevant. The International Criminal Court deems both Israel and Hamas war criminals. Your “whataboutism” question is nonsense, since effectively there is no Hamas military threat left.
As one Israeli stated, this is no longer about security for Israel, but revenge. It doesn't take a Talmud scholar to recognize such a sin.
I respectfully disagree, as your opinion of Hamas is absolutely relevant. One person's war hero is another person's war criminal; one person's freedom fighter is another person's terrorist; and one person's George Washington (or David Ben-Gurion) is another's Adolf Hitler.
You made a post a year ago titled "It Takes Two to Tango", and I read that with great interest; you made a really good argument about a 2-state solution, which seems impossible now, and your points in that post were spot on. I must say as a neutral observer that none of the past few Israeli PMs have been interested in pursuing a 2-state solution, and would rather maintain the status quo.
I'm guessing we can agree that there may be no hope for any hostages returned alive, at this point. Tragic for the families, and for Palestinian civilians. The war drags on, unfortunately.
I don’t remember that post and since the local Arab population has never been able to establish a state, I have not been a fan of the illusion of a two-state solution. Israel was so busy building its own nation and recovering from the Holocaust it ignored the festering radicalized Muslim population and adopted an “out of sight, out of mind” apartheid temporary solution. On October 7, a combination of past sins and a perfect storm of Islamic, Judaic, and American fascism bubbled to the surface. Frankly, a pox upon all of them is my honest opinion.
My point is fighting terrorism with terrorism simply leads to endless atrocities and inevitable crimes against humanity. There are no heroes here only opposing villans. I am reminded of Gandhi’s statement: “An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.”
One of the parties has to break the cycle of violence and begin to build rather than destroy. I wrote another article that is probably more applicable to today’s situation.
“The killing will stop when the Palestinians realize they love their children more than they hate Israelis.” Israel needs to force them to consciously choose between their children’s future and a doomed fanatical cause.
The image of the ruthless, tough guy served Israel well during the decades of its inception standing up to seemingly overwhelming Arab attacks. That same image is a liability not only in the liberal West but in moderate modernizing Arab nations.
“Money talks and bullshit walks…” Arabs want nice things and a nice future for their children. They know that radicalization and isolation is a dead-end street. Even conservative stalwart Saudi Arabia signals it is willing to normalize relations with the West and Israel.
Taking Back The Dialog…
Israel needs to take the initiative on three fronts. First, show they care about the future and well-being of Arab children in contrast to extremists’ plans for ritual sacrifice and life-long poverty. Set a priority to aid Arab women and children immediately establishing camps, field hospitals, and schools. Shame the Arabs by demonstrating they care more about their children’s futures than the Islamists do. Get that message out globally.” https://johnhardman.substack.com/p/israels-image-problem
I agree with many of your points. This war/conflict has dragged on too long, and has to end.
I just finished a book you may enjoy---if you'll permit me to recommend it to you:
"What Does Israel Fear from Palestine?" by Raja Shehadeh, published in 2024---113 pages; it is poignant, relevant and presents a very unique perspective on this conflict. I'll give you one quote from the book that struck me:
"The very high human and material cost of the war in Gaza proves that what Israel fears from Palestine is Palestine's very existence." (page 105)
Infighting is how we lost Israel the first time, got sold into slavery and dispersed to the four corners of the globe. We have to put aside our differences.
Daniella, From where do you get that information? I question it because as an engineer I know that the facts are that the IDF bombing is not able to dig deep (20 meters) into the ground. For this a very heavy bomb dropped from a great height is needed. Since the hostages are being kept well below the ground in tunnels, their possibilities of being killed by one of these bombs is very small.
“Resolve our differences behind closed doors…” I am sorry, but that is not how democracy works, that is how autocracy operates. Genocide is not simply a local national problem but is condemned by international law and affects all nations. It is not by mere coincidence that both Putin and Netanyahu are both charged by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
There is no place to hide from your draconian actions, not from the eyes of the world nor the eyes of God. “The United Nations and other international organizations will redouble their efforts to condemn Israel for war crimes. “Your own officers say you’re committing them,” UN officials will say, “so why can’t we?” A moral line has been crossed. A majority of humankind and Israelis know this. A choice between right and wrong is the “differences” Israelis are facing and the outcome will determine Israel’s right to exist with other nations in the world.
Memorial Day is to remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Can Israel reclaim its honor and integrity to deserve such faith and devotion? Look in the mirror Israel and see what the rest of the world is horrified you’ve become.
Someone who studies the psychology of terrorism, but such "harsh comments" are shared by a majority of modern nations.
"We believe that this is the case across the West and now that the overwhelming majority of the Western public are becoming more and more aware of the crimes against humanity that are being committed in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem, the more people are completely appalled. And even those who once felt the huge civilian death toll in Gaza were justified and realising in increasing numbers that nothing on this earth can justify what is happening." https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/4/26/across-the-western-world-public-opinion-on-palestine-is-finally-shifting
Yep, that is what it has come to - a so-called Western liberal cites Al Jazeera when criticizes Israel, without a hint of irony whatsoever. Matti Friedman noted media tendencies like this more than ten years ago when reporting for Associated Press. Now such thinkers have moved to cite Al Jazeera.
The Washington Post media has a motto: "Democracy dies in the dark."
"Despite the existence of legal protections for journalism in Israel, we have noted with concern several harmful actions taken by the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He and his allies have repeatedly undermined public trust in independent journalists by smearing them as partisan adversaries or traitors who pose a threat to national security. Journalists and media outlets have described feeling the need to self-censor to avoid being singled out for retribution by the prime minister. Long-standing Israeli laws also require journalists to comply with prior military censorship when reporting on security issues, and violations can result in criminal charges.
Since the October 7 attack, the situation for both the domestic and international press in Israel has worsened significantly. For example, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of news items fully or partially redacted by the military censor. In April of this year, the Israeli parliament passed a law granting senior ministers the ability to shut down foreign media outlets if they are determined to be a security risk."
We’re not discussing the Washington Post but Israel’s denial of facts. Israel has attempted to create an information vacuum which is futile since everyone has the internet and a camera on their phone. The world is watching…
In a situation like this the responsibility and necessary orders rest on the strong shoulders of one man, the Ramat Kal, or Chief Commander. There should not be any need for a public discussion about it! Whoever chooses to make this discussion is doing it wrongfully and it should not continue.
Reminds me of a story about the result when you ask four lawyers their opinion about a legal matter: you'll get four opinions, vehemently expressed as if the others are idiots.
It’s abhorrent to refuse or even threaten to refuse to report for duty for political reasons.
Suc décisions DO NOT belong in the public sphere. There IS a chain of command. There IS a chief of staff who reports to the ELECTED government.
Politics has NO PLACE in the armed services.
in 70 CE Jerusalem resisted Rome
But it fell, NOT because of Roman might, rather because of שנאת חינם and the DISUNITY of the Jewish defenders.
Too many forget that enemies are watching, reading and watching Israeli media, listening to idiots advocating surrender and even civil war.
The result was October 7, they promise to do it again and AGAIN, and they MEAN IT.
How about refusal for moral reasons?
The debates about pacifism have been going on for centuries.
If you refused to fight when monsters come to decapitate your children, rape your daughters & kill you, are you a pacifist or crazy?
I know my answer.
Feel free to comment with yours.
“Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.”
― Friedrich W. Nietzsche
Comment from one who advocated some monstrous things.
If you are eliminating those who have resigned from the human race by becoming monsters you deserve a medal to be given by the HUMAN RACE.
Nice piece, Ambassador Michael Oren! Am Yisrael Chai!
The debates about pacifism have been going on for centuries.
If you refused to fight when monsters come to decapitate your children, rape your daughters & kill you, are you a pacifist or crazy?
I know my answer.
Feel free to comment with yours.
This is so true.
Spot on as usual….have trusted your opinion since USY days. Smart then, smart now!!!!
It is distressing to hear that there may be divisions between branches of the IDF. I believe that strong leadership, backed by political will from the PM & the Knesset, will unify the fighting men and women of the IDF. I recognize there is political and social discourse, but hope the military commanders involved in the Gaza war against Hamas/Hezbollah/Houthis will focus their unified efforts on their critical mission and not be distracted by civil or judicial affairs. I'm hoping the remaining hostages---all of them---are returned soon, and the state of Israel is secure from terrorist aggression soon. One can only hope. And---to agree with Dr. Oren's sentiments on Memorial Day---plea for unity and compromise and coordinated efforts to end this conflict.
Yeah, we certainly don't want the IDF to be concerned about "civil or judicial" affairs. The PM is a war criminal making himself and the rest of Isreal into international pariahs. Even the public opinion in Trump's America is turning. https://news.gallup.com/poll/657404/less-half-sympathetic-toward-israelis.aspx
John,
My intent was to focus on IDF military actions in Gaza not becoming bogged down or distracted by external forces, such as civil/judicial affairs, while completing their mission objectives. If you believe Bibi is a war criminal, I accept that, but what is your opinion of Hamas?
Respectfully,
William
My opinion of Hamas is irrelevant. The International Criminal Court deems both Israel and Hamas war criminals. Your “whataboutism” question is nonsense, since effectively there is no Hamas military threat left.
As one Israeli stated, this is no longer about security for Israel, but revenge. It doesn't take a Talmud scholar to recognize such a sin.
John,
I respectfully disagree, as your opinion of Hamas is absolutely relevant. One person's war hero is another person's war criminal; one person's freedom fighter is another person's terrorist; and one person's George Washington (or David Ben-Gurion) is another's Adolf Hitler.
You made a post a year ago titled "It Takes Two to Tango", and I read that with great interest; you made a really good argument about a 2-state solution, which seems impossible now, and your points in that post were spot on. I must say as a neutral observer that none of the past few Israeli PMs have been interested in pursuing a 2-state solution, and would rather maintain the status quo.
I'm guessing we can agree that there may be no hope for any hostages returned alive, at this point. Tragic for the families, and for Palestinian civilians. The war drags on, unfortunately.
Respectfully,
William
I don’t remember that post and since the local Arab population has never been able to establish a state, I have not been a fan of the illusion of a two-state solution. Israel was so busy building its own nation and recovering from the Holocaust it ignored the festering radicalized Muslim population and adopted an “out of sight, out of mind” apartheid temporary solution. On October 7, a combination of past sins and a perfect storm of Islamic, Judaic, and American fascism bubbled to the surface. Frankly, a pox upon all of them is my honest opinion.
My point is fighting terrorism with terrorism simply leads to endless atrocities and inevitable crimes against humanity. There are no heroes here only opposing villans. I am reminded of Gandhi’s statement: “An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.”
One of the parties has to break the cycle of violence and begin to build rather than destroy. I wrote another article that is probably more applicable to today’s situation.
“The killing will stop when the Palestinians realize they love their children more than they hate Israelis.” Israel needs to force them to consciously choose between their children’s future and a doomed fanatical cause.
The image of the ruthless, tough guy served Israel well during the decades of its inception standing up to seemingly overwhelming Arab attacks. That same image is a liability not only in the liberal West but in moderate modernizing Arab nations.
“Money talks and bullshit walks…” Arabs want nice things and a nice future for their children. They know that radicalization and isolation is a dead-end street. Even conservative stalwart Saudi Arabia signals it is willing to normalize relations with the West and Israel.
Taking Back The Dialog…
Israel needs to take the initiative on three fronts. First, show they care about the future and well-being of Arab children in contrast to extremists’ plans for ritual sacrifice and life-long poverty. Set a priority to aid Arab women and children immediately establishing camps, field hospitals, and schools. Shame the Arabs by demonstrating they care more about their children’s futures than the Islamists do. Get that message out globally.” https://johnhardman.substack.com/p/israels-image-problem
John,
I agree with many of your points. This war/conflict has dragged on too long, and has to end.
I just finished a book you may enjoy---if you'll permit me to recommend it to you:
"What Does Israel Fear from Palestine?" by Raja Shehadeh, published in 2024---113 pages; it is poignant, relevant and presents a very unique perspective on this conflict. I'll give you one quote from the book that struck me:
"The very high human and material cost of the war in Gaza proves that what Israel fears from Palestine is Palestine's very existence." (page 105)
Regards,
William
This is the fault of the power-mad Left. Period.
This is on point. Best comment about the internal struggles that exacerbate and delays the end of the war and release of the hostages.
Infighting is how we lost Israel the first time, got sold into slavery and dispersed to the four corners of the globe. We have to put aside our differences.
In Gaza, the sooner Air Force uses bombs that blast deep into the tunnels where men are hiding, the sooner the conflagration will stop.
Daniella, From where do you get that information? I question it because as an engineer I know that the facts are that the IDF bombing is not able to dig deep (20 meters) into the ground. For this a very heavy bomb dropped from a great height is needed. Since the hostages are being kept well below the ground in tunnels, their possibilities of being killed by one of these bombs is very small.
So the pilots value to lives of the head choppers more than they value to lives of our ground forces? This is what is wrong with the Left!
Your article is terrifying. If he IDF becomes politicized, we are finished!!
“Resolve our differences behind closed doors…” I am sorry, but that is not how democracy works, that is how autocracy operates. Genocide is not simply a local national problem but is condemned by international law and affects all nations. It is not by mere coincidence that both Putin and Netanyahu are both charged by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
There is no place to hide from your draconian actions, not from the eyes of the world nor the eyes of God. “The United Nations and other international organizations will redouble their efforts to condemn Israel for war crimes. “Your own officers say you’re committing them,” UN officials will say, “so why can’t we?” A moral line has been crossed. A majority of humankind and Israelis know this. A choice between right and wrong is the “differences” Israelis are facing and the outcome will determine Israel’s right to exist with other nations in the world.
Memorial Day is to remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Can Israel reclaim its honor and integrity to deserve such faith and devotion? Look in the mirror Israel and see what the rest of the world is horrified you’ve become.
And who exactly are you to offer such harsh comments, John Hardman ?
Someone who studies the psychology of terrorism, but such "harsh comments" are shared by a majority of modern nations.
"We believe that this is the case across the West and now that the overwhelming majority of the Western public are becoming more and more aware of the crimes against humanity that are being committed in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem, the more people are completely appalled. And even those who once felt the huge civilian death toll in Gaza were justified and realising in increasing numbers that nothing on this earth can justify what is happening." https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/4/26/across-the-western-world-public-opinion-on-palestine-is-finally-shifting
Al-Jazeera - 😂😂!
Yep, that is what it has come to - a so-called Western liberal cites Al Jazeera when criticizes Israel, without a hint of irony whatsoever. Matti Friedman noted media tendencies like this more than ten years ago when reporting for Associated Press. Now such thinkers have moved to cite Al Jazeera.
The Washington Post media has a motto: "Democracy dies in the dark."
"Despite the existence of legal protections for journalism in Israel, we have noted with concern several harmful actions taken by the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He and his allies have repeatedly undermined public trust in independent journalists by smearing them as partisan adversaries or traitors who pose a threat to national security. Journalists and media outlets have described feeling the need to self-censor to avoid being singled out for retribution by the prime minister. Long-standing Israeli laws also require journalists to comply with prior military censorship when reporting on security issues, and violations can result in criminal charges.
Since the October 7 attack, the situation for both the domestic and international press in Israel has worsened significantly. For example, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of news items fully or partially redacted by the military censor. In April of this year, the Israeli parliament passed a law granting senior ministers the ability to shut down foreign media outlets if they are determined to be a security risk."
https://freedomhouse.org/article/israel-cannot-remain-democracy-without-protecting-press-freedom
Fake news WP? The WP itself has died in the darkness of its own lies.
We’re not discussing the Washington Post but Israel’s denial of facts. Israel has attempted to create an information vacuum which is futile since everyone has the internet and a camera on their phone. The world is watching…
John - want don’t you educate yourself and read Peter Himmelman’s recent post.
In a situation like this the responsibility and necessary orders rest on the strong shoulders of one man, the Ramat Kal, or Chief Commander. There should not be any need for a public discussion about it! Whoever chooses to make this discussion is doing it wrongfully and it should not continue.
Reminds me of a story about the result when you ask four lawyers their opinion about a legal matter: you'll get four opinions, vehemently expressed as if the others are idiots.
That's why in disputed legal matters there is a judge too.