Yes, the protests are getting huge once again. But they are also getting pushback, only some of which is reaching the mainstream press. Here's a social media post that's gotten a lot of attention.
Daniel: Thank you very much for giving us the words of Hagai Luber, father of Yonatan Luber, z’l, 24, who was killed in battle in last December in Southern Gaza. How I wish we had someone like that who could say the same things in the US to Americans.
This post is exactly why Israael from the Inside is so valuable. Before October, posts that included views from all sides of the judicial reform issue were invaluable. This subject of this post is not found in the media here (US), and it made me wonder to what extent tthese loud voices represented the overall views in Israel. Would love to see any poll results on these issues.
We are all pained every day a single hostage is still being held - every report of an IDF casualty. We need to remain united in the face of the worlds inpatience. Unity does not mean uniformity of opinion. Just that we know - we share the same fate.
I’m immensely frustrated by this newsletter. On the one hand, it provides valuable insight into Israeli society available nowhere else in English. On the other hand - reflecting I think Daniel Gordis’ disposition - it leans too heavily into the emotional suffering in Israel. This is a time of war. Reason needs to rule. The female hostages might cry after hearing Israeli politicians call for harsher military action? Well then, by all means, let’s stop the war. Don’t even consider how many Israeli lives will be lost in the future by capitulating now. The Right was right all along. Jabotinsky was right. Those who opposed Oslo were right. Those who opposed withdrawal were right. Those who want to finish this war by destroying Hamas are right. And this father is right. Peaceful protest is a legitimate part of democracy. Disruption of daily life by a mob is not. It was wrong during the Judicial Reform period and its even more wrong during a time of war.
I will say it a thousand times, all these Hamas leaders and what they have done and why there are hostages today is because Israel freed them from jail in a trade for hostage Gilad Shalit.
To repeat this is insanity.
Should not have been and should not be trades for hostages. Do I care for the hostages and their family's? Very much.
Do I care for our dead soldiers ? Very much. Many are reservists with little children with no daddy anymore. It's horrible.
But the nation comes first finish Hamas period. In the process of eliminating Hamas, some still living hostages may be rescued. I doubt more than half of the hostages are alive. And some may never be sane again like some holocaust survivors.
Sorry, but the war is about survival of Israel and not hostages.
Any hostages family going against the state in wartime is treason, so lock them up now !
The fact that the surprise attack was not a surprise to Israel's top military brass needs prosecuted a bit later unless and it is possible, that God blinded Israel's top brass as a judgement warning?
America is under God's judgement to be destroyed not too far ahead so Israel may be under judgement of a refining fire.
Israel has one edge as Israel will not be destroyed but will be severely wounded.
Good to know that you have a direct line to HaShem’s judgement.
Of course, you are certainly right, depending on the sense given to “not too far ahead.” After all, the sun will explode not too far ahead, astronomically.
A powerful message from a grieving father but will it resonate with the people blocking the roads and calling for strikes? How do you battle this self destructive derangement? If it was organic, it would naturally pass with time, but as you know, it's well financed and well organized at a global level, and the ultimate goal is the destruction of Israel. I'm not "old man in the sky," religious but I have faith in the covenant. The truth of it seems self evident to me as Israel is a reality against all odds. Were it not for that promise, I do not see how Israel survives. Our enemies know this truth as well or they would not be so intent on destroying Israel's relationship with God. Without faith, and G-ds intervention, there is no way this ends with a happy song.
Cheer up. The protesters don’t have to be convinced, which (as you suggest) is impossible; they have to be politically overcome. (Yet another) decisive victory in war is necessary although not sufficient.
Thank you for yesterday and today’s posts. “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.” I doubt Ariel Durant was the first person to make such an observation
I like and appreciate this newsletter, but sometimes your identification with the protest movement leads to self-blindness.
"It’s not clear from the TOI writeup above what, precisely, is the basis of the families’ objection to using images of their loved ones, since they do seem support the protests." Uhh--the families said it very clearly and eloquently. They don't want their child's blood politicized. And not supporting the government is not the equivalent of "supporting the protests." I too dislike this government. I do not in any way support setting the country on fire. Use your excellent mind and ear to actually listen to what the other side is saying. These violent protests are the equivalent of the Zealots burning the food stores of Jerusalem as the Roman's were at the gate.
Daniel: Thank you very much for giving us the words of Hagai Luber, father of Yonatan Luber, z’l, 24, who was killed in battle in last December in Southern Gaza. How I wish we had someone like that who could say the same things in the US to Americans.
We have some, possibly even some comparably eloquent. But who is listening?
This post is exactly why Israael from the Inside is so valuable. Before October, posts that included views from all sides of the judicial reform issue were invaluable. This subject of this post is not found in the media here (US), and it made me wonder to what extent tthese loud voices represented the overall views in Israel. Would love to see any poll results on these issues.
We are all pained every day a single hostage is still being held - every report of an IDF casualty. We need to remain united in the face of the worlds inpatience. Unity does not mean uniformity of opinion. Just that we know - we share the same fate.
I’m immensely frustrated by this newsletter. On the one hand, it provides valuable insight into Israeli society available nowhere else in English. On the other hand - reflecting I think Daniel Gordis’ disposition - it leans too heavily into the emotional suffering in Israel. This is a time of war. Reason needs to rule. The female hostages might cry after hearing Israeli politicians call for harsher military action? Well then, by all means, let’s stop the war. Don’t even consider how many Israeli lives will be lost in the future by capitulating now. The Right was right all along. Jabotinsky was right. Those who opposed Oslo were right. Those who opposed withdrawal were right. Those who want to finish this war by destroying Hamas are right. And this father is right. Peaceful protest is a legitimate part of democracy. Disruption of daily life by a mob is not. It was wrong during the Judicial Reform period and its even more wrong during a time of war.
Here's Hagai Lober's full missive (Hebrew), in a single Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/hagaylo/posts/7477571455636922/
I will say it a thousand times, all these Hamas leaders and what they have done and why there are hostages today is because Israel freed them from jail in a trade for hostage Gilad Shalit.
To repeat this is insanity.
Should not have been and should not be trades for hostages. Do I care for the hostages and their family's? Very much.
Do I care for our dead soldiers ? Very much. Many are reservists with little children with no daddy anymore. It's horrible.
But the nation comes first finish Hamas period. In the process of eliminating Hamas, some still living hostages may be rescued. I doubt more than half of the hostages are alive. And some may never be sane again like some holocaust survivors.
Sorry, but the war is about survival of Israel and not hostages.
Any hostages family going against the state in wartime is treason, so lock them up now !
The fact that the surprise attack was not a surprise to Israel's top military brass needs prosecuted a bit later unless and it is possible, that God blinded Israel's top brass as a judgement warning?
America is under God's judgement to be destroyed not too far ahead so Israel may be under judgement of a refining fire.
Israel has one edge as Israel will not be destroyed but will be severely wounded.
Good to know that you have a direct line to HaShem’s judgement.
Of course, you are certainly right, depending on the sense given to “not too far ahead.” After all, the sun will explode not too far ahead, astronomically.
A powerful message from a grieving father but will it resonate with the people blocking the roads and calling for strikes? How do you battle this self destructive derangement? If it was organic, it would naturally pass with time, but as you know, it's well financed and well organized at a global level, and the ultimate goal is the destruction of Israel. I'm not "old man in the sky," religious but I have faith in the covenant. The truth of it seems self evident to me as Israel is a reality against all odds. Were it not for that promise, I do not see how Israel survives. Our enemies know this truth as well or they would not be so intent on destroying Israel's relationship with God. Without faith, and G-ds intervention, there is no way this ends with a happy song.
Cheer up. The protesters don’t have to be convinced, which (as you suggest) is impossible; they have to be politically overcome. (Yet another) decisive victory in war is necessary although not sufficient.
Thank you for yesterday and today’s posts. “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.” I doubt Ariel Durant was the first person to make such an observation
I like and appreciate this newsletter, but sometimes your identification with the protest movement leads to self-blindness.
"It’s not clear from the TOI writeup above what, precisely, is the basis of the families’ objection to using images of their loved ones, since they do seem support the protests." Uhh--the families said it very clearly and eloquently. They don't want their child's blood politicized. And not supporting the government is not the equivalent of "supporting the protests." I too dislike this government. I do not in any way support setting the country on fire. Use your excellent mind and ear to actually listen to what the other side is saying. These violent protests are the equivalent of the Zealots burning the food stores of Jerusalem as the Roman's were at the gate.