Letters left by soldiers reveal a young Israeli generation astounding in the depth of its commitment to the Jewish people. If the West is to survive, its young women and men will need to emulate them.
Once again, your missive has brought me to tears...and I thank you for that. Re: your concern of support for Israel waning among American Jews as the war(s) drag on and the results turn less than conclusive: 1) unfortunately, the same waning may occur within Israeli society as more families are touched by the cost in young lives of the best and brightest; 2) American support will be much easier to sustain once Israel cleans house politically, removes Netanyahu and natl-haredi extremists, forms centrist natl unity government, reins in settler violence, disavowals any plan to occupy the Palestinians forever...
Come on, Israel, don't listen to comments from those who don't know Israel's history, move forward and do the truth that will bring peace to all of Israel and Jews, don't let them take your land! Your land is a gift from God himself to you... I embrace Israel forever Israel is my brother
I do not that American Jewish support will wane with time. Perhaps among those who are not committed to Israel or who have no understanding of the region, but for those of us that do, our support will remain strong for the long term. I also will remind you and your readers that the US had no will to enter WWII...for years. Not until the Japanese brought the war to us.
My favorite haftarah reading is Deborah’s Song after Yael killed Sisera following Barak’s victory over Sisera’s army. The final verse is, “So let all your enemies perish, O Lord, but let those who love Him be as the sun when it goes forth in its might. And the land had rest forty years.” So may it be.
Deeply moving letters, but in your comments you say "October 7 was Pearl Harbor for us,"! My US history isn't as good as yours (I am British) but I didn't think the US was at war with Japan in 1941, even though it was in negotiations over disputes in the Pacific. Israel has been at war with Hamas since its inception, since Hamas started its suicide bombings in the 90's. 7/10 is just the latest, and worst, episode in a war that arguably has been going on much longer than Hamas has existed, against those elements in Palestine who will not accept Israel's existence. It wasn't the start of a war. This round of that war is a necessary one, but has to be fought on the basis that the previous tactics (of maintaining an occupation in Judea and Samaria, and a siege of Gaza) for 3 generations is unworkable, terrible, and costs Israeli lives and risks Israel's existence. Israel should have been fighting this war knowing what it wants 'the day after' to look like, but sadly the imperative to rescue the hostages has made that very hard.
But Pearl Harbor was a turning point in the war that changed subsequent US action. In the same way, Oct. 7 was a turning point in the ongoing conflict between Israel and its terrorist assailants/enemies.
Once again, your missive has brought me to tears...and I thank you for that. Re: your concern of support for Israel waning among American Jews as the war(s) drag on and the results turn less than conclusive: 1) unfortunately, the same waning may occur within Israeli society as more families are touched by the cost in young lives of the best and brightest; 2) American support will be much easier to sustain once Israel cleans house politically, removes Netanyahu and natl-haredi extremists, forms centrist natl unity government, reins in settler violence, disavowals any plan to occupy the Palestinians forever...
These letters are truly inspiring.
Come on, Israel, don't listen to comments from those who don't know Israel's history, move forward and do the truth that will bring peace to all of Israel and Jews, don't let them take your land! Your land is a gift from God himself to you... I embrace Israel forever Israel is my brother
I do not that American Jewish support will wane with time. Perhaps among those who are not committed to Israel or who have no understanding of the region, but for those of us that do, our support will remain strong for the long term. I also will remind you and your readers that the US had no will to enter WWII...for years. Not until the Japanese brought the war to us.
My favorite haftarah reading is Deborah’s Song after Yael killed Sisera following Barak’s victory over Sisera’s army. The final verse is, “So let all your enemies perish, O Lord, but let those who love Him be as the sun when it goes forth in its might. And the land had rest forty years.” So may it be.
Deeply moving letters, but in your comments you say "October 7 was Pearl Harbor for us,"! My US history isn't as good as yours (I am British) but I didn't think the US was at war with Japan in 1941, even though it was in negotiations over disputes in the Pacific. Israel has been at war with Hamas since its inception, since Hamas started its suicide bombings in the 90's. 7/10 is just the latest, and worst, episode in a war that arguably has been going on much longer than Hamas has existed, against those elements in Palestine who will not accept Israel's existence. It wasn't the start of a war. This round of that war is a necessary one, but has to be fought on the basis that the previous tactics (of maintaining an occupation in Judea and Samaria, and a siege of Gaza) for 3 generations is unworkable, terrible, and costs Israeli lives and risks Israel's existence. Israel should have been fighting this war knowing what it wants 'the day after' to look like, but sadly the imperative to rescue the hostages has made that very hard.
But Pearl Harbor was a turning point in the war that changed subsequent US action. In the same way, Oct. 7 was a turning point in the ongoing conflict between Israel and its terrorist assailants/enemies.