Watch now (1 min) | Glimpses into some of what's being said in the Israeli press, along with a video of David Broza—Israel's James Taylor—singing with a soldier he happened upon at an army base
Anyway we can get sent the link to this wonderful video? Because this is what Israel is all about. The Israel that mainstream media doesn't want you to see.
Num.33 [51] "Say to the people of Israel, When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, [52] then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, ...
[53] and you shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it. ... [55] But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as pricks in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. [56] And I will do to you as I thought to do to them."
Thank you, Daniel, for this and recent columns. Hearing what Israelis REALLY are saying provides a source of comfort. We have been "told" for years that we have to take chances for peace. After all, we have one of the strongest armies in the world, our existence is not in doubt. I believe that myth has been exploded. And having read the 2nd story, we have to wish we had Ben Gurion right now. Whatever the truth of how much Israel forced Arabs to leave in 1948, it was likely the best thing. We need to thank leaders who make seemingly unpopular and difficult decisions When it becomes our turn, it gets harder.
I would respectfully disagree. The 2nd essay boldly posits that the Western world would fully support a 10-year war, and further would support the wholesale displacement of the Gazan people.
I see no signs in the Western world of an appetite to support wars on 2 continents, nor do even those who support Israel view funding a war where over 2,000 children have been killed (thus far) on parity with a war against Russia's military.
With each passing day, the mounting civilian toll in Gaza erodes support for Israel's position. There will be even less support for displacement of Gazan women and children from their homes, particularly without any means of support, infrastructure, etc. Apart from the immorality, who would pay for this?
Israel needs to protect itself, but this cannot be achieved through mass bombings that damage churches and mosques or endless war. This will only provoke a wider regional conflict.
Solutions cannot be achieved through Israel's current leadership. Rage and revenge are not strategies. Eventually, compromise is required...either now or after innumerable lives are lost on both sides, Israel's economy is decimated, and Israel's goodwill in the West is eroded.
Compromise is a bitter pill, but not more bitter than gambling on the future of Israel.
Your comment suggests you are unaware of some very important facts. First, the sole reason for "the mounting civilian toll in Gaza" is that Hamas, in its immeasurable cruelty towards both Jews and its own people, chooses not to fight on the battlefield, but from schools, hospitals, and places of worship. By doing so, it protects itself using human shields while simultaneously creating propaganda for consumption in the Arab world and the gullible media. Second, your suggestion of "compromise" fails to acknowledge that Hamas is not interested in any such arrangement with Israel. Hamas's ultimate goal, which it has stated repeatedly, including in its own written covenant, is the eradication of the State of Israel. All of its antisemitic bile has been translated into English and I would suggest reading it.
I'm well aware of the asymmetrical warfare by Hamas, and their charter to eradicate the Jewish state. My point is that fighting on their terms will lead to catastrophe for Israel. On this, I concur with Tom Friedman.
The compromise I suggest is with Gazan Palestinians not Hamas. Only by isolating Hamas will they be defeated.
There is a slim opportunity now, while US, EU, and Arab leaders are denouncing Hamas to take strategic steps towards a compromise.
If Hamas is isolated, they can more easily be strategically eliminated without an astronomically high civilian death toll.
There are no perfect solutions. Hamas is funded by Iran, but a solution that includes Gazan civilians would provide far fewer human shields.
There are no perfect solutions, but there are choices that protect Israel's long-term alliances, while drastically weakening Hamas.
My understanding is that Hamas rules Gaza with an iron fist. Moreover, I have seen nothing to suggest that either the majority of Arabs in Gaza are unsupportive or are prepared to drive Hamas out. It is thus unclear to me what you are proposing.
If given a real choice between life under the repressive totalitarian regime of Hamas or self-determination, it's unlikely that Gazans would support the former. There is no upside for them, only the ongoing realities of never-ending conflicts.
Supporting Israel means having the perspective to understand that the current trajectory will lead to massive loss of life on both sides, a decimation of the Abraham Accords, and a rift with the West.
Even if Hamas could be fully eradicated (which is doubtful), what then? Is it reasonable to assume that no other terrorist organization will arise in the wake of devastation of Gaza?
Israelis currently live under an Iron Dome, with safe rooms, and still suffered an indescribable massacre. What kind of life will they have after the certain deaths of tens of thousands of Israelis in a ground incursion? What will life be in a regional war?
Could a long-term approach to strategically identifying and eradicating Hamas leaders, while rebuilding Israel's security and replacing its leadership an answer? It's at least a question to ask before further escalation.
Even should Israel prevail after a 10-year regional war, what then? How long until the next terrorist group arises?
I don't have all or most of the answers. What I do know is that the current path will backfire in known and unknown ways.
At this juncture, it seems unlikely Israelis will accept anything less than Hamas's destruction. That seems sensible to me. Allowing genocidal fanatics to maintain territorial footholds on three borders of an exceptionally small state, while growing stronger day by day with Iranian backing, strikes me as slow motion suicide. I recognize the downsides you mention but, unfortunately, there is no real alternative.
If I hear one more denigrating word about the diaspora I'm going to scream. Neither I or nor most of my diaspora Jewish friends have slept well since 10/7. We have donated. We have organized. We have emailed representatives. We have been on social media defending Israel against the left's frenzy of anti Israel hatred. And our taxes are donating an enormous amount of money (which I support) for Israel's defense. So enough of this us vs. them. We need each other. We are safer together. Just enough.
Well, if you're going to write a newspaper column that proposes a simplistic solution ("Don't invade Gaza!" "Invade and move the population!) it's always better to end before you have to include answers to any practical questions. Given the not-small problem of Gaza's not wanting to leave, and Jewish soldiers tearing women and children from their homes at gunpoint as the world watches, I presume what the author ran out of room to say was, "We the Jewish Zionists, for our own survival, will proclaim a Palestinian state on parts of the West Bank and Jordan, allowing all 2 million residents of Gaza to Jordan and toppling the Hashemite monarchy." As part of that deal, Jewish settlers in places like Hebron would voluntarily abandon the Biblical Land of Israel to move into the Gaza sites vacated by Palestinians. I like Etgar Keret's solution better: Three States. One of Jews willing to live peacefully, one of Arabs willing to live peacefully, and one of people who want to keep fighting forever.
How quickly we forget that post-WWI and WWII Europe eventually “solved” its population problem through forcible migration. Just ask the 12 million displaced ethnic Germans (whose situation, quite frankly, most resembles that of the Palestinians) to the many displaced inhabitants in the states born from the disintegration of Yugoslavia.
But what the Europeans permitted themselves is of course forbidden to the Jews. In fact, when the Czech Republic entered the EU, it did so only after being guaranteed that the Benes Decree that authorized the post-war expulsion of the Sudetenland Germans would be immune from judicial review. So much for consistency.
As an American, I’ve had close friendships with people of many, many different nationalities and ethnicities and almost every major religion. I wish the best for everyone. As a Jew, well versed in my peoples history, the number of Jews I’m willing to accept being killed for religious or political reasons is zero. And I’m willing to kill as many enemies of the Jewish people as necessary to accomplish that goal. I identify with the unofficial motto of the US Marines: No better friend, no worse enemy.
I believe, the Israelis need to remove the people from the Gaza Strip, it is the only sensible thing to do. If Muslim countries object -let them open their doors. Having a two point war spot is foolishness. Move them out completely!
Agreed, it is intolerable for Israel to have brainwashed Gazans and West Bankers continuing to live there as before, a potential threat and source of worry to Israel. If we disperse them among other populations, unfortunately our problems won't be solved - they will continue to brainwash themselves about returning to their "lost land", and could continue to pose a threat to Israel's interests either within or outside the country. They could maintain their victimhood narrative across multiple generations. Their anger could make them fertile material to be drafted into armies by future regimes in the neighboring countries. (In 1948 the neighboring countries wanted to invade Israel.) Remember their anger is kept alive with religious fanaticism. And that won't go away even if we disperse them among, say Egypt or Jordan.
How about Israel taking complete control of Palestinians' education -- elementary through high school? Currently they are being "educated" by religious fanatics. What if Israel provided secular, scientific education -- and also presented history accurately -- so that Palestinians appreciate the fact that Jews have been native to the land of Israel? Along with education for young Palestinians, Israel could also provide supervised work-study for adults: they have to (a) be supervised (no leaving them to their devices like we did after the 2006 election), (b) they have to work -- and support themselves; no handouts; and (c) they - the adults - have to also engage in re-education, so that they are deradicalized. The ideal vision (admittedly a few decades away) is that the Palestinians become fully integrated into Israeli society and become patriotic Israelis.
Anyway we can get sent the link to this wonderful video? Because this is what Israel is all about. The Israel that mainstream media doesn't want you to see.
Num.33 [51] "Say to the people of Israel, When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, [52] then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, ...
[53] and you shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it. ... [55] But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as pricks in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. [56] And I will do to you as I thought to do to them."
Thank you, Daniel, for this and recent columns. Hearing what Israelis REALLY are saying provides a source of comfort. We have been "told" for years that we have to take chances for peace. After all, we have one of the strongest armies in the world, our existence is not in doubt. I believe that myth has been exploded. And having read the 2nd story, we have to wish we had Ben Gurion right now. Whatever the truth of how much Israel forced Arabs to leave in 1948, it was likely the best thing. We need to thank leaders who make seemingly unpopular and difficult decisions When it becomes our turn, it gets harder.
I would respectfully disagree. The 2nd essay boldly posits that the Western world would fully support a 10-year war, and further would support the wholesale displacement of the Gazan people.
I see no signs in the Western world of an appetite to support wars on 2 continents, nor do even those who support Israel view funding a war where over 2,000 children have been killed (thus far) on parity with a war against Russia's military.
With each passing day, the mounting civilian toll in Gaza erodes support for Israel's position. There will be even less support for displacement of Gazan women and children from their homes, particularly without any means of support, infrastructure, etc. Apart from the immorality, who would pay for this?
Israel needs to protect itself, but this cannot be achieved through mass bombings that damage churches and mosques or endless war. This will only provoke a wider regional conflict.
Solutions cannot be achieved through Israel's current leadership. Rage and revenge are not strategies. Eventually, compromise is required...either now or after innumerable lives are lost on both sides, Israel's economy is decimated, and Israel's goodwill in the West is eroded.
Compromise is a bitter pill, but not more bitter than gambling on the future of Israel.
Your comment suggests you are unaware of some very important facts. First, the sole reason for "the mounting civilian toll in Gaza" is that Hamas, in its immeasurable cruelty towards both Jews and its own people, chooses not to fight on the battlefield, but from schools, hospitals, and places of worship. By doing so, it protects itself using human shields while simultaneously creating propaganda for consumption in the Arab world and the gullible media. Second, your suggestion of "compromise" fails to acknowledge that Hamas is not interested in any such arrangement with Israel. Hamas's ultimate goal, which it has stated repeatedly, including in its own written covenant, is the eradication of the State of Israel. All of its antisemitic bile has been translated into English and I would suggest reading it.
I'm well aware of the asymmetrical warfare by Hamas, and their charter to eradicate the Jewish state. My point is that fighting on their terms will lead to catastrophe for Israel. On this, I concur with Tom Friedman.
The compromise I suggest is with Gazan Palestinians not Hamas. Only by isolating Hamas will they be defeated.
There is a slim opportunity now, while US, EU, and Arab leaders are denouncing Hamas to take strategic steps towards a compromise.
If Hamas is isolated, they can more easily be strategically eliminated without an astronomically high civilian death toll.
There are no perfect solutions. Hamas is funded by Iran, but a solution that includes Gazan civilians would provide far fewer human shields.
There are no perfect solutions, but there are choices that protect Israel's long-term alliances, while drastically weakening Hamas.
My understanding is that Hamas rules Gaza with an iron fist. Moreover, I have seen nothing to suggest that either the majority of Arabs in Gaza are unsupportive or are prepared to drive Hamas out. It is thus unclear to me what you are proposing.
If given a real choice between life under the repressive totalitarian regime of Hamas or self-determination, it's unlikely that Gazans would support the former. There is no upside for them, only the ongoing realities of never-ending conflicts.
Supporting Israel means having the perspective to understand that the current trajectory will lead to massive loss of life on both sides, a decimation of the Abraham Accords, and a rift with the West.
Even if Hamas could be fully eradicated (which is doubtful), what then? Is it reasonable to assume that no other terrorist organization will arise in the wake of devastation of Gaza?
Israelis currently live under an Iron Dome, with safe rooms, and still suffered an indescribable massacre. What kind of life will they have after the certain deaths of tens of thousands of Israelis in a ground incursion? What will life be in a regional war?
Could a long-term approach to strategically identifying and eradicating Hamas leaders, while rebuilding Israel's security and replacing its leadership an answer? It's at least a question to ask before further escalation.
Even should Israel prevail after a 10-year regional war, what then? How long until the next terrorist group arises?
I don't have all or most of the answers. What I do know is that the current path will backfire in known and unknown ways.
At this juncture, it seems unlikely Israelis will accept anything less than Hamas's destruction. That seems sensible to me. Allowing genocidal fanatics to maintain territorial footholds on three borders of an exceptionally small state, while growing stronger day by day with Iranian backing, strikes me as slow motion suicide. I recognize the downsides you mention but, unfortunately, there is no real alternative.
If I hear one more denigrating word about the diaspora I'm going to scream. Neither I or nor most of my diaspora Jewish friends have slept well since 10/7. We have donated. We have organized. We have emailed representatives. We have been on social media defending Israel against the left's frenzy of anti Israel hatred. And our taxes are donating an enormous amount of money (which I support) for Israel's defense. So enough of this us vs. them. We need each other. We are safer together. Just enough.
Well, if you're going to write a newspaper column that proposes a simplistic solution ("Don't invade Gaza!" "Invade and move the population!) it's always better to end before you have to include answers to any practical questions. Given the not-small problem of Gaza's not wanting to leave, and Jewish soldiers tearing women and children from their homes at gunpoint as the world watches, I presume what the author ran out of room to say was, "We the Jewish Zionists, for our own survival, will proclaim a Palestinian state on parts of the West Bank and Jordan, allowing all 2 million residents of Gaza to Jordan and toppling the Hashemite monarchy." As part of that deal, Jewish settlers in places like Hebron would voluntarily abandon the Biblical Land of Israel to move into the Gaza sites vacated by Palestinians. I like Etgar Keret's solution better: Three States. One of Jews willing to live peacefully, one of Arabs willing to live peacefully, and one of people who want to keep fighting forever.
How quickly we forget that post-WWI and WWII Europe eventually “solved” its population problem through forcible migration. Just ask the 12 million displaced ethnic Germans (whose situation, quite frankly, most resembles that of the Palestinians) to the many displaced inhabitants in the states born from the disintegration of Yugoslavia.
But what the Europeans permitted themselves is of course forbidden to the Jews. In fact, when the Czech Republic entered the EU, it did so only after being guaranteed that the Benes Decree that authorized the post-war expulsion of the Sudetenland Germans would be immune from judicial review. So much for consistency.
As an American, I’ve had close friendships with people of many, many different nationalities and ethnicities and almost every major religion. I wish the best for everyone. As a Jew, well versed in my peoples history, the number of Jews I’m willing to accept being killed for religious or political reasons is zero. And I’m willing to kill as many enemies of the Jewish people as necessary to accomplish that goal. I identify with the unofficial motto of the US Marines: No better friend, no worse enemy.
I believe, the Israelis need to remove the people from the Gaza Strip, it is the only sensible thing to do. If Muslim countries object -let them open their doors. Having a two point war spot is foolishness. Move them out completely!
Agreed, it is intolerable for Israel to have brainwashed Gazans and West Bankers continuing to live there as before, a potential threat and source of worry to Israel. If we disperse them among other populations, unfortunately our problems won't be solved - they will continue to brainwash themselves about returning to their "lost land", and could continue to pose a threat to Israel's interests either within or outside the country. They could maintain their victimhood narrative across multiple generations. Their anger could make them fertile material to be drafted into armies by future regimes in the neighboring countries. (In 1948 the neighboring countries wanted to invade Israel.) Remember their anger is kept alive with religious fanaticism. And that won't go away even if we disperse them among, say Egypt or Jordan.
How about Israel taking complete control of Palestinians' education -- elementary through high school? Currently they are being "educated" by religious fanatics. What if Israel provided secular, scientific education -- and also presented history accurately -- so that Palestinians appreciate the fact that Jews have been native to the land of Israel? Along with education for young Palestinians, Israel could also provide supervised work-study for adults: they have to (a) be supervised (no leaving them to their devices like we did after the 2006 election), (b) they have to work -- and support themselves; no handouts; and (c) they - the adults - have to also engage in re-education, so that they are deradicalized. The ideal vision (admittedly a few decades away) is that the Palestinians become fully integrated into Israeli society and become patriotic Israelis.