People are saying things as a result of emotional trauma , families of hostages in particular and victims of the prolong war , therefore I’m not going to judge or criticize any comments they make as harsh as it sounds .
Perhaps I am speaking out of turn here as I am neither Israeli nor Jewish—but I care about Israel and want to see it thrive and its people safe. Unity is a very big deal. I do think the terrorists exploit divisions in Israeli society and will continue to do so if the fissures grow. My feeling is that there is enough propaganda affecting the narrative in the international community and an outright falsification of history/reality working against Israel already. To begin to attack each other just gives the terrorists more ammunition. That said, I acknowledge that I cannot possibly even begin to feel the pain of the hostage families. All I can do is advocate on behalf of what is moral and speak truth to ideological narratives that distort facts. I stand with Israel and all its people. I hope I have been clear. The only death eaters in this conflict are the terrorists.
Thank you for this enlightening article. I'm heartened by Mor's belief that there is general agreement between the two hostage family groups; that they support each other even when opinions differ. Israel must stay strong for humanity's sake. Yes, I am Jewish and I have been devastated by the events of the last 17 months. Antisemitism is alive and growing bolder in Australia. Our non Jewish allies have been bravely outspoken because they recognise the injustice and the threat to all humanity. Israel is our hope and the may be our last refuge. Am Israel chai.
I support the Tikva Forum and supported them from the beginning. Those who exploit the pain and devastation of hostage families deserve to rot in hell. But IMHO from the very beginning everything was not done right and we all see the result. This poor sick woman Einat with long surname is used by these immoral organisers and financiers of these demonstrations, it is just so sick to watch.
Thank you for attempting to deal with what is a very complex and difficult issue. I do not accept the claim that the families campaigning for the release of their relatives from Hammas captivity are harming the negotiations or Israel's ability to retrieve the hostages or strengthened Hammas. Firstly there are good reasons to believe that our government has delayed the negotiation process several times, by adding last minute conditions for ceasefire agreements and most recently by refusing to continue with the previously agreed second stage of the ceasefire. Everything that Israel has done since that horrendous attack on 7th October has "strengthened" Hammas because Hammas has used its status as victim, the deaths of its residents, the destruction of Gaza's infrastructure as food for its propaganda and to gain the sympathy of international agencies and some people throughout the world. The rift in Israeli society precedes the war with Hammas and was emphasized even before the formation of the present coalition government when Netanyahu labelled all those who opposed him as "leftists" and attempted to give that title many negative characteristics. The rift was further driven home before the war by the dramatic legal reform that Netanyahu and his government tried to push through to undermine democratic checks and balances on government powers. And the rift was further reinforced during the war by the coalition government's continual preferential funding of coalition parties and their interests while large portions of the country are underfunded for the injuries they suffer due to the war. Thus Hammas claiming that they promote this division is totally irrelevant. The return of the hostages should have been the first goal of Israel in this war, and the fact that hostages remain in Gaza has hindered the achievement of any other war goals. The treatment of hostage families by either ignoring them or humiliating and attacking them is in my opinion unforgiveable.
"My country or my son?" As a mother this is what I must ponder. I liken it to an inner debate I've often had within myself. I am opposed to capital punishment as a rule. I also know if I had a child raped/tortured I would want the perpetrators killed. I could imagine doing it myself. In that moment I am grateful that I do not make the laws. I believe the law must protect the greater good, but then again what do I say to my son? So I am torn.
What I do know is that weakening my country from within dimimishes its leadership's ability to fight the enemy. In that scenario, there are no winners.
People are saying things as a result of emotional trauma , families of hostages in particular and victims of the prolong war , therefore I’m not going to judge or criticize any comments they make as harsh as it sounds .
Perhaps I am speaking out of turn here as I am neither Israeli nor Jewish—but I care about Israel and want to see it thrive and its people safe. Unity is a very big deal. I do think the terrorists exploit divisions in Israeli society and will continue to do so if the fissures grow. My feeling is that there is enough propaganda affecting the narrative in the international community and an outright falsification of history/reality working against Israel already. To begin to attack each other just gives the terrorists more ammunition. That said, I acknowledge that I cannot possibly even begin to feel the pain of the hostage families. All I can do is advocate on behalf of what is moral and speak truth to ideological narratives that distort facts. I stand with Israel and all its people. I hope I have been clear. The only death eaters in this conflict are the terrorists.
No words for the pain and distraught these families are feeling. Thank you for posting such difficult discussion and dilemma.
What a heart wrenching read.
Thank you for this enlightening article. I'm heartened by Mor's belief that there is general agreement between the two hostage family groups; that they support each other even when opinions differ. Israel must stay strong for humanity's sake. Yes, I am Jewish and I have been devastated by the events of the last 17 months. Antisemitism is alive and growing bolder in Australia. Our non Jewish allies have been bravely outspoken because they recognise the injustice and the threat to all humanity. Israel is our hope and the may be our last refuge. Am Israel chai.
This is just so sad.
I support the Tikva Forum and supported them from the beginning. Those who exploit the pain and devastation of hostage families deserve to rot in hell. But IMHO from the very beginning everything was not done right and we all see the result. This poor sick woman Einat with long surname is used by these immoral organisers and financiers of these demonstrations, it is just so sick to watch.
Hamas is committing psychological torture against an entire nation.
Thank you for attempting to deal with what is a very complex and difficult issue. I do not accept the claim that the families campaigning for the release of their relatives from Hammas captivity are harming the negotiations or Israel's ability to retrieve the hostages or strengthened Hammas. Firstly there are good reasons to believe that our government has delayed the negotiation process several times, by adding last minute conditions for ceasefire agreements and most recently by refusing to continue with the previously agreed second stage of the ceasefire. Everything that Israel has done since that horrendous attack on 7th October has "strengthened" Hammas because Hammas has used its status as victim, the deaths of its residents, the destruction of Gaza's infrastructure as food for its propaganda and to gain the sympathy of international agencies and some people throughout the world. The rift in Israeli society precedes the war with Hammas and was emphasized even before the formation of the present coalition government when Netanyahu labelled all those who opposed him as "leftists" and attempted to give that title many negative characteristics. The rift was further driven home before the war by the dramatic legal reform that Netanyahu and his government tried to push through to undermine democratic checks and balances on government powers. And the rift was further reinforced during the war by the coalition government's continual preferential funding of coalition parties and their interests while large portions of the country are underfunded for the injuries they suffer due to the war. Thus Hammas claiming that they promote this division is totally irrelevant. The return of the hostages should have been the first goal of Israel in this war, and the fact that hostages remain in Gaza has hindered the achievement of any other war goals. The treatment of hostage families by either ignoring them or humiliating and attacking them is in my opinion unforgiveable.
"My country or my son?" As a mother this is what I must ponder. I liken it to an inner debate I've often had within myself. I am opposed to capital punishment as a rule. I also know if I had a child raped/tortured I would want the perpetrators killed. I could imagine doing it myself. In that moment I am grateful that I do not make the laws. I believe the law must protect the greater good, but then again what do I say to my son? So I am torn.
What I do know is that weakening my country from within dimimishes its leadership's ability to fight the enemy. In that scenario, there are no winners.
I feel for you Sheri. And all of Israel