"Despite already knowing what came to pass that day, I still found myself shocked to my core and chilled to my bones in a way I have felt only once before: on a visit to Auschwitz."
As painful as it must be to be held hostage or to have a loved one held hostage, the return of the hostages cannot be the highest priority. The highest priority must be the extermination of the ideology and the people who hold it that took the hostages, even if it means exterminating every last Gazan Arab so that 10/7 can never be repeated and there never be the potential for future hostages and atrocities against the Jewish people. There is no reasoning with a tiger when one’s head is in its jaws. Israel is confronted by a people that seek their extermination, the only response is to exterminate them first. The Israeli government has been far too constrained in its response, the Gazan Arabs have not suffered nearly as much as they should be made to suffer for their overwhelming support of Hamas. The Gazan Arabs are reaping what they have sown. They are a people unworthy of being shown any mercy.
“This war differs from other wars, in this particular. We are not fighting armies but a hostile people, and must make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war.”
I remember when Congress invited Netanyahu and Obama was not a happy camper about it. I cheered. I always thought Obama received a "bonus" from Iran when lifting sanctions and sending billions. Nothing would surprise me in the US government or any other government for that matter. A Nobel prize? Talk about absurdity.
I live in Australia and I want to apologise for our weak and ignorant Prime Minister and all the weak and ignorant State Premiers who have allowed Palestinians to March against Israel.
Also for our Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, who at least went to Israel but did not focus on the 7th October atrocities but wanted peace and identified with the Palestinians’ “plight”.
This has brought out the Neo Nazis here who are ignorant about the terrorists actions and their ongoing terrorist history against the Israelis.
All Palestinians are hand in glove with Hamas except the babes in arms, mentally deficient and senile Palestinians who haven’t been affected by Hamas rule and propaganda. Even toddlers are treated to sweets and parties when one Jew is killed.
There should be no cease fire until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is out and all their tunnels, weapons and strongholds all over the Middle East have been destroyed.
I cannot begin to imagine what you saw watching the videos and reenactments of the tunnels where hostages are held. If I had the opportunity I don't think I could witness such barbarism. My imagination was enough to shake my head at the horrific evil perpetrated on the Israelis on October 7th. After reading the article, I was even more outraged hearing the news this morning about the shameless Executive Order issued by Biden to hold four Israelis responsible for the "brutal" attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank last year. Once again, that ugly monster, moral equivalency straining to rear its head and make everything "equally matched." Even when talking about the 26,000 (questionable) killed in Gaza and the 65,000 injured, the writers must always include the 1400 killed in Israel, as if it was some kind of contest in which Israel is only allowed to kill 1400 Palestinians. This Executive Order was a political move by Biden to appease his Progressive Squad, who, though small in numbers, somehow intimidates him. What was also interesting is that this order comes the day after a vote was taken not to allow Hamas terrorists into the US. Cori Bush and Rashida Tliab were so upset and angry about this, so Biden must calm them down with an Executive Order. Maybe Biden needs to see these videos again to refresh his memory at the barbaric acts of savages on innocent people. Again, maybe someone should ask Biden and his admin why in their sordid history, the Palestinians and their leadership have never once presented their own plan for "peace."
This administration has no memory and has no conscience! They are one and the same with Obama’s which started a new antisemitic wave and gave money to Iran and never held up a promise of a “red line” for Assad killing thousands of his own.
Obama came out with disgusting statement after Oct 7, basically in support of Hamas but non of them ever mentions massacres of Muslims by their own. Not interested! Because there are no Jews they can condemn!!!
I agree with you. Obama was never Israel's "friend." He thought he was clever saying both sides were to blame. I forgot the Israeli spokesperson who said, "No Jews, no news."
When Netanyahu came to US Congress to show evidence of Iran’s nuclear program kept secret from US Obama as president, refused to come to presentation by openly boycotting it. His administration with John Kelly as Secretary of State couldn’t wait to cancel sanctions and send billions by plain loads to Ayatollahs instead. Are you surprised about atrocities which followed all over the world. Now Iran found OPEN allies in China, Russia, Venezuela etc? And yet Obama who received Nobel for just being elected is considered a hero by so many.
Gosh! Gosh. I am not Jewish. I am a British Roman Catholic in my 70s. But since October 7th I have been reaching out in support to my Jewish friends and contacts. You are not alone. Thank you so much for this powerful piece of writing. I find myself utterly convinced. And may G-d protect and guide you both now and always. Do not despair. With love.
I did not have the courage to watch videos of the horrors inflicted upon our people. It's a survival mechanism I guess - because throughout my life I was able to remain clear-headed through many ordeals because of an ability to push away the darkest, most fear-inducing thoughts. But I read about what happened to them. In detail. For as long as I could take reading it. And afterwards I prayed for G-d to re-direct the incredible rage that I was feeling to positive action. Then I prayed again - prayed harder than I have ever prayed before. This time I asked G-d to free their minds while they were undergoing the tortures, rapes and endless waiting. To gently wrap them in His arms and take them to a lovely realm full of beauty, love and peace of mind. I still pray for this. I don't want them to feel any pain. None. Whatever the monsters do to their bodies, may their minds and souls remain contented and pain-free. And when the "good guys" sweep in to rescue them, may their minds return - whole and clear. To rejoice in the return to their loved ones. Amein.
I think about them everyday. I hope and pray that they return or by some miracle they are rescued. I want Israel to win. I want Israel to survive. As for Gaza and the Palestinians, and all who ally with them, they can all go to hell.
I can’t imagine the pain, the feeling that you want to scream out to everyone, the wicked horrors you have seen. What can anyone say, it’s too wicked and horrific to imagine. I just know that Isreal has to succeed, it is the only way.
What to comment? As you struggled to write, so do I struggle to read it and comment. Thank you for your courage and your full-hearted writing ability to help us to continue to understand that which has no “human” logic.
I’m 85, was born in the U.S. the day before Kristalnaacht. I have a 28 year old granddaughter who is a reserve officer who is working in intelligence. I am terrified for her and proud of her love for Israel, her courage, and her willingness to serve.
As painful as it must be to be held hostage or to have a loved one held hostage, the return of the hostages cannot be the highest priority. The highest priority must be the extermination of the ideology and the people who hold it that took the hostages, even if it means exterminating every last Gazan Arab so that 10/7 can never be repeated and there never be the potential for future hostages and atrocities against the Jewish people. There is no reasoning with a tiger when one’s head is in its jaws. Israel is confronted by a people that seek their extermination, the only response is to exterminate them first. The Israeli government has been far too constrained in its response, the Gazan Arabs have not suffered nearly as much as they should be made to suffer for their overwhelming support of Hamas. The Gazan Arabs are reaping what they have sown. They are a people unworthy of being shown any mercy.
“This war differs from other wars, in this particular. We are not fighting armies but a hostile people, and must make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war.”
American General William Tecumseh
Sherman
I remember when Congress invited Netanyahu and Obama was not a happy camper about it. I cheered. I always thought Obama received a "bonus" from Iran when lifting sanctions and sending billions. Nothing would surprise me in the US government or any other government for that matter. A Nobel prize? Talk about absurdity.
I live in Australia and I want to apologise for our weak and ignorant Prime Minister and all the weak and ignorant State Premiers who have allowed Palestinians to March against Israel.
Also for our Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, who at least went to Israel but did not focus on the 7th October atrocities but wanted peace and identified with the Palestinians’ “plight”.
This has brought out the Neo Nazis here who are ignorant about the terrorists actions and their ongoing terrorist history against the Israelis.
All Palestinians are hand in glove with Hamas except the babes in arms, mentally deficient and senile Palestinians who haven’t been affected by Hamas rule and propaganda. Even toddlers are treated to sweets and parties when one Jew is killed.
There should be no cease fire until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is out and all their tunnels, weapons and strongholds all over the Middle East have been destroyed.
Yes we have to eliminate Hamas, but not just them. All fundamentalist Islam is a threat. But how?
Isolation from the rest of the world perhaps.
I cannot begin to imagine what you saw watching the videos and reenactments of the tunnels where hostages are held. If I had the opportunity I don't think I could witness such barbarism. My imagination was enough to shake my head at the horrific evil perpetrated on the Israelis on October 7th. After reading the article, I was even more outraged hearing the news this morning about the shameless Executive Order issued by Biden to hold four Israelis responsible for the "brutal" attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank last year. Once again, that ugly monster, moral equivalency straining to rear its head and make everything "equally matched." Even when talking about the 26,000 (questionable) killed in Gaza and the 65,000 injured, the writers must always include the 1400 killed in Israel, as if it was some kind of contest in which Israel is only allowed to kill 1400 Palestinians. This Executive Order was a political move by Biden to appease his Progressive Squad, who, though small in numbers, somehow intimidates him. What was also interesting is that this order comes the day after a vote was taken not to allow Hamas terrorists into the US. Cori Bush and Rashida Tliab were so upset and angry about this, so Biden must calm them down with an Executive Order. Maybe Biden needs to see these videos again to refresh his memory at the barbaric acts of savages on innocent people. Again, maybe someone should ask Biden and his admin why in their sordid history, the Palestinians and their leadership have never once presented their own plan for "peace."
This administration has no memory and has no conscience! They are one and the same with Obama’s which started a new antisemitic wave and gave money to Iran and never held up a promise of a “red line” for Assad killing thousands of his own.
Obama came out with disgusting statement after Oct 7, basically in support of Hamas but non of them ever mentions massacres of Muslims by their own. Not interested! Because there are no Jews they can condemn!!!
.
I agree with you. Obama was never Israel's "friend." He thought he was clever saying both sides were to blame. I forgot the Israeli spokesperson who said, "No Jews, no news."
When Netanyahu came to US Congress to show evidence of Iran’s nuclear program kept secret from US Obama as president, refused to come to presentation by openly boycotting it. His administration with John Kelly as Secretary of State couldn’t wait to cancel sanctions and send billions by plain loads to Ayatollahs instead. Are you surprised about atrocities which followed all over the world. Now Iran found OPEN allies in China, Russia, Venezuela etc? And yet Obama who received Nobel for just being elected is considered a hero by so many.
Gosh! Gosh. I am not Jewish. I am a British Roman Catholic in my 70s. But since October 7th I have been reaching out in support to my Jewish friends and contacts. You are not alone. Thank you so much for this powerful piece of writing. I find myself utterly convinced. And may G-d protect and guide you both now and always. Do not despair. With love.
I did not have the courage to watch videos of the horrors inflicted upon our people. It's a survival mechanism I guess - because throughout my life I was able to remain clear-headed through many ordeals because of an ability to push away the darkest, most fear-inducing thoughts. But I read about what happened to them. In detail. For as long as I could take reading it. And afterwards I prayed for G-d to re-direct the incredible rage that I was feeling to positive action. Then I prayed again - prayed harder than I have ever prayed before. This time I asked G-d to free their minds while they were undergoing the tortures, rapes and endless waiting. To gently wrap them in His arms and take them to a lovely realm full of beauty, love and peace of mind. I still pray for this. I don't want them to feel any pain. None. Whatever the monsters do to their bodies, may their minds and souls remain contented and pain-free. And when the "good guys" sweep in to rescue them, may their minds return - whole and clear. To rejoice in the return to their loved ones. Amein.
I love that prayer. 🙏🏽 Thank you for sharing it with us
I think about them everyday. I hope and pray that they return or by some miracle they are rescued. I want Israel to win. I want Israel to survive. As for Gaza and the Palestinians, and all who ally with them, they can all go to hell.
You bet they can go to Azazel! In Hebrew Gaza is Aza, So your suggestion is a great one, very fitting!
I can’t imagine the pain, the feeling that you want to scream out to everyone, the wicked horrors you have seen. What can anyone say, it’s too wicked and horrific to imagine. I just know that Isreal has to succeed, it is the only way.
What to comment? As you struggled to write, so do I struggle to read it and comment. Thank you for your courage and your full-hearted writing ability to help us to continue to understand that which has no “human” logic.
I’m 85, was born in the U.S. the day before Kristalnaacht. I have a 28 year old granddaughter who is a reserve officer who is working in intelligence. I am terrified for her and proud of her love for Israel, her courage, and her willingness to serve.
May she be blessed for her service and safe always.
Tearing up reading this piece and your comment.
Thank you Rivka