Dive into the murky multi-dimensional politics surrounding the Israel-Hamas deal, including domestic Israeli politics, Palestinian politics in Gaza and the West Bank, and international politics.
Josh, I've been reading and listening to numerous pundits about this issue - and yours is the most insightful report so far. As a staunch Zionist you'd probably consider "right-wing", I'm especially hopeful about the potential opportunities this insane hostage deal affords to Jewish interests in Judea/Samaria. Please keep your eyes on the ball as things develop and get back to us!
As a staunch pensioner... I have one right wing and one left wing. i.e. yin/yang/wings. I particularly LOVED the last four paragraphs. And all the previous paragraphs were just fine.
Thanks for another excellent opinion. I am just a tiny voice speaking from the north central U.S. but here is my opinion. Life has had and always will have its challenges. Furthermore, there are many paths to the future and all resemble the view through a snow-globe (did I mention that I live up north?). But there are no challenges to be resolved and no future to be lived if there is not "life". A dead Jew cannot bring more Jews into this world. A dead Jew cannot help rebuild. A dead Jew cannot keep Israel's enemies outside of the gates. A dead Jew cannot give thanks to Hashem. Hamas claiming victory, the PA disintegrating before our eyes, the opinions of the international community of vipers, all pale in comparison to saving the lives of as many Jews now as possible. The future will take care of itself. As difficult as it may appear, the choice is really simple. Choose "life".
As long as that choice for “life” now does not lead to a hundred “deaths” in the future. Unfortunately the Shalit “deal” proved the opposite is true, and the Shalit family and everyone who pushed for that “deal” have to live with the deaths of thousands on their conscience.
Is that official? In the U.S., I read 20 live women and a number of bodies to be returned first. Sunday then changed to Monday? It is hard to keep track.
“Palestinianists seek the destruction of Israel and the murders of all Jews. Israel can either defend itself, or Israel can aid the world in its own erasure by continuing to play along with the lie of palestinianism.
The world needs to relocate the Arabs of Gaza, Judea and Samaria. Anything else is an indication that the world will continue to aid the Arabs in their genocidal campaign to destroy Israel.
“Never Again” is the emptiest of all rhetorical nonsense if we permit the world to impose this false narrative on our land and history and ultimately our existence as a free nation in our indigenous homeland.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. We need to stop this game which imagines Arab terrorists cosplaying as nationalists dreaming of a “state”—the only dream they have was played out on 10/7.
Thank you for using the correct term of ‘“Arabs in Gaza”, etc.
‘Palestine and Palestinean’s’ were (and are still) insults to Jews enslaved by the Roman’s and must be eliminated. Israel is no longer a forbidden word. Today's Israeli’s are free ‘from the river to the sea’.
This is a very insightful analysis with a positive outlook for the future. I pray you are right. As I’ve said before, this is the first legitimate opportunity to obtain a release of hostages as previously Hamas has not been serious. Israel lives in a bad neighborhood and unfortunately has to do some very distasteful things to protect its citizens. Saving the lives of desperate hostages trumps some hypothetical future hostage taking or terrorist attack. The future is wide open. Hopefully we learned our lesson about complacency and will take the measures necessary to prevent the next 10/7 which frankly could be done pretty easily by paying attention.
Trump using the inaugural was simply a line drawn. I heard that behind closed doors it is clear the support he has for Netanyahu ‘going all the way’ and anger at the horror of hostage taking. I’m thinking this is a ‘paying hell’ moment for Bibi to exact. With full assist from Trump.
Joshua, thanks for giving clear insight into this between a rock and a hard place deal. I'm joyful about some of the hostages being released. The only caveat for me is the moral inequivalency releasing innocents for murderers. Having said that, my continued hope is that this deal won't meet phase II and then Israel will be free to move on it wth the support of the US. Please continue giving us your ideas about the situation. I find when reading US news and Israeli news, they have slightly different perspectives in reporting.
I love your analysis. "The Israelis will leverage the ceasefire to devise the next plans of attack against Hamas and even Iran — highlighting the interplay between morality and realpolitik, where the immediate goal of saving lives collides with the long-term implications for security, legitimacy, and power." Actually, unless I misunderstand, it sounds as if the short term saving of lives goes along just fine with the development of long-term plans will enhance Israel's security. It's kind of . . . "magical."
Observation from the US: the opposition of some of the Israeli religious Right to the “ceasefire” deal raises questions. How many of their people are hostages? How many of their sons are in the IDF, being wounded or killed on the front lines? How much skin do they have in the game to end the war? Sure, they are correct, that making so many concessions to Hamas will set the stage for another October 7, but faced with painful competing needs all Israel must work together to achieve the least painful result for now, getting back the hostages being first. Behitzalha
Completely different community. Those are the ultra orthodox, who eschew secular education, work and any form of national/army service, as they are supposedly learning Torah full time (while being supported by taxpayers). The national religious (which includes many English speaking immigrants) are the complete opposite, valuing university education, working to financially support one’s family and community, and serving years in the army both in the mandatory service and reserves.
You are not 100% correct and not 100% up to date. There ARE very positive changes and discussions which are on going and will lead soon enough to more positive changes with regards to adding more secular education and more national/army service in ways that will not detract from the immutable value of future generations of Torah practitioners and Torah scholars and Torah leaders and Torah based families. One hopes the parallel is evolving for the 'secular' to reverse their own fanaticism and fundamentalism deeply subversively implanted hatred stemming from 'Soviet Values'. "All things in their time and season" (Kohelet).
Are you serious? Many, many, many are on the front lines and many, many, many have been killed. Get your facts straight before you slur an incredibly patriotic and loyal segment of Israeli society.
It's now an hour past when the Cease fire was supposed to begin, yet Hamas has NOT followed through with the agreement that a list of names for released hostages will be furnished. Their excuse is basically that there's a disconnect between the Left & Right hands. This is UNACCEPTABLE!!! Apparently the terrorists have a history of not following through on ceasefire agreements. IDIOTS! Who knows if they will follow through at all.
"critics argue that such deals embolden Hamas, undermining Israel’s long-term security by incentivizing future kidnappings".
Just what were these critics thinking? Certainly not the peace, love, and good will Halil al-Hayya, senior Hamas official, publicly expressed as he eloquently laid out the organization's vision for
"centrist and leftist groups emphasize the moral imperative of rescuing innocent lives"
And we have proof positive that releasing "Palestinian prisoners" as the media enthusiastically calls them, indeed saves lives. We need look no further than the Gilad Shalit deal.
"The Fatah-run Palestinian Authority, led by 89-year-old Mahmoud Abbas, is increasingly viewed as ineffectual and disconnected from the aspirations of ordinary Palestinians. "
Could those aspirations possibly be "From the river to the sea" won through intifada by jihad because, as we now, "Resistance by any mens" is a noble goal.
" It also means the “pro-Palestinian” hooligans will shut up and go home."
Only the naive expect this. Having tasted victory on the streets and campuses, in lecture halls, having their messages amplified in the media, government authorities giving implicit approval through inaction, cancel culture tactics producing results in the arts, BDS producing results in business, and politicians openly declaring support, why would they stop!
Regarding Trump as an ally, atthe same time he was issuing his ambiguous threat that all hell would break loose — (following wording often edited by the media) "for every one" — he posted the following on his web site "Truth Social":
Thanks, I just read that guardian article you posted. Although I had heard about the 'bastard' video and Trump's reposting it... I have not watched it. I knew nothing else about Sach's background. Having just read the few pages about here I would say he sounds problematic and likely somewhat psychopathic like Trump's Middle East Envoy and like Blinken and quite a few others who are "Graduate" of the top Ivy League Universities. Not to mention his affiliation with one of the devils incarnate at the U.N. I wish Trump and Team all the very best!!!!!! Where's Kushner? He was THE genius mastermind. Netanyahu is a brilliant strategist and Warrior/Leader. He nor Trump nor Sachs need be perfect. With a bit of luck from Uncle Universe they are simply doing what needs to be done including their most stupid errors. As a National and World Leader.... Trump has a lifetime of catching up to do to grasp onto Bibi's tzit-tzit. Not only has Israel been fighting for decades with one arm tied behind its back.... but so too has Bibi. Only he has somehow magically untied the knot holding his arm. Maybe he hasn't completely freed his arm. He has been in the Leadership seat overseeing every PHENOMENAL success of the IDF and Co during the 'beginning' phase of the grandest war. He too does not need to be perfect he only needs to succeed according to some unseen plan the complexity of which we can continue to bark at like a hound at a full Moon.
Josh, I've been reading and listening to numerous pundits about this issue - and yours is the most insightful report so far. As a staunch Zionist you'd probably consider "right-wing", I'm especially hopeful about the potential opportunities this insane hostage deal affords to Jewish interests in Judea/Samaria. Please keep your eyes on the ball as things develop and get back to us!
Another staunch right wing Zionist, agrees.
As a staunch pensioner... I have one right wing and one left wing. i.e. yin/yang/wings. I particularly LOVED the last four paragraphs. And all the previous paragraphs were just fine.
I wish there was a "laugh" icon here. <g>
Yes, I totally agree. I said the same thing to my husband. "This make more sense than anything else I've read."
Thanks for another excellent opinion. I am just a tiny voice speaking from the north central U.S. but here is my opinion. Life has had and always will have its challenges. Furthermore, there are many paths to the future and all resemble the view through a snow-globe (did I mention that I live up north?). But there are no challenges to be resolved and no future to be lived if there is not "life". A dead Jew cannot bring more Jews into this world. A dead Jew cannot help rebuild. A dead Jew cannot keep Israel's enemies outside of the gates. A dead Jew cannot give thanks to Hashem. Hamas claiming victory, the PA disintegrating before our eyes, the opinions of the international community of vipers, all pale in comparison to saving the lives of as many Jews now as possible. The future will take care of itself. As difficult as it may appear, the choice is really simple. Choose "life".
As long as that choice for “life” now does not lead to a hundred “deaths” in the future. Unfortunately the Shalit “deal” proved the opposite is true, and the Shalit family and everyone who pushed for that “deal” have to live with the deaths of thousands on their conscience.
Only 3 hostages tomorrow? Why not ALL the hostages already .????.....
Is that official? In the U.S., I read 20 live women and a number of bodies to be returned first. Sunday then changed to Monday? It is hard to keep track.
The terms of the deal seem to keep changing
It's so sad to see, only 3 hostages. Where are the rest?
As עם ישראל חי said,
“Palestinianists seek the destruction of Israel and the murders of all Jews. Israel can either defend itself, or Israel can aid the world in its own erasure by continuing to play along with the lie of palestinianism.
The world needs to relocate the Arabs of Gaza, Judea and Samaria. Anything else is an indication that the world will continue to aid the Arabs in their genocidal campaign to destroy Israel.
“Never Again” is the emptiest of all rhetorical nonsense if we permit the world to impose this false narrative on our land and history and ultimately our existence as a free nation in our indigenous homeland.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. We need to stop this game which imagines Arab terrorists cosplaying as nationalists dreaming of a “state”—the only dream they have was played out on 10/7.
Thank you for using the correct term of ‘“Arabs in Gaza”, etc.
‘Palestine and Palestinean’s’ were (and are still) insults to Jews enslaved by the Roman’s and must be eliminated. Israel is no longer a forbidden word. Today's Israeli’s are free ‘from the river to the sea’.
Semantics count.
This is a very insightful analysis with a positive outlook for the future. I pray you are right. As I’ve said before, this is the first legitimate opportunity to obtain a release of hostages as previously Hamas has not been serious. Israel lives in a bad neighborhood and unfortunately has to do some very distasteful things to protect its citizens. Saving the lives of desperate hostages trumps some hypothetical future hostage taking or terrorist attack. The future is wide open. Hopefully we learned our lesson about complacency and will take the measures necessary to prevent the next 10/7 which frankly could be done pretty easily by paying attention.
Trump using the inaugural was simply a line drawn. I heard that behind closed doors it is clear the support he has for Netanyahu ‘going all the way’ and anger at the horror of hostage taking. I’m thinking this is a ‘paying hell’ moment for Bibi to exact. With full assist from Trump.
Joshua, thanks for giving clear insight into this between a rock and a hard place deal. I'm joyful about some of the hostages being released. The only caveat for me is the moral inequivalency releasing innocents for murderers. Having said that, my continued hope is that this deal won't meet phase II and then Israel will be free to move on it wth the support of the US. Please continue giving us your ideas about the situation. I find when reading US news and Israeli news, they have slightly different perspectives in reporting.
Brilliant analysis, @Joshua Hoffman ! I couldn't agree with you more. AmYisraelChai! Amen.
Spot on! My thoughts exactly.
I love your analysis. "The Israelis will leverage the ceasefire to devise the next plans of attack against Hamas and even Iran — highlighting the interplay between morality and realpolitik, where the immediate goal of saving lives collides with the long-term implications for security, legitimacy, and power." Actually, unless I misunderstand, it sounds as if the short term saving of lives goes along just fine with the development of long-term plans will enhance Israel's security. It's kind of . . . "magical."
Observation from the US: the opposition of some of the Israeli religious Right to the “ceasefire” deal raises questions. How many of their people are hostages? How many of their sons are in the IDF, being wounded or killed on the front lines? How much skin do they have in the game to end the war? Sure, they are correct, that making so many concessions to Hamas will set the stage for another October 7, but faced with painful competing needs all Israel must work together to achieve the least painful result for now, getting back the hostages being first. Behitzalha
The religious Zionist “religious right” community is overrepresented in both the numbers currently fighting in Gaza and the number of IDF casualties.
If true, I am wrong. But tell me why the Yeshivah rabbis fight the draft?
Completely different community. Those are the ultra orthodox, who eschew secular education, work and any form of national/army service, as they are supposedly learning Torah full time (while being supported by taxpayers). The national religious (which includes many English speaking immigrants) are the complete opposite, valuing university education, working to financially support one’s family and community, and serving years in the army both in the mandatory service and reserves.
You are not 100% correct and not 100% up to date. There ARE very positive changes and discussions which are on going and will lead soon enough to more positive changes with regards to adding more secular education and more national/army service in ways that will not detract from the immutable value of future generations of Torah practitioners and Torah scholars and Torah leaders and Torah based families. One hopes the parallel is evolving for the 'secular' to reverse their own fanaticism and fundamentalism deeply subversively implanted hatred stemming from 'Soviet Values'. "All things in their time and season" (Kohelet).
Are you serious? Many, many, many are on the front lines and many, many, many have been killed. Get your facts straight before you slur an incredibly patriotic and loyal segment of Israeli society.
Another Josh Hoffman bullseye! Thank you! 💪🏻🙏🏻
It's now an hour past when the Cease fire was supposed to begin, yet Hamas has NOT followed through with the agreement that a list of names for released hostages will be furnished. Their excuse is basically that there's a disconnect between the Left & Right hands. This is UNACCEPTABLE!!! Apparently the terrorists have a history of not following through on ceasefire agreements. IDIOTS! Who knows if they will follow through at all.
"critics argue that such deals embolden Hamas, undermining Israel’s long-term security by incentivizing future kidnappings".
Just what were these critics thinking? Certainly not the peace, love, and good will Halil al-Hayya, senior Hamas official, publicly expressed as he eloquently laid out the organization's vision for
a bright, new future.
See: https://memri.org/reports/senior-hamas-official-khalil-al-hayoodmwll viya-upon-signing-ceasefire-agreement-october-7-will
"centrist and leftist groups emphasize the moral imperative of rescuing innocent lives"
And we have proof positive that releasing "Palestinian prisoners" as the media enthusiastically calls them, indeed saves lives. We need look no further than the Gilad Shalit deal.
"The Fatah-run Palestinian Authority, led by 89-year-old Mahmoud Abbas, is increasingly viewed as ineffectual and disconnected from the aspirations of ordinary Palestinians. "
Could those aspirations possibly be "From the river to the sea" won through intifada by jihad because, as we now, "Resistance by any mens" is a noble goal.
" It also means the “pro-Palestinian” hooligans will shut up and go home."
Only the naive expect this. Having tasted victory on the streets and campuses, in lecture halls, having their messages amplified in the media, government authorities giving implicit approval through inaction, cancel culture tactics producing results in the arts, BDS producing results in business, and politicians openly declaring support, why would they stop!
Regarding Trump as an ally, atthe same time he was issuing his ambiguous threat that all hell would break loose — (following wording often edited by the media) "for every one" — he posted the following on his web site "Truth Social":
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/08/trump-video-crude-reference-netanyahu.
Question is why would he do such a thing if he was a friend of Israel?
Thanks, I just read that guardian article you posted. Although I had heard about the 'bastard' video and Trump's reposting it... I have not watched it. I knew nothing else about Sach's background. Having just read the few pages about here I would say he sounds problematic and likely somewhat psychopathic like Trump's Middle East Envoy and like Blinken and quite a few others who are "Graduate" of the top Ivy League Universities. Not to mention his affiliation with one of the devils incarnate at the U.N. I wish Trump and Team all the very best!!!!!! Where's Kushner? He was THE genius mastermind. Netanyahu is a brilliant strategist and Warrior/Leader. He nor Trump nor Sachs need be perfect. With a bit of luck from Uncle Universe they are simply doing what needs to be done including their most stupid errors. As a National and World Leader.... Trump has a lifetime of catching up to do to grasp onto Bibi's tzit-tzit. Not only has Israel been fighting for decades with one arm tied behind its back.... but so too has Bibi. Only he has somehow magically untied the knot holding his arm. Maybe he hasn't completely freed his arm. He has been in the Leadership seat overseeing every PHENOMENAL success of the IDF and Co during the 'beginning' phase of the grandest war. He too does not need to be perfect he only needs to succeed according to some unseen plan the complexity of which we can continue to bark at like a hound at a full Moon.
Looking for some clarity? Read "To Win A War (The Jewish Way)" by
Rabbi Manis Friedman and Dr. Elad Ben Elul. It's on Amazon. Shavua tov.
Too much depends on having blind faith in Trump that he will support Israel resuming the war against hamas and taking out Iran's nukes.