From diverse perspectives to emotional insights, our guest writers share their thoughts on the implications and impact of this week's Israel-Hamas deal.
Hamas is already claiming the cease-fire as a victory of respit for now and an opportunity to murder the rest of the Jews soon to come. Israel should not agree to anything other than: release all hostages, give up everyone in Hamas, release no prisoners. Any other terms will be claimed as a victory of David over Goliath, thus cementing antisemitic attitudes around the world for at least a generation. My heart goes out to the friends and families of the hostages, but my brain says not to take any deal with Hamas. It is a deal with the devil to be reneged on at their convenience and to their full advantage.
This ceasefire agreement is not worth the paper it is written on because Hamas has never been bound by ceasefires and has an express goal of rendering Israel Judenrein . The question is not if Hamas will break the ceasefire but when will it do so
Many decisors of Jewish law view the rhetoric about Pidyon Shevuyim ( redeeming hostages) and Pikuach Nefesh ( saving lives ) as wholly inapplicable in the context of a war between nations where you are winning a war as opposed to the medieval context of redeeming an individual from a local chieftain.
Hopefully the brass of the IDF which like the American brass before Pearl Harbor and the French brass before the German invasion in 1940 who all suffered from the same error of overconfidence and a disdain of intelligence and a refusal to see the need for an offensive defense should be shown the door.
Remember that Sinwar, among other prisoners released by Israel years ago, orchestrated the atrocities, massacre and hostage-taking on Oct 7. If Bibi has any strength left, he should say "Go to hell - no deal" to Trump, Biden, Hamas, Iran and Israelis who regard the now half-dead, broken hostages as more important than the lives of IDF soldiers and the future of their country. Then flatten Gaza, destroying as many terrorists and their supporters as possible - and keep terrorist prisoners incarcerated until they die. If any good can possibly come out of this, it's for Israel to finally STOP negotiating for hostages and prisoners when terrorists hit. In fact, stop taking terrorists as prisoners; shoot them on sight. When all this happens, terrorist scum will stop seeing Israel as easy prey and hostage-taking will cease.
Israel needs to finish the job, I'm sorry I know I will get heat for saying this - but the lives of the hostages are simply worth paying for that outcome.
And I believe that is what will happen. There are things going on in back-room discussions we cannot know, yet. But yes, there will be total victory and yes, some hostages will be left behind (whomever doesn't get out in the first release is likely not going to and Phase Two will never happen.
An existential ultimatum means nothing to Hamas; they happily die as martyrs. Whomever is released in the very near future will be, almost certainly, the last. All hell is going to break out sooner rather than later. Israel and Trump's team know this and they also know they cannot allow this historic moment in time to remake the Middle East (into something resembling the UAE) go away. They know it, they have stated it over and over. Just wait.
Like the first essay by Sheri Oz states, "this [deal] is one chess move in a big game." Be patient. I totally believe that Israel--with Trump's blessing--will be let loose to achieve total victory. But the next chess move will be getting a few more hostages out. Then after that (very soon after), most likely neutralizing Iran--a very important move. And then on to finishing up. I highly doubt this "deal" will make it to Phase Two and it is heartbreaking, but the hostages left behind in Phase One will likely be lost. But total victory is absolutely critical, and Trump and his entire incoming team know that and have stated that publicly (there are videos, including of Trump). Be patient. Wait and see.
Elissa Wald has the most brutally honest take on this. Witkoff is a sack of shit, and it tells us what a Trump Middle East policy will be in his second term. Trump is equally a lying, backstabbing, two-faced sack of shit.
It is also my belief that this is Trump's revenge against Bibi who dared to commit the unforgivable sin of making a congratulatory phone call to Biden and thus not validating Trump's claim of a stolen election. This is what happens when you fail to kiss the ring of that egomaniacal mental case. Worse yet are the phony "conservative" radio and TV talk show hosts who are now celebrating the same deal they opposed under Biden. They are unprincipled, dishonest sycophants who refuse to ever utter a word of criticism of Trump. I won't be listening to them any more.
1. have not felt this nauseous (or tempted ta curse but I try ta be a laydee...) since 10/7...truly sick/heartsick/queasy... I didn't see it comin'
2. oy The Donald. I had such hopes after them Abraham Accords... (not fer him "savin'" the entire US but at least navigatin' to HELP not HOIT Israel). He said Hamas would have "Hell ta pay" which sounds...promisin', no? So much fer hot air...
HOWEVAH ye feel, as a leader, a so called DIP-LOW-Matic polly-tisch-un you do NOT ALIENATE a so-called ally this'a'way... (even settin' aside us joos who are a bit shocked seein' how CRUDE this tweeted comment wuz). DJT never spoke of "Poot'in" that way (ha-pootin') or any of the other leaders--not even Kim Jong Un! Even if he feel the guy's a full out a'hole (which I kin see given some'a BB's non-diplomatic rhetoric-regrettable which makes him SOUND like a real a'hole an I say this supportin' Israel but not BB's crude smugness...), I'd say Trump AIRIN' such doity laundry ON THE AIR (waves) is SHAMEFUL. (Addin' this is sumthin' which BB&wifeSara unfortunately do--like'in' ta have their doity laundry warshed in the US BRINGIN' their doity duds in multiple suitcases to EVEN the White House & Mara Lago which is indeed TOTALLY tacky an' a HUGE NO NO--omgolly--an' makes joos look like turrible schnorrers, BUT this social RUDE-ESSE duz not take away from Trump's far more harmful "Tweet" from Mistah "Sucks"
Wantin' ta finish this war an' not have it on "his plate" when he pulls up ta the table is understandable--screwin' ovuh da joos (leavin' the haters gloatin') is... beyond the pale (or as it might be beyond the pale of SETTLEMENT!) Awful.
Anywhoo... it's a dark day fer us joos... (should we light sum' candles? Yahrtzeits? I feel helpless... WHAT 2 DO?
Wish you included Saul Sadka in your list of responses. His recent substack take on the conflict and the deal was much more positive. All the responses you posted were more of the same, depressing and demoralizing.
Yisrael is a "mixed multitude" and in reality Yahuda today and for a very long time has been and still is a "mixed multitude". From within or from without you will have no victory. We were always and still are being called to be "setapart" from the world unto YHVH. Without Him you will not experience victory and you continue to live in fear. Wake up Yisrael and stop shaping "golden calves". for yourselves.
I find it really cute that anyone thinks Israel has any say in what happens from here on in. The war is at midpoint? Nonsense. Its over. Its done. Even when Hamas doesn't go forward with phase 2 of the agreement, Israel will not be allowed to resume military action because Trump wants no wars on his watch. Trump betrayed Israel, betrayed Jewish Americans and in the end betrayed the USA by capitulating to Islamists.
Thank you for including me in this collection of voices regarding the hostage "deal." I put "deal" in scare quotes because it seems to me to be a deal with the devil. Nevertheless, now that we have seen the faces and names of those anticipated to be released as part of this first stage of the "deal," I am getting excited to see them step out of IRC vehicles in Gaza and cross over to the waiting helicopters in Israel that will take them to the hospital and their families. Hoping they are alive.
And this is how it is right now -- happy for those who will be released from purgatory and opposed to the deal in principle. Israel is an insane place to live.
Hamas is already claiming the cease-fire as a victory of respit for now and an opportunity to murder the rest of the Jews soon to come. Israel should not agree to anything other than: release all hostages, give up everyone in Hamas, release no prisoners. Any other terms will be claimed as a victory of David over Goliath, thus cementing antisemitic attitudes around the world for at least a generation. My heart goes out to the friends and families of the hostages, but my brain says not to take any deal with Hamas. It is a deal with the devil to be reneged on at their convenience and to their full advantage.
This ceasefire agreement is not worth the paper it is written on because Hamas has never been bound by ceasefires and has an express goal of rendering Israel Judenrein . The question is not if Hamas will break the ceasefire but when will it do so
Many decisors of Jewish law view the rhetoric about Pidyon Shevuyim ( redeeming hostages) and Pikuach Nefesh ( saving lives ) as wholly inapplicable in the context of a war between nations where you are winning a war as opposed to the medieval context of redeeming an individual from a local chieftain.
Hopefully the brass of the IDF which like the American brass before Pearl Harbor and the French brass before the German invasion in 1940 who all suffered from the same error of overconfidence and a disdain of intelligence and a refusal to see the need for an offensive defense should be shown the door.
Remember that Sinwar, among other prisoners released by Israel years ago, orchestrated the atrocities, massacre and hostage-taking on Oct 7. If Bibi has any strength left, he should say "Go to hell - no deal" to Trump, Biden, Hamas, Iran and Israelis who regard the now half-dead, broken hostages as more important than the lives of IDF soldiers and the future of their country. Then flatten Gaza, destroying as many terrorists and their supporters as possible - and keep terrorist prisoners incarcerated until they die. If any good can possibly come out of this, it's for Israel to finally STOP negotiating for hostages and prisoners when terrorists hit. In fact, stop taking terrorists as prisoners; shoot them on sight. When all this happens, terrorist scum will stop seeing Israel as easy prey and hostage-taking will cease.
This is the worst deal in history!
Israel needs to finish the job, I'm sorry I know I will get heat for saying this - but the lives of the hostages are simply worth paying for that outcome.
And I believe that is what will happen. There are things going on in back-room discussions we cannot know, yet. But yes, there will be total victory and yes, some hostages will be left behind (whomever doesn't get out in the first release is likely not going to and Phase Two will never happen.
Given the fact there are US citizens as hostages I half expect Trump to charge in there with the Marines and give Hamas an existential ultimatum.
An existential ultimatum means nothing to Hamas; they happily die as martyrs. Whomever is released in the very near future will be, almost certainly, the last. All hell is going to break out sooner rather than later. Israel and Trump's team know this and they also know they cannot allow this historic moment in time to remake the Middle East (into something resembling the UAE) go away. They know it, they have stated it over and over. Just wait.
Frederick Roth, Perhaps that's a pipe dream, but that what be amazing if Trump did that, & I certainly would have reverance for him if he did this.
The only ceasefire terms that Netanyahu should agree to:
1. Bring all of the hostages home.
2. Give back all of the prisoners Hamas wants.
3. Make Gaza a parking lot.
4. See #3.
It ends on a wonderful note. Jewish and proud and unapologetic.
Like the first essay by Sheri Oz states, "this [deal] is one chess move in a big game." Be patient. I totally believe that Israel--with Trump's blessing--will be let loose to achieve total victory. But the next chess move will be getting a few more hostages out. Then after that (very soon after), most likely neutralizing Iran--a very important move. And then on to finishing up. I highly doubt this "deal" will make it to Phase Two and it is heartbreaking, but the hostages left behind in Phase One will likely be lost. But total victory is absolutely critical, and Trump and his entire incoming team know that and have stated that publicly (there are videos, including of Trump). Be patient. Wait and see.
Elissa Wald is smoking crack. Her TDS is strong.
Elissa Wald has the most brutally honest take on this. Witkoff is a sack of shit, and it tells us what a Trump Middle East policy will be in his second term. Trump is equally a lying, backstabbing, two-faced sack of shit.
It is also my belief that this is Trump's revenge against Bibi who dared to commit the unforgivable sin of making a congratulatory phone call to Biden and thus not validating Trump's claim of a stolen election. This is what happens when you fail to kiss the ring of that egomaniacal mental case. Worse yet are the phony "conservative" radio and TV talk show hosts who are now celebrating the same deal they opposed under Biden. They are unprincipled, dishonest sycophants who refuse to ever utter a word of criticism of Trump. I won't be listening to them any more.
I pray to God this is one move in a chess game. Because if this is the end of the war then all the lives lost will be for nothing.
1. have not felt this nauseous (or tempted ta curse but I try ta be a laydee...) since 10/7...truly sick/heartsick/queasy... I didn't see it comin'
2. oy The Donald. I had such hopes after them Abraham Accords... (not fer him "savin'" the entire US but at least navigatin' to HELP not HOIT Israel). He said Hamas would have "Hell ta pay" which sounds...promisin', no? So much fer hot air...
Then this seemed outta character:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/donald-trump-reposts-jeffrey-sachs-s-antisemitic-rant-targeting-netanyahu/ar-BB1rbT55
Ugly right?
HOWEVAH ye feel, as a leader, a so called DIP-LOW-Matic polly-tisch-un you do NOT ALIENATE a so-called ally this'a'way... (even settin' aside us joos who are a bit shocked seein' how CRUDE this tweeted comment wuz). DJT never spoke of "Poot'in" that way (ha-pootin') or any of the other leaders--not even Kim Jong Un! Even if he feel the guy's a full out a'hole (which I kin see given some'a BB's non-diplomatic rhetoric-regrettable which makes him SOUND like a real a'hole an I say this supportin' Israel but not BB's crude smugness...), I'd say Trump AIRIN' such doity laundry ON THE AIR (waves) is SHAMEFUL. (Addin' this is sumthin' which BB&wifeSara unfortunately do--like'in' ta have their doity laundry warshed in the US BRINGIN' their doity duds in multiple suitcases to EVEN the White House & Mara Lago which is indeed TOTALLY tacky an' a HUGE NO NO--omgolly--an' makes joos look like turrible schnorrers, BUT this social RUDE-ESSE duz not take away from Trump's far more harmful "Tweet" from Mistah "Sucks"
Wantin' ta finish this war an' not have it on "his plate" when he pulls up ta the table is understandable--screwin' ovuh da joos (leavin' the haters gloatin') is... beyond the pale (or as it might be beyond the pale of SETTLEMENT!) Awful.
Anywhoo... it's a dark day fer us joos... (should we light sum' candles? Yahrtzeits? I feel helpless... WHAT 2 DO?
fineallee sumwon whomsoever rites nor mal. Keep 'ritin' itll ketchup on
Wish you included Saul Sadka in your list of responses. His recent substack take on the conflict and the deal was much more positive. All the responses you posted were more of the same, depressing and demoralizing.
Excellent commentaries.
Yisrael is a "mixed multitude" and in reality Yahuda today and for a very long time has been and still is a "mixed multitude". From within or from without you will have no victory. We were always and still are being called to be "setapart" from the world unto YHVH. Without Him you will not experience victory and you continue to live in fear. Wake up Yisrael and stop shaping "golden calves". for yourselves.
I find it really cute that anyone thinks Israel has any say in what happens from here on in. The war is at midpoint? Nonsense. Its over. Its done. Even when Hamas doesn't go forward with phase 2 of the agreement, Israel will not be allowed to resume military action because Trump wants no wars on his watch. Trump betrayed Israel, betrayed Jewish Americans and in the end betrayed the USA by capitulating to Islamists.
Thank you for including me in this collection of voices regarding the hostage "deal." I put "deal" in scare quotes because it seems to me to be a deal with the devil. Nevertheless, now that we have seen the faces and names of those anticipated to be released as part of this first stage of the "deal," I am getting excited to see them step out of IRC vehicles in Gaza and cross over to the waiting helicopters in Israel that will take them to the hospital and their families. Hoping they are alive.
And this is how it is right now -- happy for those who will be released from purgatory and opposed to the deal in principle. Israel is an insane place to live.