I hate to extrapolate as an American who's never been to Israel, but I am someone with a Leftist upbringing and from my experience Leftists are so monomaniacally focused on their eternal battle with conservatives that other groups don't quite have a real, living existence to them.
To me the Leftist brain is rigidly zealously certain that if only they were given enough power to fully institute their ideological program—universal socialism founded on egalitarian humanitarianism, more or less—then this would solve all possible problems, the lion would lie down with the lamb, there would be no more hunger, violence or low self-esteem.
Thus, even while surrounded by existential enemies, the Leftist has been indoctrinated to believe that the cause of any conflict is conservatives and their inherent belligerence with the solution being the eradication or disempowerment of conservatives—"conservatives" meaning nationalists, capitalists, anyone who prioritizes their own people over a gauzy utopian vision of a single humanity. Often these people on the Left are so besotted with their own virtue and purity of heart, they really seem to believe that they could make peace w enemies who've pledged to murder them.
Also, it does seem like in the history of Leftism it's been Jews who've offered the most intense and moralistic critiques of injustice, and while self-criticism is necessary and healthy, sometimes it can veer toward the pathological. This seems to be one of those times.
Far Left. Near Left. Center Left. It's all the same. The words are meaningless, as meaningless as Far Right and Centre Right. Where you would have sat in the French Revolution is useless in figuring out what to do in a modern society. Recent history has shown that even the progressive mindset eventually turns out to be a street that paves the way for totalitarianism. As far as Israel is concerned, all the people castigated as right-wing and extremist turned out to be the people who saw clearly the security threats to the nation. They still are, but it took October 7 and mass rape, murder and kidnapping for the Israeli public to have its eyes opened. And who knows if most Israelis see properly not only what has happened but what must happen if Zionism is to prevail. Gaza needs not only to be conquered and occupied, but settled by Jews. Ditto Judea and Samaria. The religious parties that oppose conscription of yeshiva bochers have to be shamed and deserted by their followers every bit as much as the old-line generals from Barak to Gantz and all their civilian wannabes like Bennett and Lapid should be shamed and deserted by theirs. Maybe a new generation will arise rooted in the Hebrew Bible and the political understanding that a reading of the Bible should induce and Jews will finally leave the Book of Genesis and stop welshing on the deal as they have been doing since Sinai. Maybe finally the God of Israel will be proud of His chosen people. Maybe.
Part A, yes. Part B is out of date. Things are DEFINITELY moving fwd i.e. there is plenty in place and on location in IDF training and placement. And more recruits coming online in a timely manner. Part A "Gaza needs not only to be conquered and occupied, but settled by Jews. Ditto Judea and Samaria. (PART B) The religious parties that oppose conscription of yeshiva bochers have to be shamed and deserted by their followers every bit as much as the old-line generals".
I am so glad you put this in words. I have been thinking of this for weeks now. Don’t accept these weasel words that the far left spout. We have this in Britain and it’s useless drivel, they want to distract you. Olmert is possessed by resentment and jealousy! He is an unreliable witness and a convicted felon. Ask yourselves what will happen if the war does not move forward. The hostages will eventually die because of their inhuman treatment. Hamas will hold out and Israel will achieve nothing but a never ending war! People have to ask themselves these serious questions.
I believe you must move forward, eradicate Hamas and if it is possible free some hostages. This is the only choice to end it finally. Terrible decision to make but the only one.
The points you raise ‘if the war does not move forward’ are valid, but others are also worth noting. I believe a principal one would be the downfall of a conservative Likud coalition, in favor of a highly Liberal/Leftist coalition. Just as in the United States, the Left in Israel cares nothing about the true welfare of the nation; only power - and that totally.
The Left denigrates the virtues of strong nation states, in favor of Globalism. The underlying justification, which has a deceptive rationale that many people actually believe, is that a strong sense of national identity coupled with patriotic nationalism is the cause of wars and virtually all other societal sins and ills. If one accepts that as fundamentally true (and it is not), then it logically follows that efforts to weaken national strength in favor of ‘a more perfect (Global) union’, are actually noble; serving the ‘higher/greater good’.
From the standpoint of Bible prophecy, we know that, eventually, Globalism will prevail, at least for a short, terrible, time. Until then, it is incumbent on those who love their countries, to do what can be done to resist the relentless assaults on vital national independence, preserve and/or strengthen the ability to defend it, and encourage the will to do so, regardless of the cost(s).
We are all caught up in a supernatural war between spiritual forces of good and evil; the Kingdom of God, and the Satanic Kingdom of Darkness. Biblically, the focal point of rebellion against God’s Sovereign rule in all the Universe is our planet, Earth. The war is manifested materially in battles for the hearts and souls of humanity worldwide, but the strategic focus is on Israel.
Satan seeks to preserve his freedom and independent exercise of power in God’s Universe. He is well aware that his doom, as foretold in Biblical prophecies, is inextricably linked to the Chosen People being back in, and exercising sovereign control over, the Land; particularly, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.
In his twisted heart, he believes that, if he can eliminate Israel, he can prevent the Biblical prophecies related to his doom from being fulfilled and, therefore, ‘defeat’ God. It is a vain effort, but one that he will pursue to the bitter end, with tragic consequences for Israel, and humanity as a whole.
In the end, evil will be forever banished from the Universe, and God’s ‘Plan for the Ages’ will be fulfilled, to the smallest detail. Including, amongst other things, all of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; to the Israel of God, that loves, honors, and trusts Him for salvation and deliverance.
But that time lies ahead and the pressing issue that is being forced to the forefront in this time is the simple question of whose side we will end up on; whom we serve, God, or Satan (Self).
And, in regard to that question, let it be known that “Yeshua said, "I AM the Way—and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (CJB)
I don’t agree. Israel has to move on, otherwise they will be caught in a war that never ends. They have to destroy Hamas, the terrorists that say that they will keep repeating October 7th again and again. This can’t go on! Get rid of them. Then Israel can hand over to Arab forces to take control. It’s unbelievable that anyone should think that they should plod on like this. The hostages will eventually die of starvation and it will prolong the war that will achieve nothing. Israel must move forward
We don’t disagree on your points Susan; there must be a misunderstanding of my position. I am fully in favor of Israel doing what must be done to eliminate Hamas, including full control over Gaza.
Of course they won’t; they didn’t then, and they won’t ‘wholly’ do so now… The same is true for the overwhelming majority of the Gentile world.
Salvation is God’s strange work; our call is to love Him above all else, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
I question if we can fulfill that call, if we know the blessings of salvation, as well as what is at stake for those that reject the sacrifice of Yeshua/Jesus that makes redemption possible, but do not at least attempt to share the truth with others, in love, regardless of how they take it.
Waving placards and signs saying "Free the Hostages" and directing this at Netanyahu misses the point that it isn't Netanyahu who is holding hostages, but hamas, and they refuse to negotiate.
Another Josh Hoffman bullseye! The left in the US, UK, France, Spain is also a threat. And the threat from the Jewish left (see recent demonstrations in NYC) is very worrying. Keep writing Josh!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I can understand how European and American leftists can sell out Israel for "the cause". They are in no immediate danger I cannot comprehend how Israelis can do this when it means their own deaths
Good article, although the Gilad Shalit deal set the "kidnapping works" precedent. 1100 terrorists for one man. Great to save the man, but cost thousands of lives later. Hamas pays attention to such barbaric patterns.
Crazy how much the Israeli and American Far-Left mirror each other. As for writing that the Far Left would set a precedent of "kidnapping works": Too late, that's already a fact. Hamas will be defeated but they are leaving behind a whole lot of new support around the world. Jihadis everywhere have taken note.
Josh, כל הכבוד. You’ve expressed my thoughts precisely. The marchers “for the hostages” are Israeli Leftists who are using the horrible plight of the hostages as a weapon they use against Netanyahu. Blocking major highways, cursing the Prime Minister are nothing less than collaborating with Hamas. If these extremists stayed home it would convey the message to Hamas that Israelis are united in the war to crush Hamas, PIJ, etc. There will be plenty of time to investigate the מחדל and to vote in a new govt. if that is the desire of the Israeli population. But the behavior of the screaming demonstrators only supports the antisemitic mobs around the world and, supports the antisemites and lunatic, Lefty professors who falsely claim that Israel is committing genocide. The screaming haters of their own country and countrymen ought remember one classic line from the Talmud: “מפני קמצא ובר קמצא נחרבה ירושלים.”
Just like worldwide, the left has gone so far to the left, that what people mistakenly call "Center" in Israel is simply - left. Gantz, Lapid, etc. All dangerously left. These people still didn't wake up from the Two State Delusion.
On the other hand, what everyone call "far right" seems to have had it... just right... everything they said turned out to be true... our "peace partners" actually want to annihilate us, and cannot be trusted.
In fact, the left has gone so far left, that if Ben Gurion would've lived today, he'd be voting Bibi, because that's actually closer to the original labor party than anything else in our parliament.
I don't what to say or even think anymore...although not doing either is a luxury we can't afford. My first reaction to this article was yet another wave of despair.... and then I remembered the Israeli comedy spoof of the evening news..where the anchorman begins with a serious face and voice and says in Hebrew: "Hakol Rah" (everything is bad). That made me smile and delayed the tears. (And the rest of the sketch is funny too.) I also remembered a Jewish joke about the Rabbi doing some marriage counseling, and when the wife presented her point of view, he strokes his beard and earnestly responds with "You're right!" And when the husband finishes presenting his point of view, the rabbi nods and strokes his beard and says definitively "You're right!" After the session, the rabbi's wife, who had been listening from the other room, confronted her husband with exasperation, declaring: "How can this be? How can they both be right??" And the rabbi stroked his beard and replied to his wife: "You're right!"
What has Israel's far left been demanding as the primary strategy and tactics for recovering the hostages? This is not a rhetorical question and I'm not meaning to be provocative. And G_d knows I don't wish for my question to be demoralizing or confrontive to friends and families of these suffering innocents.
I agree. And I am crystal clear as to what Hamas wants and plans. 100% with you. I am seriously asking what actionable strategy the left is demanding for returning the hostages, cause I have yet to hear it.
Exactly the point. That’s what they are demanding - but are too dishonest to say it openly.
When those on the left refer to polls showing that the majority of Israelis want to end the war in exchange for the hostages, they disingenuously do not quantify what that means. When those same people are polled about whether they are willing to allow Hamas to remain in power and rearm, a majority say no.
I probably mostly agree with you, in that I think that Israel's first priority should be to defeat Hamas, not to free the hostages. But I am an American, don't live in Israel and though I speak Hebrew, don't have as much at stake as Israelis. That being said, polls clearly show that Israelis don't agree with you or me on our priorities. It is wrong to label those people who disagree with us as far left, just as it is wrong to label Netanyahu, an extraordinarily cautious leader, as far right, as is frequently done in the press in the US. I was having dinner in Israel with friends several months ago and in the middle of dinner, my host and his wife started screaming at each other over what Israel's priorities should be. My host, a religious police officer (a Shas supporter) prioritized defeating Hamas, while his wife supported just as strongly the opposite side. So honestly, I think it is wrong on your part to characterize people who disagree with us as far left and unpatriotic. They are simply wrong.
This is why the slogan ‘bring them home’ is so awful. Did Israel forget to send a bus to bring home the hostages? It’s propaganda. The slogan should be directed to Hamas.
I hate to extrapolate as an American who's never been to Israel, but I am someone with a Leftist upbringing and from my experience Leftists are so monomaniacally focused on their eternal battle with conservatives that other groups don't quite have a real, living existence to them.
To me the Leftist brain is rigidly zealously certain that if only they were given enough power to fully institute their ideological program—universal socialism founded on egalitarian humanitarianism, more or less—then this would solve all possible problems, the lion would lie down with the lamb, there would be no more hunger, violence or low self-esteem.
Thus, even while surrounded by existential enemies, the Leftist has been indoctrinated to believe that the cause of any conflict is conservatives and their inherent belligerence with the solution being the eradication or disempowerment of conservatives—"conservatives" meaning nationalists, capitalists, anyone who prioritizes their own people over a gauzy utopian vision of a single humanity. Often these people on the Left are so besotted with their own virtue and purity of heart, they really seem to believe that they could make peace w enemies who've pledged to murder them.
Also, it does seem like in the history of Leftism it's been Jews who've offered the most intense and moralistic critiques of injustice, and while self-criticism is necessary and healthy, sometimes it can veer toward the pathological. This seems to be one of those times.
Lefty Jews are a plague, whether in the United States or Israel
“….gauzy utopian vision of a single humanity….” SO accurate
Far Left. Near Left. Center Left. It's all the same. The words are meaningless, as meaningless as Far Right and Centre Right. Where you would have sat in the French Revolution is useless in figuring out what to do in a modern society. Recent history has shown that even the progressive mindset eventually turns out to be a street that paves the way for totalitarianism. As far as Israel is concerned, all the people castigated as right-wing and extremist turned out to be the people who saw clearly the security threats to the nation. They still are, but it took October 7 and mass rape, murder and kidnapping for the Israeli public to have its eyes opened. And who knows if most Israelis see properly not only what has happened but what must happen if Zionism is to prevail. Gaza needs not only to be conquered and occupied, but settled by Jews. Ditto Judea and Samaria. The religious parties that oppose conscription of yeshiva bochers have to be shamed and deserted by their followers every bit as much as the old-line generals from Barak to Gantz and all their civilian wannabes like Bennett and Lapid should be shamed and deserted by theirs. Maybe a new generation will arise rooted in the Hebrew Bible and the political understanding that a reading of the Bible should induce and Jews will finally leave the Book of Genesis and stop welshing on the deal as they have been doing since Sinai. Maybe finally the God of Israel will be proud of His chosen people. Maybe.
"all the people castigated as right-wing and extremist turned out to be the people who saw clearly the security threats to the nation..." 🎯
Part A, yes. Part B is out of date. Things are DEFINITELY moving fwd i.e. there is plenty in place and on location in IDF training and placement. And more recruits coming online in a timely manner. Part A "Gaza needs not only to be conquered and occupied, but settled by Jews. Ditto Judea and Samaria. (PART B) The religious parties that oppose conscription of yeshiva bochers have to be shamed and deserted by their followers every bit as much as the old-line generals".
I am so glad you put this in words. I have been thinking of this for weeks now. Don’t accept these weasel words that the far left spout. We have this in Britain and it’s useless drivel, they want to distract you. Olmert is possessed by resentment and jealousy! He is an unreliable witness and a convicted felon. Ask yourselves what will happen if the war does not move forward. The hostages will eventually die because of their inhuman treatment. Hamas will hold out and Israel will achieve nothing but a never ending war! People have to ask themselves these serious questions.
I believe you must move forward, eradicate Hamas and if it is possible free some hostages. This is the only choice to end it finally. Terrible decision to make but the only one.
The points you raise ‘if the war does not move forward’ are valid, but others are also worth noting. I believe a principal one would be the downfall of a conservative Likud coalition, in favor of a highly Liberal/Leftist coalition. Just as in the United States, the Left in Israel cares nothing about the true welfare of the nation; only power - and that totally.
The Left denigrates the virtues of strong nation states, in favor of Globalism. The underlying justification, which has a deceptive rationale that many people actually believe, is that a strong sense of national identity coupled with patriotic nationalism is the cause of wars and virtually all other societal sins and ills. If one accepts that as fundamentally true (and it is not), then it logically follows that efforts to weaken national strength in favor of ‘a more perfect (Global) union’, are actually noble; serving the ‘higher/greater good’.
From the standpoint of Bible prophecy, we know that, eventually, Globalism will prevail, at least for a short, terrible, time. Until then, it is incumbent on those who love their countries, to do what can be done to resist the relentless assaults on vital national independence, preserve and/or strengthen the ability to defend it, and encourage the will to do so, regardless of the cost(s).
We are all caught up in a supernatural war between spiritual forces of good and evil; the Kingdom of God, and the Satanic Kingdom of Darkness. Biblically, the focal point of rebellion against God’s Sovereign rule in all the Universe is our planet, Earth. The war is manifested materially in battles for the hearts and souls of humanity worldwide, but the strategic focus is on Israel.
Satan seeks to preserve his freedom and independent exercise of power in God’s Universe. He is well aware that his doom, as foretold in Biblical prophecies, is inextricably linked to the Chosen People being back in, and exercising sovereign control over, the Land; particularly, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.
In his twisted heart, he believes that, if he can eliminate Israel, he can prevent the Biblical prophecies related to his doom from being fulfilled and, therefore, ‘defeat’ God. It is a vain effort, but one that he will pursue to the bitter end, with tragic consequences for Israel, and humanity as a whole.
In the end, evil will be forever banished from the Universe, and God’s ‘Plan for the Ages’ will be fulfilled, to the smallest detail. Including, amongst other things, all of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; to the Israel of God, that loves, honors, and trusts Him for salvation and deliverance.
But that time lies ahead and the pressing issue that is being forced to the forefront in this time is the simple question of whose side we will end up on; whom we serve, God, or Satan (Self).
And, in regard to that question, let it be known that “Yeshua said, "I AM the Way—and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (CJB)
Am Israel Chai!
I don’t agree. Israel has to move on, otherwise they will be caught in a war that never ends. They have to destroy Hamas, the terrorists that say that they will keep repeating October 7th again and again. This can’t go on! Get rid of them. Then Israel can hand over to Arab forces to take control. It’s unbelievable that anyone should think that they should plod on like this. The hostages will eventually die of starvation and it will prolong the war that will achieve nothing. Israel must move forward
We don’t disagree on your points Susan; there must be a misunderstanding of my position. I am fully in favor of Israel doing what must be done to eliminate Hamas, including full control over Gaza.
I will also add that although we share a Judaeo Christian philosophy. Jewish people will not wholly accept this view!
I will also add that although we share a Judaeo Christian philosophy. Jewish people will not wholly accept this view!
Of course they won’t; they didn’t then, and they won’t ‘wholly’ do so now… The same is true for the overwhelming majority of the Gentile world.
Salvation is God’s strange work; our call is to love Him above all else, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
I question if we can fulfill that call, if we know the blessings of salvation, as well as what is at stake for those that reject the sacrifice of Yeshua/Jesus that makes redemption possible, but do not at least attempt to share the truth with others, in love, regardless of how they take it.
Love, Mike
Waving placards and signs saying "Free the Hostages" and directing this at Netanyahu misses the point that it isn't Netanyahu who is holding hostages, but hamas, and they refuse to negotiate.
From the very beginning the slogan should have been “let them go” instead of “bring them home”. A subtle but significant shift in messaging.
Another Josh Hoffman bullseye! The left in the US, UK, France, Spain is also a threat. And the threat from the Jewish left (see recent demonstrations in NYC) is very worrying. Keep writing Josh!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I can understand how European and American leftists can sell out Israel for "the cause". They are in no immediate danger I cannot comprehend how Israelis can do this when it means their own deaths
Good article, although the Gilad Shalit deal set the "kidnapping works" precedent. 1100 terrorists for one man. Great to save the man, but cost thousands of lives later. Hamas pays attention to such barbaric patterns.
Crazy how much the Israeli and American Far-Left mirror each other. As for writing that the Far Left would set a precedent of "kidnapping works": Too late, that's already a fact. Hamas will be defeated but they are leaving behind a whole lot of new support around the world. Jihadis everywhere have taken note.
Josh, כל הכבוד. You’ve expressed my thoughts precisely. The marchers “for the hostages” are Israeli Leftists who are using the horrible plight of the hostages as a weapon they use against Netanyahu. Blocking major highways, cursing the Prime Minister are nothing less than collaborating with Hamas. If these extremists stayed home it would convey the message to Hamas that Israelis are united in the war to crush Hamas, PIJ, etc. There will be plenty of time to investigate the מחדל and to vote in a new govt. if that is the desire of the Israeli population. But the behavior of the screaming demonstrators only supports the antisemitic mobs around the world and, supports the antisemites and lunatic, Lefty professors who falsely claim that Israel is committing genocide. The screaming haters of their own country and countrymen ought remember one classic line from the Talmud: “מפני קמצא ובר קמצא נחרבה ירושלים.”
Just like worldwide, the left has gone so far to the left, that what people mistakenly call "Center" in Israel is simply - left. Gantz, Lapid, etc. All dangerously left. These people still didn't wake up from the Two State Delusion.
On the other hand, what everyone call "far right" seems to have had it... just right... everything they said turned out to be true... our "peace partners" actually want to annihilate us, and cannot be trusted.
In fact, the left has gone so far left, that if Ben Gurion would've lived today, he'd be voting Bibi, because that's actually closer to the original labor party than anything else in our parliament.
I don't what to say or even think anymore...although not doing either is a luxury we can't afford. My first reaction to this article was yet another wave of despair.... and then I remembered the Israeli comedy spoof of the evening news..where the anchorman begins with a serious face and voice and says in Hebrew: "Hakol Rah" (everything is bad). That made me smile and delayed the tears. (And the rest of the sketch is funny too.) I also remembered a Jewish joke about the Rabbi doing some marriage counseling, and when the wife presented her point of view, he strokes his beard and earnestly responds with "You're right!" And when the husband finishes presenting his point of view, the rabbi nods and strokes his beard and says definitively "You're right!" After the session, the rabbi's wife, who had been listening from the other room, confronted her husband with exasperation, declaring: "How can this be? How can they both be right??" And the rabbi stroked his beard and replied to his wife: "You're right!"
Thank you Joshua for expressing my thoughts better than I ever could.
What has Israel's far left been demanding as the primary strategy and tactics for recovering the hostages? This is not a rhetorical question and I'm not meaning to be provocative. And G_d knows I don't wish for my question to be demoralizing or confrontive to friends and families of these suffering innocents.
No need to apologize. The fact is, Hamas would demand full rearmament and reconstruction before releasing all the hostages.
How do we know this? They have told us.
You know what else they have told us? That they will repeat Oct 7 at the earliest opportunity.
So those demanding a deal “at any price” must understand the real life consequences of that price.
Would you be willing to pay that price? Because that’s what “ending the war now” means.
I agree. And I am crystal clear as to what Hamas wants and plans. 100% with you. I am seriously asking what actionable strategy the left is demanding for returning the hostages, cause I have yet to hear it.
Exactly the point. That’s what they are demanding - but are too dishonest to say it openly.
When those on the left refer to polls showing that the majority of Israelis want to end the war in exchange for the hostages, they disingenuously do not quantify what that means. When those same people are polled about whether they are willing to allow Hamas to remain in power and rearm, a majority say no.
The left destroys everything they touch.
I probably mostly agree with you, in that I think that Israel's first priority should be to defeat Hamas, not to free the hostages. But I am an American, don't live in Israel and though I speak Hebrew, don't have as much at stake as Israelis. That being said, polls clearly show that Israelis don't agree with you or me on our priorities. It is wrong to label those people who disagree with us as far left, just as it is wrong to label Netanyahu, an extraordinarily cautious leader, as far right, as is frequently done in the press in the US. I was having dinner in Israel with friends several months ago and in the middle of dinner, my host and his wife started screaming at each other over what Israel's priorities should be. My host, a religious police officer (a Shas supporter) prioritized defeating Hamas, while his wife supported just as strongly the opposite side. So honestly, I think it is wrong on your part to characterize people who disagree with us as far left and unpatriotic. They are simply wrong.
This is why the slogan ‘bring them home’ is so awful. Did Israel forget to send a bus to bring home the hostages? It’s propaganda. The slogan should be directed to Hamas.
“Let them go’.