‘Every Israeli you know, knows someone who was murdered, kidnapped or called up’
Former IDF Newsdesk spokesperson says we need to free Palestinians from Hamas, not from Israel
It is a little over a week since 1,400 Jews were brutally massacred in their homes, 200 held hostage by Hamas, and over 3,000 injured. Over 20,000 people have received word that a close family member has been slaughtered. Over 2,000,000 people know someone who has been savagely murdered. Over 9,000,000 people are now asking themselves: “Could it be me next?”
Let that sink in.
I have always been pro a two-state solution. I never wanted any occupation for any civilian population. Gaza has not been occupied by Israel since 2005. Israel controls its airspace and naval borders because it has to, as well as two other border crossings (the third is with Egypt), through which we have been providing food, medical supplies, and gas for years.
The same Israel that absorbs thousands of rockets from Gaza on its civilian population has also been supplying Gaza this whole time. In my own eyes, I saw trucks being delivered into the strip amid a deadly operation in 2014. This, while Hamas seizes funds and humanitarian aid provided by world nations for civilians, and utilises them for weapons and ammunition.
I have also seen pilots on a mission to bombard rocket launchers turn around because civilians were spotted onsite. I have seen soldiers hug Palestinian children and give them food. I have seen the most moral army in the world, within a nation that saw 10 days ago that it is not facing war or a military that is threatening land or borders, but a battle against humanity. Israel is now fighting the face of evil for the rest of the world, and rest assured, they will spare no one.
If the US had been infiltrated by thousands of terrorists from Mexico, who brutally murdered 49,650 civilians (the equivalent in proportion to the US population) – or you know what, 1,300 people is enough on its own – would they continue to supply them with humanitarian aid?
After Pearl Harbor, where 2,400 soldiers were killed by the Japanese, the US responded with a nuclear weapon that killed 200,000 civilians.
After 9/11, the deadliest attack in the history of the United States, the US began a war with Al Qaeda in Afghanistan (2001-2021), which is estimated to have caused the death of 176,000 people.
No-one celebrated or excused those attacks, but for some reason, Israel, a nation whose whole history revolves around survival and self-defence, is expected to show a proportionate response. What is proportionate in the face of Hamas or ISIS, an organisation whose sole purpose is to kill? What is proportionate when the IDF adheres to international warfare rules, while Hamas has no limits?
While Israel tries, with warnings and evacuations, to avoid civilian casualties, the terrorists hide behind children, schools, hospitals and temples. Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Syria, and Qatar are more than welcome to invite Palestinians to their countries, to help get a Palestinian administration in power. Much like the Israeli government’s treaties and friendships with other Arab nations, the nation would embrace an amicable relationship with its neighbours. We have just one condition – don’t kill our civilians.
Israel, a sovereign nation that has always been the first to send assistance to every disaster-struck area, now needs the support of the world, so that such acts of horror won’t happen to anyone else, no matter their faith, religion, or race. There is a reason why Israel has peace treaties and amendments with most of the world’s nations, while Hamas is supported only by Qatar and Iran, the biggest enemies of the Western world.
I have much criticism for the Israeli government, which I have been proclaiming for years, but I can’t help but think that while I have been protesting for a more liberal, inclusive government to take better care of my LGBTQ and Arab friends, Gazans have been protesting to kill me.
Israel has to defend its civilians and its borders. If any of the “Free Palestine” callers have any idea as to how Israel should free Palestine and continue to exist, please, enlighten me. Or better yet, get your governments to welcome Palestinian civilians, to open your gates to them. But no, no one brings them in because no one wants the terror that unfortunately follows and we are currently understanding.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.