Color me confused Israel's Gaza "win" Lets Hamas rearm

 

Hamas and Israel agree to an Egyptian-arranged cease fire.

Cease fire.

That is NOT a peace deal.

There are no promises that the conflict - Netanyahu won't call Operation Protective Edge a "war" since Israel would have to pay more for damages to people and property caused by Hamas attacks - won't soon resume.

A "cease fire" is a temporary cessation of combat.

According to an Israel HaYom article headed Gaza cease-fire: 'Israel's goals met, Hamas achieved nothing', "The operation's objectives -- a long-term calm and inflicting substantial damage to terrorist infrastructure -- have been met," an Israeli government official said on Tuesday. "The cease-fire is open-ended, and Hamas' tunnel network and rocket-launching capabilities have been damaged," the official added.

"Damaged" not "destroyed." Think about the meaaning of those two words.

If "inflicting substantial damage to terrorist infrastructure " is the military goal, then the military should stay home. That should not even be a political goal.

What a cease fire does, in this case, is to allow Hamas to rearm and to check the tunnels Israel failed to find to assure future incursions into Israel to murder civilians.

Admittedly, Gaza - not Hamas, but Gaza - suffered heavy damage. According to Palestinian Health spokesman Dr Ashraf Alqedra, as reported by Amira Al Hussaini on Global Voices Online on July 31, "the overall number of Palestinians killed to date is 1,437 and those injured exceed 8,300 in this round of the conflict, dubbed by Israel as Operation Protective Edge."

It is true that some of Hamas' tunnels were discovered - at the cost of too many Israeli lives - but the question remains: Were the tunnels DESTROYED or simply temporarily put out of commission?. (Never mind considering how many homes could have been built with the materials detoured in Hamas' war effort.)

Israel did NOT win. Hamas won.

Hamas won because it still controls Gaza.

Hamas won because it now will - not can, but will - rearm and once again rain down rockets and mortars on Israel's civilian population.

Hamas won because Israel's politicians lacked the "intestinal fortitude" to allow the military to do its job, following in the path of Bush I who ordered a cessation of conflict in Iraq before the enemy was destroyed.

Israel lost because the world of Muslim terrorists - Hamas, Hezbollah, IS(IS), al Qaida, et al - now know of a certainty that Israeli politicians will tie the hands of the IDF to guarantee that no matter how much damage they inflict on Israeli civilians and no matter how much damage the IDF will inflict on them in return, they will be allowed to regroup and resume their attacks after a convenient cease fire.

Israel needs a (Harry S) Truman as prime minister; an honest man who did what was necessary to end the WW 2 in the Pacific, a war that commenced with an attack on Hawaii on December 7, 1941, the now almost forgotten "day that will live in infamy." (It's worth remembering that Truman also fired a general who was insubordinate; again, he did what was necessary.)

Americans should know that a foreign power (e.g., the U.S.) cannot impose its form of government on other countries that don't want it. The U.S. has tried - and failed - numerous times in Latin America. Likewise, Israel cannot impose its political will on Gaza and the so-called PA. But it should be able to lend support to governments - such as Egypt and Jordan - that forego belligerency toward Israel.

If Gaza was controlled by a progressive government, one that wanted to enhance the lives of its citizens, it could once again (albeit after a trust period) have open borders with Egypt and Israel, it could repair its airport, it could develop a seaport, and it could become a nation in which its citizens no longer need to fear the government or the results of its government's actions.

Of course, all the above is easy for me to write; I sit in the safety of the U.S. - but my daughter and grand-daughter (and her husband, of course) and many members of my family are in Israel.

To draft or not to draft Yeshiva boys Vs. yeshiva men

 

There are basically two yeshiva options in Israel: Hesder and non-Hesder.

Hesder yeshivot are populated by yeshiva men. Non-hesder yeshivot are populated by yeshiva boys.

The age range in both is the same.

Back in the day, almost all "Israelite" men between 20 and either 40 or 60 went to a discretionary war. There were four (4) exceptions:

  1  The person is newly wed.

  2  The person who just acquired a new house and has yet to dedicate it.

  3  The person who planted a vineyard and who has yet to taste its fruit.

  4  The person is a coward whose presence would demoralize his fellows.

Most of the yeshiva boys are not newlyweds or new home owners, or planters of vineyards.

In any event, the exemptions were only for a "discretionary" war (vs. an "obligatory" war). In an "obligatory war," "all go forth, even the bridegroom out of his chamber and the bride from her bridal pavilion" (Mish., Sot. 8:8).

Bottom line: There was no special exemption of yeshiva boys.

Back in the day, the leadership - Pinchas and Joshua - led the warriors into battle.

There was a somewhat heated discussion between Moses and the leaders of the tribes of Gad and Reuben who wanted to stay on the east side of the Jordan. In the end, they got to stay put ON THE CONDITION that they would aid their brothers conquer Canaan.

An obligatory war is defined by Rambam as a war like that fought by Joshua to liberate the land of Israel from the Seven Nations, the war to eradicate Amalek, or a war "to defend Israel against an enemy that attacks them.". The latter pretty much defines Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS (or whatever the nom du jour), and similar groups bent on testing HaShem's will.

A compromise for yeshiva boys

The haredim who refuse to defend the country that defends them, in lieu of military or national service, should be sent in caravans (trailers) to the front with the troops. They could stay inside the trailers - clearly marked as yeshivot - and study the talmuds and recite psalms for the young men and women with the guns. Surely all of Israel's enemies would avoid placing the yeshiva trailers in danger.

Better, the yeshiva boys could do non-combatant tasks. Secretarial jobs, cooking, kashrut supervision, medic and litter bearer functions and ambulance drivers. Maybe they could be issued uniforms with unique markings to identify them as non-combatants so the enemy will not attack them. (Attacking non-combatants is a war crime, and Israel's foes would never do that.)

I think HaShem was wise to include the cowards' exemption; in fact, I think it should include the obligatory war as well as the discretionary war. Cowards are demoralizing; cowardice is contagious. Since the yeshiva boys apparently are cowards, don't draft them into the army, but do present the option to study the talmuds in the comfort of a trailer at the front or performing non-combatant work to free up braver men and women to defend their country.

Any yeshiva boy who refuses loses all future stipends from the state - for life - and the yeshiva in which he studies has its government subsidies and tax breaks reduced. (I'm sure the yeshivot will survive on funds begged from the U.S. and Europe.)

Much of the foregoing is from The Jewish Virtual Library, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+32&version=ERV. The page considers a number of war-related questions.

Akedah Read the words As conversation

 

Every morning we rush through the akedah, the "binding of Isaac."

Every morning we miss the flavor of the relationship between Abraham and his grown son Isaac.

I used to miss the relationship as well.

And then I became a father of a boy (who now is sneaking up on 40 years old).

The words suddenly had meaning. They still have meaning, at least for me.

Different drummers I once asked a rabbi, who also had sons, if the akedah had a deeper meaning than before he became a father. "No," he replied, and I wondered to myself what type father he is to his children.

The stage is set The second sentence of the akedah

וימר קח-נא את-בנך את-יחידך אשר-אהבת את-יצחק

sets the stage. HaShem doesn't tell Abraham to "take your son" but asks Abraham by adding one word - נא - "please." We are given to understand that Isaac is your only son - את-יחידך, the son you love - אשר-אהבת - - and it that isn't sufficient, the son is specified by name - את-יצחק.

Now fast forward to the part where the two young men - one allegedly is Ishmael who Sara caused to be banished - are left behind when Abraham tells them he and Isaac will continue, make a sacrifice, and "we" - נשובה - will return to them.

Abraham packs the kindling on Isaac's back (it's OK, Isaac is in his 30s at this point) and he takes the fire and the knife and they start walking together. At one time I misread - something I often do - the word יחדו (together) as ידו (hand-in-hand). If you don't think two adult males ever walk "hand-in-hand," let me disabuse you of that idea, especially in father-son (and father-in-law/son-in-law) relationships.

Where's the sacrifice? This apparently is not the first time Isaac has been involved with sacrificial animals so he asks his father

וימר יצחק אל אברהם אביו "אבי" ואמר (אברהם) "הנני בני"

"my father" - "MY father" not just "father" - and Abraham answers "Here I am, my son." Not just "Yeah" or "I'm listening" but "here I am, my son." You have my attention, you are special, you are my son.

Isaac notes that they have the fire and the wood but they lack have the sacrifice. (Interesting that Isaac fails to mention the המאכלת, the knife.) Abraham replies that HaShem will provide the sacrifice, and the Torah notes that וילכו שניהם יחדו (they walked both of them - שניהם - together).

Just a story? The akedah may be just a "סיפור םבתא" - tale to make several points. The haredim will argue that since it's in the Torah it is absolutely true. I am not a Torah scholar so I won't debate the issue.

To me the story - fact or fiction - tells of the love of a son for his father and, if one can set aside the fact that the father apparently was willing to sacrifice his son - and that is a big "fact" to set aside - the love of a father for his son.

Maybe Abraham had confidence that HaShem was testing him when he told Abraham "Go to the land of Moreah and offer up Isaac as an offering."

"ולך-לך אל-ארץ המריה והעלהו שם לעולה "

There was no question about HaShem's instructions.

Meanwhile, I'll focus on the relationship of a son and is father, a closeness and a trustfulness that still moves me when I can take the time to read - and think about - the story.

 

While looking for a suitable graphic I found a computer game called "The Binding of Isaac." The description tells me the game's author, or at least the person writing the marketing blurb, never read the original story. The promo reads: A Biblically-inspired dual-joystick shooter where players take control of Isaac, a young boy who is running from his deranged mother, whose delusions lead her to believe God wants her son dead. Isaac has to navigate multiple floors of his basement - fighting enemies; bosses; and eventually, his mother.

Opuscula Israel to pay salaries Of Hamas terrorists? Say it isn't so

 

From Israel National News, a/k/a Arutz Sheva (Channel 7) we read that Economics Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) strongly opposes the push for Israel to agree to Hamas's economic demands, which would include paying the salaries of Hamas officials working against Israel politically and militarily in Gaza.

"Over the last day, reports have surfaced that Israel has agreed to finance Hamas's officials in Gaza," Bennett fired. "This is a dangerous euphemism. This is political protection money: you pay us, then we'll shoot you later; you don't pay us, then we'll shoot you right now."

The money will inevitably go toward rebuilding terror tunnels, and manufacturing or importing missiles, Bennett said.

The comments were part of an article heded "Bennett Slams 'Calm for Cash' Formula in Talks with Hamas"

The article continued:

On Sunday, the Palestinian news agency Sawa revealed that Hamas was able to funnel millions of dollars into Gaza over the past two months despite the IDF campaign - and that two months' salary was paid in full to its terror "military wing," the Al-Qassam Brigades, in the early hours of Sunday morning. Additional funds will also be paid to Hamas government officials.

Analysts suspect that the funds - which seemingly appeared out of nowhere - may have been procured, at least in part, from Saudi and United Arab Emirates (UAE) donors.

A little history

The U.S. (mostly) pumped money and technology into Germany and Japan (and the rest of non-Communist Europe and Asia as well) after World War 2.

Germany had murdered millions of civilians (Note 1) while Japan is alleged to have murdered at least 300,000 civilians (Note 2).

While leaders of both Germany and Japan dreamed of world domination, once defeated they accepted the new status quo and acquiesced to the victors' demands (disarming, etc.).

In return, and as an act of good faith, the U.S. helped rebuild the former enemies' countries. The fact that this eventually might (and in fact did) cost the U.S. a number of industries and thousands of jobs was ignored in the rush to "buy" the former enemies' good will.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE between the Germans and Japanese and Hamas.

The difference is that - at least for the moment - the Germans and Japanese abandoned their plans for world domination.

Hamas, despite its losses, still has as its sole goal the destruction of Israel and the elimination of all non-Muslims of their variety from the region. Hamas, like Iran, envisions a world dominated by Muslims if not populated only by Muslims.

To ask Israel to fund ANYTHING in or for Gaza while Hamas is present - for its presence means it is in power; it has the guns and money - is foolish. For Israel to fund anything in Gaza without eliminating Hamas and any lingering anti-Israel feeling is STUPID.

It should be sufficient that Israel provides - at the Israeli taxpayer's expense - medical treatment in Israel for Gazans. It would be enough that Israel provides electricity and water to Gaza, which Gaza is supposed to buy. It should be enough that Israel allows all manner of materials to cross its border with Gaza.

It not only is enough, it's more than an enemy who refuses to give up his demented ways deserves.

The people of Gaza elected Hamas as their leader. The people of Gaza apparently have neither the will nor the capability to replace Hamas, peacefully or otherwise. (Hamas has shown, in its takeover of Gaza from the PA, that removing it from power will not be a peaceful transition.)

Before anyone pressures Israel - from inside or outside or the country - to fund ANYTHING in or for Gaza thinking it will buy peace with Hamas as the U.S. dollar bought peace with Germany and Japan, they should revisit post-war Germany and Japan and see how the idea of world dominion was abandoned while in Gaza today, Islam's scheme to dominate the world is alive, if not well.

There is a difference.

 

Note 1

From ukemnde.com, the Ukrainian Community In Montreal:

Ukrainians    5.5 - 7 million
Jews (of all countries)    6 million +
Russian Civilians    2 million +
Poles    3 million +
Yugoslavians    1.5 million +
Gypsies    200,000 - 500,000
Mentally/Physically Disabled    70,000- 250,000
Homosexuals    Tens of thousands
Spanish Republicans    Tens of thousands
Jehovah's Witnesses    2,500 - 5,000

The list does not include an estimated 3.3. million Russian POWs

 

Note 2

According to a Wikipedia entry titled Japanese war crimes, R. J. Rummel, a professor of political science at the University of Hawaii, estimates that between 1937 and 1945, the Japanese military murdered from nearly 3 to over 10 million people, most likely 6 million Chinese, Indonesians, Koreans, Filipinos and Indochinese, among others, including Western prisoners of war. According to Rummel, "This democide [i.e., death by government] was due to a morally bankrupt political and military strategy, military expediency and custom, and national culture." According to Rummel, in China alone, during 1937–45, approximately 3.9 million Chinese were killed, mostly civilians, as a direct result of the Japanese operations and 10.2 million in the course of the war.[60] The most infamous incident during this period was the Nanking Massacre of 1937–38, when, according to the findings of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, the Japanese Army massacred as many as 300,000 civilians and prisoners of war, although the accepted figure is somewhere in the hundreds of thousands.

 

yohanon dot glenn at gmail dot com