Excellent assessment. To take it to the next step, consider the likely outcomes of your presented options. By accepting a cease fire deal (assuming the unlikely Hamas cooperation), I suspect:
1. The Israeli protesters against Netanyahu will continue to protest as they have conflated their animus for Bibi with the separate issue of the war strategy.
2. International pressure and Jew hatred will be unchanged as they were planned and activated by October 8th before Israel fought back in Gaza.
3. Saudi Arabia will do what is best for Saudi Arabia, independent of a cease fire; they don't care about Gaza. They do know that in the Arab world, any show of conciliation is seen as weakness. They want a strong Israel as an ally against a threatening Iran.
4. With no change in Palestinian thinking, and the release of terrorists from Israeli jails, there will be no change in their age-old call for Jewish and Israeli annihilation. further 10/7s, and definitely more hostage taking. Israel was fooled once with the Shalit trade; they shouldn't be fooled again. Jewish principles about the redemption of hostages is long standing. However, the unmentioned part of that teaching is that the ransom can't be excessive, as it presents a win for kidnappers and entices them to do it again. Truly wise Israeli soldiers sometimes write a "no ransom" letter before going into battle. I think they understand their enemy, history, and, human nature. You can't compromise or reason in the hell of war with an unrelenting, purely evil enemy that is sworn to your destruction. Accomodation only benefits Hamas and its supporters, not Israel, not Jews worldwide, and not even the Gazans.
One further comment. I recently watched a movie called IC 814 The Kandahar Hijacking. Many terror as ts were released to save the crew and passengers but in the epilogue it was revealed what atrocities those released terrorists committed including involvement in the 9/11 attacks.
Fantastic summation of a very difficult situation for Israel and Jews around the world. It was a cease fire on October 6 that caused all this, so the risks are very high.
Thank you for dedicating your post this week to the six hostages brutally murdered by the Hamas terrorists. It was one of your best since you started FWOB. I am afraid there is no right or wrong answer or strategy. There will be repercussions whatever Netanyahu decides to do. Our Jewish belief values life so much that if you save one life it's like you save the world. The pressure on Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire is enormous but if he doesn't then what horrors might come Israel's way is unknown and feared. I agree I would not want to be in his shoes. God help Israel and us all.
Excellent assessment. To take it to the next step, consider the likely outcomes of your presented options. By accepting a cease fire deal (assuming the unlikely Hamas cooperation), I suspect:
1. The Israeli protesters against Netanyahu will continue to protest as they have conflated their animus for Bibi with the separate issue of the war strategy.
2. International pressure and Jew hatred will be unchanged as they were planned and activated by October 8th before Israel fought back in Gaza.
3. Saudi Arabia will do what is best for Saudi Arabia, independent of a cease fire; they don't care about Gaza. They do know that in the Arab world, any show of conciliation is seen as weakness. They want a strong Israel as an ally against a threatening Iran.
4. With no change in Palestinian thinking, and the release of terrorists from Israeli jails, there will be no change in their age-old call for Jewish and Israeli annihilation. further 10/7s, and definitely more hostage taking. Israel was fooled once with the Shalit trade; they shouldn't be fooled again. Jewish principles about the redemption of hostages is long standing. However, the unmentioned part of that teaching is that the ransom can't be excessive, as it presents a win for kidnappers and entices them to do it again. Truly wise Israeli soldiers sometimes write a "no ransom" letter before going into battle. I think they understand their enemy, history, and, human nature. You can't compromise or reason in the hell of war with an unrelenting, purely evil enemy that is sworn to your destruction. Accomodation only benefits Hamas and its supporters, not Israel, not Jews worldwide, and not even the Gazans.
Bibi should do the opposite of whatever Biden recommends.
One further comment. I recently watched a movie called IC 814 The Kandahar Hijacking. Many terror as ts were released to save the crew and passengers but in the epilogue it was revealed what atrocities those released terrorists committed including involvement in the 9/11 attacks.
Blessed art though, our Lord King of the Universe, who did not make me the person to decide such matters.
Well done, FWOB, this is an agonizing dilemma.
Fantastic summation of a very difficult situation for Israel and Jews around the world. It was a cease fire on October 6 that caused all this, so the risks are very high.
Thank you for dedicating your post this week to the six hostages brutally murdered by the Hamas terrorists. It was one of your best since you started FWOB. I am afraid there is no right or wrong answer or strategy. There will be repercussions whatever Netanyahu decides to do. Our Jewish belief values life so much that if you save one life it's like you save the world. The pressure on Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire is enormous but if he doesn't then what horrors might come Israel's way is unknown and feared. I agree I would not want to be in his shoes. God help Israel and us all.