screenshot from my computer of the Jerusalem Post |
Here's Bibi's list:
- Hamas Disarmed
- All Hostages Freed
- Gaza Demilitarized
- Israeli overriding security control
- Non-Israeli peaceful civil administration
My musings, reflections on life here in Shiloh, Israel. Original, personal, spiritual and political. Peace, security and Israeli sovereignty. While not a "group blog," Shiloh Musings includes the voices of other Jews in The Land of Israel. **Copyright(C)BatyaMedad ** For permission to use these in publications of any sort, please contact me directly. Private accredited distribution encouraged. Thank you.
screenshot from my computer of the Jerusalem Post |
I think it's extremely important to remember that Israel's WAR FOR SURVIVAL has a number of fronts. From what I understand, the northern front is now quiet. But what does that mean? Did our enemies surrender?
Just a few weeks ago Israel decided that the time had come to try to destroy Iran's nuclear development, which seemed impossible, since we don't have strong enough bombs to go deeply enough. Also Iran immediately began bombing Israeli cities, and our Iron Dome and other defensive "machinery" only partially prevented destruction and death in Israeli cities. After the USA completed the bombing of Iran's nuclear development center, utilizing the damage that Israel had accomplished. This front also quieted down without anything that could be called a surrender by Iran.
Now Israel has returned to fighting in Gaza, Deja Vu.
Early in the war, I'd read in the newspapers and internet interviews with IDF reservists on the southern front who'd say it's the second, third or fourth time ... or more, they've battled and taken over the same sections of Gaza. After each of the previous wars, Bibi who was usually (or always) Prime Minister at the time, would declare that we "won," and the Gazans/Hamas/or whatever you want to call them had been stopped and "know that we're stronger." Then we'd leave, the terrorists would return and within a year or two or three, they'd attack us yet again.
What concerns me the most is how Begin's, and more recently, Bibi's avoiding cleaning the bureaucracy of those who obviously want to sabotage their government policies. In Begin's time, the Foreign Ministry, stocked with Leftist Labor supporters, didn't advise him according to his supporters' and voters' policies. People didn't vote him in to withdraw from the Sinai and destroy Jewish communities. It's very probable that Begin's depression towards the end of his rule, wasn't just because of the death of his beloved wife, but because his policies had alienated his closest friends and supporters.
When Begin's party got the most seats in the 1977 elections, it was a surprise for all. As I remember, none of the polls predicted such a political upheaval. Begin didn't have an "army" of followers to take over the bureaucracy. I don't think he had a real plan for an eventual win. For nineteen years, Herut and Liberals felt that they'd be permanent Opposition.
Upon establishing his government, instead of doing what was technically legal, replace government workers involved with policy. Instead he tried to make "friends" with them, called it being "noble," by not firing the Labor followers and Histadrut members. So political appointees became permanent policy makers, and they made sure the "right" people succeeded them, "a friend brings a friend." That's how the Judicial, the IDF, Foreign Ministry and the Shabak etc still follow Leftist Labor policies, even though the Labor party hasn't had a Prime Minister for decades. The only real ideological success/change was that Begin's Liberal-- meaning non-socialist--political partners did what they were elected to do by breaking the power and monopoly of the Histadrut in economics.
Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu continued the path Menachem Begin. That's why Judicial Reform never got done, nor did he put his own people in important security positions, so on October 7, 2023, he wasn't informed about the signs of Hamas Gazan preparation for war against us. Shabak head Ronen Bar has made it clear that he considers himself over the government and refused to recognize that he had been fired. My big question is why did it take so long for Bibi to even try to fire him...
Here we are a year and a half after that murderous invasion, no closer to #TotalVictory #ניצחוןמוחלט than we were on October 8th. Despite Bibi's brave bombastic speeches, his policies are weak and failing. Our soldiers are being killed, maimed, wounded and are exhausted. We don't act like victors. We haven't returned to Gush Katif. Bibi thinks we can just be policemen aka targets. Bibi doesn't have a vision for a greater future. I predicted this when I heard him speak in 2008.
Why did it take Bibi a year and a half to go after him?
I'm a pragmatist, a CPA's daughter. I look at the bottom line. We may win some battles, but we're not winning the war. True Total Victory seems further away now than a year ago. Sorry to sound so depressing, but I'm a realist.
Here's another of my "Gnite" posts:
Biblical Shiloh
This starts with one of my "Gnites" on facebook, but then I continue with more details and history.
As happy as I am that Donald Trump won the election and is now POTUS again, Israel must not depend on him. We are supposed to be an independent sovereign country.
Trump's policies vis-à-vis Israel are better than any of his predecessors, but he's not our ruler, and one can't count on all of his policies and ideas to be good for us.
The Israeli Prime Minister must act as a strong leader and not a weak follower. Unfortunately, Bibi is a very weak PM who tries to be "moderate" aka "centrist," which is what he said he would be when I heard him in 2008, "Shiloh Musings Impressive."
After hearing that speech I pictured Bibi as being held immobile by a bagel. Unfortunately, he has proven me correct.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is a talented orator and actor, but he doesn't have the guts to lead us into victory. He's too busy trying to ingratiate himself with those who really don't care about Israel's survival. That's why he brags about his dangerous "morality," warning the enemy, so no alleged innocent civilians would be killed.
The attack on October 7, 2023 proved that there aren't innocent Gazans. The Gazans that many Israelis in the south had considered as friends were those who enthusiastically showed their true colors as Hamas terrorists, murdering, raping, mutilated, incineration truly innocent, and in many cases, naïve Israelis.
There's only one way that the State of Israel can survive and thrive would be to act as a truly proud sovereign nation and recognize that we have only one reliable ally, Gd Almighty. With that, we must fight to win, resettle Gaza and expand Israeli sovereignty in Judea, Samaria, the Jordan Valley and the rest of the State of Israel.
Remember that Zionism means the return to our well documented native Homeland. We've liberated it. It was conquered by Biblical heroes like Joshua. Please be careful of your vocabulary. Words have power.
Day after day, lives lost to terror-- this war doesn't seem even close to the end. For me the end of the war must be our victory. If Bibi serves us another one of his ceasefires, I truly dread the next war. I also dread the increased Arab terrorism from the released convicted Arab terrorists and their increased confidence.
I can't lie. With Netanyahu in the drivers seat, I'm not optimistic. Please prove me wrong.
Here's last night's "Gnite:"
The war is dragging on...Poor leadership...Bibi's a brilliant orator, but...... being a Prime Minister demands other talents. If he had the other talents his orating skills would be the "cream on the cake," but without them, it's like getting sick because you just ate a bowl of sweet fatty cream...Our country is sick now, and some people are yearning for a leader with the confidence and bargaining talents of a Donald Trump. They see that Bibi is weak in those categories, but Trump is American, not Israeli. His job isn't to save us. We Israelis must save ourselves. He won't stop and threaten us like Biden managed to do.How is it that Biden, in his weakened state, still succeeded in terrifying and controlling Bibi Netanyahu? It doesn't say much for Bibi.Hamas acts victorious, proud of its accomplishments, in control of the situation. They tested us by sending the body of a Gazan rather than Shiri Bibas. It's obvious that it was a test, because the minute Israel made a forceful complaint about it, the correct body was sent.They're calling the shots...I'm praying for a miracle. Either Bibi has a sudden personality change and becomes a brave, strong, confident leader taking us to #TotalVictory, or he resigns and someone else becomes Prime Minister, someone capable of leading us to VICTORY.We're a small country and can't go on like this forever...Gd willing, tomorrow...
What do you think? Don't be shy. Please comment and share, thanks.
This is the message I wrote last night on Facebook. Israelis are now starting to face the fact that there are very few living hostages. Most have been murdered by the Hamas terrorists, and that includes the young Bibas family.
We're paying for the few survivors plus bodies and difficult to identify remains with live healthy convicted Arab terrorists. We're emptying the jails and filling the hospitals and cemeteries, including future Arab terror victims. This is insane, and the people responsible for our lack of immediate military response, government, security and IDF haven't been fired, charged etc. Almost none have even admitted mistakes to the citizens of Israel.
Think about it...
PS because of changes in blogger, I can't use any of my newer photos, just those that I've already posted.
Gnite
Most Israelis are trying to wrap their heads around the news that the two cute Bibas kids, their mother and probably most of the remaining hostages, really are dead, murdered by the Hamas terrorists adored by our enemies who claim to be our friends.In exchange the terrorists get more terrorists for their vicious perverse cruel "army" to murder more Jews.Yes, as far as I'm concerned, all those who support Hamas and/or chant "From the River to the Sea" etc are our enemies. They support the destruction of the State of Israel. Even if they're so stupid they've never seen a map of Israel, that's no excuse. It just means that they are dangerously useful idiots.Ditto to all of those who support a "two state solution," which would be the "final solution" for the Gd forbid destruction of the State of Israel.Yes, I'm blunt. I look at the facts.Bibi is a record-breaking Prime Minister. There have been more wars under his rule than an other Israeli leader. Actually I don't know if any other country has had as many wars as we've had since Bibi became PM. Of course, he doesn't call them wars, even when our enemies attack us, and we never have a real victory. When they finish their target practice, he proudly declares it's over "and they won't try anything again," but the ceasefire only lasts until the next time...Somehow Bibi has mesmerized the Likud and its loyal voters... he should have been fired years ago... He's a failure. Hamas is calling the shots and even decides where the released terrorists go.Under Bibi's rule Israel has surrendered.When is he going to be sent packing?AND PLEASE DON'T SAY THAT NOBODY COULD REPLACE HIM!We won't need elections if the replacement is from the Likud. It just must be someone not afraid to do the right thing. FIGHT TO WIN. None of that "moral" army garbage. No other country has done it, because it's the road to disaster, to losing a war.I hope I can fall asleep, but at least I wrote what I needed to say.Gd willing we'll meet again in the morning.
The following is from my Facebook "Gnite" posts. Before I go to bed, I let loose on Facebook whatever is really bothering me. Generally these posts aren't at all planned; they just flow.
I'd appreciate if you'd read, comment and share, thanks.
I'm an old lady, past retirement age. I've been following politics and history since I was a child in New York. My life decisions aren't the standard and not as I was raised. I'm a Torah Observant Jew since my teens, thanks to what I learned and experienced in NCSY and made aliyah (moved to Israel,) with my husband since just after our 1970 wedding. That's my background in a nutshell.
Please read, thanks...
GniteWhat's going to happen 12 noon on Shabbat? Jerusalem time or Washington DC? Not clear to me...Hamas isn't afraid of Bibi. That's for sure. It has been revealed that Gazans were readying for a surrender over a year ago, but then Bibi followed Biden's orders and began feeding the Gazans... so we lost.Bibi is more American than I am.I feel no loyalty, nor do I have any trust in the USA. The American State Department, Defense Department etc don't know what's best for Israel and have never cared about our survival. Way back when, during Harry Truman's presidency, he was told by the State Department not to vote "yes" in the infant United Nations for a Jewish State. Truman defied them.Two decades later, when Egypt was threatening to destroy Israel with the help of their allies, Syria and Jordan. The USA was quiet.Six years later they knew all about Egypt's plan to attack Israel and refused to warn Israel. Read Deceit of an Ally by Bruce Brill.Almost a half a century later, deja vu, Biden was flown to Israel by his handlers to force Bibi to treat Hamas Gaza with kid gloves, send in "humanitarian aid" and continue with the farcical fokokt "moral" waste of our weapons to protect "innocent" Gazans civilians. Of course this totally ignores the fact that Gazan civilians are terrorists and invaded, murdered Gazans civilians, raped, decapitated, incinerated truly innocent Israelis on October 7, 2023. And the Americans quickly announced that their plan for "after" was to establish a Palestinian State. Their timing is very suspicious... It takes years for the State Department to plan things... right? So, the chances are... the attack wasn't a surprise for the Americans...If my blog and FB posts had been more popular, I'd be one of those targeted... What do you think?Food for thought...Past my bedtime. Gd willing see you tomorrow.
I wrote a version of this the other night on Facebook before I went to sleep. Many of you already know that I write a "Gnite" post before going to sleep.
Sharon replied, "You don't know? We will cross the Suez Canal and the war will end over there." Sharon arrived at the front, to participate in his fourth war, in a civilian car.[44] His forces did not engage the Egyptian Army immediately, despite his requests. Under cover of darkness, Sharon's forces moved to a point on the Suez Canal that had been prepared before the war. In a move that again thwarted the commands of his superiors, Sharon's division crossed the Suez, effectively winning the war for Israel.[17] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Sharon....
When he was good, he was very, very good, but when he was bad, he was HORRID!
What I want is very simple.
I want a Prime Minister who clearly rules as Prime Minister of an independent sovereign country, who is not afraid to win a war, destroy our enemies. Stop the fokokt "morality" business. It endangers us and strengthens the enemy. This sicko policy has been followed for over twenty years, if not longer. I'm disgusted. Too many of our soldiers have been killed because of it, and now the country is in total danger. Bibi is a disaster, totally.
You know that I'm no youngster. I may forget why I walked into a room or names that I've known forever, but there are things I know and remember really well. One of them is that a young neighbor, who had been a friend of one of my sons, was killed in a badly planned army action, because the government was protecting the enemy. Yes, that faux fokokt morality Bibi is so proud of. I wrote this over twenty years ago “Aish Zarah—A Strange Fire” If you search this blog, you'll find many posts about Avihu Keinan, הי"ד. I suggest you do it.
For me, this war is deja vu on steroids.
And to all those who claim that nobody could be better than Bibi... Duh?!? Have you noticed that Israel was attacked over a year ago, and it took not minutes, not even a few hours, but much longer for the IDF to come to the rescue of our embattled citizens? This was under Bibi's watch/rule. Bibi Netanyahu is the longest serving Prime Minister. Yes, simple math. So who's responsible? BIBI!
This WAR isn't the first under Bib's rule. Honestly, I lost track. All those attacks over the years must be considered wars, even though Bibi insisted on giving them different names. And then he never fought to win, destroy the enemy. He just "mowed" them to "silence" as if they had accidentally misfired onto Israel's cities.
I don't understand how Israelis who consider themselves on the "Right" keep lying to themselves. The Left who have taken over the streets since they can't win elections are a different story... not for now.
Likud voters have been conned.
I'm not a political party loyalist. I'm a CPA's daughter and look for the bottom line. What's the policy? What have they done, accomplished. I look at the facts. That's why I consider Netanyahu totally unsuccessful and dangerous. I heard him promise to be a "centrist" in 2008. Read this, because it explains it all. Centrists aren't leaders, and we need a true brave leader NOW!
As a student of the Bible/Tanach, most recently Prophets/Navi, that's the message. Gd will save us if we do the right thing. That's how we won the 1967 Six Days War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. |
I kept suspecting, fearing that Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu would fold under American pressure, but I prayed that he'd be opposed by other Likud leaders and coalition ministers. Unfortunately, he and all but one of the ministers failed to oppose it.
Just Otzma Yehudit's Itamar Ben-Gvir opposed American rule over the State of Israel. He's the only reliable leader. That's it. I'm hoping to hear angry voices from Likud backbenchers. So far, silence.
Netanyahu has given up our sovereignty and totally buckled. He let the USA decide our defense policy.
Biden announces Israel's truce with Lebanon with hope of paving pathway for Gaza ceasefire
I'm not interested in his fancy oratory. I look at facts and policy. The next war in the north will be a gazillion times worse. It's clear. This has been happening ever since Bibi has been ruling. Read my other articles, please. I don't have time to write more now.
This is what I wrote last night on facebook:
Gnite
It shouldn't surprise you that I'm beyond, angry, miserable, scared and worse.I'm not the only Israeli feeling totally betrayed by our government coalition. Bibi is just what I've been saying for years, a "closet Leftist." That's definitely the most polite term I can use.You can Google what I wrote on Shiloh Musings in 2008 which I titled Impressive*. FB blocks the link and hides....I don't care what spin Netanyahu puts on what he agreed to, but it's a surrender. A military surrender and a surrender of Israeli sovereignty.Why hasn't the coalition crumbled?Why isn't the Likud demanding Bibi's resignation?Why aren't the families of our dead and wounded soldiers out in the streets shouting?The deal, or whatever you want to call it a travesty.It's a danger to the survival of the State of Israel.I'm beyond angry.What do you think?If you agree with what I've written, please share.#totalvictory #עדהניצחון
I'd appreciate your comments, and share if you agree, thanks.
*I linked it here, because this isn't Facebook.
We've all heard the saying that trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results is a definition of insanity and the most accurate way of describing Prime Minister Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu's security policies --how he ends wars--
That's why we're in the mess we've been in the past year plus. The mess is the war. We've been attacked every year or two since early into Bibi's reign as Israel's Prime Minister. I don't understand why so many, otherwise brilliant, people vote for him, trust him and politically worship him. Netanyahu has been giving us a 21st century appeasement policy.
We haven't won any of these wars; we just end them, first cousin to surrender. Bibi claims that "we showed the Arabs that we're stronger, can't push us around." Duh?!? It has never worked. If it's the right policy there wouldn't be fighting a dangerous war for Israel's survival since October 7, 2023. It's clear. I'm a CPA's daughter and 1+1=2. This isn't even Second Grade Arithmetic. Why are so many people dumb when it comes to politics?
And now I keep hearing that we're letting the Americans, those deceitful allies, sic, negotiate a deal/ceasefire with Hizbolla. Beyond insanity, these are the Democrats, the party of Obama, AOC, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and Biden, who's no better than any of the others.
The tough war savvy crew Donald Trump has been nominating is certainly horrified. Horrified because we're not showing any war smarts, none of the heroism Trump is old enough to remember well from 1967.
If I sound depressed, it's because I am depressed. IMHO Bibi is only making things worse. When Trump tells Israel to finish the war, he means WIN IT!
I know what you want to ask me. "Who should replace Bibi?" Right? Honestly, I want to postpone elections as long as legally possible, because Israel can't afford raising the level of competition/disagreement/debate among citizens. If Netanyahu would only resign from all public offices, then the next in line in Likud would become Prime Minister. No elections needed.
Our soldiers are fighting hard, not only against Arab terrorists but also against some bad policies of the higher ups, those above the glass ceiling. Elections would cause too many internal fights.
I know that some people are certainly upset that I've written this. But I can't stay quiet, sorry. If you agree with me, please share this post, thanks. I'm looking forward to your comments, too.
This War Musing is adapted from last night's "gnite" on Facebook. As some of you know, I write a message, rather unplanned every night before I go to bed. The words just come out, and it's as if my tapping fingers have minds of their own. Even when I sit down with a plan... I discover a very different message appearing on the screen. Please feel free to comment and share.
It's now אחרי החגים after the Tishrei Holidays. Most of the Jewish month of Tishrei is full of Jewish Holidays, Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur, Succot and Simchat Torah. Outside of Israel there's an extra day of Simchat Torah which is followed immediately by Shabbat, so those who observe Torah won't reach this milestone until three stars show Saturday night.Last year's Simchat Torah was a nightmare. A Nazi like pogrom took place in Southern Israel. Reservists were called up on the holiday all over the country. Others just rushed out to help even though they hadn't been called.Terrible tragedies and cruelty along with legendary heroism simultaneously.Israeli military failed horrendously in every way. But the Israeli and Jewish People have been totally amazing.During the previous year, there began attempts to reform our Judicial system, and our Defense Ministry needs reform, too, from the top.We're still at war. More of our brave wonderful soldiers are dead and wounded. We must defeat the enemy. They must surrender, and we must resettle Gaza. Gd willing...Please
During Succot there was an important event promoting return to Jewish life in Gaza. Disengagement was a terrible mistake, as were the Oslo Accords. If you've been reading this blog and my statements/comments on Facebook, you know that I'm totally disgusted with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's pledges, in Congress, the UN General Assembly ad nauseum that we're not returning to live there.
Bibi is the Centrist/Leftist that he unabashedly pledged to be when I heard him speak at the International Jewish Bloggers Conference in 2008. This is ignored and denied even by those who were there with me. I know he said it; his policies prove it. That's why I don't vote for the Likud. I choose my party, election by election according to policies.
I'm not married to a political party. Too many people vote for a specific party religiously. I don't. I follow my principles, not sentiment. Menachem Begin lost me when he gave all of the Sinai, the best buffer zone imaginable, to Egypt, including destroying all Jewish communities there, in exchange for promises of peace. How could it be peace if Jews are forbidden to live there? Another thing for you to think about... Saadat didn't want Gaza.
Netanyahu wasn't part of the anti-Disengagement movement, which makes it no real surprise that he keeps saying that Israel isn't returning to live in Gaza, Gush Katif. He hasn't changed. Bibi's a Leftist who recites Right wing slogans. Even during this war, his government has destroyed Jewish homes instead of expanding Jewish communities. As Prime Minister he has destroyed many Jewish communities and neighborhoods. I look at policy, not slogans.
Policing a territory or country doesn't work, if you're not living there. The USA fled Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan... when their policing didn't work. The same happened to Israel in Lebanon, and now Biden has made it clear that he has a policy plan for "after the war." The USA will establish a Palestinian State and police it. By what right?
I'm an old lady. I've been in Israel since 1970. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, I was a young mother of two in Jerusalem and felt that there was something very suspicious in the actions of the United States. I envisioned them as planning for a draw, victory for neither Israel or Egypt allowing the Americans to enter and rule. It took a few years until the truth came out. The USA was involved in the war before the first bullet was fired, hiding it all from Israel. They have admitted it. Bruce Brill's book Deceit of an Ally was approved by American censors. Brill's memoir proves that my suspicions were on the right track. Yes, I've written about this before.
Shabbat's soon, and I must finish this, even if there's more to say. I'm looking forward to reading your reactions...