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.
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #67: The War's Not Over- How Many More Israelis Will Be Killed?
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #64: Nu? Where's The Victory? Has It Flown Away?
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| I had used this photo for the 52frames Fluid album. |
At the time of the terrible surprise attack on October 7, 2023, all the murders, perversions, kidnappings done to innocent Israelis, visitors and foreign workers, Israel was totally unprepared, militarily and emotionally. That must be especially said of many of the victims and southern communities, who had been proudly in the "peace camp," believing that their kindness and generosity to local Arabs, especially including Gazans, trying to prove that we had nothing to fear from those Arabs. What a shock to them when many of those very Arabs came proudly as Hamas terrorists, joining enthusiastically in the murderous terror. Some of the attacked communities didn't even have weapons for self-defense. They didn't think such a thing necessary.
To make matters worse, it took much longer than it should have for the IDF to get its act together and begin the difficult defensive war for Israel's very survival. Israel's leaders, too, have been hypnotized/brainwashed by the misconception that we weren't in danger from the south, from Gaza. I have my theories on why that happened, but it's not for now.
Since Hamas began the war against Israel on October 7, 2023, over a thousand IDF soldiers and police have been killed, besides the approximately 1,200 murdered by Hamas Gazans in the various attacks/pogroms/massacres on that first black day.
Within a few months, miraculously for sure, it looked like we were on the way to an amazing victory, but then... things changed, and instead of being strong confident victors Prime Minister Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu began looking rather pathetic trying to get approval and praise from foreign leaders who had been growing more critical and demanding with every concession he made.
While groups of Israelis organized returns to their former homes in Gaza, Bibi pledged in the United Nations and the United States Congress that we had no plans of settling in Gaza. To show his seriousness, every few months he'd destroy Jewish communities in Judea/Samaria. If someone counted all the Jewish homes he has destroyed in his close to twenty years as Prime Minister, it probably rivals those Menachem Begin and Arik Sharon destroyed. Yes, in case you're wondering, all were elected on the Likud slate as Prime Minister. It makes you wonder; doesn't it?
And how has been going for Israel militarily? At one point it was looking good, but instead of fighting to victory, Bibi did his usual... nothing. Simply put, negotiation isn't his strong point. Bibi specializes in hypnotizing oratory.
After almost twenty years as Prime Minister, too many Israelis can't imagine anyone else in the role. Yes, even those who agree that the situation is terrible, and that Israel has made many mistakes are terrified of losing Netanyahu. I just don't understand them. We've all heard:
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
Do they really think that continuing with the same leader will improve things? I also like to remind people of what US President Harry Truman liked to say:
The Buck Stops Here!
Bibi can only blame himself, and we Israelis -Right, Left and Center- must admit that for us to see a true, total VICTORY, which we need for our very survival, we need new leadership, from top to bottom, from Right to Left and Left to Right. The Opposition is no more competent than the Government. They haven't proposed anything that will help. They just want to destroy Netanyahu. I wish they'd use their power and enthusiasm against Hamas, against our enemies. They are worse than the Likud. They haven't proposed VICTORY any more frequently than Bibi.
You're probably asking whom do I propose can take over... for that please wait, though you're welcome to propose people in the comments.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #63: Thankful That Avinatan Or and Other Hostages Free From Hamas Captivity
| You can see Avinatan Or, the tall one, in the back on the right. |
As my readers know, I consider the "deal" very problematic. Bibi can't negotiate; he's too weak, woke and agreeable. He allowed other countries to represent us. Of course, I'm overjoyed that our totally innocent hostages, those still alive, were released by the Gazan Hamas terrorists, but they certainly didn't do it out of the goodness of their hearts. My theory about their agreeing will have to be explained in a later post.
Residents of Shiloh, plus Jews all over the area beyond happy at Avinatan's release. Authorities estimated that most of the hostages would need about two weeks of medical observation, tests, rest etc before being released home, so we were overjoyed to hear that barely a week after arriving in Israel, Avinatan would be allowed home.
Joyful supporters lined the roads for miles and miles, most of the route between the hospital and Shiloh. There were many stops where people cheered and he waved to the celebrants, so the trip back to Shiloh took hours and hours. In Shiloh we waited...
There were massive celebrations once they turned at the Shiloh Junction into Shiloh. Those of us waiting by the central square, near the Mishkan Tabernacle Synagogue, had been told that he'd be very soon, but we waited even longer. The family changed vehicles, so they entered Shiloh in an open one, so he could see his friends, and we could see him.
We all pray that he will enjoy good health and a wonderful life with his family and friends.
Friday, October 10, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #60: "Peace Plan"? You Must Be Joking!
Simply put: Prepare more cemeteries. Yes, I see things, political and security decisions in black and white. And I look at the big picture, too.
Does this "deal" promote long term Israeli security? NO!
There's lots of wishful thinking, with a big popular distraction. I'm sure you can guess what the distraction is, sort of like coating poison with your favorite ice cream... That's the return of all the hostages live and dead.
Of course the chances are that the dead ones won't be well-preserved bodies. There will be bones, body-parts of humans -hostages and Gazans- mixed with animals. It will take months at best to identify them. I'm not kidding. The scientific experts who had worked so hard on identifying those murdered on Simchat Torah, aka October 7th, two years ago, whose body parts were left in situ, are probably gathering their white coats and equipment to start all over again. I wouldn't be surprised if they find some "parts" of the victims they identified previously mixed in with the holy mess Hamas is preparing for us.
I hate to be a killjoy, but I'm a realist, a pragmatist. As much as I wish I could be hypnotized to discover what my maternal grandfather spoke to me about when I was a three year old, before he passed away, I doubt that hypnosis would work on me.
I see so many holes in this deal/plan that it's more like a window with a thin modernistic frame.
Israel/Bibi shouldn't have accepted it before Hamas, the Gazan terrorists had agreed to give up their arms. Bibi doesn't know how to negotiate; he's too concerned about being liked. And he doesn't understand that the smiles he's getting are mocking not admiring. Trump played him...
Gd willing the hostages will really be released and not held while the terrorists demand more Israeli concessions.
I pray that somehow Bibi Netanyahu will be out of politics in all ways, along with his devoted followers. We need true, brave, sovereign Israeli leadership, a government that takes Israel's needs first as a country. Gd willing....
Honestly, until I see all of our hostages home, I can't be joyful, I can't believe it possible/probable.
But one thing for sure, this isn't the end of the war... Of course, you can and should pray that I'm mistaken...
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #59: Commemorate According to Jewish Calendar, Simchat Torah, Not October 7th
| Jewish Calendar, this year, the one that just began on Rosh Hashannah 5786 |
*This link is really clear about how the Jewish Calendar gets adjusted to stay connected to seasons, the solar calendar and make sure certain holidays don't end up on certain days of the week.
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #52: VICTORY is Not on Bibi's Menu
| 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
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #51: "Conflict?" Nope-- They Want to Destroy Us
The woke lexicon has made it to Israel, very unfortunately. How can a war, with such clear differences between aggressors and victims be called a "conflict?" What's a "conflict?" According to the Oxford online dictionary, it's:
a serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one."the eternal conflict between the sexes"
- How can we compromise with people who want to destroy us totally?
- How can we compromise with people who bragged about raping, decapitating, murdering innocent Israelis?
- How can we compromise with people who want to burn and destroy our country?
Friday, July 11, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #50: Deja Vu, Yet Again-- Will Israel Ever Learn?
This post is based on my last night's "Gnite" on Facebook. That's a message I write most nights before going to sleep. Sometimes I haven't a clue what my fingers are going to type out, and sometimes I find myself elaborating on what has been filling my head, generally something to do with the WAR.
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.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #48: Deja Vu: Amalek = Hamas
Our sages all say that Amalek began attacking when it perceived weakness in the People of Israel and its leadership....
Every generation has its Amalek, but it's quiet because it's afraid of us. It attacks when we fight amongst each other or go around begging foreigners for help. Yup. That's the truth.
That's why in 1967, Egypt, Syria and Jordan conspired to attack on three fronts and destroy the State of Israel. It "checked the water" with threats and demands on us, our supposed allies and the United Nations which had "peacekeeping forces" which were supposed to protect us. The UN quickly removed its forces to facilitate easy attack, our supposed allies waited in safety and our Israeli government ordered the digging of graves. The State of Israel was all alone, but Jews in Israel and all over the world prayed to Gd. Simply put, that's how we won so decisively.
When instead of declaring all of the Land we liberated sovereign Israel, the government refused to settle all but the most agriculturally promising areas, our enemies attacked again six years later. Yes, the Yom Kippur War. This time they didn't threaten, they just attacked with the hidden support of the United States, while Israel was kept in the dark. As the war went on, the USA tried to keep Israel from having a decisive win, yup-- nothing's new. Thank Gd Arik Sharon refused to follow orders and crossed the Suez Canal with his forces, and Egypt surrendered.
Unfortunately, that was the last show of true strength anyone saw from Israel. In the past decade plus, every couple of years, we're attacked, Bibi refuses to call it a war, refuses to defeat the enemy, just offers a ceasefire, claiming that "now we've shown who's stronger," and most of the country falls for it. I haven't.
Israel tries to compromise, act "gracious," do clever high-tech "tricks," make deals, ceasefires etc. And again the internal fighting definitely encourages our enemies.
For me it's so clear, so obvious. That's why with every "deal" offer, comprise, fokokt "moral fighting," "compassionate" "humanitarian" food to the Gazans, the demands of the terrorists get larger and more dangerous for us.
If you study the Tanach/Bible, you should see that it's classic Amalek... Remember what important instructions Gd told the Prophet Samuel to say to King Saul in 1 Samuel Chapter 15:
Now go, attack Amalek, and proscribe all that belongs to him. Spare no one, but kill alike men and women, infants and sucklings, oxen and sheep, camels and asses!”
Did King Saul obey? No! He kept the Amalek king alive, plus some of the animals. which he used for sacrifices contradicting Jewish Law. Yes, just like Bibi has been doing with his "moral fighting" and "humanitarian aid." How was King Saul punished? He and his sons were killed in battle. That was the end of his rule, no dynasty.
Today there are two very strong parallels with the Biblical Amalek.
- Amalek fights us when we appear weak.
- The only way to have a true lasting victory is to destroy our enemy without mercy.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #47: Bibi, The Worst of Menachem Begin
This is related to War Musings #46, so if you haven't read it, I recommend that you do so. Both of these posts show how we're suffering from the mistakes made and never corrected decades ago. Here I concentrate more on one of the late Prime Minister Menachem Begin made. No, I don't get into Begin's Sinai withdrawal and destruction of numerous Israeli communities in the Sinai, aka the Camp David Accords.
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.
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #45: Bottom Line-- Bibi has FAILED
Simply put: If Bibi was a good leader, a good competent Prime Minister, then Hamas wouldn't have attacked Israel October 7, 2023... and if you insist that they still would have attacked... then we should have won within a few weeks. Really.
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:
Monday, March 24, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #44: Nothing's New, All in The Bible
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.
Monday, February 24, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #43: VICTORY Not Oratory
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.
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #42: FIGHT TO WIN! Only VICTORY!
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.
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Hamas/Gaza War Musings #40: USA Faux Friend
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.




