Israeli Elections Musings #11, War Musings #83: What Now After BenGvir's Groveling to Bibi?

As you know, I'm terribly undecided about which party to vote for in next week's Israeli Elections. After a couple of years of war, which is only on an elections vacation break*, as far as I can see, the risk of making the wrong choice is greater than ever. And please don't forget that I made aliyah in 1970, so this is far from being my first time voting in Israel. 

After lots of thought, and experience in sorting through Israeli truth, history and legends, I had finally admitted that not a single political party fulfills my minimal requirements, which are demanding a complete, absolute total victory, meaning defeating our enemies so they surrender and cannot have been part of Israel's military and government establishment during the decade leading to October 7, 2023.  I came up with a desperate and disparate "short list" of two political parties I had been debating between. Neither had ever gotten my vote or support before. Start the drum roll... they are Avigdor Liberman's, Yisrael Beitenu, Israel's Our Home, and Itamar BenGvir's, Otzma Yehudit, Jewish Strength. 

Then Liberman came out with a doozy... saying he'd give Jordan responsibility for Arabs in Judea & Samaria aka PA... It's easy to guess that I quickly eliminated him from my short list. Not that the Jordanians could control them at all or would dare want to try. 

So I was left with BenGvir... that is until he began groveling to Bibi when various sources said that weak woke Netanyahu had promised various foreign leaders that BenGvir would be personal non grata in his new coalition. 

Once I realized that the choice was between someone so weak that he was terrified of losing Bibi's favor, Itamar BenGvir, versus someone whom Bibi fears,  Avigdor Liberman who broke with him in 2018, destroying a large, stable coalition. 

Obviously, there are still six days to go before elections, and I have absolutely now idea of what surprises await us. I can only take into account what I know now. Most probably, more to come. It's never dull in Israel, and the political situation is volatile. 

In case you're wondering why I'm not seriously thinking about any of the newer political parties, I think that we don't have time for people to learn their way around the power bureaucracy. 

What do you think? I'm interested in your opinions; don't be shy. That's why there are comments allowed here.

*It's clear to me that we're still at war, even though the government keeps pretending that we're back to peace mode, as if we've had true peace the past decade plus under Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu's rule. Every year or two, our enemies have attacked, and not just a border skirmish, not just the terrorism that most of the country tries to pretend is in "isolated" areas. Tel Aviv suburbs, close to the airport have been bombed on a regular basis, and the enemies who do it don't warn our innocent civilians like Bibi loves to brag about. Sometimes they target the south and sometimes the north. Bibi bombs a bit in response until they stop, and then he claims that "they won't try that again; we stopped them." The October 7th war has "ended" in the same sort of way. I hope you're prepared for the next round of attacks, because they will come. And I'm not even starting about Bibi's pathetic dependence on US President Donald Trump's approval. 

Gaza War Musings #81 Worried, Is Israel Ready For The Next Attack?

IMHO Israel's in more danger than ever. I've been living in Israel since 1970, and I remember much too well the two wars which caught us worse than flatfooted. It's best to describe the Israeli government and military's mindset as buried in dry concrete. Yom Kippur, Saturday, October 6, 1973, Israel was attacked on three fronts after trusting the United States' assurances that the Arab military moves Israeli security had been noticing were totally innocent. Later on, decades later, the Americans admitted that they knew very well that Israel was going to be attacked on Yom Kippur, when approving, after passing required censorship, Bruce Brill's memoir of his time in NSA,  Deceit of an Ally.

To be honest, I had suspected something like that during that war, but I didn't hear or read anyone else voice something similar. Henry Kissinger's constant "advice" to then Prime Minister Golda Meir made me think that the Americans wanted the war to end in a "draw," not an Israeli victory, so Israel could lose its independence and become an American protectorate. Around the same time that Brill began revealing his personal story, a friend called from the states, who had heard from someone who had been in the American Army in Germany during the summer of 1973. They were put in lockdown in Germany, then in September given desert gear. They were only released after the ceasefire. 

These two things confirmed to me that the United States is NOT an ally of Israel and shouldn't be trusted.

It's all much too deja vu... 

Fifty years later, almost to the day, after years, decades, of sending Israeli IDF officers to the USA for training, or more accurately brainwashing, Israel was even less prepared for October 7, 2023's surprise attack. And just think about the targets... mostly Leftist ones populated by those who believed that the Gazans were peaceful. Some didn't even have armed self-defense groups, because the generous NGOs funded by... had convinced them that they weren't moral/necessary. 

And talking about what's "moral..." Israel's longtime Prime Minister, Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu brags, vows at every possible occasion that we will continue to fight morally sic by warning the Gazans before bombing their homes. That makes no practical sense at all. First the simple reason that we're wasting our weapons on empty buildings. Secondly, even more important, terrorists are civilians. The terrorists who murdered, raped, kidnapped, incinerated, mutilated etc were Gazan civilians. That was clear in the photos publicized soon after the attacks and in the testimonies of the surviving victims. Many of these terrorist civilians were the same people who had been helped and employed by the Israeli victims. They knew them well and knew who had weapons and where they were kept. They had built and cleaned the homes. Is it moral to protect such people?

For some more important facts for you to ponder, all through the almost two decades of Netanyahu's reign, Israel has been suffering war and attacks. They usually last a few weeks, and after Israel responds things quiet down. Bibi then announces proudly that the war is over, and the country resumes regular life. This isn't peace and certainly not security. 

A year ago all living and dead hostages were returned to Israel, which the government claimed was a "victory." That's not a victory, not at all. We're still in danger. Our soldiers and civilians are still be attacked, wounded and murdered. 

Our military/terrorist enemies are from the north, east and south, while from the west and all over come support for our enemies and condemnation of our very existence. I don't see the Likud/Netanyahu government as winning the war, preventing future attacks or successfully bringing us to a true victory. I don't trust them at all. They have been failing completely. Elections are in a few days, and I'm still UNDECIDED about which political party is best to vote for.

Gaza War Musings #80 Bibi's UN Speech 2026, Listen Carefully

 

A version of this was first posted on my Facebook page immediately after listening to Prime Minister Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu's 2026 United Nations General Assembly speech. As you may know, I'm not a fan of his and don't want him to continue as Prime Minister or in any position in Israel. You can read my earlier posts, especially those of the War Musings series. And, in case you're curious, I'm an UNDECIDED. I still don't know which party to vote for in the upcoming Israeli Elections. 

I'm curious about what you think of my post and Bibi's speech. One of my complaints has been mentioned numerous times, since Bibi brags about what I consider one of his worst policies. Please think about it and let me know what you think of the issues I've brought up. And, yes, please feel invited to share this and other posts. And if you notice any typos that I missed, don't be shy, let me know, thanks.

I just listened to Bibi's UN speech...eh...

As usual he bragged about that dangerous weak woke policy of protecting what he calls innocent Gazan civilians. Terrorists are civilians. Barely 24 hours before his speech, I heard Avinatan Or speak about his capture three years ago on October 7th 2023 by GAZAN CIVILIANS. Yes, the same people Bibi proudly protects. Think about it.

Also Bibi incorrectly stated that Arab terrorists only attack "settlers." That's a lie. Arab terrorism is all over the country. And I don't trust that Bibi is capable of victory. He had been prime minister for a decade plus before October 7th 2023 and throughout the war. If his policy was really VICTORY, we'd have seen it by November 1, 2023. Actually, he would have defeated the terrorists years before. The October 7th attack wasn't a new war; it was another -much bigger more violent- attack in a long, long war. This war has been going on all through Bibi's rule. Each time there's a ceasefire, or just "quiet," he claims that "we won and it's over." Obviously, it's not. I don't trust his fancy words; I look at the facts, the bottom line.

Gaza War Musings #77: Victory From Bibi's Likud? Reminds Me of an Old Joke

Bibi has been Prime Minister for most of the past twenty years. We've had constant wars/battles/attacks. Victory isn't on the menu with him in charge. He's not going to change. Same bombastic speeches, but he doesn't fight to win the war.

Since Bibi has been Prime Minister, possibly even before, we've been fighting the same long, very endless war. Every year or two our Arab terrorist "neighbors" have started missile attacks. Sometimes the targets are mostly southern Israel, sometimes northern, sometimes close to our main International Ben-Gurion Airport and sometimes a combination of the above. After we "hit back a bit," Bibi state some version of:

"Now we showed them. Now we'll have quiet." 

We never hear a word of surrender from our enemies, not even a whisper of it. Things just quiet down... until the next time and the time after. It happened so many times that I'm not the only one who lost count years ago. Then on October 7, 2023, Shabbat Simchat Torah-- a Jewish Holiday, almost three years ago, our terrorist, enemy neighbors raised the level of attack tremendously murdering over a thousand innocent unsuspecting Israelis, and the IDF was caught not just flatfooted but with its pants down. Reservists and brave volunteers arrived at the attack sites more quickly than army units. 

And now, according to Israeli Law, we're supposed to have new elections. Bibi and the Likud, the coalition members and defense establishment have never taken responsibility for their massive mistakes. The Likud, still led by Netanyahu is in campaign mode, and IDF leaders of the past decade are also running for office, totally ignoring their responsibilities for our military and security disaster. Likud MKs are now traveling around the country billing themselves as LIKUD VICTORY FORUM trying to convince the Likud faithful that they'll bring "victory." 

There's an old "saying," which is has a lot of truth in it.

"What's the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

If Bibi had been capable of winning, true absolute victory, he would have defeated all of our enemies early in his time as Prime Minister, and we wouldn't have been attacked on Oct 7, 2023. Voting for Likud and his "poodles" will just bring us more war. 

The Likud is going to suffer in the ballot box because of the continued war and its sell-out to the chareidim who mostly refuse to serve in the army. The two "national religious" parties, not to be confused with the National Religious Party NRP which no longer exists, have to decide between loyalty to the coalition and trying to attract those who are disgusted with Bibi's inability to fight to victory and his embarrassing Trump-worshipping. 

And if you're wondering whom I'm supporting... I'm still undecided.

By the way, the opposition doesn't even talk victory... What do you think?

Gaza War Musings #76 Finally The Truth About the Perverse Cruelty of Gazan Terrorists Back in The News

 For the past couple of  

International media, celebrities, diplomats, academics, governments and more have willingly, intentionally blinded themselves to the truth about Israel, the Arab terrorists who attack us and history. They've perverted the truth so totally that it could almost be funny if their aim hadn't been to destroy the Jewish People, History and State. 

Immediately after the violent, perverse, cruel attack, which made the Nazis look kind, on innocent unsuspecting Israelis and visitors there were lots of shockingly accurate reports in the media. One of the most unforgettable firsthand stories was from survivors of the southern Israeli communities about how, davka, Gazan of all ages whom they had helped and defended were among the attackers and guides. These Gazans knew where everyone lived, who had weapons and where they were stored. This information was enthusiastically shared with the terrorists. 

The terrorist attackers proudly reported their murders and rapes on social media, sometimes taking the victims' phones to emotionally terrify their families and friends. One of the most unforgettable stories was about a young Gazan terrorist who proudly called his parents to brag about how many Israelis he had murdered. His parents replied saying how proud they were of him.

After a few months, for some inexplicable reason, most of these reports were hard to find on the internet. 

Here are some reports. Please share so the truth is out. 

SILENCED NO MORE Sexual Terror Unveiled: The Untold Atrocities of October 7 and Against Hostages in Captivity

English_Swords_of_Iron_DOCUMENTS_Sexual violence

It's important for the world to know the truth. Israel is the innocent victim, not Gaza.  

War Musings #75: The War is The Result of Dangerously Incorrect Israeli Policies Since Our 1967 Victory

The Land is all ours in terms of History and 1967 Victory, but successive governments have failed to declare Israeli Sovereignty which has caused our enemies to get stronger and more confident. That's why we are forced to fight successive wars for our very survival.

The Land is all ours in terms of History and 1967 Victory...

Europe's and many other countries' policy as reported here, EU moving toward implementing sanctions on Israeli West Bank settlements, ambassador confirms, is the price of Israel's waffling on our rights to all the Land, Judea, Samaria, Jordan Valley and Sinai which were liberated 59 years ago this week in the Six Days 1967 War. If the government of the time had proudly and confidently declared full Israeli Sovereignty ריבונות over every inch/centimeter of it, the world would have understood it and accepted it. But The State of Israel responded with shocked embarrassment and even "disgust." With few exceptions, making a better straighter road between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and expanding the Jerusalem borders to include the Old City, Mount Scopus and Neve Yaakov, which had a lot of Jewish owned land, nothing else was made officially Israel.

Farms, agricultural communities mostly for export were begun in the Golan, Jordan Valley and northern Sinai, but Israel didn't declare sovereignty there. Our misguided successive governments just kept offering to return the land in exchange for peace. Menachem Begin foolishly followed Labor policy and gave away the Sinai, Israel's perfect buffer zone, to Egypt. Arik Sharon and his followers used that precedent to justify his Disengagement, destruction of Gush Katif. And all it did was to increase the attacks on Israel. Yes, that was after no more Israelis were in Gaza. Their hatred and aggression, as you must know, only got worse after Israel's withdrawal, because they saw Israel's weakness and lack of self loyalty.

I was 18 on the outbreak of the Six Days War, and I remember how awed the world was at our miraculous victory. It was squandered by successive Israeli governments. When will we ever learn....?

War Musings #74: Only Our TOTAL VICTORY and ISRAELI SOVEREIGNTY Will Bring Us Peace

 

Shiloh Cemetery, Yom Zikaron 2026 תשפ"ז
#במותםציוולנוניצחון 
Their Deaths Command Us to Be VICTORIOUS

The first time I stood in an Israeli cemetery to bury a friend killed by Arabs was in 1973, Yom Kippur War. Our Betar friends from New York lost two members in that war, one in the very early days and a second after the ceasefire... Hmmm maybe that's one of the reasons I'm so cynical about ceasefires...

In the more than half a century since we made aliyah, I've been in many cemeteries, many funerals and memorial gatherings. Some of the dead were victims of Arab terror or Arab soldiers, while others died from accidents, illness or old age.

There isn't much you can do to prevent illness and old age... they're a natural part of living. Most accidents can probably be prevented, but the babies, children, young mothers and brave soldiers who've been murdered-- victims of Arab terror and cruelty-- and I stress the word MURDERED. In recent years, especially since the horrendously cruel, perverse murderous attack on innocent Israelis of all religions and levels of religious observance, plus some unfortunate guests on October 7, 2023 most of the world, diplomats, media, academics, celebrities and ordinary people have been cheering on and supporting the aggressors--the terrorists and condemning the victims, their families, international Jewry and the State of Israel. This is worse than when Nazis attempted to murder all the Jews (and others they had considered "undesirables") in Europe. 

This may confuse some people... It takes more than a military victory to create peace. That's what Israel showed after the totally miraculous military victory in 1967, The Six Day War. We won the military part of the war, but we lost the peace by not acting as victors, by not taking advantage of the power and gifts that Gd gave us. 

On paper, according to the amount of arms, soldiers, tanks, allies etc. there was absolutely no way that Israel could win in the spring of 1967. Egypt's Abdel Nasser had been leading the verbal charge of threats:

"We'll throw Israel into the sea!"

Syria had been attacking the small agricultural communities and towns in northern Israel from day one of its short nineteen 19 year existance. During Israel's War for Independence Jordan swept westward occupying what the United Nations had planned as a third country, a second Arab state in the Palestine Mandate, leaving Israel with a zigzagging border that defied topography, logic for something defensible. Yes, they, too, or should I say "three" periodically attacked the struggling State of Israel. 

I remember those weeks of threats against Israel very well. They corresponded with my final weeks of high school before graduation. One thing that stood out and I can't forget. Israel had no real allies. Its faux friends sat tsktsking, twiddling their thumbs, quietly expecting Israel's defeat and not wanting to get hurt or find themselves on the "bad side" of the Arabs. In a sense it was a replay of our War for Independence which took place just a few months after the United Nations vote approving statehood. It has always been clear to me that most of the countries that voted in favor of a Jewish State did it only because they expected the Arabs to defeat the Zionists. By voting "yes," they could claim to be kind to the Jews after the Holocaust. Post World War Two it was bad form to be obviously antisemitic. Please remember that the Allies fought Nazi Germany to save/rescue European countries, not to save Jewish lives.

Back to 1967...  Timing's everything in war. With Gd's help, Israel moved first and destroyed enough enemy aircraft to cripple the enemy. Within just six, yes, 6 days, the Arab countries which had threatened Israel and then attacked it all surrendered. After that Israel squandered the victory in a dangerously woke policy. If offered "land for peace." Very little of the Holy Land liberated in the war became part of Israel. If I'm not mistaken, the only area that was transferred to Israeli sovereignty was sections of Jerusalem, the Old City and other areas, which had been Jewish owned before the establishment of the state, like Neve Yaakov, Mount Scopus. In addition the borders were "rounded out" to make the city more viable. 

The Golan Heights were quickly populated with agricultural communities to protect the Jewish kibbutzim and moshavim which had been attacked by Syria before the war. More agricultural communities were established in the Jordan Valley and northern Sinai, because Agrexco wanted to take advantage of their warm climate grow summer fruit for export in the winter. Our ancient Biblical cities, even those which had a long history, even in the 20th century, of Jewish Life were totally ignored. The anti-religious secular leaders had no feeling for Biblical connections and assumed that the Arabs would be willing to trade "land for peace," as I mentioned before.

The great victory of 1967 was sabotaged by the secular Left ruling Israel, and we're still suffering from this terrible policy. The Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria were established despite government policy, against the will of the government, even the Likud. When Netanyahu announces "new Jewish communities," he's distorting the facts. The truth is that he's offering to finally recognize a few communities which have existed for years, sometimes even decades.

There are two things that must come as a package to bring us true peace. They are TOTAL VICTORY and ISRAELI SOVEREIGNTY over all Judea, Samaria, the Jordan Valley and Gaza, too. So many of our soldiers died to clear it of terror, and also many innocent civilians. Emptying it of Jews did not give peace. We must settle our Holy Land, act not only as victors, but even more so as the true owners, Gd willing.

War Musings #73 The Con of Ceasefire or The Calm Before The Storm

 

In most of Israel, there has been quiet since the U.S. brokered "ceasefire" with the terror state Iran. Schools and stores have reopened, public transportation has returned to its previous schedules, neighborhood shelters are getting cleared and cleaned... but behind the scenes there's a different conversation. 

Remember that a ceasefire leaves both sides viable. The weaker or "evil" one may be "damaged," but it's not dead. It can and usually will rise up again, sometimes much stronger than ever. It's not a victory/defeat. It's a postponement of the inevitable, especially when one of the parties swears/promises/aims to destroy the other one, politicians, military and innocent civilians. 

In conversations between friends, I keep hearing:

"We just have a few days, since the war will resume..."

The following is what I written in my nightly "Gnite" post on Facebook. What do you think? Please reply in the comments, and share if you agree, thanks.

Gnite... confusing, frightening times. The Bibi government is trying to fool the people, saying "back to regular life, schools as usual, public transportation on regular schedule... no war..." But there isn't peace. Israelis in the north of the country are being attacked. Our enemies are obviously re-arming and planning their next attacks... but in Israel people have been told to take their mattresses out of the shelters, so activities can return. My mosaics class takes place in a neighborhood shelter, which is officially the senior citizen club house, or moadon as it's called in Hebrew. Today we discovered that some of our tables are missing, and luckily we lock up the equipment we use...

Iran doesn't want peace, and no "deal" will change its mind. Did the Allies make a "deal" with Hitler? Trump doesn't understand the mentality of war and terrorism. He's a businessman, not a historian-military man. The only American politicians worse are the Democrats. And here in Israel... we have we have weak bombastic Bibi. Similar to the situation in the states, the only politicians who are worse are in the opposition. It's time for some brave intelligent people to stand up and tell the truth. We've had almost annual wars since Bibi became Prime Minister. Each time, they quiet down and Bibi says: "They'll never try that again. We showed them... " but they do attack again and again and again... That last major attack on October 7, 2023 was a doozy for sure. Pictures and the terrorists' own selfies showed that they are civilians, the same faux "innocent civilians" that Bibi warns to leave their houses, so he can waste our bullets. Bibi calls them "innocent civilians," but they're the ones who raped and murdered our people, our truly innocent people two and a half years ago.

OK, I had to vent... Bedtime, so Gd willing a better tomorrow.

War Musings #72: Was Mao Right About the USA Being A "Paper Tiger?"

Honestly, I'm not surprised and definitely not happy. News is that Trump is trying to "negotiate a deal." I was planning on blogging about US President Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Bibi as too weak to win, especially because they think it's enough to bomb Iran. Also, or especially since Trump keeps promising the Americans "no boots on the ground." I really wonder why the American have and train and invest in "ground forces" when the only ground they cover is when on parade.

It reminds me of Communist China's Mao Tse-Tung saying that the United States is a "paper tiger." I was a young girl in elementary school when I first heard it, and barely a decade after World War Two it seemed so bombastic and false. But now close to seventy years later, when 1960 hippies and the even worse younger generations are running the USA, it's definitely on target. Think about it. If the American Army doesn't fight, they're no better than toy soldiers. It's a game, a sham.

I've been in Israel since 1970; it was my choice, my ideology. Our army the IDF is no game. Our soldiers, mostly reservists, students, teachers, businessmen, craftsmen, taxi drivers, shop owners, salesmen, repairmen, writers, singers, actors, doctors, nurses, therapists... fathers, sons, grandparents, neighbors and don't forget all the women... Israeli soldiers aren't just Jewish; there are even Arabs, Bedouin, yes, a totally representative group of Israelis and even others. We're a small country, and we need help from all to defend it. We also need victory, a true, total absolute victory... not some sort of deal negotiated by some foreigners who won't pay for their failure.

I've been studying Tanach, the Bible for quite a few years already, though I'm far from being an expert. One message that repeats in Navi Prophets, Isaiah Chapter 31 יְשַׁעְיָהוּ:

"1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many, and in horsemen, because they are exceeding mighty; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!"

That should be remembered and followed. If Binyamin Netanyahu doesn't have the emotional and spiritual strength to lead us to lead us to victory, then he should resign. US President Donald Trump is not our savior; he's more the "paper tiger" Mao belittled seventy years ago. The American military is not the same as those who fought in World War Two, and remember that even then America didn't "enter the war" until attacked. They didn't fight for justice; they fought to save their honor. And they didn't blow up the rail lines that took European Jewry to the Death Camps. That wasn't a priority for them. Only after Nazi Germany surrendered did they show any interest... 

Gd is waiting for us, and in the meantime, He has saved so many, by controlling most of the missiles to miss civilians, not all, but most. Thank Gd. It's time we fight as strong Jews sovereign in our own Holy Land.

War Musings #71 Real Life Under Attack

 

My simple battery alarm clock

I first posted this as a "rant" on my Facebook page and then realized that it needs wider exposure. I know that some people won't agree with me. I want to make it clear that we don't have a "safe room" certified shelter in our house, but our house was built relatively well, double outer walls and a ceiling prepared for a second floor. My husband and I are both "elderly" and don't run out of the house when there's a siren. We go to inner walls away from windows, but when sleeping in bed... we rarely do more than cover ourselves. Sorry that's the truth and the situation with many people I know, even if their homes are more fragile than ours.

Another important point is that the alerts, which come by cellphone, are 5-10 minutes before a missile may reach our area. Most of the time, even when followed by a siren 5-10 minutes later, the missile was destroyed by the Iron Dome. And many of the missiles would have landed miles and miles away. 

"Last night's "alerts" were the last straw for me. I had gone to sleep early because of total physical and emotional exhaustion, but a couple of hours later I was awaken by a serial of alerts via my cellphone. Except for Shabbat and Jewish holidays, it's kept on -not just during the war- and within grabbing distance of my bed. It's also set with an alarm for those super rare nights I sleep late.

The alerts we get are supposed to give us time to get to a "safe" location, just in case the "sighted" missile may land nearby; if there actually is a missile close by the siren will shrill. A very high percentage of the warnings are NEVER followed by a siren. So last night I was woken for no reason at all. None of the sensed missiles ended up near Shiloh. We weren't actually in danger.

That's it for me. I plan on turning off my phone at night and turning on my simple battery alarm clock. When I wake in the morning, I'll turn on my phone."

War Musings #70 When Will Israel Wake Up?

 

Honestly, I'm just so terribly tired of these endless wars, ending in various versions of "ceasefires," far removed from victories. We beg for a ceasefire, and then Prime Minister Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu makes a bombastic speech about having mowed them down so they won't attack again. But SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE!  They do attack again, from the north, from the south, from Iran.... You know I'm right. I've totally lost track of the amount of wars/attacks on us in the almost twenty years of Bibi's rule. 

Don't you remember that less than a year ago we had a "thing" with Iran to rid them of their nuclear capabilities, and then suddenly it was over, and we heard Bibi's usual proud bragging promises... and now?  Come on... they've never surrendered. They were just planning the next one, and that's what we're suffering from right now. For the past two plus weeks, day and night, we have no idea when we have to make a run for it, whether down stairs, a few blocks away or in a "safe corner" in our home. Innocent Israelis, young and old, have been murdered, injured, orphaned by the country that we had been told by our Prime Minister was no longer a danger to us. In addition Hizbolla is now attacking Israel from the north... 

Do you think that our neighbors fear us, even while the USA has joined in, especially when U.S. President Trump and Bibi have said over and over and over that they won't take over Iran. 

"No boots on the ground..."

So our enemies are biding their time and planning their next moves... meaning aggressions, even if they take a break aka ceasefire. Do you know what the Arabs call a "ceasefire?" Rearming, yup, we've known that for a long time.

Yup, I'm finding this very upsetting, very frustrating. I'm disgusted with the government, and the opposition is even worse. Sorry, but I can't think of one politician, in or out of the coalition, who seems capable of winning a war. The good or better ones in the coalition are terrified to say anything that would anger Netanyahu who can't abide any criticism.

Gd willing a miracle will happen, and there will be someone with the guts of Arik Sharon in 1973. He won the Yom Kippur War by refusing to obey government orders. The Americans were very angry... 

War Musings #69: "Operation Roaring Lion"-- All Noise But No Teeth

Honestly, I hope I'm wrong... I pray I'm wrong... Gd willing, that for once my pessimism about Prime Minister Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu's leadership won't be on target. 

Deja vu, a few months ago we bombed Iran, while innocent Israeli citizens ran to shelter from Iranian missiles. Israeli homes were destroyed, Israelis were injured and killed. The government called it Operation Rising Lion, and this new "operation" is "Operation Roaring Lion." Yup, still no teeth... 

According to Alma Research and Education Center, Operation Rising Lion caused the following deaths, injury and damage:

As a result of the missile fire at Israel, 28 civilians were killed and 1,472 were injured: 15 in serious condition, 58 in moderate condition, and 1,399 with light injuries. 2,305 apartments were damaged in 240 different buildings. 13,197 Israelis were left without a roof over their heads.

When the things quieted*, we were assured by Bibi, Trump and crew, that Iran was no longer a threat... Do you remember that? I do do remember some statements in the press and podcasts which voiced suspicion about the destruction touted by Bibi and Trump. At that point, I foolishly believed that a good job had been done. Considering the amount of alerts/sirens and violent rumblings today, it's very clear that we can't really rely on Netanyahu and Donald Trump to win a war. 

Davka this new war/operation began on a very important Shabbat, Shabbat Zachor, when we read a section of the Torah about a vicious enemy and what we're supposed to do:

Art Scroll, The Stone Edition

Zachor is so important to hear each year that many synagogues have extra readings of it for those who can't be at the regular morning prayers. I wish our Israeli government, all the ministers and army officers would listen to it and take the message seriously. It should be our policy.

*There was no surrender by the Iranians, just lots of bragging by Bibi and US President Trump that they had done a great job.

Hamas/Gaza War Musings #68: Trump's Deals, Deja Vu 1960s "Give Peace a Chance"

 

I'm going to be very blunt. US President Donald Trump's "deals" with perverse, vicious, violent countries and especially terrorists remind me of the totally unrealistic, wacky 1960's slogan and Lennon-Ono song/philosophy Give Peace A Chance. 

I thought it was stupid when all the rage in the time of the "hippies," and life in the past close to six decades has only reinforced my doubts. 

Trump, Bibi Netanyahu and I are all about the same age. We came to age in the 1960s. I rejected the philosophic fads of the time adopting a Torah Observant life and Zionism. None of the popular philosophies attracted me. It didn't bother me that my fellow students in Great Neck North thought I was really strange. I thought they were. I'm not a follower, but most people are-- including the popular ones like Trump and Bibi... obviously. That's how it seems to me.

This post is short. I'm not wasting words. Vicious terrorist enemies must be defeated, destroyed. They won't change if you're nice to them; they'll just think you're a sucker.

What do you think, really think? Do you think that Trump's deals can bring peace?

Hamas/Gaza War Musings #67: The War's Not Over- How Many More Israelis Will Be Killed?

Sorry, but I can't join in with the celebrations concerning the return of our hostages, dead and alive. Of course I'm glad that the last body to date has been recovered in Gaza and brought to a dignified Israeli Jewish burial, but remember that it was the State of Israel that found St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili. He wasn't returned by Hamas, which was the "deal." 

In addition, Amir Zini has revealed that not all of his son Nirel was in the coffin. Davka, his head is still missing. If you remember, many of those murdered by Hamas suffered brutal dismemberment, when still alive and after death. It's probable that other bodies aren't whole either.

The State of Israel wasn't victorious, not at all. True we won many battles, but unfortunately we turned it into defeat. The Jewish People has a long history connected to Gaza, living in it and more. The obvious move of victors who have such a history/connection would be to resettle the land. Many soldiers and civilians naively expected to return to Gaza, and signs were seen saying "Return to Gush Katif," but the government had them taken down.

In addition, even worse, our hapless Prime Minister, Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu, has accepted American President Donald Trump's deals and plans for Gaza. It's very obvious that Bibi is not a true leader; he's a weak follower. Yes, Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu has relinquished sovereignty over crucial security decisions to Trump, and businessman Trump isn't an expert in security and terrorism. Even the top military people in the states have no real experience with the Israeli security situation. Israel, unlike the USA, is a tiny country surrounded by enemies who've shown the world that their expertise is perverse, murderous violence and cruelty. I'm not exaggerating; remember how they attacked us October 7, 2023, rape, beheading, burning etc. 

At present, there's a weak ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Hizbolla plus the other terrorist groups. I have no doubt that they're doing their usual, rearming plus. The next war, possibly only after Trump's final term, will be much, much worse for Israel than this last attack. Think of how weeds sprout after a mowing, versus when you pull them out by their roots. No country wants Gazans. They're not going anyplace. Countries that have accepted them in the past are sorry, because of the violence and crime they've brought with them to their new countries.

Yishai Fleischer explains things well. I agree with what he says here.

 

Hamas/Gaza War Musings #64: Nu? Where's The Victory? Has It Flown Away?

 

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.

Hamas/Gaza War Musings #62: Israel Still in Danger; IDF Soldiers Still Need Tzitzit

Last night my friends and I had another Tzitzit Tying session. This was the third time in Shiloh, though just the second time for me. Special army-safe tzitzit are being tied all over Israel. 

Civilians, of all ages, men and women are finding ways to volunteer in the war effort. Israelis are amazing. Some people help families of the reservists, the wounded and the dead. They do everything from babysitting to bringing food and more. Others have "adopted" bereaved families and those of the wounded.

Trump may claim that he brokered a "peace deal," but the war hasn't ended. Hamas is still attacking Israel, and our precious IDF soldiers are still being killed.

Of course we're grateful and overjoyed that the living hostages have been released by Gazan Hamas terrorists. No doubt they had ulterior, though not humanitarian, reasons for that. Here in Shiloh we're awaiting the return home of Avinatan Or. Big celebrations are planned, Gd willing.

Gazans are killing each other, not that the international anti-Israel Left seems to care. If they can't blame Israel, it doesn't make their news.

No doubt my series Hamas/Gaza War Musings is not yet over. Stay tuned.

Hamas/Gaza War Musings #61: VICTORY Prayer Haikus #4

I've been writing haikus for quite awhile, generally what I label #morningcoffeehaiku. They used to be rather banal about coffee, morning and sunrise, but as this awful war has been going on, dangerously  endlessly --yes, even after the release of living hostages-- sometimes my formerly innocent haikus have concentrated on the Hamas/Gaza War. Following are some recent ones. Feel free to share and comment.

Gd gave us Free Will

VICTORY's our reward for

fighting enemies

I'm too powerless

too really affect the world

but can't be quiet

lying to oneself won't protect from vicious war only VICTORY

we need bravery

for true total VICTORY

only Gd will help

Disaster awaits

I'm terrified of future

WE NEED TRUE LEADERS

war will follow "deal"

much worse than any other

very clear to me

Shabbat Blessings, please

some holy work still goes on

must still win the war...

Where's the victory?

Bibi gave up sovereignty...

I'm very worried

Succot Holiday

escape from reality

pray for VICTORY

historical time

not for good, I have no doubt

But what can I do?

There's more danger now

deal's suicidal for sure

won't bring Israel peace

As I went through my Morning Coffee Haikus, I was surprised to discover that all I had written about was the war and lack of VICTORY. Gd willing there will be a major change. Please pray and do whatever else you can, like sharing my thoughts... thanks.