November 30 update
Here we go again...
Sometimes the righteousness of your cause can be determined by the strength of the opposition. Nobody opposes a weak cause. A strong and righteous cause, however, can be counted on to provoke loud and furious opposition.
This is most definitely the case with the support of Israel. We are here in Denver at the JNF Global Conference for Israel. The conference began tonight with the opening plenary session at which Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, and Colorado Governor Jared Polis spoke, among others. Protestors had been expected, and security was very high, the highest I have ever seen at a conference. Streets were blocked off around the convention center, and what seemed like every single police officer in Colorado was on duty here.
The barbarians did not disappoint. They surged up to the windows of the convention center and pounded on them in a ragged rhythm, attempting to break through. I am happy to report that they were unsuccessful. By the time the plenary was over and we were heading back to our hotel, they had been persuaded of the error of their ways and disbursed. As we entered the center they seemed to be attempting to chant something, but it was so disjointed that I could not tell you what the words were. Not very effective!
While the governor’s remarks were well received, and the ambassador was of course extremely inspiring and informative, the most heart-wrenching speech of the evening came from Talia Tzour Avner, Chief of Staff of JNF-USA in Israel. She described how our people on the ground there have been reacting from the first moments of October 7, and how the invasion and massacre have affected real people, people most of us here know and love. Talia and Michal Uziyahu, JNF-USA’s liaison to the Gaza Envelope, made the events of October 7 come alive, a frighteningly ironic turn of phrase. On our daily briefing ZOOM calls we have seen how both of them have been working nonstop since that day to take care of all of the people affected by the tragedy. Frankly, I was somewhat surprised to see them here, but delighted to see both of them and a number of our other Israeli affiliates. It had to be very difficult to leave at such a time as this, but in my opinion, it was the right thing to do. They, and we, all needed to actually see each other in person now, to be able to hug our friends and even cry a few tears together. ZOOM just doesn’t cut it.
Some of our affiliate liaisons had to take a few days’ leave from their reserve units to be here. It is an indication of how important the government of Israel considers this conference that they were allowed to do so.
The rest of the world is already forgetting the events of October 7. Some are already denying that it even happened. Others insist that the reports were exaggerated. Still others, the worst, claim that everything that was done was justified. Justified by what? Basically, by Israel’s existence. Well, guess what, gang: Israel is going to keep on existing, so you had better get used to it!
The world’s attention has turned to Gaza, and the “humanitarian crisis” there. Go complain to Hamas. Hamas’ operatives have all the food, fuel, and medical supplies they need. They take the best and most for themselves and leave the dregs to the general population. Even now the aid trucks entering Gaza through the Rafa crossing on the Egyptian border are pilfered by Hamas before allowing anything to reach the rest of the Gazans. This has been the pattern for decades. why should now be any different?
If Hamas had any real concern for the Gazans it would do all it could to prolong the ceasefire by releasing more hostages and calling a halt to attacks on Israelis. The fact that it has failed to do so tells us what their real goal is, a goal which they have never denied: the complete and total destruction of Israel and the Jewish people. After finagling yet another one-day extension they just couldn’t keep their fingers off the trigger any longer. Not only did they begin firing at Israeli troops in Gaza, but two Hamas members attacked Israelis waiting at a bus stop in Jerusalem, opening fire and killing three while wounding thirteen.
Hamas Attacks Jerusalem Bus Stop
I first heard about this attack right after it happened when our daughter texted us to say that her bus had just passed that stop right before the attack. Those are the kinds of calls we get these days, along with all the other parents of Israelis. I cannot even count the number of calls I have gotten over the past 20 years that began, “Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I am OK.” But as long as those calls keep on coming I will be grateful.
So now that Hamas has blown the ceasefire, the war has commenced again in earnest. I can already hear the outcry at the UN and on the campuses against Israel for doing exactly what they always said they intended to do. This ceasefire was always meant to be temporary, and the main and most important mission continues to be the eradication of Hamas. Yes, of course, we would like to have the rest of the hostages back. But let’s talk openly and say the thing that nobody wants to say: many of them are likely already beyond our help. We cannot prolong the ceasefire in order to obtain the return of corpses. This will sound cruel, but we already have enough corpses. Many have not even been identified yet.
The longer Hamas is allowed to remain in power, the more likely they are to do exactly what they said they would do, which is to perpetrate another massacre of innocent Israelis. Sinwar himself has said, “October 7 was just a rehearsal.” Does that sound like somebody who is ready to make peace?
The treatment of the hostages while in captivity was atrocious, far worse than animals in zoos. In fact, some were treated like animals. One woman was given surgery on her hand while there — performed by a veterinarian. Some of the teenage boys were branded with hot irons like cattle so that if they escaped they could be returned. All showed signs of malnutrition and dehydration when released. While some were held in the tunnels, apparently many were held by civilians in homes, locked in rooms or attics, or chained to furniture to prevent escape. One was held in the home of a Gazan doctor. Another was held in the home of a teacher in an UNWRA school. Others have said that they were frequently moved around from place to place, undoubtedly in an effort to make it more difficult to find them.
While Hamas has certainly been using the time during the ceasefire to rearm and regroup, so has the IDF. They were ready at any moment to resume fighting and had already made plans for any possibility.
Plans Approved for Hamas' Eradication
In the meantime, what else would a group of Jews do? They established a synagogue! I love it, I absolutely love it! This has to be much more comfortable than praying in a tank or troop carrier. Good going, guys!
IDF Troops Establish Synagogue in Gaza
Meanwhile, in New York City, the 89th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Rockefeller Center was disrupted by pro-Hamas demonstrators, just as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade had been. This is happening more and more often, both in major cities such as New York and even in smaller places. As I said above, the more righteous the cause, the stronger and louder the opposition.
Pro-Hamas Demonstrators Disrupt Christmas
Please continue your support of Israel in all the ways we have discussed.
PRAY!
PROVIDE!
PROTECT!
For those wishing to volunteer in Israel, I can tell you that all of our missions in December are already filled, however, there are still openings in January, February, or March. This is for the non-medical volunteers. As far as I know, medical volunteers are still needed at all times.
To make tax-deductible donations before the end of the year, here are the two organizations I recommend. There are other very good and effective ones, these just happen to be the ones I know the best and am involved with:
JNF-USA Israel Resilience Campaign
Magen David Adom Emergency Campaign
To send support packages to an evacuated family or to a soldier in the IDF, click here:
Support Packages for Soldiers and Families
Finally, to learn more about Israel and the current situation, take an online class through our Alexander Muss High School in Israel:
AM YISRAEL CHAI! AM YISRAEL ECHAD!
(The People of Israel live! The People of Israel are One!)