In the photo of “Hersh’s bedroom” what is the poster in the colors of the Palestinian flag that says “Free Ra__”? The letters are not visible. Does it say “Free Rafa” and if so was it placed there after his kidnapping. This seems very odd to me.
It doesn’t seem odd at all. Now, I don’t think that’s what it says (I don’t think that’s an “R” following the “F”), but it would hardly be uncharacteristic of a young Jewish person attending that music festival to believe that Hamas can be appeased through respect and good will.
Not unlike all those striking in Israel after his murder - because it must be the fault of Netanyahu and not those who maimed, kidnapped, and murdered him.
It’s a common human reaction to dig in when faced with overwhelming evidence against one’s accepted paradigms.
This conflict cannot end until the world unites in demanding Palestinians denounce terrorism, armed struggle and the delegitimization of the Jewish state without which they will never get statehood. Sadly, that cannot happen without regime change in Iran. It’s clear that the majority of Sunni nations are ready to move beyond the conflict, one way or another. The voices of Palestinians like Anonymous will never be heard as long as Iran continues to fund radical Islamic groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. Should Palestinians ever take up the cause of peaceful coexistence, they will be met with flowers and dinner invitations from millions of Jewish mothers around the world who, like every Jewish mother that has ever lived, wish for grandchildren and their children to be doctors, lawyers, hedge fund managers, and tech entrepreneurs, not paratroopers or tank commanders.
This will be unpopular and I hope I’m wrong, but my first reaction to reading this anonymous article is that it is a false flag….
I don’t doubt that there are Palestinians who break with the Hamas party line. I don’t doubt there are some willing to write about such. I don’t blame them for doing so anonymously….
Sadly, I’m also far too jaded to believe just such an anonymous article on an undeniably pro-Israel site (cards on the table, I’m also pro-Israel) at face value. The last “week off from the news” that this site just took doesn’t add any rose to my jade-tinted glasses.
Again, I hope I’m wrong, but trust is no longer something so easily bought on shared interest.
Listen to the Honestly episode, where this man describes his journey. He's a real person, and it's a believable story. I'm sorry that you're so cynical that you can't accept that.
On the one hand, he is not the only one. I believe there are many other Palestinians who do not agree with the death cult that is Hamas (and Fatah) that desires death of Jews more than life for Arabs, although I do believe they are a minority and this is typically backed up by polling.
On the other hand, there are plenty of people in the West, including people who are neither Arab nor Muslim, who have had plenty of exposure to Jews and Israeli who think more like Hamas than this guy living in the West Bank. So it isn't all about exposure or lack thereof. There are other things at play.
I, for one, cannot see how a whole group of people could be abused and oppressed by their leaders, and then believe that it is Israel's fault, because the very leaders taking their food and freedom say as such. I for one, cannot believe that there is so much hate in the hearts of these people that the death of innocents is celebrated. What kind of people do that?
Golda Meir was right. The fighting will stop only when the Palestinians love their children as much as the Israeli love theirs. Perhaps it should be changed to Hamas because they have no problems sacrificing their own brethren in a cause that can only end in their destruction.
Speaks volumes about the people who are asking for a cease fire for humanitarian purposes.
The only valid path to a cease fire is the unconditional surrender of Hamas, jail for its leaders, and the installation of a new government for the people of Gaza who have proven they can’t be trusted to govern themselves in a peaceful way.
You renew my faith in humanity. You are but one person, one Palestinian - but your voice being heard can make one more, then one more and so on and so on.
I admire your bravery and pray that you stay safe. The world and humanity need more voices like yours. Thank you!
What is the old line — it takes a great deal of courage to stand up to one’s enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to one’s friends. Of course, right now this West Bank resident’s “friends” have transformed into enemies and those they were told are “enemies” have turned into friends. May they escape this insanity quickly and safely.
I am glad to know that you are still with us. I admire your bravery and appreciate your words. I hope that I would be as strong if faced with a similar situation. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
What an amazingly brave message. I too have been incredibly struck by October 7. I found Shani Louk death and rape and parading her body the moment I woke up on October 7. And believe me, her memory will never be forgotten by me, and her memory is all I could find before the massacre… because I believe she wants to be remembered for her beauty, her fun, her bravery. I have always felt the same about many of the hostages. Of course Hersh, the Bibas family and so many more. I am Christian but I love my Jewish friends with my whole heart and I love Israel with the roar of the Lion.
I greatly admire this man’s courage in speaking out, even anonymously, when being discovered could risk his life. It’s a potent reminder, though, that when seeing Israelis as human beings warrants death, Israel has no partner for peace with the Palestinians.
What, though, is the excuse for Muslims in the US and elsewhere in the West? No Muslim groups spoke out after 10/7. Indeed, many actually celebrated or even blamed Israel for the barbaric actions of Hamas. Our Democratic nominee for president even panders to these hate-mongers by implying she would consider cutting off aid to Israel. Lest you think pro-Palestinian demonstrators are focused on humanitarian issues in Gaza, their chants of “from the river to the sea” and “globalize the intifada” indicate they are more interested in killing more Jews (and other infidels) than they are in saving Palestinians.
Until humane views like that of our anonymous friend routinely are spoken openly, we should listen to what Muslims even in the West do say. That rhetoric shows they not only hate Israel and Jews, they despise the US too.
God Bless and Keep You, Anonymous. 🙏💕
In the photo of “Hersh’s bedroom” what is the poster in the colors of the Palestinian flag that says “Free Ra__”? The letters are not visible. Does it say “Free Rafa” and if so was it placed there after his kidnapping. This seems very odd to me.
It doesn’t seem odd at all. Now, I don’t think that’s what it says (I don’t think that’s an “R” following the “F”), but it would hardly be uncharacteristic of a young Jewish person attending that music festival to believe that Hamas can be appeased through respect and good will.
Not unlike all those striking in Israel after his murder - because it must be the fault of Netanyahu and not those who maimed, kidnapped, and murdered him.
It’s a common human reaction to dig in when faced with overwhelming evidence against one’s accepted paradigms.
This conflict cannot end until the world unites in demanding Palestinians denounce terrorism, armed struggle and the delegitimization of the Jewish state without which they will never get statehood. Sadly, that cannot happen without regime change in Iran. It’s clear that the majority of Sunni nations are ready to move beyond the conflict, one way or another. The voices of Palestinians like Anonymous will never be heard as long as Iran continues to fund radical Islamic groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. Should Palestinians ever take up the cause of peaceful coexistence, they will be met with flowers and dinner invitations from millions of Jewish mothers around the world who, like every Jewish mother that has ever lived, wish for grandchildren and their children to be doctors, lawyers, hedge fund managers, and tech entrepreneurs, not paratroopers or tank commanders.
You should share his ask for a job with Israel tech and venture capital leader Michael Isenberg
This will be unpopular and I hope I’m wrong, but my first reaction to reading this anonymous article is that it is a false flag….
I don’t doubt that there are Palestinians who break with the Hamas party line. I don’t doubt there are some willing to write about such. I don’t blame them for doing so anonymously….
Sadly, I’m also far too jaded to believe just such an anonymous article on an undeniably pro-Israel site (cards on the table, I’m also pro-Israel) at face value. The last “week off from the news” that this site just took doesn’t add any rose to my jade-tinted glasses.
Again, I hope I’m wrong, but trust is no longer something so easily bought on shared interest.
How sad that you feel that way.
On that, I agree.
Listen to the Honestly episode, where this man describes his journey. He's a real person, and it's a believable story. I'm sorry that you're so cynical that you can't accept that.
Believable? Sure. Cynical? Absolutely.
Pointing out things I’ve already acknowledged hardly wins me over.
Did you listen to the podcast?
I did. I want to believe.
On the one hand, he is not the only one. I believe there are many other Palestinians who do not agree with the death cult that is Hamas (and Fatah) that desires death of Jews more than life for Arabs, although I do believe they are a minority and this is typically backed up by polling.
On the other hand, there are plenty of people in the West, including people who are neither Arab nor Muslim, who have had plenty of exposure to Jews and Israeli who think more like Hamas than this guy living in the West Bank. So it isn't all about exposure or lack thereof. There are other things at play.
Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and love.
I, for one, cannot see how a whole group of people could be abused and oppressed by their leaders, and then believe that it is Israel's fault, because the very leaders taking their food and freedom say as such. I for one, cannot believe that there is so much hate in the hearts of these people that the death of innocents is celebrated. What kind of people do that?
Golda Meir was right. The fighting will stop only when the Palestinians love their children as much as the Israeli love theirs. Perhaps it should be changed to Hamas because they have no problems sacrificing their own brethren in a cause that can only end in their destruction.
Speaks volumes about the people who are asking for a cease fire for humanitarian purposes.
The only valid path to a cease fire is the unconditional surrender of Hamas, jail for its leaders, and the installation of a new government for the people of Gaza who have proven they can’t be trusted to govern themselves in a peaceful way.
Thank you Free Press.
No other medium would publish this letter.
Bravo.
Reader for life.
You renew my faith in humanity. You are but one person, one Palestinian - but your voice being heard can make one more, then one more and so on and so on.
I admire your bravery and pray that you stay safe. The world and humanity need more voices like yours. Thank you!
What is the old line — it takes a great deal of courage to stand up to one’s enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to one’s friends. Of course, right now this West Bank resident’s “friends” have transformed into enemies and those they were told are “enemies” have turned into friends. May they escape this insanity quickly and safely.
You share hope! We pray for your safety and admire your bravery.
I am glad to know that you are still with us. I admire your bravery and appreciate your words. I hope that I would be as strong if faced with a similar situation. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
The breath of life is this man's soul. How blessed am I to be able to pray openly for him? Godspeed.
What an amazingly brave message. I too have been incredibly struck by October 7. I found Shani Louk death and rape and parading her body the moment I woke up on October 7. And believe me, her memory will never be forgotten by me, and her memory is all I could find before the massacre… because I believe she wants to be remembered for her beauty, her fun, her bravery. I have always felt the same about many of the hostages. Of course Hersh, the Bibas family and so many more. I am Christian but I love my Jewish friends with my whole heart and I love Israel with the roar of the Lion.
I greatly admire this man’s courage in speaking out, even anonymously, when being discovered could risk his life. It’s a potent reminder, though, that when seeing Israelis as human beings warrants death, Israel has no partner for peace with the Palestinians.
What, though, is the excuse for Muslims in the US and elsewhere in the West? No Muslim groups spoke out after 10/7. Indeed, many actually celebrated or even blamed Israel for the barbaric actions of Hamas. Our Democratic nominee for president even panders to these hate-mongers by implying she would consider cutting off aid to Israel. Lest you think pro-Palestinian demonstrators are focused on humanitarian issues in Gaza, their chants of “from the river to the sea” and “globalize the intifada” indicate they are more interested in killing more Jews (and other infidels) than they are in saving Palestinians.
Until humane views like that of our anonymous friend routinely are spoken openly, we should listen to what Muslims even in the West do say. That rhetoric shows they not only hate Israel and Jews, they despise the US too.