Here in Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s neighborhood, the bewildering events of the past year were reduced to one human face. Matti Friedman writes from Jerusalem.
"most extreme and least competent" When Shamir was prime minister it was very hard for me to retort to snide comments about Israel's terroristt gov't. It was baffling to me in the early seventies before my first visit why a Jew referred to Isaael as being in nazi germany. I wonder. Mr Netanyahu can take the blame and ask forgiveness for Oct. 7...period. Where was security? Where was the Israeli army in this tiny country ....not responding for hours? Because of Ben Gvir? Smotrich? When an Arab is in the gov't who basically despises the state Of Israel...is that extreme enough a govt for you. Incompetent....Eshkol was quaking that he preside over the elimination of Israel....I think that' s In Oren's book Six Days of War. Was Dayan incompetent when he kicked Jews off the Temple Mount.? I've asked and I"m asking here.....what do the Israeli demonstrators want from their "extreme and incompetent govt?" I watched Netanyahu's address on I 24. I think he is reasonable. Whta do Israelis want? Another Oct. 7th? As my friend has said to me...both us lifelong Zionists....it's their country to lose.
When Japan tired of all their deaths in WW II they surrendered and the US helped to rebuild Japan and make the Japanese prosperous members of the global economy. Same with Germany. Hamas won't surrender because Palestinian deaths do not deter them; they increase international support for their cause.
Every war against Israel ended with an armistice or a cease fire but never with a treaty. Israel is justified in demanding a different ending this time: a treaty--one that will create a disarmed Palestinian state giving Palestinians an opportunity to prosper and join the global economy alongside Israel. One whose peace is guaranteed by a coalition of the U.S., Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and members of the Abrahamic Accord. One so strong and unequivocal that Iran would no longer dare to meddle with members of this alliance.
I....supported Oslo....I supported "Clinton parameters" Arafat launched his second terror war. I don't believe any independent and peaceful Arab state in Judea Samaria Gaza is at all possible nor do I support. it. Give them autonomy in Jordan. If the Kurds can live with that in Iraq....so whats wrong with the Pals accepting this.
An earlier Honestly podcast suggested Iran is the real entity behind these troubles. This war with Hamas (which Israel is winning by the way) is the beginning phase of war with Iran that will begin with Israel and possibly Saudi Arabia (another sworn enemy of Iran) and end with the United States and other western nations involvement. This may be inevitable. We should all prepare for it.
What more can be said, but this relentless bashing of Netanyahu is perplexing at least to this American. I simply do not understand what is expected of him, to cave? Submit to brutal savages, barbarians capable of unthinkable brutality . Is the logic that in caving Israel will be safe? That hasn't worked. Easy for me here in air-conditioned comfort, cosseted , cocooned, safe (for now) from murderous nihilists , but fighting until complete extermination seems the only, granted horrible, course.
Every newscast recently from at least the begninnig of summer....Israel accepts....hamas would be stupid not to....this from mediocre Blilnken. so I'm with you....what's this bashing of Netanyahu....he is good for medicore Jews to complain about.....oh those terrible Israelis if only they didn't live in Judea Samaria all would be hunky dory. If only Meretz were in power the same.
The real mystery is why Netanyahu refuses to accept the deal offered. His critics charge it is for selfish self-serving reasons; to prevent or delay the judicial enquiry which might find him responsible the the catastrophic failures of October 7th and to avoid the criminal charges he is facing.
The array of credible military and intelligence chiefs who believe opportunities were passed over may not be solely driven by short term political goals. It depends on who you believe
Biden is responsible for the death of every hostage and IDf fatality-blaming Bibi is the easy way out when it is apparent that the IDF and intelligence communities were asleep at the switch and over confident in the abiltiies of the much vaunted smaller and smaller IDF and overly reliant on high tech when all of the human intelligtence was pointing to a massive incursion by Hamas
You need to do zero to "provoke" the Arabs. Yes, had Biden allowed Israel to win this war in December and not speak with forked tongue....cause I grew up with westerns.....these hostages would likely all be back inIsrael...I believe this. Biden is the most extrme and incompetent president we've ever had...and a Harris/ Walz/ Sanders administration willl be evenMORE extreme.
I fail to see the logic in your blaming Biden "for the death of every hostage and IDF fatality". It seems that you contradict that when you blame the IDF and intelligence communities. It is Bibi who bolstered Hamas all these years to assure an impotent Palestinian Authority (and no, I do not think very highly of the PA as well). Bibi's policies in the West Bank have only served to radicalize Palestinians. It should be noted that his partners are Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, two Jewish Hamas equivalents who provoke Palestinians and violate the Talmud by ascending the Temple Mount. Sinwar is a beast and yet Bibi did nothing to discredit him to Palestinians. Why has there never been an extensive propaganda campaign to discredit Sinwar, the murderer of his own sister and the architect of a government that oppresses women and murders gays?
Bibi relied on what the IDF ,and the intelligence communities told or failed to tell him The notion that Bibi "bolstered" Hamas is without any factual foundation, Don't be foo;ed by the PA- Hamas is active there as well.. Blaming Smotrich and Ben Gvir merely because they have ascended the Temple Mount places them in the same boat as Sharon who also climbed the Temple Mount which had zero to do with the Second Intifada which Arafat commenced when he would not committ to Barak's overly generous offer of more withdrawals in 2000. Like it or not , Hamas planned the events of 10/7 solely because the Abraham Accords had achieved the marginalization of the PA , Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas in the Arab worlds
Matti, bashing Netanyahu was not necessary. Hamas and all their supporting pals are the real evil. There is no way to successfully negotiate with the devil. These deaths were not caused by Israeli leadership. Let’s not forget that. V.
“We learned that we’d be forced to navigate the most fraught moment in our history with a government that is the most extreme and least competent ever to lead this country.”
Possibly Matti, just possibly, the “bewildering response” of the world since October 7 might partially be due to the fact that a very loud minority of Israelis are choosing this time to instigate division and hate among our nation. I can be quiet that in my opinion it was people with YOUR views that led to the withdrawal from Gaza and got us here. I don’t spew hatred about my resentment and your inability to take responsibility for the consequences of your beliefs. I understand that now is a time for unity. I wish you learned this as well.
Also, again, Bari- please publish a single piece from a non Bibi hater. Just one. You manage to publish both sides for US politics. Please give the same consideration to the majority of Israel voters who are in support of our current leadership.
Friedman describes the current Israeli government as "the most extreme and least competent ever to lead this country." Really? What about the Peres-Rabin administration that signed the Oslo Accords empowering the terrorists, who then murdered well over 1,000 Israelis? Who abandoned the Arab cities in Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza Strip controlled by terrorists now fighting against the IDF? What about the Barak administration, which abandoned Southern Lebanon to Hezbollah, with predictable results?
Throughout the history of the Jewish people and upon the formation of the state of Israel, its destruction and the murder of Jews by its enemies has never ceased and never will, until all the Jews are murdered. The enemies of Israel have told them so. They will never release the hostages alive, even if their absurd demands are met. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Plan accordingly. Act accordingly.
Matti Friedman is good at getting the essence of every issue he writes about. I have read every book of his. But he is a part of the tight knit Anglo community in Jerusalem. So his understanding of the Israeli politics is quite different from mine. My multigenerational Israeli family is Russian with a sprinkling of Moroccan, Yemenite, Iraqi members. Most of them came through Lehi, Heirut, Likud and even Haredi. None from Labor. We are frustrated by the westerners explaining to us Netanyahu’s motives. Some of us don’t like him, but nevertheless appreciate his many contributions as a fighter in saeret mankal and making Israel into an economic powerhouse. He stayed at the top longer than optimal. It would be interesting to hear from any one of his caliber from the opposition. We need a positive program for the entire population of Israel, not only the north Tel Avivis and Anglo expatriates.
Good reply.....the American Jews ....few really appreciate or understand Israel.....I try to....starting with my experience in Israel directly afer the YK war.....
Raze Palestine to the ground until every supporter, and their hate filled ideology is eradicated, as is done in war when one nation attacks another using war crimes, and vile unhuman atrocities. Hamas was elected, and a majority of Palestinians are complicit and maintain support. See history for the appropriate retaliation for Pearl Harbour, and the Third Reich in order to extinguish similar maniacal campaigns. Facts matter.
I cannot imagine the hurt, pain and anger of the families and friends of those who were kidnapped. Yet, I fail to understand the full dimensions of the chant "Bring them Home". Certainly to rescue the captives alive, and certainly to reach some acceptable agreement for their release. But what exactly is 'acceptable' to the thousands protesting in Israel? Does it include some element of capitulation to Hamas' demands? Which is more important to the survival of Israel - release of the hostages, or defeat of Hamas. Israel used to have a policy of Never negotiating with terrorists, then, they did. There is a clear message from recent history - negotiating with terrorists only emboldens them. The Israeli protests, directly on the heels of hostages being murdered to prevent their rescue, is an indication to me that many Israelis value capitulation over victory.
I'm with you...I wrote much along the same lines. what do these massive demonstrations in TA want? Who participates.....the Ashkenzi western Jews overwhelmingly I think. Maybe the Mizrahi are the "dolts" like the MAGA who love Trump......I think Israel has survived despite the Western Jews.
His death on the heels of his parents speaking to the DNC at the Harris coronation sends a clear Hamas message: "Biden, Harris, and Walz? Your party doesn't have the stones to touch us." And you know what? They're right.
Such a sad day. Watched the Goldberg-Polin funeral this morning and other broadcast ceremonies. A lot is happening in Israel. If you want another perspective, different from MSM, which is not dissimilar to our news organizations, please see Caroline Glick's In Focus webcast on JNS. You may have a different opinion but owe it to yourself to give it a listen.
Another analyst that you may or may not be familiar with is historian Gadi Taub whose Israel Update with Michael Doron from TabletMag, I have found essential viewing. He recently posted an OpEd in JNS too. Link below.
[1] Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
[2] A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
[3] A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
[4] The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
[5] Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
[6] Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
[7] They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
[8] Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
[9] They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
[10] The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
[11] And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
[12] Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
[13] And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
[14] Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
[15] Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
[16] Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
[17] Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
[18] Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
[19] Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
[20] But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
[21] Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
[22] Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
[23] Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
[24] And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
[25] And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
[26] And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
[27] And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
[28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
[29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
[30] And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
[31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
[32] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call."
Over and over again, the Bible relates the dispersal and suffering of the Jews and the saving hand of the Lord. But there is constant backsliding, constant forgetting, which is a human trait leading to a downfall in the midst of plenty and pride. Are we watching the results of this again? Probably. Will the Lord save again? Hopefully. Will we learn better ways? Doubtfully.
We are related. My father's maternal grandparents were Adele and Dr Peter Friedmann of Vienna Austria. Adele descended from hundreds of years of rabbinic scholars. I converted to Christianity but retain a stronger connection to Judaism than before since my grandparents were not observant. I love the Word of God more than typical gentile Christians because it is inscribed on my heart by the dna of those rabbinic scholars. I await the coming of Messiah, the first for the Jewish people, the second coming for believing obedient Christians. When Messiah returns, it will not be as a suffering servant. It will be with vengeance, it will be as in the days of Noah. Prepare your heart, prepare your hearts.
"most extreme and least competent" When Shamir was prime minister it was very hard for me to retort to snide comments about Israel's terroristt gov't. It was baffling to me in the early seventies before my first visit why a Jew referred to Isaael as being in nazi germany. I wonder. Mr Netanyahu can take the blame and ask forgiveness for Oct. 7...period. Where was security? Where was the Israeli army in this tiny country ....not responding for hours? Because of Ben Gvir? Smotrich? When an Arab is in the gov't who basically despises the state Of Israel...is that extreme enough a govt for you. Incompetent....Eshkol was quaking that he preside over the elimination of Israel....I think that' s In Oren's book Six Days of War. Was Dayan incompetent when he kicked Jews off the Temple Mount.? I've asked and I"m asking here.....what do the Israeli demonstrators want from their "extreme and incompetent govt?" I watched Netanyahu's address on I 24. I think he is reasonable. Whta do Israelis want? Another Oct. 7th? As my friend has said to me...both us lifelong Zionists....it's their country to lose.
When Japan tired of all their deaths in WW II they surrendered and the US helped to rebuild Japan and make the Japanese prosperous members of the global economy. Same with Germany. Hamas won't surrender because Palestinian deaths do not deter them; they increase international support for their cause.
Every war against Israel ended with an armistice or a cease fire but never with a treaty. Israel is justified in demanding a different ending this time: a treaty--one that will create a disarmed Palestinian state giving Palestinians an opportunity to prosper and join the global economy alongside Israel. One whose peace is guaranteed by a coalition of the U.S., Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and members of the Abrahamic Accord. One so strong and unequivocal that Iran would no longer dare to meddle with members of this alliance.
I....supported Oslo....I supported "Clinton parameters" Arafat launched his second terror war. I don't believe any independent and peaceful Arab state in Judea Samaria Gaza is at all possible nor do I support. it. Give them autonomy in Jordan. If the Kurds can live with that in Iraq....so whats wrong with the Pals accepting this.
An earlier Honestly podcast suggested Iran is the real entity behind these troubles. This war with Hamas (which Israel is winning by the way) is the beginning phase of war with Iran that will begin with Israel and possibly Saudi Arabia (another sworn enemy of Iran) and end with the United States and other western nations involvement. This may be inevitable. We should all prepare for it.
What more can be said, but this relentless bashing of Netanyahu is perplexing at least to this American. I simply do not understand what is expected of him, to cave? Submit to brutal savages, barbarians capable of unthinkable brutality . Is the logic that in caving Israel will be safe? That hasn't worked. Easy for me here in air-conditioned comfort, cosseted , cocooned, safe (for now) from murderous nihilists , but fighting until complete extermination seems the only, granted horrible, course.
Every newscast recently from at least the begninnig of summer....Israel accepts....hamas would be stupid not to....this from mediocre Blilnken. so I'm with you....what's this bashing of Netanyahu....he is good for medicore Jews to complain about.....oh those terrible Israelis if only they didn't live in Judea Samaria all would be hunky dory. If only Meretz were in power the same.
The real mystery is why Netanyahu refuses to accept the deal offered. His critics charge it is for selfish self-serving reasons; to prevent or delay the judicial enquiry which might find him responsible the the catastrophic failures of October 7th and to avoid the criminal charges he is facing.
The array of credible military and intelligence chiefs who believe opportunities were passed over may not be solely driven by short term political goals. It depends on who you believe
Biden is responsible for the death of every hostage and IDf fatality-blaming Bibi is the easy way out when it is apparent that the IDF and intelligence communities were asleep at the switch and over confident in the abiltiies of the much vaunted smaller and smaller IDF and overly reliant on high tech when all of the human intelligtence was pointing to a massive incursion by Hamas
You need to do zero to "provoke" the Arabs. Yes, had Biden allowed Israel to win this war in December and not speak with forked tongue....cause I grew up with westerns.....these hostages would likely all be back inIsrael...I believe this. Biden is the most extrme and incompetent president we've ever had...and a Harris/ Walz/ Sanders administration willl be evenMORE extreme.
I fail to see the logic in your blaming Biden "for the death of every hostage and IDF fatality". It seems that you contradict that when you blame the IDF and intelligence communities. It is Bibi who bolstered Hamas all these years to assure an impotent Palestinian Authority (and no, I do not think very highly of the PA as well). Bibi's policies in the West Bank have only served to radicalize Palestinians. It should be noted that his partners are Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, two Jewish Hamas equivalents who provoke Palestinians and violate the Talmud by ascending the Temple Mount. Sinwar is a beast and yet Bibi did nothing to discredit him to Palestinians. Why has there never been an extensive propaganda campaign to discredit Sinwar, the murderer of his own sister and the architect of a government that oppresses women and murders gays?
https://www.jns.org/the-myth-that-israel-netanyahu-created-funded-hamas/
Bibi relied on what the IDF ,and the intelligence communities told or failed to tell him The notion that Bibi "bolstered" Hamas is without any factual foundation, Don't be foo;ed by the PA- Hamas is active there as well.. Blaming Smotrich and Ben Gvir merely because they have ascended the Temple Mount places them in the same boat as Sharon who also climbed the Temple Mount which had zero to do with the Second Intifada which Arafat commenced when he would not committ to Barak's overly generous offer of more withdrawals in 2000. Like it or not , Hamas planned the events of 10/7 solely because the Abraham Accords had achieved the marginalization of the PA , Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas in the Arab worlds
Matti, bashing Netanyahu was not necessary. Hamas and all their supporting pals are the real evil. There is no way to successfully negotiate with the devil. These deaths were not caused by Israeli leadership. Let’s not forget that. V.
“We learned that we’d be forced to navigate the most fraught moment in our history with a government that is the most extreme and least competent ever to lead this country.”
Possibly Matti, just possibly, the “bewildering response” of the world since October 7 might partially be due to the fact that a very loud minority of Israelis are choosing this time to instigate division and hate among our nation. I can be quiet that in my opinion it was people with YOUR views that led to the withdrawal from Gaza and got us here. I don’t spew hatred about my resentment and your inability to take responsibility for the consequences of your beliefs. I understand that now is a time for unity. I wish you learned this as well.
Also, again, Bari- please publish a single piece from a non Bibi hater. Just one. You manage to publish both sides for US politics. Please give the same consideration to the majority of Israel voters who are in support of our current leadership.
Friedman describes the current Israeli government as "the most extreme and least competent ever to lead this country." Really? What about the Peres-Rabin administration that signed the Oslo Accords empowering the terrorists, who then murdered well over 1,000 Israelis? Who abandoned the Arab cities in Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza Strip controlled by terrorists now fighting against the IDF? What about the Barak administration, which abandoned Southern Lebanon to Hezbollah, with predictable results?
Friedman has a very selective memory.
agreed and a lot more....
Throughout the history of the Jewish people and upon the formation of the state of Israel, its destruction and the murder of Jews by its enemies has never ceased and never will, until all the Jews are murdered. The enemies of Israel have told them so. They will never release the hostages alive, even if their absurd demands are met. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Plan accordingly. Act accordingly.
Matti Friedman is good at getting the essence of every issue he writes about. I have read every book of his. But he is a part of the tight knit Anglo community in Jerusalem. So his understanding of the Israeli politics is quite different from mine. My multigenerational Israeli family is Russian with a sprinkling of Moroccan, Yemenite, Iraqi members. Most of them came through Lehi, Heirut, Likud and even Haredi. None from Labor. We are frustrated by the westerners explaining to us Netanyahu’s motives. Some of us don’t like him, but nevertheless appreciate his many contributions as a fighter in saeret mankal and making Israel into an economic powerhouse. He stayed at the top longer than optimal. It would be interesting to hear from any one of his caliber from the opposition. We need a positive program for the entire population of Israel, not only the north Tel Avivis and Anglo expatriates.
Good reply.....the American Jews ....few really appreciate or understand Israel.....I try to....starting with my experience in Israel directly afer the YK war.....
Raze Palestine to the ground until every supporter, and their hate filled ideology is eradicated, as is done in war when one nation attacks another using war crimes, and vile unhuman atrocities. Hamas was elected, and a majority of Palestinians are complicit and maintain support. See history for the appropriate retaliation for Pearl Harbour, and the Third Reich in order to extinguish similar maniacal campaigns. Facts matter.
I cannot imagine the hurt, pain and anger of the families and friends of those who were kidnapped. Yet, I fail to understand the full dimensions of the chant "Bring them Home". Certainly to rescue the captives alive, and certainly to reach some acceptable agreement for their release. But what exactly is 'acceptable' to the thousands protesting in Israel? Does it include some element of capitulation to Hamas' demands? Which is more important to the survival of Israel - release of the hostages, or defeat of Hamas. Israel used to have a policy of Never negotiating with terrorists, then, they did. There is a clear message from recent history - negotiating with terrorists only emboldens them. The Israeli protests, directly on the heels of hostages being murdered to prevent their rescue, is an indication to me that many Israelis value capitulation over victory.
I'm with you...I wrote much along the same lines. what do these massive demonstrations in TA want? Who participates.....the Ashkenzi western Jews overwhelmingly I think. Maybe the Mizrahi are the "dolts" like the MAGA who love Trump......I think Israel has survived despite the Western Jews.
His death on the heels of his parents speaking to the DNC at the Harris coronation sends a clear Hamas message: "Biden, Harris, and Walz? Your party doesn't have the stones to touch us." And you know what? They're right.
Such a sad day. Watched the Goldberg-Polin funeral this morning and other broadcast ceremonies. A lot is happening in Israel. If you want another perspective, different from MSM, which is not dissimilar to our news organizations, please see Caroline Glick's In Focus webcast on JNS. You may have a different opinion but owe it to yourself to give it a listen.
Another analyst that you may or may not be familiar with is historian Gadi Taub whose Israel Update with Michael Doron from TabletMag, I have found essential viewing. He recently posted an OpEd in JNS too. Link below.
https://www.jns.org/writers/caroline-b-glick/
https://www.jns.org/isa-idf-brass-are-concealing-the-pas-involvement-in-terrorism/
Bible, King James Version
Joel.2
[1] Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
[2] A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
[3] A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
[4] The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
[5] Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
[6] Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
[7] They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
[8] Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
[9] They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
[10] The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
[11] And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
[12] Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
[13] And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
[14] Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
[15] Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
[16] Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
[17] Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
[18] Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
[19] Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
[20] But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
[21] Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
[22] Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
[23] Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
[24] And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
[25] And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
[26] And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
[27] And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
[28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
[29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
[30] And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
[31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
[32] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call."
Over and over again, the Bible relates the dispersal and suffering of the Jews and the saving hand of the Lord. But there is constant backsliding, constant forgetting, which is a human trait leading to a downfall in the midst of plenty and pride. Are we watching the results of this again? Probably. Will the Lord save again? Hopefully. Will we learn better ways? Doubtfully.
We are related. My father's maternal grandparents were Adele and Dr Peter Friedmann of Vienna Austria. Adele descended from hundreds of years of rabbinic scholars. I converted to Christianity but retain a stronger connection to Judaism than before since my grandparents were not observant. I love the Word of God more than typical gentile Christians because it is inscribed on my heart by the dna of those rabbinic scholars. I await the coming of Messiah, the first for the Jewish people, the second coming for believing obedient Christians. When Messiah returns, it will not be as a suffering servant. It will be with vengeance, it will be as in the days of Noah. Prepare your heart, prepare your hearts.
Good people of G-d, stand firm in your faith.