The future of the State of Israel depends on the strength of Diaspora Jewry – and the future of the Jews in the Diaspora depends on the resilience and security of the State of Israel.
Without an effective command center abroad, and after it suffers devastating damage to its military and governing capabilities in Gaza, Hamas may lose its status as a movement with regional influence, even if it continues to wield local influence as an organization on the run. Israel and its neighbors have a shared interest in seeing this through.
There is still room for progress in Israeli society regarding its attitudes surrounding ultra-Orthodox women.
In this difficult week, we will remember what our sons fell for: for the defense of the people and the homeland. Just when we thought it had been eliminated, the spirit of Oslo returned with the same old solution. This Shabbat we will read the Song of the Sea, the song of thanks for redemption from the hands of Egypt and Pharaoh.
Even those who have subscribed to a governing paradigm over the past 30 years that has been based on the idea of Palestinian independence as a core component of Israel's security cannot ignore the implications of establishing such a state as a result of an Israeli military defeat in Gaza. This is not how deterrence is restored; this is not how one survives in the Middle East.
There is a growing gap between the fighting spirit of the soldiers (and the public who sent them) and a small group with powerful microphones that tries to convince us that we have been defeated. Despite these voices, we are winning.
Iran's grand plan, which was exposed on October 7, is falling apart. Although Mohammed Def's call to Iran and Hezbollah to join the assault on Israel has gone unanswered, Tehran is doing everything it can to prevent Hamas from losing control of Gaza, but to no avail.
As we prepare for our oldest son to begin a tremendous milestone in less than a year – his freshman year in college – we find we lack the usual excitement & anticipation or even the typical frustrations that are part and parcel of the college application process.
Instead of preferring moderate intensity over an extended period, it is best to increase intensity over a shorter duration. Continued public support for the IDF's activities is vital, especially in dealing with an enemy that knows Israeli society well and plans its moves with awareness of its sensitivities.
Blinken's record – from Iran to Ukraine – is dismal. But he has managed to drag Biden away from his pro-Israel stance, undermining Israel's achievements in the war.
