Commentary

Israelis, especially those in positions of power, need to wake up and stop making decisions and statements that directly harm Jewish communities abroad.

The last two years have laid bare that when visions of civilizational progress, victory, or self-actualization collide with reality, resentment rushes in to fill the void – and Jews are often its favorite target.

Prime minister's shift to comprehensive hostage deal negotiations and cabinet decision on Gaza conquest enters war into new phase with uncertain outcomes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes he can both conquer Gaza and reach a hostage deal, but he has yet to explain how. For now, Netanyahu enjoys backing from Washington, but time is running out for the hostages.

The date is part of the prime minister's assessment, not his plan. Even within the government itself there are those who worry about the prolongation of the Gaza campaign. Meanwhile, the hypocrisy in the Qatar-Gate affair and the distribution of Knesset seats in the "anyone but Bibi" camp.

The war – as officials also made clear last night in Israel – will not halt for the sake of negotiations, moreover – the timeline for conquering the city has been accelerated.

For years, academics have influenced generations of commanders to remove from the framework of values and principles the simple and self-evident value for every fighter: victory. Every booby-trapped house, or disguised command post, are intended for a double satanic purpose: the destruction of Israel and the murder of Jews. A response to two professors.

The mutual accusations we hurl at one another should not be cause for fear. We have never known a day without disagreement. That is both the secret of our weakness and the secret of our excellence. As an eternal people, we have learned to arm ourselves with patience in the face of historical processes, especially national ones. And in the end, a little comfort.

Learning from past negotiations with Hamas and after publicly admitting "Hamas deceived us," the PM is now withholding information about developments behind the scenes, keeping everyone guessing.

Wise people surrendered to emotional discourse about the hostages, as if the protest would advance their return. Hamas observes the pressure directed only toward Israel's government and calculates: Why compromise?