One of the serious flaws we Jews have is the tendency to focus on internal disputes, while a deadly storm rages outside. This happened in the year 2023. This may very well be happening again these days as well.
Since the middle of last week, one of the leaders of the Hamas murderers, Ismail Haniyeh, has been in a series of meetings in Tehran. He was received with the rolling of the red carpet, literally, at the Foreign Ministry, and met with the highest-ranking officials, headed by the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, whom not everyone gets to meet. He also met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the military's chief of staff and others. Conveniently, the head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad Ziyad al-Nakhalah, also participated in the meetings.
In a public statement during the visit, Haniyeh expressed immense satisfaction at Israel being abandoned in the Security Council by the US. He claimed that the "Zionist enemy" had fallen into diplomatic isolation and added that Israel's war has stalled. The brazen appearance conveyed a very different message from the panicked interviews of Haniyeh and his murderous associates at the beginning of the war. This time he looked fully satisfied.
Given these known facts, we can assume that the two heads of the terror organizations did not come to Iran just to eat baklava. A series of meetings with the highest-ranking officials over four days may indicate that the heads of the axis of evil are seeking a second opportunity for what they did not achieve the first time. That is, to land a second combined blow on Israel from several fronts, one that God forbid will not allow us to get back on our feet.
What exactly they are plotting is hard to know. Perhaps our intelligence agencies know, and perhaps not. What is certain is that the people in Israel and its leaders must take them at their word that they have not abandoned the vision of destroying Israel, and will not miss what they view as another opportunity to fulfill it.
On October 7, their plans went awry. The participants of the rave near the boarder became unwitting heroes when they blocked the monsters of Hamas with their bodies and prevented a massive attack deep into Israel. This is already clear today. In parallel, Hezbollah, Iran and the pro-Iranian militias were not ready for the timing set by Sinwar, and out of sheer shock did not join the campaign in the first few days. For us it was a miracle.
But miracles are not a work plan. And if we again avert our gaze from the real enemy outside who is still plotting, then what did not happen on Simchat Torah may happen on Passover, on Independence Day, or any other day. No one promised that the worst is behind us. On the contrary, we have learned that the enemy is more sophisticated and stronger than we thought.
With all due regret, as of now it is impossible to say that Hamas has buckled under the pressure. Additionally, it currently appears that the war is somewhat stagnating from the Israeli side. Added to this is the message of a return to routine projected by our leadership, which is incessantly preoccupied with petty politics and personal infighting.
Our malicious schemers see and hear these voices, and undoubtedly draw encouragement as they plan the next stage. We have learned the hard way that their deadly aspirations are not meant for speeches in squares but for the real world.
Therefore, the prime minister, defense minister, chief of staff, war cabinet and all other decision-makers must make sure we are once again fully prepared and examine from every angle where the enemy could surprise us, so that October 7 does not God forbid become a harbinger for more.
