From Osama bin Laden's planned attack in New York on September 11, 2001, to the present day, Western nations have remained unable to eradicate the scourge of Islamist terror. Numerous attacks have been thwarted thanks to invaluable intelligence provided by Mossad to various intelligence services. Without these warnings, the list of Islamist attacks in Europe and Australia would have been longer and more deadly, targeting innocent men, women, and children.

Encouraged, trained, and financed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, terrorist cells from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah operate with impunity across all continents. Since October 7, 2023, they have been taking advantage of American restraint and European disarray. Worse still, Western powers are allowing pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the streets in the name of "freedom of expression." Chancelleries in Europe are working by all diplomatic means to create a Palestinian state. Are they unaware that their actions indirectly fuel anti-Semitic waves and sow terror? Are they so masochistic or so naive? Why this indifference to the just cause of the Jewish state? This "collusion" with the devil?

There is no difference between the Palestinian Hamas terrorists and all the Shiite and Sunni terrorists who perpetrate attacks in Sydney, Washington, Manchester, or Paris. They all wish to create Islamic states in place of the Jewish state and Christian countries. Even today, Saladin remains a hero of Islam, the great victor over the Crusaders in 1187. Why turn a deaf ear, why ignore the words of Islamist leaders who clearly declare in Arabic: "Our goal is to mobilize the Muslim masses for the conquest again of Jerusalem"?

The attack in Sydney on the first day of Hanukkah symbolizes our age-old struggle against evil. We light candles to dispel darkness and obscurantism, and to illuminate the fundamental values ​​of Judaism. Members of the Loubavitch movement were targeted once again. Islamist barbarians premeditatedly murdered representatives of Chabad, the Hebrew acronym for wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge.

We have no choice but to continue our tireless fight against the cult of death. It is our collective destiny, for better or for worse. For over a century, we have been fighting the scourge of Palestinian terrorism, and every day we thwart planned attacks and every night we arrest those who commission them, perpetrators, and suspects.

The Jewish state is therefore acting in legitimate self-defense and has the absolute right to wage a fight, without pity and without mercy, against all enemies of all kinds, against all those who want to wipe us off the map, whether they are Palestinian or Iranian.

No moral lessons, especially from Europe, and from France in particular, nor any condemnation will be able to prevent the Israeli government from continuing, with the support of the IDF, the Shin Bet, and the Mossad, the fight against the scourge of terrorism in Gaza, Damascus, Beirut, or Tehran.

The waves of antisemitism and acts of terror cannot be eradicated without an international strategy. It's not enough to simply increase police presence outside synagogues and community centers, organize mourning ceremonies, or express solidarity after each attack; these are merely empty words and fine expressions. What's needed is concrete action through draconian laws, including freezing bank accounts and cracking down on incitement to hatred of Jews in the streets and mosques.

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Who would have imagined that Holocaust survivors would one day supply weapons to Germany to protect it from the Russian threat? It's worth remembering that before the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel also provided Uzi submachine guns and artillery shells, and over the years, drones as well. Conversely, Germany is significantly strengthening its deterrent and regularly delivers submarines to us.

It has now been more than 60 years since we turned the page on the new Germany. In 1952, following arduous negotiations—and despite protests and demonstrations, and the profound grief and bitterness of the survivors of the terrible Holocaust—we signed a reparations agreement, and then 13 years later we established full and solid diplomatic relations. On August 24, 1965, the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Asher Ben Nathan, was appointed the first Ambassador of the Jewish state to Bonn.

Today, German-Israeli relations are excellent. Germany is our closest ally and our most important trading partner in the world after the United States, and far ahead of France. We maintain numerous cultural, scientific, and academic ties with Germany.

Unlike in other European countries, boycotts against legitimization have not gained traction in Berlin. Campuses warmly welcomed Israeli professors, researchers, and students. More than 7,000 young Germans visit the Jewish state each year.

Germany fights anti-Semitism by all means; its policy is consistent, promises are kept, particularly regarding official visits.

In this context, Chancellor Merz's visit with his ministerial delegation is more important than ever to strengthen and consolidate our relations in all areas and on all levels.

Certainly, since October 7, 2023, differences have existed between us regarding the peace process with the Palestinians and the future of Gaza, but these reflect the common position of the entire European Union. However, the conversations are conducted respectfully, amicably, and frankly, and not through moralizing lectures as is the practice of French leaders.

In the fight against Islamist terrorism and the presence of Iranian terrorists in Europe, Germany collaborates closely with Israeli intelligence services; valuable information provided by Mossad has thwarted dozens of attacks on European soil.

The special and unique relationship between Jerusalem and Berlin must continue in the interest of both countries. Germany's strong voice in Europe and its economic power are guarantees for the Jewish state that it can avoid a systematic boycott by certain European Union member states, such as Spain. Madrid's harmful role was evident in Geneva recently during the debate on Israel's expulsion from the Eurovision Song Contest.

On the eve of the Christian holidays, it is vital that Israeli embassies in the 26 European capitals conduct effective diplomatic efforts and an information campaign in the media and on social networks to explain Israel's just cause. Unfortunately, this cause has been widely misinterpreted and misunderstood since October 7, 2023.

The sole aim of the Jewish state is to expel Islamist terrorist groups from the region and prevent their presence in Europe as well. Our wish is to ensure coexistence with our neighbors and all minorities, and to secure and defensible borders along the Syrian-Lebanese border, in the Jordan Valley, and in the Gaza Strip.

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Given the Lebanese army's inability to dismantle Hezbollah's weaponry and the UN observers' reluctance to enforce the ceasefire, the IDF has no choice but to launch raids against every violation by the Shiite militia, just as it does daily against Hamas in Gaza. The policy of restraint is now a thing of the past.

However, the recent elimination of Hezbollah's chief of staff, Haitham Ali Tabataba'i, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, is reviving tensions. Beyond the obsession with creating a Palestinian state at any cost, the situation in Lebanon remains a real concern for French diplomacy.

Since the Crusades, the kings of France have played the role of protector of Christian populations, and in the 14th century France intervened militarily to defend the Christians Maronite's of Mount Lebanon, who were then in conflict with the Druze. Then, from the 1920s onward, Lebanon became a French protectorate, along with Syria, as part of Greater Lebanon, until its independence in 1941.

Since the Six-Day War of 1967, France has acted unilaterally, attempting to impose its diplomacy without success. It failed to learn the lessons of the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement, signing the partition of the Middle East with haste and recklessness. Forty years later, it also ignored the consequences of the 1956 Suez Crisis, which resulted in the severing of diplomatic relations with all Arab countries except Lebanon. And even today, despite successive humiliations and setbacks, Macron's France continues its unsuccessful search for influence in our region and beyond.

During the Lebanese Civil War, which began in 1975, France prioritized the exodus of Christians from the Middle East rather than protecting them on the ground. Only Israel came to their aid, as it continues to do to safeguard all minorities in the region, including the Druze.

Since taking office at the Elysée Palace on May 14, 2017, Emmanuel Macron has turned a deaf ear to warnings from the Jewish state regarding the dangerous actions of Iran and Hezbollah on the stability of the region and peace in the world.

On September 27, 2018, Prime Minister Netanyahu revealed to the United Nations General Assembly the existence of secret precision missile manufacturing sites in Lebanon. One of the sites was located beneath a football field used by a Hezbollah-sponsored team. Another was situated north of the international airport, and the third was buried beneath the port of Beirut, less than 500 meters from the airport tarmac. These three sites were not the only ones used by Hezbollah to manufacture and store precision missiles. On December 4, 2018, the IDF revealed that Hezbollah was digging attack tunnels to invade the entire Galilee region, specifying that a large-scale IDF operation, "Northern Shield," was underway. As usual, all these revelations were denied by Hezbollah, and France turned a blind eye.

At the time, London and The Hague had decided to add Hezbollah's "armed wing" to their list of terrorist organizations. Merkel's Germany had the courage to declare every member of Hezbollah persona non grata.

Fearing Hezbollah's revenge, France still makes a clear distinction between "the political" and the "military wing" as it did with Hamas before October 7, 2023. Paris does not think it is possible to disarm Hezbollah because the Shiites are part of a multi-confessional government.

President Macron had the opportunity during his visits to Beirut to tell the Lebanese leaders the whole truth. To call a spade a spade and state clearly that Hezbollah is not a political party but a dangerous militia. On February 24, 2000, didn't Lionel Jospin, prime minister during the French cohabitation government, describe Hezbollah's attacks against Israel and Jews as "terrorist"? Why was he reprimanded by President Chirac and the media?

While France is certainly striving to prevent another civil war in Lebanon, this concern actually extends beyond the future of the country itself. It also reflects the fact that a civil war would trigger a massive influx of hundreds of thousands of immigrants into France. Currently, over 210,000 Lebanese live in France.

With each incident on the Israeli-Lebanese border, Macron's fears intensify, and he anxiously calls for maximum restraint from Netanyahu. These days, faced with the fear that the United States and Israel will launch new raids against the reconstruction of nuclear sites, Iran is counting on France to sign a new agreement. During his recent visit to Paris, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi proudly declared on France 24: "Iran has emerged victorious from the war with Israel and the American bombings" (sic).

Emmanuel Macron's wide-ranging diplomatic efforts are transparent at a time when heavily indebted France is going through a deep socio-economic crisis, insecurity dominates minds in the face of Islamist terrorism, drug trafficking, and the Russian threat which is prompting the French president to set up a voluntary military service.

Despite warnings from Israel and the United States, Macron blindly continues his ostrich-like policy. Isn't he now unpopular in his own country, isolated in Europe, and ridiculed by Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin?

Does Macron have such a short memory that he can forget the presence of Yasser Arafat and his terrorists in Beirut? Khomeini's hateful propaganda in Neauphle-le-Château, near Paris? Has he forgiven the French base bombing in Beirut on October 23, 1983, in which 58 French paratroopers were killed? The Hezbollah attacks in Paris in the 1990s? The assassination of Shapour Bakhtiar in Paris, first Iranian Prime minister after the Islamist revolution? The attacks by the infamous terrorist Anis Naccache, or the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri, a friend of Jacques Chirac, by Iranian Hezbollah? And so many other incidents, acts of blackmail, and humiliations, not to mention the spectacular and deadly attacks against America and Israel.

Why does he downplay the true intentions of Iran and Hezbollah and ignore the revelations of Mossad, particularly regarding the presence of Islamist terrorist networks in Europe and on his own territory?

How can he accept the presence of a mini-terrorist state in Lebanon, a country dear to France? How can he accept this fait accompli? This perfectly normal occurrence in diplomatic relations and international law? Even worse, why did he go to such lengths to elect Sleiman Frangié, the Hezbollah candidate and close associate of the Assad family, as President of the Lebanese Republic?

It seems that President Macron has no fear in condemning and boycotting the State of Israel regarding the future of the Territories, nor any qualms about supporting all Arab claims and recognizing a virtual Palestinian state.

Finally, we can smile when the former French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, declared on November 27, 2025, on the BFMTV-RMC channel: "When we take stock, Emmanuel Macron's commitment to peace at the international level will be recognized." Really? Is he a candidate for the Nobel Prize against Donald Trump?

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Of course, we welcome President Donald Trump's considerable efforts to end hostilities in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and Syria to finally achieve a lasting peace in the region, but we regret that commercial contracts are taking precedence over diplomatic, strategic, and military matters.

The Middle East remains unstable, and for the time being, Arab regimes remain fragile, unlike Israel, the sole bastion of democracy. A militarily strong and economically powerful Jewish state is in the interest of the United States and a guarantee for Europe, particularly in the fight against Islamist terrorism. In this context, we should examine all the issues in our relations with Washington and sign a new memorandum of understanding that will offer Israel solid guarantees, technological and military superiority, and above all, absolute control in air combat in the face of the sale of F-35 stealth aircraft to Saudi Arabia.

Following the terrible massacre of October 7, 2023, this memorandum of understanding must also include the following clauses:
-No withdrawal of Israel to the 1949 armistice lines.
– No IDF withdrawal from the Golan Heights and the Jordan Valley.
– Jerusalem is the sole capital of the Jewish state.
-Secure and defensible borders on all fronts before any negotiations for the possible creation of a Palestinian state.
-To allow the IDF to have a free hand to act in the face of every imminent danger.
-To counter any attempt by Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and ballistic and cruise missiles, to rearm Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, and to sabotage the normalization process with Saudi Arabia.
-American inspectors will be tasked with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor the possible construction of a nuclear power plant in Riyadh and to ensure nuclear non-proliferation in other Arab-Muslim countries.
-The United States will oppose and, if necessary, vote against any initiative by the UN Security Council to impose resolutions on Israel that are incompatible with this memorandum of understanding.

These points mentioned represent a consensus within Zionist parties, both right and left.

Once the memorandum of understanding is signed between Israel and the United States, the way will be clear to begin serious negotiations and expand the circle of normalization within the framework of the Abraham Accords. The purpose of this new memorandum of understanding is to strengthen our alliance with the Americans while preserving our independence and sovereignty, and to refrain from automatically agreeing to any American initiative or decision for fear of losing the support of the president and Congress.

Of course, we are pleased that the current occupant of the White House is undoubtedly the greatest friend of the State of Israel and the Jewish people, and that his intentions are truly sincere. We are also satisfied that, given the failure of the UN and the weakness of Europe, the American presence in the world, and in the Middle East in particular, is dominant in the face of Russia and China.

It is worth remembering that Saudi Arabia is the cradle of Islam, the custodian of the holy sites, and one of the leading powers in the Islamic world –economically, spiritually, politically, and even militarily. Peace between Riyadh and Jerusalem will have far-reaching theological repercussions, fostering a historic rapprochement between the Muslim world and the Jewish people.

Also, be aware that there are no "free meals" among Americans; we should therefore seize this historic opportunity and make certain concessions if necessary to finally guarantee absolute security to all Israeli citizens and future generations.

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Faced with this unique phenomenon, civil society remains harmonious because its origins are universal and drawn from over seventy countries worldwide. Consequently, democracy is thriving despite profound political divisions and the state of war. Massive protests and the complete freedom of movement and expression demonstrate that the democratic system has remained strong and stable to this day.

In this liberal, even absurd, context, the military radio station, Army Radio, is generally run by a journalist appointed by the Minister of Defense. This station broadcasts, oddly enough, advertisements and commercials. In Israel, one can see a young journalist in an IDF uniform asking questions or giving his own opinion on the conduct of a minister, an election campaign, or criticizing a senior officer on an operation he was in charge of.

Winston Churchill said that "democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried before." We can add that Israel is a unique example of this kind, where democracy sometimes operates without limits, especially in the context of the war in which we live.

I took my first steps in journalism at Army Radio. At that time, there was a clear separation between news and commentary. The vast majority of experts in various fields were seasoned journalists from print and broadcast media. They were aware of the constraints and broadcast within a strictly military framework.

Initially, in the 1950s, Army Radio aimed to serve as a liaison with conscripts and reservists, broadcasting educational programs, popular and classical songs, charts, and also teaching Hebrew to new immigrants. During armed conflicts, Army Radio broadcasted in tandem with Kol Israel (Voice of Israel). Together, they announced the mobilization of IDF reserve units.

Today, with the proliferation of radio stations, television channels, and social networks, a military station in a democratic country has no reason to exist if uniformed journalists are covering topics that concern controversial political matters.

It is regrettable that all attempts to prevent the politicization of the station, and even to shut it down, particularly by the General Staff itself, were doomed to failure. Numerous print journalists, but especially those working for radio stations and television stars, cut their teeth at Army Radio. They form a powerful lobby that politicians, and especially generals, are unwilling to confront. This explains why they were so untouchable. For several decades, Army Radio was indeed reserved for a closed and privileged circle of journalists whose opinions were rather left-leaning on the political spectrum; it is only in recent years that the military station has opened its studios to all opinions and all strata of Israeli society, secular and religious, Ashkenazi and Sephardic.

However, the appointment of certain activists and militants close to Prime Minister Netanyahu, such as Yaacov Berdugo, quickly transformed Army Radio into a platform for propaganda, virulent political debates, and unnecessary quarrels, thus flouting the vocation of the military station and exacerbating politicization within the Zahal.

Army Radio is staffed and managed primarily by conscripts committed to mandatory military service and the rules applied at an IDF base. Ethical and professional standards govern the conduct of military and civilian correspondents. Their information is generally considered credible and is often cited and used by international news agencies. Consequently, the image and credibility of the IDF are at stake.

Defense Minister Israel Katz is right to act against the politicization of the army and its services, but he was wrong to act in a demagogic manner and for purely political reasons. He created unnecessary turmoil at a time when the current government's Minister of Communications, Shlomo Karhi, is considering extravagant reforms that could infringe upon press freedom.

Journalism is a true profession, and therefore, a highly committed activist or political figure cannot honestly cover a subject or case. Freedom of expression, doubt, and criticism must prevail. Questioning is the very reason for this noble profession's existence.

Army Radio represents a sacred symbol, a popular radio station that reflects the image of the IDF, Israel's people's army. In a country still at war, it is essential to safeguard this station while considering editorial reforms and broadcasting unfiltered news without political commentary. It is also important to continue high-quality military and strategic programming and to preserve the activities of the music station, Gal-Galatz, and its role in boosting troop morale and raising awareness about road safety.

Israeli society is going through an identity crisis and is searching for itself. It is deeply scarred by all the major events that have occurred, especially since the terrible massacre of October 7, 2023.

On the eve of legislative elections, let us return to reason and refrain from adding partisan decisions driven by personal and electoral interests to our serious problems.

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One might have thought that Israel, an exemplary democratic country, would always be safe from a political attack. We were sorely mistaken. Verbal violence ultimately incited murder.

For the first time since the creation of the State of Israel, a Prime Minister has been assassinated by a Jew… Alas, even today, cruelty is omnipresent within Israeli society. It gnaws away, proliferates dangerously, destroys, like a cancer. The discord between Right and Left, between secularists and religious people, is undoubtedly the most serious of all our daily threats, near and far. It is high time to return to reason.

I had the great privilege of knowing Yitzhak Rabin. As 1965, while in charge of communications at the IDF General Staff, I followed his travels in the north of the country, in the company of General David Elazar, Dado.

Rabin was calm but worried. He chain-smoked and drank several cups of coffee. Immersed in military maps, he gave the impression of overseeing the military situation; he had answers for every eventuality. To relax, he played tennis with Dado. He was a good player, and his serve was very powerful. When he lost the ball, he grumbled, but immediately afterward, he smiled. He inspired confidence in us. His good character and sportsmanship were exemplary.

However, the belligerent declarations of the Arabs and the threats of war put Rabin under immense stress. This daily strain, coupled with sleep deprivation, plunged him into anxiety and insecurity. Rabin suffered a severe nervous breakdown. He smoked more than three packs of cigarettes a day and drank about twenty cups of coffee. Poisoned by nicotine and caffeine, he was given an injection by his personal physician, and for 36 hours, while the country was on a war footing, the Chief of Staff slept soundly. After this deep sleep, a distraught Rabin was forced to ask his deputy, Ezer Weitzman, to take command of the IDF. Weiztman flatly refused and encouraged his leader to overcome this difficult time. Rabin quickly recovered and led his country to the most resounding victory in modern history.

This war gave rise to a whole series of myths and accolades. Proud of his victory on the battlefield, Yitzhak Rabin nevertheless sought to put things into perspective. In a remarkable speech delivered on Mount Scopus at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rabin spoke of the human and spiritual qualities of the IDF: "The paratroopers who captured the Western Wall leaned against its stones and wept. I doubt that one finds many such symbolic gestures in the entire history of humankind. We have earned the right to be aware of our superiority without having despised our adversaries. Our army is that of a nation that loves and ardently desires peace but is also capable of fighting bravely when its enemies force it to do so."

On that day, Rabin was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Hebrew University.

After more than eight years in the Palmach and twenty years in the IDF, Yitzhak Rabin ended his military career with distinction and in the euphoria of victory. The future lay before him. He was only 46 years old. For a long time, he had been racking his brains to determine the right path to take. He was a courageous fighter, but not a political wrestler. He lacked the cunning and shrewd nature of the politician, the one prone to intrigue and underhanded tactics. He was a man of integrity and loyalty. A truly shy man.

On February 1968, Rabin left for Washington to represent his country. He was received triumphantly as an American hero. However, his new career began with two serious incidents in an America still mired in the Vietnam War: the assassinations of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert Kennedy.

Rabin spent over five years in the American capital. He strengthened relations between the two countries and with Presidents Johnson and Nixon. During this period of diplomacy, he gave hundreds of interviews and lectures, and attended countless banquets and galas. His name was on everyone's lips, and the Israeli ambassador became a veritable star. Despite his official duties, at his wife's urging, he accepted substantial fees for his speaking engagements.

Having returned from Washington, Rabin plunges into the nightmare of the Yom Kippur War. The hero of the Six-Day War volunteers to advise his friend, Dado, the Chief of Staff, and share his knowledge and extensive experience in defense matters.

He also contributes to the implementation of the airlift which continuously transports American military equipment.

Two months after the war, in December 1973, Rabin joined Golda Meir's government as Minister of Labor. Six months later, the "grandmother of Israel" resigned, and Rabin became Prime Minister of the Jewish state. Never in the young nation's history had there been such a meteoric rise. Rabin, supported by the old guard of the Labor Party, was the first Sabra general to hold this position. He was only 52 years old. Clearly, destiny played a dominant role in this man's life. His career was full of twists and turns.

As soon as he decided to go into politics, Rabin was put on the spot by the press and Shimon Peres, his long-time adversary, whom he referred to as "the eternal schemer", fought him on all fronts and at every opportunity.

On June 3, 1974, Yitzhak Rabin presented his government to the Knesset. Private Shimon Peres was appointed Minister of Defense. General Ygal Allon was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Two weeks later, a US president made a historic visit to Israel.

By receiving Nixon with great fanfare in Jerusalem, Rabin sought to confirm that his policy was entirely dependent on the United States. After initialing the disengagement agreements with Syria and Egypt in Geneva, Rabin signed his first strategic agreement with Washington. The signing of an interim agreement with Egypt created a new balance of power in the region. It averted the prospect of renewed war on the southern front and paved the way for genuine negotiations aimed at reconciliation and peace.

The year 1975 saw the worst Arab attacks perpetrated in the country. Bombs exploded in shopping malls, airports and hotels; dozens of deaths and injuries plunged the country into mourning.

The Lebanese Civil War weakened Syria but frustrated the Palestinians, who decided to launch a series of spectacular attacks to attract international attention. The culmination of this wave of terrorism was undoubtedly the hijacking of the Air France Airbus in Entebbe. On July 2, 1976, Rabin decided to free the hostages in a daring operation. This spectacular raid was applauded worldwide and became legendary among the exploits of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The year 1976 ended with a farcical incident: Phantom jets purchased in the United States and flown to Israel landed on a Friday, at the beginning of Shabbat. Sacrilege! The National Religious Party, a member of the coalition, passed a no-confidence vote along with the opposition. The Rabin government fell, remaining in place only as a transitional cabinet until the elections.

The following year began with a series of scandals unprecedented in the country's history. Rabin was clearly having a run of bad luck: shady dealings, corruption networks, fake invoices. An Israeli official managed to manipulate a Swiss bank, backed by the Rothschild… the governor of the Bank of Israel was arrested for embezzlement, and finally, the Minister of Housing shot himself in the head. A veritable soap opera of misfortunes culminated in a scandal involving an illegal bank account held by the Rabin in Washington. Without hesitation, Rabin announced his resignation from the government and the chairmanship of the Labor Party. Leah Rabin, in shock, attempted suicide… This affair dominated the news for a long time but ultimately reinforced Yitzhak Rabin's image of integrity and loyalty.

The political wilderness years lasted more than seven years. Rabin tried several times to return to party power, but each time Peres blocked his path.

In 1984, Rabin joined the national unity government and served as Minister of Defense for over six years. During his tenure, he successfully evacuated Israeli forces from the Beirut area and the Shouf Mountains. In October 1985, he launched a raid against the PLO headquarters in Tunis. Following the disastrous First Lebanon War led by Sharon, Rabin focused on boosting troop morale and improving the IDF's combat equipment. In this context, he opposed the construction of a new Israeli fighter jet, the Lavi.

Rabin was surprised by the outbreak of the First Intifada. He had thought this popular uprising would be temporary. He ignored its impact and disdainfully neglected the stone-throwing by Palestinian children. He tried to crush the revolt by force and repression. It was a failure.

In 1992, having regained his position as leader of the Labour Party, Rabin won parliamentary elections for the first time and became Prime Minister for the second time. Shimon Peres was Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Fundamental questions are being raised. What has been achieved by the Zionist dream? How many more soldiers must fall, how many more civilians be killed? How many more disabled people will there be? When will the bloodshed, the wars, the terrorism, the hostage-taking, and the blackmail of all kinds finally end?  What will become of  Israel?

Since taking the reins of power, these reflections have constantly haunted Yitzhak Rabin. With experience and years of experience, he approaches each subject with philosophy and sensitivity. He symbolizes the sabra, the true Israel, its lightning victories, its struggles for survival, its joys and its tears; war and peace. He is, in a way, its emblematic figure. Under the impetus of Shimon Peres, he hastily reshaped the map of the Middle East by recognizing Arafat's PLO and signing the Oslo Accords with him, despite strong pressure from the opposition.

The burning desire to achieve peace with the Palestinians blinded the leaders of the time. The romantic vision of a new, idyllic Middle East, as Shimon Peres so fervently desired, succeeded in swaying minds and altering the geopolitical landscape. Ambitious advisors, seeking quick fame and the complicity of the press. Rabin acknowledges that these accords are not perfect and that he hesitated for a long time before shaking Arafat's hand. He compares the Oslo Accords to a Swiss cheese: "There are too many holes, too many gaps that we should fill," he says, dissatisfied. Unfortunately, he trusted Yasser Arafat's "good intentions" and he was very wrong.

Rabin also signed a peace treaty with King Hussein of Jordan, the second Arab country after Egypt to establish diplomatic relations with the State of Israel.

On Saturday, November 4, 1995, Kings of Israel Square in the heart of Tel Aviv was filled with tens of thousands of citizens gathered for a massive peace demonstration. On the podium, Rabin, looking shy and wearing glasses, sang the famous peace song, "Shiru, Shir Lashalom," into the microphones. He was deeply moved. After thunderous applause, Rabin addressed the crowd:

"This gathering is clear proof that the vast majority of the people truly desire peace and are ready to take risks to achieve it," he declared emphatically. Then, redder than ever, his arm outstretched, he asserted:

"This people is against violence! Violence undermines the foundations of our democracy and therefore must be condemned and outlawed! Let's stop this vicious cycle! Let's all put an end to the violence of extremists!"

Thirty years later, the violence persists and extremists dictate the agenda. It is time to put an end to the divisions by wisely returning to reason and seriously considering the future of our children.

Thirty years ago, , pressured Yitzhak Rabin into signing the Oslo Accords despite his numerous reservations. Rabin knew perfectly well that the agreements hastily signed with the PLO would, sooner or later, be flouted by Yasser Arafat and his successors. The Chief of Staff of the Six-Day War lost his life, brutally and cowardly assassinated by a Jewish fanatic…

The gravity of the Oslo Accords lies in the naiveté of the leaders of the time, particularly Shimon Peres and Bill Clinton. Foolishly abandoning the serious process of the Madrid Peace Conference, they believed that with these new agreements, the page had been turned on the Palestinians and that the Middle East had finally changed. Yet, they knew that Arafat had come from Tunis with his troops and notorious terrorists. Welcomed in Gaza and Jericho like a triumphant hero, he established himself on our doorstep, contemplating the gradual conquest of all of Palestine.

Manipulative and cunning like a wily old fox, he launched his deadly Intifada and allowed Hamas to carry out suicide bombings. The justification for welcoming Yasser Arafat to the White House by an American president, and then daring to award a terrorist leader the Nobel Peace Prize, eclipsed the reality on the ground and plunged Israelis into insecurity, anxiety, and despair.

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The case of Sde Teiman and the subsequent scrutiny of the IDF's Attorney General, Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi, defies comprehension. Her "disappearance" on Herzliya beach and her missing smartphone raise numerous questions about her true intentions, but above all, they raise concerns about transparency and confidentiality regarding the decision-making processes of government institutions. It needlessly plunges the country into further political turmoil, with each party vying for influence and employing populist tactics to preemptively prepare for parliamentary elections.

The debate is legitimate, but it must be conducted respectfully and through dialogue, not by force of will. A witch hunt before a police investigation is unacceptable. It is always preferable to find solutions to address the shortcomings. On this point, it is dangerous that all parties prefer to wave the revolutionary banner. Everyone wants to be right but stubbornly refuses to respect their opponent and compromise. Passion prevails over reason.

Back in January 2023, the judicial reform had already sparked waves of popular protests. These were justified, for it was the first time the sacrosanct institution of the Jewish nation, which gifted humanity with the Tablets of the Law, had been touched. The good faith of the judges in Jerusalem had been questioned, and all those comfortably seated on the Supreme Court had been deeply offended. This reform stung the honorable judges, respected throughout the world.

Fortunately, it was put on hold, but unfortunately, it has resurfaced with renewed force these days.

This reform is undoubtedly necessary, but it has quickly become a universal debate, which proves that, apart from the Israeli-Arab conflict, Israeli democracy remains vibrant and a subject for reflection – a considerable asset for the free world.

However, only the justice system holds the final say. It remains implacable and will judge a prime minister, an ordinary citizen, or a soldier in the same way. It will issue its verdict only after meticulously investigating and examining all aspects of the accusation, and only based on tangible evidence, not on rumors or unfounded hypotheses often orchestrated by self-serving lawyers on television.

However, disclosing sensitive information to the media without prior official authorization is a serious offense. Consider the case of soldier Anat Kam: in 2009, she unscrupulously transmitted over 2,000 confidential documents to a Haaretz journalist. Strangely, and despite everything, she regularly publishes articles in this liberal daily, presumptuously and arrogantly lecturing others on morality and proper conduct.

These days, when the IDF's chief prosecutor proudly assumes full responsibility for handing over to television a video accusing soldiers of mistreating Hamas terrorists, she is clearly crossing red lines.

On March 24, 2016, the case of Israeli soldier Elor Azaria, who had killed a Palestinian terrorist lying on the ground in Hebron, relentlessly preoccupied Israeli and international public opinion. Never in the history of the IDF had a trial provoked such emotion and public controversy. The trial lasted more than nine months. Three military judges, in a lengthy, hundred-page indictment, justified why the soldier was accused of premeditated murder. They categorically refuted the defense lawyers' arguments. This case, like the current one, has also been manipulated by political parties of all stripes. These cases encompass various aspects of our daily lives, including the fight against terrorism, the conduct of soldiers in the Territories, the values of the IDF, NGO investigations, military justice, the role of the press, and the future of the relationship between the Israeli people and their army. Since October 7, 2023, blind trust in the generals has truly deteriorated.

In a democratic country, there are fundamental laws that everyone must respect and, above all, adhere to strictly. The verdict should not be pronounced in the columns of a newspaper, on television, or in a street demonstration.

The military prosecutor general was wrong to release information to the press to counter what she claimed was false propaganda targeting military law enforcement. Despite her resignation, she will have to face trial like any other citizen. The release of this video provoked an international outcry and caused serious harm to IDF soldiers at a time when Israel was fighting on multiple fronts.

The rule of law must be respected within the Israeli army; however, senior officers are prohibited from making decisions based solely on personal or political opinions. The IDF must always conduct thorough and fair investigations, respecting the law and ethics. In this politically explosive context, the bill on the death penalty for terrorists will have to be debated in the Knesset in a purely deterrent and security interest, avoiding demagoguery and populism for electoral reasons.

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So let's be realistic and modest.

The strategic and geopolitical landscape in the Middle East has changed significantly since October 7, 2023, thanks to the United States' strong support. While we are a strong regional power, we can no longer wage an endless war in Gaza, nor can we face attacks from Iran and its satellites, military interventions from Russia, China, or even Turkey alone.

There is no alternative to the alliance with America, and we should safeguard it while pursuing an independent policy that puts our security interests first. In the common interest, prior consultation is preferable before any major decision.

The Knesset's first-reading vote on the annexation of Judea and Samaria was not diplomatically considered. This decision, taken lightly and with significant impact on the future of the Jewish state, was adopted for political reasons, designed to put Netanyahu on the spot. The result: an unnecessary crisis with the United States and a clear rejection of any annexation by the Trump administration.

Let us recall that during the Yom Kippur War of October 1973, the United States came to Israel's aid by organizing an air and sea bridge. They delivered a wide array of military equipment, including planes, helicopters, and tanks, along with ammunition and spare parts. This equipment gave the IDF a second wind, enabling it to win the war on all battlefields: on the Golan Heights, in the Sinai Peninsula, and on the "African side" of the Suez Canal.

Following the Yom Kippur War and the disengagement of Israeli troops, the United States and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding in September 1975 that strengthened bilateral relations and strategic and diplomatic coordination between the two allied countries. In 1981, under President Ronald Reagan, a Strategic and Security Cooperation Agreement was signed. Since then, the two countries have formed a military alliance. Joint military exercises and maneuvers are regularly held.

More than ever, we are dependent on the United States. Since the infamous arms embargo decreed by General Charles de Gaulle on June 2, 1967, and in the face of the massive sale of Soviet weapons to Arab countries, America remains our main strategic ally and our supplier of weapons and munitions. Until 2028, American military aid will exceed $4 billion per year. The national defense budget for 2026 will also have to increase by several billion dollars due to the war.

The United States knows perfectly well that Israel is the only democratic bastion in the region and its staunch ally.

The Americans are aware that weakening the Jewish state would work against US strategic interests: Israel is not only a major buyer of American weapons, but it also conducts numerous research and development programs and exchanges valuable military intelligence in close cooperation with the United States.

In 1987, the United States granted Israel major ally status – a non-NATO member – allowing it to acquire all American weaponry necessary for its defense. In January 1991, at the outbreak of the First Gulf War and in order to confront and intercept the Scud missiles launched by Saddam Hussein, the United States delivered Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. Since then, all American presidents, Democratic and Republican, have followed the same policy and delivered the military equipment that Israel had requested.

Since 1948, Israel has adhered to the motto of never depending on anyone for its security, and it refuses to allow foreign soldiers, particularly American ones, to participate in its battles in armed conflicts or against terrorism. It also rejects the presence of UN peacekeepers or NATO troops on its territory to ensure peace.

However, the idea of signing a Defense Pact with the United States is once again being seriously raised.

Opponents argue that a defense alliance could tie the IDF's hands. They point to the raids on nuclear power plants in Iraq (1981) and Syria (2007); let us recall that after the destruction of Osirak in Baghdad, President Reagan, despite being a great friend of Israel, suspended the delivery of new F-16 jets.

Since the terrible October 7, 2023, a revision of our defense doctrine in coordination with the United States is necessary.

There is an urgent need to sign a defense pact regarding attacks launched by our enemies beyond our borders, with clauses that will allow Israel to act quickly in the event of a casus belli or a targeted raid planned at the last minute against terrorist leaders and cells. In this way, we could ensure our defense on all fronts, guarantee our military successes, and, above all, prevent Iran from acquiring its first atomic bomb.

Over the years, we have seen relations between the United States and the Jewish state blow hot and cold.

Since 1948, we have witnessed misunderstandings, frictions, and crises, sometimes serious, but relations have never led to rupture or divorce. The comments of some journalists, the analyses of former intelligence generals, opposition leaders, and community leaders are always exaggerated and, each time, fuel the quarrel for political or personal interests.

In this context, we are obliged to find an understanding and prevent the United States or Europe from abruptly and publicly intervening in our internal affairs or dictating the agenda regarding the Palestinian issue. Wisdom, realpolitik, and reasons of state should prevail over all personal differences and misunderstandings.

Sharing the same universal values with the United States, we form one big family. It is within this fraternal framework that we should act to strengthen our resilience and consolidate our relations with the society of nations.

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• that she fights for a just and noble cause,
• that she is supportive and voluntary,
• and that it is capable of overcoming failures and tragedies in the face of the axis of Evil and barbarism.

The release of all the hostages is not complete, and the resumption of hostilities is possible, but how can we not admire the warm welcome extended to our compatriots? Watching an entire nation hold its breath, shedding tears of joy and the next day, tears of mourning and sorrow. All in solidarity with those who were held in the depths of Islamist terror.

In darkness, in a constant nightmare, angry, in tears, and in terrible despair. In the slums of Gaza, the loneliness was unbearable, not a single ray of sunlight existed. The cruelty is nameless, and the conditions of Hamas detention are unbearable and inhumane.

An entire people spontaneously mobilized to welcome every last hostage. A unique nation that cultivates the cult of peace and life, in the face of enemies who glorify the cult of hatred and death.

We are an extraordinary people, capable of performing miracles, building a powerful army, a strong and modern country, despite numerous difficulties and existential threats. No country in contemporary history has aroused so much emotion and sympathy, nor has it sparked debates with so much animosity, hypocrisy, and malice.

With the adoption of the Trump plan, we are slowly emerging from international isolation, but questions remain numerous. The fierce battle between political parties risks triggering early elections and plunging the country into a violent legislative campaign. It is absolutely essential to strictly apply democratic principles and respect the alternation of power.

However, let us not miss this historic opportunity to reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. Vice President Vance's visit to Israel is crucial for dispelling misunderstandings and fulfilling the second phase of the Trump plan.

• Let us continue together the process of normalization and the expansion of the circle of the Abraham Accords with new Sunni Arab-Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Mauritania.
• Let us strengthen our diplomatic relations with Egypt and Jordan.

Of course, we are aware of all the uncertainties and the transparent and often malicious intentions of Qatar and Turkey, particularly regarding their ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates such as Hamas. But this is how we could move towards coexistence and isolate Shiite Iran and its satellites.

After the implementation of the second phase and the release of all hostages, we can finally focus on our future and turn the painful page of October 7, 2023.

Let us leave to our American allies the complex and delicate mission of supervising activities on the ground, while vigilantly coordinating the steps to be taken in the Gaza Strip. The goal is to preserve a security belt and no longer concern ourselves with the internal and current affairs of Gazans. It is time to completely detach ourselves from the problems of this cursed territory.

President Trump's whirlwind visit to Jerusalem and the Sharm el-Sheikh summit have proven to the world that only Americans are capable of sponsoring and implementing such a complex peace plan. Europe – Macron's France in particular – lacks the capacity and means to act as an arbiter and influencer, nor to offer the Jewish state solid security guarantees. Worse still, Europeans and human rights NGOs continue to systematically condemn us and unjustly accuse us of war crimes.

They lack the courage to demonstrate in the streets and on university campuses against Hamas's repression, torture, and daily massacres, nor to endorse all Gazans who oppose the Islamist movement – those who prefer to coexist with the Jewish state.

Let's face reality and ignore the depressing and cynical press articles and the politicized criticism orchestrated by communications strategists and motivated by ego battles whose common goal is to minimize military, strategic, and diplomatic successes. Let's also ignore all the extremists and the naive, all those who advocate endless war or those who dream of a fragile and immediate peace.

The road to peace is long and fraught with obstacles. The IDF must rebuild itself and restore confidence in all its units. The government's duty is to:

• learn all the lessons and share the national burden with all citizens,
• give the economy a second wind,
• and ensure absolute security.

Let us not be fixated solely on domestic political issues, but rather take a clear-eyed look at the new geopolitical situation and its immense advantages. Let us seriously consider future generations, modernism, and innovation.

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Against this backdrop, Netanyahu is ready to begin negotiations on the first phase of the American plan. In a televised address, he hoped to bring back all the hostages "in the coming days."

Therefore, despite all the many questions and difficulties on the ground, close coordination with the American administration is vital, and it presents a considerable asset: by committing to negotiating the Trump plan, the State of Israel is finally emerging from its isolation in the international arena and obtaining solid assurances from the United States.

In his approach, Trump has thwarted French diplomacy and inflicted a severe snub on President Macron, who wanted to precipitate events by first offering a state to the Palestinians, without obtaining any concessions, notably on the immediate release of all hostages, as the American president strongly demands.

Unlike Macron's plan, the 20 points of the Trump plan were written in concert with Israel. The American plan was not developed using AI, but was carefully and skillfully studied by seasoned experts and diplomats, with the aim of isolating Hamas from the outset and gaining the approval of the Arab-Muslim world.

For now, this is only a draft, a first draft, but it is a noble work for future relations between Israel and all the countries of the Middle East.

Of course, this plan is not a peace treaty, but it does outline a roadmap. A framework agreement that sets solid milestones to enable stakeholders to clearly monitor the plan's progress, while jointly making adjustments and identifying strategic, economic, and diplomatic priorities at each stage.

Certainly, the Trump plan is vulnerable and fraught with pitfalls, but after two years of war without political resolution, it has the great merit of being able to achieve Israeli demands, those we have been seeking since the end of the Six Day War in 1967.

For the first time in the annals of the Arab-Israeli conflict, an American president is blurring the lines and boldly proposing a different vision for resolving the Palestinian question. While setting the record straight on history, he is taking seriously all the factors represented by the overwhelming majority of Israelis:

• the historical rights of the Jewish people to their land
• no withdrawal to the 1949 armistice lines
• secure and defensible borders
• Jerusalem indivisible under Israeli sovereignty
• the Golan Heights under Israeli sovereignty
• Hamas and all "resistance" movements against the Jewish state are now terrorist organizations
• No to recognition of the Palestinian state before final status negotiations

Of course, we are only at the beginning, and the road to peace is fraught with obstacles. To lead a normal life in a hostile environment, Israel will need to equip itself with a comprehensive defense infrastructure. The Jewish state must be able to ensure its strategic depth, defend its vital points, and protect its population in the crowded urban areas along the coastal plain and the Jerusalem region. Only defensible borders and adequate security measures can ensure stability in the Middle East.

Despite uncertainties and concerns, the new geostrategic situation in the Middle East presents new opportunities. It offers Israel the chance to develop security cooperation with pragmatic elements in the region, with all those fighting extremists, including Iran.

However, despite all the threats and risks, let us always remain optimistic by having a pragmatic political will, to finally reshape the Middle East towards stability, normalization, and coexistence.

Now Israel will be able to better explain that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not the region's only concern. There are real security concerns that justify defensible borders in the Golan Heights and the Jordan Valley as well.

More than ever, we could also more easily convince European chancelleries of the strategic value of the Jewish state in the defense of the West itself, particularly in the fight against Islamist terrorism. Moreover, it is time for Europe – and France in particular – to take into consideration not only the aspirations of the Arabs, but also the heritage of the Jewish people, as well as the threats and vital and security interests of the State of Israel.

The Palestinian question cannot be definitively resolved without a comprehensive solution to all other conflicts in the region. Diplomacy is undoubtedly the best tool for avoiding wars and putting an end to conflicts.

During the new negotiations in Cairo on the release of the hostages, it is desirable to freeze pressure and street demonstrations against the Israeli delegation, as this will encourage Hamas to wage a gruesome and endless psychological war. It is also essential that Benjamin Netanyahu take responsibility and prevent extremist rebels within his government from sabotaging the talks.

Let us not foolishly miss a unique historic opportunity, that of being able to negotiate from a position of strength with unwavering support from the United States. The entire Israeli nation hopes for the release of all hostages, even if the price is very high, by releasing hundreds of bloodthirsty terrorists.

Until Israel wins its case, the IDF must maintain its presence in the Gaza Strip, South Lebanon, and on the heights of Mount Hermon, and obtain solid guarantees so that it can finally live in absolute security, without fearing a new nightmare scenario like that of October 7, 2023.

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