Attacked By Iran, Israel Remains Resolute
"Hamas and radical Islam threaten our entire Western civilization. Israel is fighting this war for all countries of liberal thought. If we don’t eliminate Hamas, they will attack us again and again."
By Rick Borenstein
Over 300 Iranian drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles were fired at Israel last night. The result, not a single casualty or hit. No deaths, no damage. Tel Aviv sirens never sounded, so I slept through it (most people didn’t). Israelis were prepared as warnings of imminent attack were issued by every media outlet. Schools were closed and people told to stay close to shelters. Outdoor activities were banned, although it didn’t stop the weekly anti-government demonstrations from taking place as usual on Saturday night.
Israel’s ability to repulse such an attack is astounding, but not surprising. Iron Dome, Iron Beam, David’s Sling, Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 are all home grown anti-missile systems doing what they were designed to do. Add an incredible air force that shot down most of the drones, and you have yet another example of Israel’s peerless defensive capabilities.
This was the first time ever that Iran attacked Israel directly. They had to do it themselves because all their affiliates said “no thank you.” Hezbollah isn’t (completely) crazy. The United States support, and threats, no doubt kept the Iranian attack manageable. Let’s hope this latest chapter ends now.
Our war in Gaza continues at a low boil. We pulled out of Khan Yunis in the southern portion of Gaza so our troops wouldn’t be “sitting ducks” while the government decides what to do next. Hamas no doubt takes our pullout as a sign of weakness. They believe that time is on their side as world opinion is building against Israel. Hamas has effectively stonewalled the hostage negotiations. Not that their rejection is a surprise. Hamas will never agree to a hostage deal. Why would they give up their leverage when they are already getting what they want? It’s wishful thinking on everyone’s part. Sinwar does not compromise. It’s “God’s will,” after all.
It is depressingly likely that very few hostages remain alive. Hamas said yesterday that they didn’t have 40 hostages (women, children, old and sick) to return in Phase 1 of the proposed deal. How many do they have alive? How many in total? Probably many fewer than half of the remaining 130 is my guess. Intelligence reports that Sinwar always keeps several around him.
My wife Doritte and others believe that we ought to call the question by making them a simple offer: All the hostages, dead or alive, for a cessation of fighting, thousands of prisoners and an unrepentant Hamas still in power. “Hamas will never agree to any deal, so let’s take it off the table once and for all. At least we can say we tried. Maybe the world will finally understand what we are up against. Hamas is not rational.”
Hamas and radical Islam threaten our entire Western civilization. Israel is fighting this war for all countries of liberal thought. If we don’t eliminate Hamas as a fighting and governing force, they will attack us again and again. They already said they would. Sinwar will be the venerated hero of Islam. Perhaps Europe is next?
The Israeli people overwhelmingly want Hamas finished. This conflict must not end until Israel finishes the job that Hamas started. Hamas will not surrender. There is no other way to end this.
It’s hard to fathom the plight of the Palestinians. When we invade Rafah, we must move them out of the way. Israel is erecting 40,000 tents outside of Rafah on the Mediterranean coast. Israel has committed to flooding the Strip with food and medicine. Israel has said it would use its vast intelligence capabilities to limit civilian casualties. But this enemy thrives on using its citizens as human shields and benefits in world opinion when its civilians die. It will be a very hard fight to the end. I’m apologetic for not being able to suggest any other way to end this war, but resolute that it must happen.
Back in Tel Aviv, life seems normal, but everyone knows it isn’t. We took our five-year-old, complete with pink tutu, to the Israeli Ballet to see Cinderella. It was preceded by a security announcement in case of sirens. Our granddaughter heard it also. It worried her.
Passover is coming and Israelis really want to think about family and friends. Doritte and I are getting out of this craziness and heading for two weeks in Uzbekistan. Where? A country frozen in time a thousand years ago. Eight World Heritage Sites to see. Check it out. It could be the new Croatia.
Happy Passover.
RICK BORENSTEIN graduated from Harvard Business School and lived and worked in California for 40 years prior to moving to Tel Aviv. He currently invests in and mentors many start-ups in Israel's high tech ecosystem.
From unpacking history and politics to navigating the nuances of family and personal relationships to finding the human angle on sports and entertainment — plus our unsparing take on what’s happening in the Jewish world — the canvas at JEWDICIOUS is limitless! JOIN US!!
