18 Comments
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Ian Mark Sirota's avatar

Here's my fear--while, I like almost every other Jew (I specifically except the "As a Jew" Jews who claim to speak for all of us, but don't) wants to see the hostages released, I am greatly concerned that any deal that leaves Hamas in power will be seen as a victory for Hamas and a defeat for Israel, the devastation of Gaza notwithstanding.

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Steven Zeigman's avatar

Not seen as a victory...if Hamas remains IT IS A VICTORY FOR HAMAS and a future end to Israel...our Homeland...for what?

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Gedaliah Borvick's avatar

Netanyahu keeps agreeing to the Witkoff proposals. Hamas continues to say no.

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Steven Zeigman's avatar

I am not going to agree to leave any Hamas in Gaza without surrender and laydown arms anymore then I would be for leaving the Nazi in control of Germany, without surrender and laydown arms.

I'm sad about the prisoners but 3 million + Jews died to get an Israel so suck it up to keep it. It's the Jewish homeland. Any compromise on that is non Jewish.

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Jewdicious's avatar

I get what you’re saying, Steven. But I believe Hamas is more then weakened enough for Israel and a peacekeeping force to prevent them from doing new damage. And if they did, IDF can always go right back to being on offense. I also think that if any of us had loved ones in Hamas captivity, we would want Netanyahu to make the smart deal to get them home — and then hold Hamas’s feet to the fire every day.

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Steven Zeigman's avatar

I agree...but weakened like the last time?

Make the deal and then get back and finish them. Weakened isn't good enough. The mindset that perpetrated the atrocities goes beyond Jewish. It must not be allowed to stand on the Israeli border..

Anyhow that's my 2 cents. I was born 2 months before Israel.

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ניקיטה רומאנוף's avatar

Same thing over and over again. Hamas is holding the hostages, not Netanyahu. Hamas rejected a million deals already, not Netanyahu. What do you want Netanyahu to do? What is the "window" that you see that have opened suddenly?

We all want to see the hostages home. They and their families are going through unimaginable hell. But what are the terms of that deal that's been "very close" for a million times?

Should Israel agree for hamas to stay in power in Gaza? Some would argue it should. Some would argue it would mean that over 900 soldiers have fallen in vain.

Should Israel agree to let the arch-villains free? The most popular symbols of terror? Some would argue it should. Some would argue it would mean that another 7th October is inevitable in a few years.

It's a horribly painful and incredibly complicated subject. I don't think it's helpful to present it as if it's all about Netanyahu. You're right to put a 100% of the blame for the war itself on hamas. Then who is to blame that the hostages are still enduring this torture?

"End the war, should end war". How? What else?

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Jewdicious's avatar

I hear you. But even Netanyahu says he sees a new window and they’re working on the terms to get all hostages released. I just hope that he means it. Of course as long as Hamas follows any agreement. I just don’t believe that Netanyahu was being honest on March 28 when he pulled out and bombed again. My own opinion from everything I’ve seen reported from all sides. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. 🙏

- MG

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Steven Zeigman's avatar

they're looking for another opportunity to bring some back alive and then back at it...that's all it can and should and will be.

SZ

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Jewdicious's avatar

Thank you for reading and for sharing your opinion, Steven. - MG

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ניקיטה רומאנוף's avatar

Let me remind:

22 February - the last group of alive hostages traded for terrorists.

26 February - the last group of hostages' bodies traded for terrorists.

Yet, on 18 March, THREE WEEKS later, it's Netanyahu who "pulls out"? That's in my opinion is a rather twisted way of describing this.

But guess it's just wording. We'll see what happens this time...

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Karyn Polak's avatar

Very well said, in all respects. Thank you.

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April's avatar

I’m very worried that terrorist world has gotten the message that taking hostages will always work.

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Thomas Fritz's avatar

What is wrong with your mind. Why do you advocate cutting a deal with mass murders? You want more mass murder?

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Caleb Mars's avatar

Hamas will never give back all the hostages when it hears calls like yours for capitulation and appeasement. It seems like you don’t get that you are dealing with kidnappers.

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Jewdicious's avatar

Selective reading, Caleb. The conditional part is in there. But thanks for reading in any fashion. I appreciate it. - MG

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Caleb Mars's avatar

You are deluding yourself with wishful thinking- that’s what comes across and that’s what Hamas is counting on and that’s why it won’t give back all the hostages it took.

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Michael Golden's avatar

Let us hope they do.

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