Operation Swords of Iron

2024-04-29

It’s been six months since Lt. Tomer’s father told him to get ready. It was his day off from work as a paramedic with Magen David Adom (MDA), and he was at home with his parents on , following the news.  “You’re going to war,” his father, a retired career Israel Air Force (IAF) veteran said. “Get in touch with your reserve commander and ask him where you have to report. It’s happening now.” “And he was actually right,” Tomer says. Tomer, 22 of Ness Ziona, is one of three Nahal soldiers serving in the brigade’s medical unit, who spoke to The Jerusalem Post about their experiences in the (Operation Swords of Iron). He’d recently completed and been discharged from his compulsory service as a Nahal brigade paramedic, serving, as paramedics typically do, in an instructional capacity at the brigade’s training base, the Bach. He was in his second month integrating back into civilian life when the Hamas attacks took place.  “So in the first days (of reserve duty), they sent us to the North,” Tomer recalls.  IDF TROOPS carry out medical evacuations. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) “There were a few incidents with terrorists there, a few situations where we had to give medical treatment, but everything was okay. And then we began preparing to go into Gaza,” he says, describing the days in between his call-up, when he was assigned to the 932nd Battalion, and the day he went into Gaza – where he had his first real combat medicine experience. is made up of four main combat battalions – the 932nd, the 50th, the 931st, and the 934th. Each of these has a number of companies within it, and each company is assigned its own medical squad – including a doctor or paramedic and two medics who work underneath them. During combat activity, the medical squad is usually somewhere in the area, with a mission to provide as close to real-time emergency medical care as possible when injuries occur in the field. While the IDF spokesperson passed on the conservative estimate of one hour and six minutes as the average time for a wounded soldier to be evacuated from the field and arrive at a hospital, in a recent The Jerusalem Post article, IAF Lt.-Col. N. of the command squad responsible for evacuation of wounded soldiers said it can be even faster: around 27 minutes from the moment a soldier is wounded until he or she is already on a helicopter ready to be flown to a hospital; plus 40 minutes on average for the soldier to make it into surgery. These times can be life-saving when a critically wounded soldier is awaiting evacuation.  LT.-DR. SHAMA, 27, grew up in a Druze community of western Galilee. He’s the doctor of the 931st Battalion and a graduate of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) Faculty of Medicine. Shama says that as a high school student, he already had his mind set on becoming a military doctor, and after finishing his university degree and emergency medicine training, he started his service in Sayeret Nahal, before moving over to the 931.      “Prior to this [October 7], there were all sorts of operations in Judea and Samaria in which the platoon was tasked with preventing terrorism and ensuring the security of the area, so we had activity, but nothing out of the ordinary,” Shama says. As part of their routine, the medical squad was on the scene of day-to-day medical emergencies such as car accidents, treating soldiers and civilians, as events occurred. “The war was essentially my first event from an operational aspect,” Shama adds. And although both Tomer and Shama, as paramedic and doctor respectively, got their baptisms of fire by being thrown into things in real-time, each had already undergone a long journey before being sent into combat.  Paramedics in the IDF begin with five months on a pre-military training course prior to two months of basic training for combat soldiers; a month in a hospital; five months as a paramedic with MDA (the initial instructional body for IDF paramedic training), and a further two months learning the basics of being a paramedic specifically in the IDF. Only then are they assigned their units.  Doctors who have chosen the military route, on the other hand, begin by studying for their medical degree, spend time between academic years in basic training, and then complete the officer’s course.  After another year spent interning in a hospital setting, they go through three months of IDF training focused specifically on military medicine, before going through a rotation where they experience different units, and finally, are assigned battalions. Once in a battalion, the young doctors serve under the brigade doctor, who is their guide for any medical and organizational issues encountered.         AS WITH Tomer and Shama, paramedic Sgt. First Class Inbar, 21, of Haifa, also found himself in his first live combat situation in Gaza, following October 7.  “I went from 0 to 100 completely,” he says. Like Tomer, he had been serving at the brigade’s training base. “As soon as the war began, I insisted on joining maneuvering forces.” Inbar was assigned to Battalion 50.   A few days after entering the strip, the squad that Inbar was with encountered terrorists, “apparently snipers, who waited for us in one of the buildings,” he says. He remembers screams of “‘medic, medic, medic’ ... like in a movie from World War II, that’s how it felt.”  A soldier had been hit, his commander was holding his hand and screaming for medical, as the soldier bled out from his carotid artery. “My medic and the commander dragged the injured soldier to me, and I see he is spraying blood from his neck, he is bleeding a lot... blood that does not stop at all. We try to stop his bleeding by applying pressure, with dressings, with special catheters. Nothing works... At the same time, we open his vein to give him plasma.” All of this takes place while under fire and awaiting the extraction of the wounded soldier.  Ultimately, the soldier survived, and later, thanked Inbar for saving his life, when they ran into each other at a gathering held for the Nahal brigade’s injured soldiers. Inbar was attending the meet-up because not long after the situation with the soldier, he was himself hit by shrapnel when a rocket fell next to where he was standing. The incident injured 11 people in total. “We took cover in a building, we tried to understand who was hurt... I began to treat one of the injured that was next to me, started bandaging... And then a doctor arrived, and she says to me, ‘Inbar, you’re bleeding.’ We have a conversation that is not very deep and she is like, ‘Stop.’ And I am like, ‘No, I don’t want to.’” Inbar is evacuated to the hospital where he finds out that in addition to shrapnel injuries, he has two ruptured ear drums.  In war, mettle is tested, in the moment, and in the larger picture, as Shama learned on October 9, when his uncle, the deputy commander of the 300 Brigade, was killed in a skirmish on the border of Lebanon.  “That was more or less the worst tragedy that I could imagine,” Shama says. “But I saw that we were in an event that was much larger... As the doctor of the battalion, I could not let myself fall apart. I also knew that my uncle would expect me to continue with all my strength, and not to abandon the place where I was. This what is strengthened me at the start of the war – to prepare the brigade, to train the teams.” “IT WAS do or die,” Tomer says with a slight laugh. This is what went through his head after being shot. “I had three booms, really hard in my chest,” he remembers.  He and his commander had gone around to the other side of an alley, while the rest of their squad was around the front, trying to flush out a sniper who was shooting at them.  What they hadn’t realized was that there were more terrorists around the back.  Tomer’s commander was hit first, then Tomer. “I saw my right hand was full of blood, and then I realized that my commander was yelling, ‘I’m injured! I’m injured!’” Tomer applied a tourniquet to himself, asked someone to drag his commander to him, and then got to work on his friend, giving instructions to the medics with him, while he helped them with his healthy hand. “I decided to put on the hat of the paramedic... I just started doing what I was trained to do. And it just flowed. Only afterwards did the thoughts arrive.” According to Inbar, being there for the soldiers is “an honor – to give them the confidence [that we are there for them] is definitely the most significant thing that I did in the army. It has given a different meaning to my military service and, beyond that, to me.” He says it has provided him with a “more mature view of life... of what can I give to others, to help other people and be there in their worst moments.” Shama shares similar sentiments, “We need to give of ourselves so that we can continue to exist in security in this place. This is my tiny part, continuing in a chain of generations of people who have given of themselves.”  He adds, “The medical corps are in a very good place. We bring medicine to the edge with the most advanced technologies... increasing the chances of bringing people’s loved ones home.” ■ ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-13

Five months after the Israeli military operation began in response to the , a palpable shift in American public opinion and media coverage unfolded, signaling a reevaluation of the complex geopolitical dynamics at play. Initially, Operation Swords of Iron garnered widespread support within the United States, viewed through the lens of Israel’s right to defend itself against external terrorist threats. The two main goals were to ensure the destruction of Hamas (and although this was not officially announced, also of other terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip), and the . This narrative, heavily propagated by mainstream media, emphasized the operation as a necessary response to immediate security concerns. As weeks turned into months, a more critical examination of the military operation emerged. A pivotal factor in this shift was the humanitarian impact of the operation. Social media and so-called independent journalists and influencers, fueled by Qatari and Iranian propaganda, served as a counter-narrative to the initial pro-Israel coverage. This caused a broader section of the American public to question Israel’s motives and policies, prompting considerations in the highest echelons of power of the complexities involved in such operations. Introducing a complex layer to the long-standing alliance between the United States and Israel, the Biden administration developed a more nuanced response to Israeli military actions in Gaza, peaking with Senator Chuck Schumer voicing an openly critical stance toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As the IDF military campaign raged on, the Biden administration changed its course, warning Jerusalem against escalating operations in the Gaza Strip in an approach that sought to balance support for Israel with international humanitarian concerns. This stance, however, contrasted starkly with Schumer’s scathing critique of Netanyahu, branding the prime minister a significant obstacle to peace. Schumer’s call for new leadership was a remarkable departure from traditional US rhetoric, signaling a seismic shift in the Democratic Party’s perspective, and underscoring deepening fractures in US-Israel relations. Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu at the War Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem last October (credit: MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90) Despite the dire warnings of President Joe Biden, Netanyahu approved a – and here’s one reason why: In February, the IDF undertook a daring operation in Rafah, successfully rescuing two hostages held there by Hamas. For Netanyahu, this was solid proof that you can’t fight Hamas and rescue hostages if there’s still a place for them to hide. Compounding the complexity of US foreign policy are the domestic political pressures weighing heavily on the Biden administration. With an electorate increasingly focused on internal issues, there is a palpable push to minimize overseas entanglements and prioritize domestic challenges. This internal focus suggests that the administration’s pursuit of peace in the Middle East is not only a matter of international diplomacy but also a response to domestic electoral demands for a shift away from foreign policy quagmires. The US desperately wants all conflicts in the Middle East to be reduced as quickly as possible. According to most polls, the American electorate do not want the US involved in conflicts in other countries. This includes Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, as well as Ukraine. The US is trying to disengage from countries in conflict, or stay with the minimum possible presence. The American dream is to connect Israel and Saudi Arabia, tie them to each other in a normalization agreement, and ideally make money from the union. This is not only the position of Biden and the Democrats. It is also the position of Republican presidential contender and former president Donald Trump, who is an even greater isolationist and does not like intervening and spending public money unless it’s absolutely necessary. However, the protracted Israeli operation was the perfect opportunity for the US to combine an aid package to Ukraine and Israel, while reducing the amount of aid to both. At the same time, shares of American defense companies continued to show growth, and American technology and venture capital companies are buying up Israeli R&D centers and acquiring start-ups at a much better price than before October 2023. As the world watches the unfolding narrative of US-Israel ties in the context of the broader Middle East conflict, it is clear that we are at a critical juncture. The dramatic rescue in Rafah, Schumer’s bold rebuke, and the Biden administration’s diplomatic tightrope act together paint a picture of a complex and evolving landscape. Schumer’s call for new leadership in Israel, juxtaposed with a reassessment of international strategies toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, suggests that the path to peace may require not only diplomatic ingenuity but also a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths and recalibrate long-standing policies. A good Israeli politician has always known how to delicately maneuver between the green lights and red lines. Indeed, Netanyahu has been good in the past. But now it seems like he has limited options. In considering the potential future scenarios between the US and Israel regarding actions in Rafah and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there are at least two scenarios, each with its own set of implications. If Israel decides to proceed with a major military operation in Rafah without aligning with the concerns expressed by the US, this could lead to several outcomes. One possible consequence could be increasingly strained diplomatic relations between Israel and the US. While outright US sanctions against Israel might be an extreme outcome given the strong historical alliance between the two nations, there could be more subtle forms of diplomatic distancing, such as reduced diplomatic support at the United Nations or a reevaluation of financial and military aid, and a cancellation of aircraft and anti-missile supplies. This scenario might also feed international scrutiny and criticism of Israel, potentially leading to heightened tensions in the region. Netanyahu would again be blamed, if not for betraying the sacrifices of the soldiers who fell in Gaza, then for rising casualties. The human cost, including potential increases in civilian and military casualties, could further polarize opinions within Israel and internationally. Netanyahu might face significant political and moral accountability, both domestically and globally, as a result of this course of action. Conversely, Israel could decide to halt its military campaign in Rafah and back down on its approach to the Hamas threat, and following US recommendations, emphasize humanitarian concerns for the population of Gaza. This would strengthen bilateral ties, ensuring continued US support in international forums, as well as military aid. This course could be a harder one, especially after Israel hastened to declare that it is not a banana republic. However, it is still possible to reverse the decision to carry out the military operation in Rafah – for example, under the pretext of a deal to release the hostages. However, Hamas is apparently in no hurry to make a deal and is playing for time, perhaps to worsen Netanyahu’s position. This approach could be perceived within Israel as being overly cautious or yielding to international pressure, potentially emboldening Hamas and similar groups. Critics argue that this could lead to a resurgence of terrorist attacks against Israel. The challenge would be to strike a balance between military effectiveness, the protection of civilian lives, and diplomatic considerations. IN BOTH scenarios, the long-term implications for Israel’s security, regional stability, and international relations are significant. The decisions made by the Israeli leadership in response to these challenges will likely have lasting effects on the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. Navigating these complex dynamics requires a careful balancing act and weighing immediate security needs against the broader objectives of peace, stability, and international cooperation. Israel has already shown weakness to the world. Internal protests were splitting the country before October 7 over legal reform, and although the nation came together for a few months after the Hamas attack, new protests against the government and protests against the release of thousands of terrorists for an unknown number of living hostages are threatening this unity. Netanyahu is definitely not one to give up easily. His position is shaky inside the country, and he definitely does not want an inglorious end. Hemmed in on all sides, he is forced to play all-in. And by playing all-in, some experts predict a potential Israeli attack on Hezbollah or even on Iran. The White House may try to exacerbate internal processes in Israel. Some cite the example of the US inviting War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz to a recent meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris, bypassing Netanyahu, in order to push for the collapse of the current Israeli government and bring in a more moderate government. A new report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) contains direct hints that a rebellion against the current government could be approved by the White House. “Netanyahu’s viability as leader, as well as his governing coalition of far-Right and ultra-Orthodox parties that pursued hardline policies on Palestinian and security issues, may be in jeopardy,” it states. “Distrust of Netanyahu’s ability to rule has deepened and broadened across the public from its already high levels before the war, and we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections. A different, more moderate government is a possibility.” As tensions simmer and the global community watches closely, the decisions made by Israel’s leadership, in concert or in conflict with the US, will not only determine the immediate future of Israeli-Palestinian relations but also shape the landscape of international relations in a volatile and critically important part of the world. The quest for a durable peace in the Middle East, while fraught with challenges, remains a pivotal goal that demands the concerted effort of all stakeholders, guided by principles of justice, respect for sovereignty, and the protection of human rights.■ The writer is a journalist, publicist, and enthusiast of religion and foreign affairs, with a primary focus on the Middle East and Central Europe. Leonid Baratz [email protected] ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-09

The State Prosecutor's Office filed charges on Monday against Mohammed Mahisan from Jerusalem, for his connection with , manufacturing explosives, and throwing fireworks and incendiary bottles at security forces during demonstrations. The indictment attributes ten charges to Mahisan for various offenses. According to the charges, filed by attorney Pua Ben-Tov from the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office (Criminal), Mahisan manufactured and stored pipe bombs and incendiary bottles at his home, and was in contact with an entity from which he received flags of the and fireworks for use in demonstrations. The charges further stated that Mahisan distributed the fireworks and incendiary bottles during demonstrations, and also used fireworks to prepare an explosive device. On the first day of Operation Swords of Iron, Mahisan prepared a pipe bomb, took it to violent demonstrations in the Isawiya neighborhood, and threw it at a Border Police vehicle. Three days later, at another demonstration, he threw a pipe bomb at a police jeep. In another incident, he, along with others, prepared 50 incendiary bottles, which were thrown at security forces.Pipe bomb confiscated from Fureidis youths suspected of targeting police‏ (credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Additionally, during last year's Ramadan, Mahisan participated in a demonstration near the mosque adjacent to the , where hundreds of people barricaded themselves at that time. That morning, fireworks were fired at security forces. He also took part in the disturbances that occurred in October 2022, following the shooting attack carried out by the terrorist Odai Tamimi, in which soldier Noa Zer was killed. The charges attribute twelve charges to Mahisan for terrorist acts, including intentional aggravated assault, attempted arson, affiliation with a terrorist organization, weapons offenses, rioting, attempted assault on a police officer, and more.   ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-08

Six months have passed since and the consequent war in Gaza began. In the early hours of Oct. 7, Hamas launched a coordinated assault on Israeli civilian settlements, military bases, and the Nova music festival along Israel’s southern border with Gaza. In addition to firing 5,000 rockets into Israel, Hamas fighters also physically breached the border and carried out a surprise attack, including widespread sexual violence, which resulted in over 1,194 fatalities, 4,834 injuries, and the taking of more than 253 hostages, 130 of whom are still in captivity. In response, Israel initiated Operation Swords of Iron, with the dual objectives of safeguarding Israel and securing the release of all hostages. To date, over 11,278 rockets have been launched from the Gaza Strip, South Lebanon, and Syria into Israel, averaging 62 per day. The intensity of incoming rocket fire is unlikely to dissipate any time soon. In fact, on April 4, the IDF halted leave for combat units, citing ongoing assessments of deployment needs during wartime. For the foreseeable future, Israeli soldiers will continue to actively fight on all fronts. To date, , though this figure only represents those soldiers whose names have been cleared for publication. Since the beginning of the war, approximately 250,000 Israeli citizens have been displaced, according to reports. Among them, around 164,000 received instructions or recommendations from the government to evacuate, with compensation provided. The Media Line engaged in a panel discussion with the nonprofit national security consulting team MIND Israel, featuring insights from Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin, president and founder of the organization, senior adviser Brig. Gen. (ret.) Ram Yavne, and senior adviser and program manager Dr. Michal Hatuel-Radoshitzky. In addition, Prof. Benny Miller, a professor of international relations and director of the National Security Center at the School of Political Sciences of the University of Haifa, exclusively provided The Media Line with his war expertise. IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, January 4, 2023. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Highlighting the IDF’s achievements so far on the southern front, Brig. Gen. Yavne told The Media Line, “I would say that Israel has gained a relatively severe hit at the military capabilities of Hamas, and even at the other capabilities of Hamas inside the Gaza Strip. The organization has been weakened dramatically.” To date, 112 hostages have been returned alive to Israel, with 105 being released in a prisoner exchange deal. According to Yavne, their release is viewed in Israel as a separate accomplishment despite the significant challenge that persists of rescuing the remaining hostages. “Hamas has been hit severely, and that’s the understanding of all Hamas people and even of [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar himself, but still, they have some assets,” he added. Yavne explained that Hamas sees its first asset as the hostages themselves while the second is the remaining military capabilities it has in . “They’re trying to work in other areas, such as the West Bank. They still have wide support and legitimacy in other Palestinian areas,” added Yavne. “Polls are showing that there is relatively wide support for Hamas even now.” Explaining the IDF’s operational aims in southern Gaza, Yavne said: “The operation in Rafah has two logics—to keep the military capability of Hamas inside that area and to stop the smuggling and the buildup of power through Egypt into the Gaza Strip in the future.” He added that the latter aspect is essential. If not prevented, Hamas will make every effort to rebuild its power. “This challenge, of course, needs cooperation with Egypt and the US,” he admitted. According to Yavne, Egypt is ready to cooperate with Israel in achieving its aims. “It depends on Israeli pressure, but much more importantly on American pressure,” he concluded. Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Yadlin highlighted Israel’s current critical juncture in determining the war’s course. Providing insight into potential scenarios for the ongoing conflict, he emphasized the significance of the present moment in shaping the region’s future. “It can escalate to a regional war because of Iran and Hizbullah, and the war will move from a limited war in Gaza to a regional war. At the same time, it can deescalate towards a process that will fix some of the problems,” he said. Yadlin explained that the future trajectory of the conflict hinges on the negotiation and potential success of a hostage deal. If negotiations are successful, a cease-fire on both Israel’s southern and northern borders is possible. This optimistic view includes the potential for normalization in the region. “The hostages deal is under negotiation as we speak. Don’t forget for a moment who started this war and who could have stopped it at any moment in the last four months,” Yadlin emphasized. Referring to the Iranian threat, Yadlin continued: “Iran is behind all of this. Iran is enjoying the fact that Israel was diverted towards a front in Gaza. Most of the world is ignoring the fact that Iran continues to advance to a nuclear weapon. And it’s the irony of history.” As Israel heads into its sixth month of war, Yavne laid out four potential scenarios that could play out in the region. First, Israel could escalate its military operations in Gaza, possibly leading to complete military control over the territory. Second, a state of chaos could endure, characterized by sporadic Israeli incursions into Gaza and an absence of effective governance, a scenario that leaders are currently observing in certain areas throughout Gaza. The third scenario, according to Yavne, is that Hamas might regain control of Gaza, albeit in a weakened capacity because of Israel’s ongoing military actions reducing its capabilities. Lastly, there’s speculation of another governing entity, most likely the Palestinian Authority, assuming control of Gaza. Yavne also cautioned that Israel now faces a more significant threat than Hamas. “Hizbullah is a much bigger organization. There are more than 50,000 rockets and even accurate missiles. A variety of Iranian-made weapons, which is the best arsenal they’ve had in several years,” he said, adding that Hizbullah and Iran are playing a “game of attrition.” “That’s why Israel is trying all the time to elaborate the rhythm and the tempo of the confrontation—in an attempt to do two things: to signal to Hizbullah and the Iranians that they are paying a high price for opening the frontier between Israel and Lebanon and to force a withdrawal of [Hizbullah’s] Radwan Force, which can make a ground attack into Israel,” he explained. According to Yadlin, since Iranians blame Israel for the recent attack in Damascus, Iran may now be asking Hizbullah to retaliate. “If Iran wants to react in the short term, the best day would be the Iranian Jerusalem Day, the last Friday of Ramadan,” he explained, emphasizing that Israel has a very good air, missile, and rocket defense system in place. [Editor’s note: After Yadlin said this, the last Friday of Ramadan, April 5, came and went, without a major attack on Israel from Hizbullah or Iran.] “Israel is attacked daily from Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. We have good intelligence, good early warning radars, excellent Arrows, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome, and the F-35 that can stop the Iranian attack,” Yadlin said. However, he added, “depending on the consequences of the attack, the war may escalate.” Asked why Israel allegedly risked the escalation by attacking Iran’s Embassy compound in Damascus in the first place, Prof. Miller explained that “an unrecognized Israeli attack in Damascus might be an automatic response.” “This is continued Israeli policy. Sometimes it’s based on opportunity. Doing all kinds of acts that may be more effective in the long run,” he added. There is an additional domestic political dimension that might be influencing the trajectory of this war as well, according to Miller. “It might be that Netanyahu’s strategy is to avoid elections by extending the war. He probably believes that as time passes, people will forget his responsibility for this huge tragedy for Israel,” he added. Meanwhile, Dr. Hatuel-Radoshitzky addressed another crucial aspect of the current war: humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. “The IDF is pushing for food and humanitarian supplies into Gaza. We are currently at about 130 trucks a day,” she shared. “Enough supplies are going in. The problem lies in picking up the delivered goods and distributing them. We need to ask where the UN organizations are and where the people who need to distribute these goods are,” Hatuel-Radoshitzky added. Commenting on the recent Israeli airstrike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, she said, “It was a tragic accident. In every way possible, the Israeli Defense Forces communicated that this was a mistake and that it was being researched and investigated. I do want to say that there are mistakes in war zones, and I think the most poignant demonstration of that is that our forces shot our hostages,” she said. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-03

Israel and Hamas will continue to battle for many years, war-cabinet minister and National Unity MK Benny Gantz said in an address to the Israeli public on Wednesday evening. Speaking on recent efforts made to reach a Gantz publicly apologized to the families of the 134 remaining hostages over the Israeli government's inability to reach a deal. "If there is an opportunity to bring the hostages home, we will not miss it," Gantz said. "We will not take part in a government that is not doing everything it can to release the captives. "It shames me when I hear comments from elected officials disgracing the families. Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] must publicly support the hostages' families and make sure all coalition members treat them with dignity. Gantz continued, saying that Israel's top security priority was to change the reality on the northern front against the Lebanese terror organization . Israeli forces simulating warfare with Hezbollah in Israel's North, January 27, 2024 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Israel, he said, will continue its fight against Hamas "for many years," directly contradicting the government's war goal to dismantle Hamas as part of Operation Swords of Iron. "Our goal is to ensure all northern residents will return to their homes safely as early as this summer." Gantz also said that Israel has a chance to create a to defend itself against Hamas and "those who try to harm us, headed by Iran. Gantz also claimed a peace deal with Saudi Arabia was "within reach." "A normalization deal with Saudi Arabia, which would include the establishment of an international directorate for the Gaza Strip headed by Arab states, is within reach." This is a developing story. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-28

Israeli media reported on Thursday that and Finance Minister Bezalele Smotrich advanced a new initiative to create a fund to provide financial assistance to families of career soldiers who have served in Operation Swords of Iron and need assistance due to the economic hardships caused by the war. Career soldiers are any soldier who signed on to serve additional time, including officers. The fund, with the aim of strengthening the resilience of military families, would take multiple scenarios related to the war into account, including the loss of a loved one or circumstances affecting a spouse at home's income, including maternity leave, unpaid leave, and changes to benefits. The fund would also consider emotional circumstances, such as psychological treatment for first-degree family members, reimbursement for emotional treatment for kids, and supplementary pay for children with special needs, reports said. The IDF is expected to establish and continually develop it according to guidelines provided by the .  RESERVE SOLDIERS are making unimaginable sacrifices to protect their country. (credit: MICHAEL GILADI/FLASH90) Defense Minister Yoav Gallant commented on the new fund: "Career soldiers form the commanding and professional backbone of the IDF and are a central element in the IDF's ability to fulfill its missions during normal times - especially during war. Precisely for this reason, preserving a high-quality formation of career soldiers is a security and national interest first and foremost." "The decision we made in the Defense Ministry and the IDF, with the support of the Finance Ministry, to establish a fund for the families of career soldiers that will provide aid to their families who were financially harmed during the war period is an expression of the realization of our commitment to the wives and our career men. This is another way for us to thank them and express our appreciation to their families who support them and carry alongside them in the mission of defending our country." commented, "In the past six months, the State of Israel has gone through one of the most severe upheavals we have known. The career soldiers were at the forefront of the fight for the State of Israel; these months required a stubborn fight that would bring victory to the State of Israel. The families of career soldiers also pay a heavy price and support their loved ones so that they can continue their mission for the State of Israel." "Financial assistance to military families is of first-class importance, both morally and practically. I met with military families, listened very carefully to their needs, and agreed to help alleviate the various difficulties they were experiencing," he added. "The IDF Aid Fund will provide the appropriate assistance, and I thank the Defense Minister and the IDF for the fruitful and quick dialogue on their behalf. Career soldiers and the members of your families, the people of Israel salute you!" ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-28

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei posted on X Wednesday morning that read: "War also takes place within the media, whoever has the strongest media in their hands will succeed in achieving the goals they seek." الشعر وسيلة إعلاميّة، والتحدّيات والصراعات في العالم اليوم هي تحدّيات إعلاميّة. الحرب حربُ الإعلام، فمَن يملك وسيلة إعلاميّة أقوى سيكون الأكثر نجاحاً في تحقيق الأهداف التي ينشدها. Since the October 7 massacre, Israel has received hostile coverage from numerous media outlets, to which Maariv reported that this was due to the failure to present correct information on Operation Swords of Iron, stating that a lot of misinformation published about the Jewish state in recent months. The report linked Khamenei's tweet to reports of the dismissal of Eylon Levy, the English-language government spokesman, who on Wednesday was terminated from his position after .Eylon Levy, spokesman for the Israeli Government (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM) He was initially suspended two weeks ago following a tweet he wrote against British Foreign Minister David Cameron. The tweet caused a big uproar in Britain, which also demanded clarification on Levy's words. The incident between and Cameron was "the straw that broke the camel's back," N12 reported citing the government office. to reinstate Levy back to his position as government spokesperson received 10 thousand signatures last week. Danielle Greyman-Kennard contributed to this report. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-22

Legend has it that back in the 1980s, ballot counters in an found a vote for anti-Arab racist Meir Kahana. News spread and all suspected a local resident who wasn’t fully in touch with reality, a suspicion that was soon validated because when asked “Are you the one who voted Kahana?” the man happily confirmed. And after hearing the follow-up question, “Why?” he gave an answer no one could dispute: “Only Kahana promised to take care of the Arabs.” Kahana didn’t mean to be misunderstood this way, unlike ’s intention this week when he effectively said, “I will take care of the Jews.”  Millions indeed ask now whether – as he claims – Trump will be good for the Jews, failing to realize that there is no way of being simultaneously bad for America and good for the Jews.  And Trump will be bad. WHAT Trump said in his oafish attempt to woo Jewish voters is a case in point. To suggest that Jews who vote for the Democrats “hate Israel, [in fact] hate everything about Israel” and, for good measure, “hate their religion” is of course factually absurd, but that’s not the point. The point is that such a statement is itself un-American.Israeli forces operate in the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Swords of Iron on November 18, 2023 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) The American way is to respect adversaries, certainly not to besmirch, defame, and libel them, least of all about their faith. This is, of course, besides the fact that a certified transgressor of “you shall not commit adultery” and “you shall not lie one to another” is unfit to judge anyone’s religiosity. And if this statement is only “a matter of style,” as Trump’s Jewish apologists claim whenever he shocks with a new profanity, the Republican candidate just said that had he been president now he would tell Benjamin Netanyahu “to finish it up” in Gaza. In other words, Trump would have no more patience for the Gaza war than Joe Biden. Yet the question of what Trump would do vis-à-vis Israel is immaterial, because an un-American president is bad for the Jewish state, just like he is bad for the Jewish people and the Jewish faith.  To be good for any of these, an American president must be blessed with patience; patience to listen, learn, and think. Trump, like a child craving candy, doesn’t have patience for anyone or anything, least of all for briefings filled with details, complexities, and dilemmas. That is why he lost an astonishing battery of aides, advisors, and cabinet members, including secretary of state Rex Tillerson, secretary of defense James Mattis, national security advisors Michael Flynn and Herbert McMaster, White House chiefs of staff John Kelly and Reince Preibus, communication director Anthony Scaramucci, health secretary Tom Price, and the list goes on. Nothing can be managed in such a way, least of all a superpower, and that is only the technical reason Trump’s return would be bad for America. And this technicality – that the man can’t manage – dwarfs compared with Trump’s agenda, which is as immoral – and thus as un-Jewish – as his personal conduct.  INTERNALLY, Trump is out to divide the American people by pitting the working class against the middle class, and the undereducated against the media and the courts. Externally, Trump is out to use the American immigration problem to fan bigotry, the way he did this week when he said some of the illegal immigrants converging on the American border were “animals.” So, to paraphrase Trump, do Jews who vote for a candidate who confuses man and beast love their religion – which says all humans were created in God’s image – or do they hate their religion? Moreover, looking at Jewish scripture and recalling Jewish trauma, can a Jew vote for a man who speaks, spreads, and embodies hate? A second Trump presidency would be ruinous, not only from this general Jewish perspective but also in terms of the Jewish people’s American experience. America’s embrace – captured by Jewish poet Emma Lazarus’s lines adorning the Statue of Liberty – was the most blessed welcome the Jewish people ever encountered in their wanderings. The opportunity, freedom, and dignity America offered its newcomers were what made America great; great for everyone, but particularly for the Jews. Do these fond memories mean that immigration should be unchecked? Of course not, otherwise what is sovereignty about? But the fact that immigration must be controlled and that some are out to breach the borders is no reason to dehumanize people who look up to America as a promised land of freedom, opportunity, and humanism. Jews looking at the people Trump just called “animals” don’t see animals; they see the shiploads of Jews who once arrived at Ellis Island. And just like respecting immigrants’ dignity is Jewish, so is respecting the law. Jews who love their faith can’t respect – let alone vote for – a man who, after losing an election, ignited an insurrection. Nor can they back a man who – according to his own vice president – baselessly accused, and still accuses, “the system” of having sabotaged the vote he lost. The system sabotaged nothing, but Donald Trump is out to sabotage everything, level after level:  America’s social solidarity, political cohesion, institutional pillars, moral convictions, and mental peace. Writing from the depth of her Jewish heritage, Emma Lazarus contrasted the old colossus, “the brazen giant of Greek fame/ with conquering limbs astride from land to land,” and the new colossus, the “mighty woman with a torch” who tells the world “Give me your tired, your poor/ Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” It takes no poet, just an ordinary Jew, to judge which of these two statuesque inversions resembles Donald Trump. The writer, a Hartman Institute fellow, is the author of the bestselling Mitzad Ha’ivelet Ha’yehudi (The Jewish March of Folly, Yediot Sefarim, 2019), a revisionist history of the Jewish people’s political leadership. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-05

The IDF destroyed on Tuesday the largest terror tunnel that was uncovered in northern Gaza since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, the military announced on that morning. The tunnel extends about four kilometers long and ends near the Erez crossing but does not cross into Israeli territory. It was initially discovered in mid-December of last year. Over the past few weeks, the has been investigating the tunnel, and the route was located and destroyed in a joint effort by the engineering unit of the IDF's Gaza Division, the Yahalom unit, the IDF's Southern Command, and the Defense Ministry's engineering and construction division. The IDF carried out exploration operations of the tunnel route, which reached a maximum depth of about 50 meters. The nearest shaft of the tunnel is located about 400 meters from the Erez crossing, which has been used for the passage of workers and patients for medical treatment in Israel in recent years. The route has several branches, forming a wide and branched network of tunnels. Along the route, there are sewerage, electricity, and communication infrastructures, as well as the top doors, which were designed to prevent the entry of IDF forces. The tunnel allows the movement of vehicles inside it, and many weapons of the terrorist organization Hamas were found in it. IDF preps to destroy largest terror tunnel found in Gaza since the beginning of Operation Swords of Iron. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) The ground maneuver, through intelligence operations in the field, provided a lot of information about the Hamas terror tunnels project and helped deepen the knowledge and mapping of it. Since the beginning of the war, the IDF has been working to locate and destroy dozens of attack tunnel routes as part of the systematic dismantling of Hamas infrastructure. The tunnel construction project included a team of dozens of terrorists who came especially for its construction from to the north of the Gaza Strip. Maariv reported that the use of special digging machines smuggled into the Strip was found within the tunnel's construction. Additionally, according to estimates, has invested millions of dollars in the underground layout throughout the Strip, and Maariv noted that offensive actions against Israeli troops have been staged from within the now-demolished tunnel. A few days ago, terrorists were also identified inside the tunnel, who were eliminated by the IDF forces. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-20

Canada's foreign minister's announcement on Tuesday of an l comes at a time when Israeli weapons systems are now protecting Canadian pilots, fighters, and naval combatants around the world. They are deployed to protect Canada's borders and NATO countries bordering Russia, similar to when Canadian troops were stationed in Afghanistan in the war . For some reason, the minister's announcement forgot that in the last decade, the Canadian Defense Ministry purchased Israeli weapon systems worth more than a billion dollars after examining their performance, prices, and delivery times compared to those of other Western companies. In those years, Israel purchased components and subsystems worth only tens of millions of dollars from the Canadians, numbers that indicate the Israeli defense industries' central position in the global arms market and their dependence on exports to customers abroad.MMR Radar, made by IAI subsidiary ELTA. (credit: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES) Only in December 2023, two months after the outbreak of Operation Swords of Iron, Canada announced the purchase of LR 2 Spike missiles from Rafael, worth $32 million, with delivery the following summer. Canada needs the advanced anti-tank missiles in case of a Russian invasion of Latvia, where a division of the Canadian army is stationed. This was not the first time that the Canadians purchased an Israeli missile: in 2018, they purchased Spike missiles of an older model for their special forces. Canada used Rafael to achieve one of its largest defense export deals: the sale of dozens of armored personnel carriers made by General Dynamics Canada to the Colombian military for $418 million last year. Their choice was helped because they are equipped with remote-controlled 30 mm cannon turrets manufactured by Rafael, which can be operated from the weapon's interior without exposing the operator to enemy fire. The Canadians' largest deal with the Israeli defense industry was signed in 2015 when they purchased 10 Iron Dome radars—these are MMR radars produced by the Elta Systems of the . The Canadians purchased radars to detect air threats to their forces, including planes, helicopters, submarines, and rockets. The value of the deal was estimated to be $190 million. Since then, the Canadians have purchased from Elta naval radars for patrol planes, long-range radars for their naval ships, and mobile radars to protect their infantry soldiers. These transactions have an additional and cumulative value of hundreds of millions of dollars. The Canadian embargo is not the first of its kind. In 1956, when Israel was struggling to find sources for the purchase of a jet fighter following Egypt's growing strength, it agreed with the Canadian government to purchase 24 American F-86 Cyber fighter jets, which were then manufactured in the country under license for the local air force. The Canadians agreed, and the first planes had already come off the production line, with Israel's Air Force's Star of David affixed to them. But the Canadians caved into British pressure and canceled the deal. This did not prevent the Canadians from purchasing military aircraft from Israel 50 years later. In 2008, they leased Heron UAVs from IAI to patrol and protect their ground forces stationed in Afghanistan against the Taliban. These were operated from the Kandahar base. Since then, the Canadians have purchased Small Skylark UAVs mini-submarines from Elbit System, the export version of the IDF's "Sky Rider," which is also used in Israel's current war in Gaza and is operated by ground brigades to identify enemies in the vicinity. The Canadians, who purchased command and control and satellite communication systems from Elbit, equipped their refueling planes with the DIRCM anti-missile laser system. Even the Canadian Transportation Department operates Elbit UAVs. It leased a large Hermes 900 Starliner, one of the few unmanned vehicles in the world that can fly on civilian flight paths without fear of colliding with commercial planes around them. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-17

Israel Police's Lowlands division conducted training exercises and security assessments throughout Israel's Northwest. These precautions are due to the ongoing warnings of possible Palestinian terrorist infiltrations into Jewish settlements within the region. Since the infiltration of Hamas terrorists into Israeli territory on October 7, police units have been preparing for any possible scenario of high-risk terrorist attacks. This comes following previous reports that under attacks would occur beyond Gaza but throughout the West Bank as well, perpetrated by local terror cells and allies. Jenin, located in the northwestern part of the West Bank, has become, in recent years, a hotbed for terrorist activity. The IDF and Shin Bet killed a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist in Jenin in a in late February en route to committing a shooting attack likely on Israeli forces. In January, were killed in a hospital by Israeli commandos, with one being a member of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.  As of last week, over 3,500 or killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank, with many affiliated with Hamas and other terrorist groups, since Operation Swords of Iron began. Avi Daniel, Commander of Israel Police's Lowland Region, discussed the readiness of the security forces if a possible infiltration occurs, saying, "We are exceptionally strong and prepared for any scenario and intrusion." "We are exceptionally strong and prepared for any scenario and intrusion" Timur Yagudaev, commander of the Israel Police Special Patrol Unit (Yasam) in the Lowlands district, stated that "following the events on October 7, we learned our lessons and understood that events could be in multiple locations with many injured with Magen David Adom (MDA) not being able to reach them. By building a week of operational and tactical medicine capabilities, we will be able to save the lives of wounded soldiers and civilians until their evacuation to a hospital." These exercise drills are held to ensure the readiness of all security and healthcare personnel in case of a possible attack on a Jewish settlement while being prepared for the worst-case scenario. Yasam district fighters from the Valleys, Sharon, and Tel Aviv regions took part in the exercise drill, as did members from MDA, the emergency standby squad of the Gadish settlement, and the sabotage unit of the Israeli police. One of the possible scenarios conducted in the exercises included an infiltration into an Israeli settlement along the Green Line with the possibility of taking control over Israeli citizens. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-16

Software engineering and computer science students at Ben Gurion High School in have developed devices that could help make Israelis safer in the next attack or war. At a hackathon held last month at the school, students developed a system for searching and identifying abductees in tunnels, a safety bracelet, and a combat tool that neutralizes hostile technologies, among many other devices.  "It is really nice, as a principal, to help the students not only think innovatively but focus on a project relevant to the time period," Principal Iris Doron told The Jerusalem Post. "As the war rages on and the country tries to recover, there is a lot of emotion."  She said participating in the hackathon was, in some ways, "more important than studying literature or math." Hosting a hackathon is not new to the school; hackathon events are an annual tradition at Ben Gurion. However, this year's event was dedicated to developing innovative applications for the day after and providing solutions to challenges posed during Operation Swords of Iron. The students' projects combined advanced technologies, computer programming, and hardware.  An add on for a combat helmet to help identify the faces of abducted people. (credit: Courtesy of Ben Gurion High School, Ness Ziona) Among the top projects was a "tunnel robot" for monitoring Hamas tunnels and streaming live footage to soldiers on the surface. This advanced robot not only gathers intelligence and alerts about potential terrorist ambushes but also features facial recognition technology to identify abducted individuals. Another project was a security bracelet that vibrates when a siren is heard in the area and directs wearers to the closest shelter.  A third team developed "Zeus," which was designed to neutralize any electronic device in its vicinity using an electromagnetic pulse. There was also an autonomous seed planter that could enable farmers in and South to cultivate their fields without putting their lives at risk. Advertisement Doron said the hackathon encourages "critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and teamwork. "Our vision is to prepare students for success in the advanced technological era," she said. "We believe that quality education should promote not only academic knowledge but also soft skills and the ability to tackle complex challenges relevant to tomorrow's world." Doron added that the IDF is evaluating two of the projects. A third project is expected to be discussed with the Ministry of Agriculture.  ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-10

AS SOMEONE who spent several years, including part of his youth, in America, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must surely be familiar with the expression attributed to US President Harry S. Truman, “The buck stops here.” Both the Meron and tragedies took place on Netanyahu’s watch, and yet he continues to avoid responsibility. You can’t be the man in charge of the future of the nation and not be responsible. Netanyahu has done some admirable things in his time, and these should not be forgotten. But neither should the less than admirable things that he has done, which are the ones that count at the present time. THERE IS little doubt that the Jerusalem Marathon provided a pleasant diversion for evacuees stuck in hotel rooms in the capital, but perhaps when planning next year’s marathon, organizers will look more closely at the calendar. It has been noted in the past that the route should be changed so as not to interfere with major traffic arteries. Traffic is bad enough on a Friday, even when buses are running regularly. But when traffic on main roads is suspended, it makes life difficult for people who do their weekend shopping on Fridays – especially during winter months for those who shop at Mahaneh Yehuda market. On Friday, the marathon coincided with the actual date of International Women’s Day and interfered with plans of many women all over the city, who planned to attend IWD events in other neighborhoods or in other parts of the country. Newly re-elected Mayor Moshe Lion, who is a great fan of urban renewal, and has encouraged real estate development resulting in scores of multi-story towers that will bring thousands of additional residents to the city, must know that traffic problems will get worse, not better, and should give serious attention to finding alternative routes for those events that cause inconvenience to residents of the inner city. The same goes for mayors of other cities in which annual marathons and parades take place. ■ THE PLETHORA of International Women’s Day events is uniform only in terms of gender. The variety of activities and special niche groups is amazing. Families of Israelis who were murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Nova festival place pictures of their loved ones outside the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on February 7, 2024. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) Women have shown admirable bravery, resilience, and resourcefulness during Operation Swords of Iron, so it goes without saying that many organizations highlighted these attributes as they apply to both soldiers and civilians, particularly to by Hamas. Among the organizations that placed special focus on women who had displayed such qualities was that of Reichman University alumni. Danielle Aloni, who, together with her five-year-old daughter Amelia, was held captive by Hamas for 49 days, spoke about her experience and of how she had explained to Amelia that she belongs to a special group of children taken from Israel and “we are now in Gaza and we are safe” because “our captors are watching over us and that they are good people.” Aloni thinks that her daughter “has an inner resilience that surprised me and left me speechless. She had her moments of breakdown, but when it comes to heroism, Amelia is the real hero.” Other “Iron Women” whose stories were told included: Col. Karni Guez, the commander of the tank unit that fought Hamas on October 7; Dr. Kokhav Elkayam, director of the Dvora Institute; head of the Civilian Task Force on Hamas Crimes against Women and Children, and a lecturer at RU’s Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy; RU graduate Sapir Zohav Hamami, who is the widow of Lt.-Col. Asaf Hamami; and Dr. Efrat Baron Har-Lev, the director of the Schneider Children’s Medical Center. Each woman presented a different aspect of the war, and of how she was personally affected. The event was moderated by Gili Dinstein, CEO of Reichman alumni, who said: “These Iron Women serve as an inspiration to us all.” ■ THERE ARE few greater thrills in life than saving the life of a child. The fact that he had done so was the good news awaiting 23-year-old reservist Nadav Azoulai on his return home from several intensive months in Gaza. Two years earlier, he and his twin brother, Noam, had been contacted by the Ezer Mizion Bone Marrow Bank because they had been deemed suitable donors for a two-month-old baby with cancer. They both unhesitatingly underwent the tests to ascertain that they were indeed suitable, but in the final analysis it was Nadav who was the donor. The baby, Hodaya Rosenfeld, recovered after prolonged treatment, but neither she nor her parents were aware of the donor’s identity. Once she was healthy, a meeting was arranged, but then Nadav was called to Gaza and the meeting had to be postponed until a few days ago when Hodaya and her family met with Nadav and his family at Beit Oranit, the Ezer Mizion facility in Petah Tikva. There was instant chemistry between the two who were aptly named. Hodaya means thanksgiving and Nadav means donor, volunteer, or philanthropist. Meeting Hodaya gave him an inexplicable feeling of contentment, said Nadav. After being surrounded for months with death and with evil, it was so good to see this little girl, brimming with life after having been so close to death. JNF UK is associated with several projects in Israel and has taken more upon itself since the October 7 massacre by Hamas in areas that are part of the Gaza border region. “JNF UK is proud to assist in the rehabilitation of Gaza envelope communities,” said Jonathan Galon, Israel director of JNF UK. He was speaking after the return of the youth of Shlomit to the village they had missed so much during their time as evacuees.” As soon as the residents of Shlomit contacted us, we immediately mobilized to help. We will be happy to receive further inquiries from other communities that need rehabilitation.” The Shlomit youth leaders initiated the speeding up of restoration and rehabilitation work that was being carried out with the help of JNF UK. Some of the youth participating in the project lost their fathers in the October 7 attack. It is now therapeutic for them to join in the efforts to restore their village. ■ LAST DECEMBER, a B’nai B’rith International solidarity delegation of BB leaders from the USA, South America, and Europe led by the organization’s long-term Executive Director Dan Mariaschin came to Israel and became so immersed in volunteer projects, that Mariaschin did not have time to meet with more than a few members of the local BB leadership. When Ilan Shchori, a member of the BB executive committee, chairman of BB’s Tel Aviv Regional Council, and international relations adviser to BB Israel President Emanuel (Mano) Cohen learned that Mariaschin was returning to Israel in February for the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, he asked if it was possible for him to meet with the presidents of all the BB lodges in Israel. A luncheon meeting was duly arranged at the Mandarin hotel in Tel Aviv, which was attended by more than 100 local presidents as well as members of the BB Grand Lodge. This was an introductory meeting to discuss BB Israel’s expansion initiative to broaden its international activities and to facilitate closer contacts with BB leaders around the world. Cohen and Shchori each spoke of the importance of wider contacts between BB Israel Lodges and those of other countries within the context of the Jewish world’s Together program, which aside from embarking on joint projects and ventures, is an important means of fighting antisemitism and racism by learning from each other’s experiences in the aftermath of October 7. Mariaschin’s reaction was one of enthusiastic support. ■ AMONG THE exhibitors in the upcoming running in the capital from March 10 to April 29 and directed by Ram Ozeri, is internationally known photographer Joan Roth, whose works will be among 30 exhibitions of varying art forms that collectively come under the heading of contemporary Jewish art. Roth’s exhibition, which includes some of her early works, goes on display at the Black Box Gallery on March 11 More than half a century ago, Roth set herself a photographic mission to make Jewish women visible. Judging by the tribute she received from the late Alice Shalvi, the founder of the Israel Women’s Network and author with her late husband of an encyclopedia of Jewish women, Roth has obviously succeeded. Shalvi wrote: “Joan Roth has the gift for seeing the significant moment, the meaningful gesture, the fleeting look which conveys an in-depth character, a lifetime of experience, an entire culture... Joan’s gaze is a female gaze and, in the capacity to penetrate below the surface to the essence of women’s lives, it is a feminist gaze which does not objectify but rather empathizes, sympathizes, identifies with the subjects of her work.” For the purpose of this exhibition Roth has blown up photographs that were originally printed in a considerably smaller size, The new dimension also creates new impressions. [email protected] ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-02-28

The IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police arrested ten wanted persons in the West Bank on Tuesday, during which an Israeli aircraft was also attacked by an armed terrorist. In Jenin, Israeli forces arrested one of the wanted persons under the intelligence guidance of the Shin Bet. Forces also worked to uncover buried explosives aimed at harming IDF personnel. Two were arrested in the city of Qalqilya, and one more was arrested in Abu Qash. Video documentation of the Israeli operation can be seen below: IDF also arrested another six men, interrogated suspects, and confiscated weapons. All ten arrested, as well as weapons confiscated from IDF raids, were transferred over to security forces. IDF operates in Jenin and other West Bank cities February 27, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) There were no Israeli casualties in the operation. Since the start of Operation Swords of Iron on October 7, approximately 3,400 wanted persons have been arrested throughout the West Bank - with 1,500 of them being associated with the Hamas terror organization. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-02-26

War disproportionately affects women, exacerbating existing gender inequalities. Israel entered the war on October 7 , including lower wages for women, a shortage of women in management positions; and entire sectors, like technology, where women are significantly underrepresented.  Coupled with the economic crisis and widespread budget cuts, the war widens and reinforces gender gaps. Among the working women affected by the war, the hardest hit are the who face the struggle of providing for their families alone. In the realm of women’s employment – where legislation mandates the strongest protection for women – a sad parallel to the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged. Women at critical junctures in their lives, such as fertility treatments, pregnancy, and post-birth, are most occupationally affected. Those entering maternity leave face challenges, and those returning from it struggle primarily due to the time constraints and responsibilities associated with childcare. To break this cycle until the end of the war, the focus must shift to empowering unemployed women with the crucial tools to facilitate their reentry into the job market. There are several ways to achieve this.Employees work at Internet data firm SimilarWeb at their offices in Tel Aviv, Israel July 4, 2016 (credit: BAZ RATNER/REUTERS) One significant challenge is caring for young children. Childcare outside the home is the first thing that families give up. Mothers, left without jobs, stay home with their children instead of sending them to daycare and preschool frameworks, thus lacking the support and time needed for job searches or professional development. To escape this trap, subsidies should be provided for women who have lost their jobs due to the war, to enable them to engage in active job searches and gradual reintegration into the workforce. However, this is just one step. Creating a movement toward professional opportunities for women is crucial. The “pink collar” crisis in health, education, and welfare can only be resolved through fair wages and incentives. Shifting funds to the early childhood education system, welfare, and healthcare will generate more attractive job opportunities, addressing the crisis in these sectors. Operation Swords of Iron differs fundamentally from previous wars due to the nature of the October 7 attack and its impact on the human fabric of Western Negev communities.  The war creates a challenge of intersecting traumas and a critical need for emotional support, both immediate and long-term. There is concern that the current system may not meet these needs due to a shortage of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, caregivers, teachers, paramedical staff, and more. For an immediate solution, a reconstruction of employment conditions is required to fill the inconceivable gap for women and professionals. Providing impetus to peripheral areas in the North and South is essential.  Similar to a military operation in which air, sea, and land forces collaborate with intelligence agencies, in the realm of women’s employment in early childhood, education, welfare, and health, there is vast knowledge and experience within civil society organizations.  The state can and should leverage these to achieve recovery during war and times of uncertainty, and in the planning of healing and rehabilitation for individuals, families, and communities in the South and North, when the war is over. The writer is director of the Division for the Advancement of Women of WIZO. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-02-23

The largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust stunned us all, in Israel and the Diaspora, and more than four months later, the – Operation Swords of Iron – is still raging. While Jews in the Diaspora shudder over the surge of antisemitism following October 7, many Israelis talk about a nation in trauma. Clinical psychologist Dr. Danny Brom, founding director of Metiv, the Israel Psychotrauma Center, relativizes the notion that Israel is traumatized as a society. “The energy here remains vibrant,” he insists. “On October 7, everything changed. Suddenly we didn’t feel protected. Everyone knows someone who was killed or kidnapped. People are depressed, but at the same time the enormous outpouring of volunteering has given Israelis a sense of purpose and meaning. The question is how to contain and channel this positive energy.” Over the past 30 years, Metiv has led the research, development, and implementation of innovative methods for in Israel. Its expert staff has treated army veterans, survivors of terror attacks, survivors of childhood abuse and neglect, and more. Based at Jerusalem’s Herzog Hospital, Metiv offers support to parents and teachers, helping children deal with trauma and the unique Peace of Mind program, in which IDF veterans receive time and space to process their combat experiences, such as time spent in Jewish communities worldwide. Metiv has also provided training and accreditation in trauma treatment to thousands of therapists in Israel and across the world.  Since October 7, demand for Metiv’s treatment and training has skyrocketed, and Brom is looking ahead to the long-term challenge of helping Israel to heal, recover, and thrive. “I’m working with colleagues on how to create more community resilience. How we can hold each other together,” says the Dutch-born expert in psychotherapeutic methods for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “The message that everyone needs treatment weakens people. Paradoxically, I speak less about trauma and more about the need to adapt to survival mode while remaining efficient. The question should be how to get out of survival mode – now is the time for the language of resilience and coping.” During the first weeks of the war, hundreds of Israelis called Metiv, saying they needed intervention to prevent PTSD. “They were talking about stress, sleeping disorders, shortness of breath, worry… but in most cases, these phenomena pass naturally in time. For the majority, the approach of emphasizing PTSD is misleading. Now they start to count their symptoms: ‘I had a nightmare because my son is in the army – do I have PTSD?’ There are people who need therapy, but certainly not everyone. And we’re not even ‘post’ – the war is still going on. Dr. Danny Brom (credit: Courtesy) “Only if you are totally overwhelmed and incapable of communicating or functioning is there a need for help. The majority of people don’t need it. And it’s not true that if we don’t treat you now, it’ll be too late. There’s a suitable treatment later if it’s not absolutely urgent right now.”  On the other hand, he notes, “We have seen a number of people from the Supernova festival, residents of the South, and soldiers who haven’t been able to deal with what they’ve seen.” In the US, experience following has shown the importance of bringing in teams of psychologists to deal with the ongoing reverberations. Israel has a history of terror attacks, but nothing on this scale. Terrorism, as the term suggests, is a form of psychological warfare. The most important thing right now is to be with other people, to hug and communicate with them, Brom asserts. “Sometimes you feel overwhelmed by things that you don’t want others to see. If these images come up, they have to be dealt with,” he says. “You don’t necessarily have to talk immediately. It’s important not to be pushed, but to let the natural physical and psychological processes happen.”  Brom foresees logistical hurdles in dealing with the psychological ramifications of this war. “The mental health system in Israel was and remains neglected. The new trend is to create resilience centers, but they’ve gone the wrong way and become treatment centers. There’s an overfocus on the treatment aspect. Most children don’t need psychologists – they need their teachers and parents to be with them and help them get through it,” he says.   Brom rejects the notion that every returning hostage will be traumatized for life. “I’ve worked with Holocaust survivors and people who have been tortured or undergone sadistic sexual abuse, and I see that they can cope with a lot of horrible stuff. It’s not necessarily about psychopathology. We have to be careful about talking about people being broken. Most of those who were children in the Holocaust have dealt reasonably well. Many rebuilt their lives, became professionals, and coped in positive ways. There’s always distress, but that doesn’t mean they cannot function.” Several of the released hostages appeared to be traumatized in recent media interviews.  “They will have to rebuild their trust in other people. That’s what you need when in severe distress – someone you can trust, cry in front of, and feel guilt, anger, fear…then slowly go out again into the world. We have to prepare ourselves to allow them to heal, and this usually happens by being in a warm, supportive environment that will not pressurize them but allow them to process what they’ve been through at their own pace.”  Some psychologists say that the best thing to do is to recount what happened, Brom says. “Usually it happens by itself,”  he notes. “When people feel safe, the memories will come up – whether in dreams or spontaneous conversation. If you have someone you really trust, you’ll be able to speak.  “The fact that these memories do come up is a sign that people feel safe enough to let that happen. This process could take weeks, months, or even years.”   The process of grieving – especially by a parent – can be a long-term one, he says. “The issue of guilt is a complicated one. ‘Why did I survive and others didn’t?’ We also see this in Holocaust survivors and combat soldiers,” he says. “In children, we see it stronger – they often blame themselves.” Israel has some experience when it comes to treating released prisoners of war but not civilian hostages,  Brom points out.  “In the past, I’ve worked with people kidnapped for money in Mexico and Europe, which was very frightening, but they were treated well [in captivity] because they were worth a lot of money. In Israel’s case, the people doing it don’t care about human life – but they do care about their own interests,” he says. “The hostages are being horribly abused physically and psychologically, especially the women. We know this from those released. When you are in severe physical distress, it’s easier to be swayed by disinformation. When the terrorists told hostages that their relatives were dead or Israel had given up on saving them, this had a harsh effect. While being tortured, their minds are open to whatever their kidnappers say. You become attached to your abuser, even if you don’t want to.  “For a long time, psychotherapists didn’t understand why people say they miss their abuser. Now it’s called the Stockholm syndrome – almost a hormonal, physical phenomenon involving stress hormones such as oxytocin, the ‘cuddle hormone,’ which confuses the mind. It’s not masochistic, and we must be careful not to misinterpret it..”    Every year, thousands of discharged IDF soldiers face the difficult transition back to civilian life in Israel. “They realize what combat has done to them and the need to process their experiences,” Brom says. “It’s not about pathology but rather adaptation. “Those who stay in full-fledged survival mode for elongated periods should be treated for PTSD, But there are also much milder symptoms, such as the following example: a former combat soldier who would not sit in a restaurant with his back to the door because when you’re in a dangerous situation, you have to be alert. There are many similar small signs – they are far more prevalent than people realize.” Metiv has been running the Peace of Mind program since 2007, working with groups of 15 to 20 IDF veterans who served together in high-risk combat units and sorely need a place and time to process their combat experiences.  Led by two therapists, the intervention includes approximately 65 hours of group counseling over nine months, and 12 individual sessions for those needing further care. Many of the group therapeutic workshops are held overseas, where the unit is hosted by a Jewish community, with the community supporting the therapeutic process by creating a safe, quiet, and supportive environment.  “About 200 groups have already been hosted by Jewish communities in North America and Europe. It does a lot of good for the soldiers, of course, but it also has a positive effect on communities. It brings them closer to Israel and strengthens them,” says Brom. “Helping others is part of resilience. We want to reach out and create training programs for community leaders on how to create circles of support within the community. The rise in antisemitism is creating fear for people’s well-being, and communities need to organize themselves to maintain a healthy environment.”  The Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines “peace of mind” as “a feeling of being safe or protected.” As a society and as individuals, it is perhaps what we in Israel – and in the Diaspora – need now more than anything.  For more information about Metiv, go to metiv.org/en/home/. ...قراءة المزيد

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2023-12-10

The IDF's Artillery Corps entered the Gaza Strip for the first time in Operation Swords of Iron, aiding forces on the ground, the Israeli military announced on Sunday. The 282nd Artillery Division operated in the Shejaia neighborhood of Gaza City, in cooperation with the 188th Brigade, the IDF said. In its operations, the Division attacked over 20 terror targets, including warehouses stocked with weaponry, boobytrapped homes and other Hamas military infrastructure. The IDF published footage of the artillery forces' operations in Gaza. This is a developing story. ...قراءة المزيد

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