Two flawed men, Trump and Netanyahu, have accomplished something remarkable in the Middle East. It won’t be sweetness and light - it never is - but for the first time ever there is a reasonable chance that Israel will be able to coexist with its neighbours in relative peace
1993 Oslo Accords - PM Ehud Barak shocked the world by offering the Palestinians virtually everything they had been demanding, including a state with its capital in Jerusalem, control over the Temple Mount, a return of approximately 95% of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip and $30 billion compensation package for the 1948 refugees. How could Arafat reject that historic offer? The Case For Israel by Alan Dershowitz. Well Arafat did reject it and terrorism resumed. The hope now is that if somehow a miracle materializes and the people find a leader and a political party that can throw Hamas and PIJ out of the country with the help of the proposed UN Muslim Peacekeeping Forces that are to be installed inside Gaza. Hamas may pretend to comply until they can return to their goal - the total annihilation of Israel and Israelis. October 7 again, and again, and again Hamas proclaims from the rooftops. Hopefully the world will wake up to this reality. But there is always hope.
Hamas does not seem to enjoy much support among Arab countries and their main backer Iran is on its back foot now. So the ability of Hamas to strangle this nascent deal is limited.
Those Gazaans cheering the peace? I just listened to them on Tousi TV, and they were cheering for Hamass, like they’d won the war, just like after all the other failed attacks on Israel in previous decades, and much like the Iranian demos cheering their “win” after ops Midnight Hammer and Rising Lion.
There is also no two-state solution, the jihadi orgs don’t want, and won’t allow, one. And the Israelis have long since given up on ever having a civil palestinian neighbour on their borders. Oct 7 cemented that belief. So also a cold and broken two-state hallelujah, I’m afraid.
I've only seen two reels on Facebook so far, one of adults cheering Hamas's probable survival and eventual reemergence as a power player. The other was of an adult with some little kids, shouting for the "hudna" which means at best a truce lasting for no more than 10 years. I also couldn't help but notice that none of the children exhibited signs of being on the brink of starvation. Far from it actually.
My birthday is October 7. It was spoiled for me twenty years ago when I learned that Vladimir Putin was born on the same day (but, happily, a few countries away so not my twin).
The date has been utterly ruined for me by the Hamas atrocities of 2023 - mine are birthday celebrations tinged with sadness.
> " ... I fear I may do something rash, like attend Mass ..."
LoL 🙂 Reminds me of an observation of my father -- gawd rest his soul -- who had served in the Canadian army, artillery -- I'm a son of a gunner, during WW2 -- with Monty's lot, from Sicily through the boot of Italy up to its garter, at least, so to speak: "There are no atheists in foxholes." 🙂
You're right about that, in a way. The Netayahu government, loathed by everyone including the majority of Israelis, had one friend left. Donald Trump. Hamas had no friends left in the Arab world, anywhere. When Trump came on board, everything changed, and not a moment too soon. American public opinion, not just Democrats, had shifted dramatically away from Israel. The French and the Saudis, the European Union and the Arab Lead, handed the car keys to Trump. He sat down and drove off.
Two flawed men, Trump and Netanyahu, have accomplished something remarkable in the Middle East. It won’t be sweetness and light - it never is - but for the first time ever there is a reasonable chance that Israel will be able to coexist with its neighbours in relative peace
1993 Oslo Accords - PM Ehud Barak shocked the world by offering the Palestinians virtually everything they had been demanding, including a state with its capital in Jerusalem, control over the Temple Mount, a return of approximately 95% of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip and $30 billion compensation package for the 1948 refugees. How could Arafat reject that historic offer? The Case For Israel by Alan Dershowitz. Well Arafat did reject it and terrorism resumed. The hope now is that if somehow a miracle materializes and the people find a leader and a political party that can throw Hamas and PIJ out of the country with the help of the proposed UN Muslim Peacekeeping Forces that are to be installed inside Gaza. Hamas may pretend to comply until they can return to their goal - the total annihilation of Israel and Israelis. October 7 again, and again, and again Hamas proclaims from the rooftops. Hopefully the world will wake up to this reality. But there is always hope.
I wonder if some of the other Arab countries are getting less supportive?
The only support Hamas has now is Iran and the Houthis. Although I don’t trust Qatar.
Hamas does not seem to enjoy much support among Arab countries and their main backer Iran is on its back foot now. So the ability of Hamas to strangle this nascent deal is limited.
They'll get away with anything they're allowed to get away with.
Hi Terry,
Finally something optimistic and hopeful for the future. A Thanksgiving gift. You are invited for our Sunday dinner. Happy Thanksgiving friend!
Terry
A Big Thank You for everything that you bring to the table.
I appreciate the hope and also the pain of being a writer and covering this war. Its personal for you.
If October 7th taught me anything it is this, just one word, and I will leave you with this word and by extension this thought:
Taquiyya
Those Gazaans cheering the peace? I just listened to them on Tousi TV, and they were cheering for Hamass, like they’d won the war, just like after all the other failed attacks on Israel in previous decades, and much like the Iranian demos cheering their “win” after ops Midnight Hammer and Rising Lion.
There is also no two-state solution, the jihadi orgs don’t want, and won’t allow, one. And the Israelis have long since given up on ever having a civil palestinian neighbour on their borders. Oct 7 cemented that belief. So also a cold and broken two-state hallelujah, I’m afraid.
I've only seen two reels on Facebook so far, one of adults cheering Hamas's probable survival and eventual reemergence as a power player. The other was of an adult with some little kids, shouting for the "hudna" which means at best a truce lasting for no more than 10 years. I also couldn't help but notice that none of the children exhibited signs of being on the brink of starvation. Far from it actually.
I fear that Hamas will trick us again
Maybe "First we take Kan Younis, then we take Beijing" would be more auspicious.
But I'm good with the hopefulness. Keep your powder dry, Israeli heroes.
My birthday is October 7. It was spoiled for me twenty years ago when I learned that Vladimir Putin was born on the same day (but, happily, a few countries away so not my twin).
The date has been utterly ruined for me by the Hamas atrocities of 2023 - mine are birthday celebrations tinged with sadness.
Thank you, Terry. Keep up your excellent work.
My husband’s birthday is Oct 7th as well and he echoes your sentiments!
Shalom, Terry.
It feels a bit rebellious to have hope. Be a rebel. 🙏🏽❣️
Happy Thanksgiving this weekend Terry. Thanks as always for your resolute defence of what is right.
Shalom Terry, Shalom.
> " ... I fear I may do something rash, like attend Mass ..."
LoL 🙂 Reminds me of an observation of my father -- gawd rest his soul -- who had served in the Canadian army, artillery -- I'm a son of a gunner, during WW2 -- with Monty's lot, from Sicily through the boot of Italy up to its garter, at least, so to speak: "There are no atheists in foxholes." 🙂
No one cared about the new York declaration because it meant nothing without USA/Trump support.
I read a lot and I cannot remember it, because who cares what the Europeans or the UN think.
But I do care that there is progress.
You're right about that, in a way. The Netayahu government, loathed by everyone including the majority of Israelis, had one friend left. Donald Trump. Hamas had no friends left in the Arab world, anywhere. When Trump came on board, everything changed, and not a moment too soon. American public opinion, not just Democrats, had shifted dramatically away from Israel. The French and the Saudis, the European Union and the Arab Lead, handed the car keys to Trump. He sat down and drove off.
Léonard expresses our broken hearts best. May healing come despite our skepticism. The night is long with weeping but joy comes in the morning.
Chin up …. And keep up the
great work. We need you.