Shalom all,

Israel Update – Day 10 of the War.

Ten days after the surprised terrorist attack upon communities surrounding the Gaza Strip, and the slaughter of civilians and military personnel alike, Israel is still trying to grasp the magnitude of the attack and deal with the impact that it has upon daily life here. Streets that usually have heavy pedestrian traffic are considerably less crowded. Traffic is less congested. Businesses close early. Government offices are on modified schedules and almost all of them are not open to the public. There is still a pervasive sense of shock over what happened and the sheer brutality of it that is difficult to comprehend. To date, at least 1,400 people have been killed as a result of the Hamas attack and over 4,100 wounded. 

Approximately 1,500 terrorists managed to infiltrate Israeli territory on the 7th of October. They had planned this attack over approximately two years. They had a manual of what to do, where to go and how to get inside and what needed to be done once they entered military and civilian locations. Documents and maps that were recovered from the terrorists reveal that after attacking border communities and cities, where they murdered multitudes, they planned to invade coastal cities and even reach the city of Kiryat Gat, which is approximately 20 miles inside Israeli territory. They entered Israel with over 30 different types of vehicles, which were loaded not only with a vast supply of weapons, but also with food and medical supplies, including advanced first-aid kits packed with blood units, which would last them about a month. No fewer than 10,000 various weapons have been located and turned over to Israeli authorities. You can see some of them here: <https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rj0wxok11t> There was enough weaponry to equip an entire military brigade. The types of captured weapons were not surprising, but the quantity of them was. Most of the weaponry was not used, but was intended for future terrorist assaults during the month that was to follow the Hamas infiltration of Israel. Despite the tremendous loss of life and the high number of wounded, many of whom are still in life-threatening conditions, we are thankful for the effective action of the IDF, that prevented the killing of thousands more.

Missiles continued to be fired into Israel from Gaza, both in the south, as well as in Jerusalem and the greater metropolitan Tel Aviv area. Sirens wailed several times during the day in those locations, as well as others. The attack this afternoon upon Jerusalem was carried out during the opening of the winter session of the Knesset, causing those present to gather into protected areas. In the address given by P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu during this opening session, he made clear that the objective of the Israeli government in this war is the destruction of Hamas. He 

warned both Iran and the terrorist organization Hezbollah based in Lebanon, not to open a second front against Israel. Issac Herzog, the President of Israel, addressed the Knesset and said that the actions of Hamas, if not stopped, would endanger not only the Jewish people, who are their primary targets, but the entire world. In simple language, he said that what is happening is not a complex situation, that there is good and there is utter evil. He added, “we are fighting an enemy that is all evil.” It doesn’t get much clearer than that. Even Yair Lapis, the leader of the Opposition, said that Israel would be victorious and that Hamas would be destroyed, but it will take time. He added, “If the world doesn’t like it, so be it. Their children were not massacred, ours were.” 

It’s interesting to note the world reaction to the murderous assault by Hamas and Israel’s retaliatory action to it. When the war began, the world was as much in shock as was our nation. Almost everyone sympathized with Israel. We were the victims, the sheep who were ruthlessly slaughtered and butchered. U.S. President Joe Biden gave a speech, where he made clear that the U.S. stood with, and will continue to stand with, Israel. Part of his speech is included with this vivid video clip <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyNcwSuiea0>. Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York City, gave an impassioned speech, saying that “Israel has the right to defend itself. Your fight is our fight…We will not be alright until every person responsible for this act is held accountable…Hamas must be disbanded and destroyed immediately.” <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edhksThn3Jc>

Following Israel’s cleansing of Hamas terrorists from the communities surrounding Gaza, we began to turn things around and prepare for a ground assault, designed to locate and eliminate Hamas. This required flattening areas inside Gaza. Civilians were notified in advance and told to move away from the area where Israeli troops will enter. As soon as we began to take affirmative action against Hamas in its own territory, the physical war then turned once again to a media war, with the focus shifting from Israel as the victim of unimaginable terror, to the plight of civilians (not Hamas) in Gaza.

Four days ago, former P.M. Naftali Bennett was interviewed on Sky News. The interview is 6 minutes and 50 seconds in length. At approximately 4.15 minutes into the interview, after the interviewer kept asking about what Israel will do to protect the civilians in Gaza, Bennett had enough and exploded: “Are you seriously keep on asking me about “Palestinian” civilians? What’s wrong with you? Have you not seen what happened? We’re fighting Nazis…Shame on you if you go on with that false narrative…Listen, Mister. If someone is shooting at your children and hiding behind a human shield, will you shoot back or not?…What would you do?” The interview ended shortly thereafter. It is well worth watching and I would encourage you to do so, as it gives a clear indication of how the media are looking at the events here, ignoring the atrocities committed by war criminals and adopting a warped perspective of victim and aggressor. We need more people like Bennett who will stand their ground and refuse to accept the “Palestinian” narrative.

In Israel, we have an expression “Call the child by its name.” In other words, say it the way it is. Is Hamas a terrorist organization? Of course it is. So why doesn’t the BBC acknowledge that simple fact? Two days ago, on the 14th of October, GB News interviewed John Sergeant, a former BBC Chief Political Correspondent in a debate with Gary Mond, the National Jewish Assembly Chairman. During the course of the debate, Sergeant attempted to defend the decision of the BBC not to label Hamas as a terrorist organization. The Jerusalem Post gave a 4 and a half minute summary of the debate. <https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-768290> Beginning at 1:23 minutes, the host of the debate asked Sergeant whether slitting the throat of a baby is an act of terrorism. Sergeant responded that it was an atrocity, but not a terrorist act. Incredible! Are we missing something here? If a terrorist organization commits an atrocity in the course of carrying out terrorism, wouldn’t the atrocity be deemed a terrorist act? 

Of course, some European countries have already joined the “Let’s put the pressure on Israel” bandwagon. In an article appearing in the EUObserver <https://euobserver.com/world/157547>, Nato, France, Britain (not longer Great) and the U.S. (who said it would stand by Israel) are urging Israel “to minimize civilian Palestinian deaths”. Representatives of the three countries mentioned wanted Israel “to show mercy to Palestinian civilians”. Speaking at a press conference with P.M. Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Antony Blinken, the U.S. representative, who is Jewish, said: “Israel has the right to defend itself … how Israel does this matters.” Behind these urgings and comments is an accusation (sometimes expressed – depending upon who says it, and sometimes implied) that Israel considers civilians in Gaza as expendable, when, it fact, it is Hamas who is making every effort to keep the civilians in harm’s way, while Israel is trying to distance them from the war with Hamas.

Pro-Hamas demonstrations are being held in places all around the world. If we are not successful against terrorism here, you won’t be successful against it where you are. As Mayor Adams put it: Our fight is your fight. But, we can only win if we do fight. “Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass [to accomplish] their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing….” (John Stuart Mill, 1867).

Earlier this evening, there were anonymous reports from two U.S. officials saying that the Pentagon has sent a “prepare to deploy” order to approximately 2,000 U.S. troops, who are to be ready to respond to the present Israel-Hamas war in a variety of support roles. They are not expected to take part in active combat here. With the situation heating up in the north and Iran and Hezbollah continuing to threaten, the U.S. promise to stand with Israel will be tested.

Less than an hour ago, missile alerts sounded again in all metropolitan areas of Greater Tel Aviv, as Hamas fired a heavy fourth barrage in the space of a few hours. And so, the war continues – on the ground, in the air and through cyberspace. We need divine wisdom to know how to fight the good fight of faith, with a holy boldness, to protect our country and our citizens, without compromising or trying to win the favor of the world.

“The LORD shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.” (Deut. 28:7)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin