On Friday, as I planned ahead to record with Ya’akov on Sunday (today), I was certain that we would discuss “the day after”, which was much talked about last week, internationally. But, this being Israel, that issue was overtaken by events on Saturday: reports of a breakthrough in talks in Paris to bring home some (sadly, not all) of the hostages and a demonstration in Tel Aviv on Saturday night that turned violent very quickly. A group of several thousand gathered in front of IDF Headquarters and called for everything possible: elections, hostage release, ultra-orthodox draft, you name it. It’s been five months since civil protests like this have occurred in Israel and it will definitely not be the last. The societal divisions that shook Israel throughout 2023 were put on hold on October 7
Vivian, Thank you once again for attempting to dissect the complex issues that Israel faces post-October 7. The Haredi draft issue must be resolved. Yeshiva buchars should be educated in the real world as well as the Talmud. As a diaspora Jew it may be easy and disingenuous for me to make this statement, however Israel stands as a shining light for ALL Jews. I was once a Yeshiva buchar and understand the complexities. I currently live in the secular world. We all must fight for the survival of Israel, the Talmud teaches that we all stand in the defense of the Jewish state. It should be the job of the devout to bring people together and not separate them and cause them so much emotional pain. They are missing the point of their devotion to uphold the Jewish spirit.
Let us not be naive, all strategic decisions governments make especially at times of war are political in nature. If you study history of world conflicts this becomes very obvious. The prevailing ideology will dictate the terms and there will always be a segment that disagrees. Yes, unity is preferred during the war effort and then the people should decide what type of government they choose to move forward with into the post war future.
I feel like all Jews everywhere are being held hostage. I wake up every morning in a cold sweat. The constant drum beat of anti-semitism, we all feel that it is us against the whole world whether we live in Israel or not. I feel Israel and the IDF must prevail, not only for the State of Israel but for the entire Jewish Nation worldwide.
Vivian, I apologize for accusing you of offering a right wing/ pro-Bibi platform. Yaacov articulately described a government led by police brutality supporting extremists like Ben Gvir and military service refusing Haredi rabbis. I share your view, both of you, that the time has come for Gantz and Eizenkot to pull out and for the Israeli people to have the opportunity to elect new leaders. I can tell you from my perch in the U.S. that the current Israeli government is making it very hard for Biden to continue his support for the war. Only his deep love for Israel is keeping him on board as he bleeds support from Democratic progressives in an election year.
Vivian, Thank you once again for attempting to dissect the complex issues that Israel faces post-October 7. The Haredi draft issue must be resolved. Yeshiva buchars should be educated in the real world as well as the Talmud. As a diaspora Jew it may be easy and disingenuous for me to make this statement, however Israel stands as a shining light for ALL Jews. I was once a Yeshiva buchar and understand the complexities. I currently live in the secular world. We all must fight for the survival of Israel, the Talmud teaches that we all stand in the defense of the Jewish state. It should be the job of the devout to bring people together and not separate them and cause them so much emotional pain. They are missing the point of their devotion to uphold the Jewish spirit.
Let us not be naive, all strategic decisions governments make especially at times of war are political in nature. If you study history of world conflicts this becomes very obvious. The prevailing ideology will dictate the terms and there will always be a segment that disagrees. Yes, unity is preferred during the war effort and then the people should decide what type of government they choose to move forward with into the post war future.
I feel like all Jews everywhere are being held hostage. I wake up every morning in a cold sweat. The constant drum beat of anti-semitism, we all feel that it is us against the whole world whether we live in Israel or not. I feel Israel and the IDF must prevail, not only for the State of Israel but for the entire Jewish Nation worldwide.
Vivian, I apologize for accusing you of offering a right wing/ pro-Bibi platform. Yaacov articulately described a government led by police brutality supporting extremists like Ben Gvir and military service refusing Haredi rabbis. I share your view, both of you, that the time has come for Gantz and Eizenkot to pull out and for the Israeli people to have the opportunity to elect new leaders. I can tell you from my perch in the U.S. that the current Israeli government is making it very hard for Biden to continue his support for the war. Only his deep love for Israel is keeping him on board as he bleeds support from Democratic progressives in an election year.