Israel, and the world, are facing a truly existential question. How do we deal with terrorists that take our civilians hostage, brutalize them, starve them, use them as human shields, and murder them whenever they choose?

That is the core question with Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and the hostages taken on October 7, 2023. There are many who say to ‘cut a deal’ to release the hostages and end the war, whatever it takes. Trust Hamas and take them at their word. This is despite the fact that they are untrustworthy and have proven this over and over again. This is despite the long term security risks Israel will face as a result. To this group of people, freeing the current hostages and ending the loss of life in this war immediately is the most important thing, regardless of the long term effects.

There are others who take a different view. As much as they want the return of the hostages and the end of the war, they know that Hamas is not trustworthy and you can’t take them at their word. They are concerned about the long term impact of any deal. We may get 30-50 hostages home alive and the bodies of 50-70 dead hostages now, but in the long term it will result in thousands of deaths when Hamas attacks next, which they have vowed to do. They look at the effort to free Gilad Shalit, where 1,000 terrorists, including Sinwar, were traded for one Israeli. That trade resulted in 1,200 deaths on October 7th and many more since. Was it worth it? That’s above my pay grade to answer but based on sheer numbers, you have to say no.

We have most of the world committed to continuing failed policy attempting for a two-state solution, believing in the Palestinian Authority (PA) even when the people in the West Bank/Judea and Samaria, do not believe in them. They continue to fund both the PA and UNRWA despite evidence that shows that they are corrupt and only harm the people they are supposed to be helping. Albert Einstein is credited with saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” There is no question our world leaders are living in insanity.

We have heard a great deal from Rachel and Jon Goldberg Polin, the parents of Hersh Goldberg Polin (z’l). We see the protests from families of hostages and those who want the Israeli government to make any deal necessary to get the hostages back and end the war. While I have friends serving in the IDF who clearly share with me their views, we have not heard much from the other side. Recently, I read the word of Hagai Lober, whose son, Yonatan was killed in Gaza. He speaks to the hostage families who called to intensify the protests against the government and to end the war now.

Nobody will burn down my country. 

We are sick and tired of the threats from the extremists. Yes, even if those extremists have family in Gaza. You won’t burn down the country. It’s not in the books. And if I have to rise against you, I will. 

Millions of people view you with mistrust, discord, and horror. And only out of respect for you, are they silent. I won’t be silent.

My son was killed in Gaza. He went to defend and free your children, and was killed. He left everything behind, left a wife and a nine month old baby, And was killed. He will never come back again. Not in any deal. 

And therefore, I am allowed to tell you: 

You cannot dismantle the country.

You cannot riot.

You cannot block roads. 

You cannot clash with police. 

You cannot call for military recalcitrance.

You cannot rattle police cars. 

You cannot attempt to break into the Prime Minister’s house.

The fact that your children are hostage in Gaza, Is painful. It’s sad. It’s slicing us all from within.It will cause me to send my three remaining children -To fight, to risk their lives for you. 

But it does not give you extra privilege:

You don’t have the right to 

“remove your gloves”

“You don’t have the right to curse public representatives”

“You don’t have the right to scream, “Shame!“

“You don’t have the right to disrupt the public peace” 

“You don’t have the right to block the airport”

“You don’t have the right to announce an economic strike”

“You don’t have that right at all”

Control yourselves, you hear?!

C-O-N-T-R-O-L

Express your opinions – and don’t scream. 

Say that we need a settlement now – and don’t block the roads. Demand the release of everyone for everyone – and don’t call for a rebellion. 

Say that the Knesset should not be adjourned- and don’t threaten. 

Say that Bibi must be replaced -and don’t light fires.

Say that we must hold elections now – and don’t you dare storm the Knesset.

Say that everyone has failed – and don’t even think of the possibilty of a coup. 

Stop threatening this nation. These are your opinons. We have heard them. Do not enforce them upon us. 

You want to hear my opinion too?

In my opinion, Yonatan was killed because of the Oslo Accords, which some of you supported.In my opinion, Yonatan was killed because of the disengagement (from Gaza), which some of you encouraged with banners of support at the entrance to the Kibbutzim.

And yet, I don’t shout at you in the streets. 

I don’t block your path

I don’t refuse an order

I don’t transfer my money overseas.

I don’t curse your public representatives who still support all these disasters.

I send and will send my sons to fight.

I will suppprt and will abide by any elected government, even if its opinion differs from mine. 

I don’t think I have the right to destroy this beloved country. 

Because now we fight.

Because now we heal. 

Because now we connect.

Now is the time to look outwards together. 

This is the time to show love towards one another. 

And to the “Kaplanistim” (those who block Tel Aviv’s main road), to the “Brothers in Arms” (those who called for military refusal due to the reforms), to the Barak supporters and Olmert supporters who wanted to overthrow Bibi, I say:

Don’t hitch a ride on the pain of the families. 

Don’t, Don’t, Don’t……Take it all back. 

And know, dear hostage families, We have not forgotten your loved ones, our brothers. We have not forgotten and will not forget. But enough. Stop, for God’s sake, for the country’s sake, for victory’s sake.

And if not, I and others will be there. Bereaved families, injured soldiers and hostage families who think differently. We will stand together in the face of the anarchy,And we won’t let you.    We just won’t…”

Unfortunately, since October 7th there is more than enough pain to go around. More than enough death and loss of loved ones. More than enough anger, frustration, and a desire for the war to end. The question is how to we get there. The question is what are we willing to sacrifice. Is it the risk of losing the hostages? Is it the risk of losing the long term safety and security of Israel? Is the inevitability of a Hamas left in power attacking Israel again? These are difficult questions where something will have to be sacrificed.

This isn’t about Bibi. The government will fall, it’s just a matter of when, not if. There will be major leadership changes as a result. Again this isn’t if, but when. The type of Israel that this new government inherits is yet to be determined. A part of our soul was lost on October 7th and it is inevitable that another part will be sacrificed to end the war. What part is the question. What Israel will look like at the end of the war is yet to be determined. Neither side is wrong. Both sides are right. The question to be answered by Israeli leaders is simply which part will be sacrificed. We know we have to lose something. We know we will lose something. Which something that is will be determined by the current Israeli leadership and the impact will be felt by the government that replaces the current one.

This truly is a modern day Sophie’s choice. I fear we lose no matter the choice and we will have to fool ourselves into thinking we have won because we are still alive. That may be the best we can hope for.