THE HORROR OF IT ALL

The unbearable tragedy of a war that does not end

September 1, 2024

No one has adequate words with which to respond to the execution of the six hostages whose bodies were found in Rafah. Words alone seem too weak a response to this evil. Yet silence seems inadequate too.

I am furious at Hamas, with a fury that smolders deep in my bones. But I am furious at Netanyahu as well, for all he has done and is doing to perpetuate this horror. I assume that Hamas’ position was this: “If you won’t deal with us to get the hostages back on our terms, then no way are you getting the hostages back alive.” Perhaps feeling the pressure of approaching Israeli soldiers - we may or may not ever know what exactly happened to foil the rescue plan - Hamas killed the hostages to ensure that no rescue would occur.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been chanting, night after night, “Take the deal! Bring them home!” Throughout this ordeal, the Israeli people have made it clear that their highest priority was the release of the hostages. Netanyahu’s continued argument that the war in Gaza is “necessary for Israel’s long term security” has sounded more and more hollow as more and more die, and his smug, arrogant belief that “we can get the hostages back our way” proved wrong. He was willing to risk the lives of Israeli soldiers as well as the hostages themselves so he could look like some kind of a hero in the eyes of the Israeli people.

But you know what, Bibi? You don’t look like a hero. You look like anything but.

I’ve been speaking and writing about the situation in Israel and Palestine for years. I’ve had a sense in my gut that somehow, somewhere, this was going to blow. And every year that the fundamental flaws in the relationship between the two peoples were not addressed, the danger was increasing. I agreed with the former head of Israel’s Domestic Security who said, “There will be no security for Israel until there is hope for Palestinians.” If it hadn’t been October 7th, it would have been sometime. If it hadn’t been Hamas, it would have been someone…

Yes, I know of the efforts made; yes, I know that none of this has been fair to either Israelis or Palestinians; yes, I know that pro-Hamas propaganda so prevalent today is enough to make any person with accurate historical knowledge sick to our stomach. I know there are those who hate us no matter what we do. I am as committed to the survival of Israel as is anyone. But the truth remains true. There has been a fundamental, systemic injustice toward the Palestinian people that could not, would not, and should not last forever.

So the horror continues; I cannot stand the sound of one more American politician saying, “We are working ceaselessly to bring the hostages home.” Well, you know what guys? You got it wrong. Today, there is little that any of us can do but wail. For the innocent Israelis. For the innocent Palestinians. For the friends and families who grieve them both.

I cannot get out of my mind the image of the Israeli yoga teacher Carmel Gat teaching yoga to other hostages and to Palestinian children while in captivity. May her memory be a blessing.

My father used to always say, “Jews don’t believe in miracles, but we rely upon them.” And miracles are needed now. The only comfort in any of this is that those who died are now out of their suffering. All the innocents who have been killed, both Israelis and Palestinians, are now in a place where their souls see clearly. May they feel the peace that so eluded them in this world. And may God grant us the wisdom to work a miracle in their name.