What were we promised?
"We will topple Hamas" (2009).
"Between the desire to bring a kidnapped soldier home and the need to ensure the safety of Israel's citizens… this deal reflects the correct balance" (on the Shalit deal, 2011).
"Hamas has suffered a serious blow and will continue to suffer" (Operation Protective Edge, 2014).
"Hamas is deterred. It will not fire into our territory" (2023).
"Hamas will no longer rule the Gaza Strip" (2024).
"We will not stop until achieving total victory" (2024).
What did we get?
A one-day massacre in sovereign Israel, featuring atrocities of unprecedented horror.
The longest and most grueling war in the country's history, claiming approximately 1,800 Israeli lives.
15 harrowing months with none of Israel's stated objectives fully achieved.
Approximately 250 hostages, some of whom have returned, while others remain unaccounted for, with their fates potentially never to be known.
A bad ceasefire agreement that leaves Hamas intact as a military and civilian force, allowing it to continue its rule over Gaza in one form or another.
Ehud Olmert resigned over far less after the Second Lebanon War. Benjamin Netanyahu must face the same fate, sooner or later. Explanations have been given, excuses presented, and evasions exhausted. In a world of truth, there is a value to taking responsibility, especially at the highest level, and especially when the leader has shaped the national security reality from the get-go and promised to be the "babysitter" and "guardian of Israel."
One may believe in his sincerity, but the outcome he has led us to is unacceptable. On Simchat Torah, October 7, 2023, we survived by a miracle. If not for Nasrallah's wounded pride at Sinwar stealing his thunder, we might have faced utter destruction. True, Netanyahu performed far better during the war than others might have. Nonetheless, the ceasefire deal he is now committed to is a resounding failure.
Whether now or later, the conclusion remains the same: the Israeli people must rise from the depths, and the person who brought us there cannot be the one to lift us back up. It's as simple as that. Don't ask, "Who will replace him?" Someone will step up to the challenge. Israel is not without capable leaders. Even if the leader is great, the people are greater.
A world at his feet
Netanyahu chose the deal for one reason: Trump. Even before officially taking office, America, and effectively the entire world, has bowed before the new-old president. There's no other way to describe what is happening in the US these days.
I was here in America during that time eight years ago. Back in 2017, Washington's streets were shaking with protests against the man who stunned America and defeated Hillary Clinton at the polls. Drums, marches, protests, and chants filled the city. The media raged. The establishment seethed. This time? Eerie silence. Washington, DC, is indeed blanketed in white frost, but the chill is not the reason for the quiet. Then, Trump's victory was seen as a statistical anomaly. Now, the entire US establishment—not just the political system—acknowledges its defeat in the elections and accepts the verdict with an unparalleled submission.
On Monday, Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary, better known as "Mr. Wonderful" from Shark Tank, visited Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. O'Leary supported Trump during the elections and later voiced support for Canada's annexation by the US, an idea Trump occasionally jokes about. O'Leary came to ask Trump whether he should buy TikTok and to gauge the president's likely reaction if he did.
The following day, James Quincey, CEO of Coca-Cola, visited the Florida estate, already being referred to as an unofficial "White House South." Quincey presented Trump, the most famous fan of Diet Coke, with a special edition of the product, launched in honor of his inauguration. This marked the first time the iconic American brand made such a gesture.
These instances are only a glimpse into the deep transformation America has undergone since the Democrats' collapse in the elections. It's not just about the wealthy. From the moment of his victory, Trump has been orchestrating moves, both domestic and international. Argentina's president and the prime ministers of Italy and Canada have already visited Mar-a-Lago. He's held phone calls with leaders worldwide, including congratulatory messages and substantial policy discussions. Among these, the leader he has seemingly spoken with most often is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu agreed to concessions that could enable Hamas to rebuild. He waived screening for Gazans returning to northern Gaza, effectively allowing Hamas to regroup in areas stained with Israeli soldiers' blood over the past year. Netanyahu also likely agreed to more extensive withdrawals of Israeli forces from major enclaves like Netzarim and the Philadelphi Corridor.
Yet at a time when Trump's reentry to the White House should have bolstered Israel's position, the opposite has occurred. In normal relations between a wartime Israeli prime minister and a pro-Israel US president, Netanyahu could have asked Trump: "Mr. President, give me two months to crush Hamas. I'll halt the unnecessary supplies Biden forced me to allow into Gaza, cut Hamas's funding, and take further steps to separate it from the civilian population. Then, we'll negotiate a better hostage deal. It'll be the ultimate 'art of the deal.' Trust me."
But Trump has lost patience with Netanyahu and Israel's war. Though Israel's actions against Iran restored some of its prestige, Trump has long wanted to see the Gaza conflict resolved. Nearly a year ago, he conveyed this in an interview with Israel Hayom. Now, as his word becomes policy, he ensures its implementation, regardless of who stands in his way.
Faith and politics
At a luxurious event hall, Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, knelt on stage beside prominent evangelical leaders. The gathering at Mar-a-Lago blended political and spiritual fervor, highlighting unwavering support for Israel and its people. Michelle Bachmann, a former US Congresswoman and leader of the "Morning Prayer for Jerusalem" organization, spoke passionately.
In a mix of religious and political rhetoric, Bachmann said, "God brought back these leaders, Trump, Bolsonaro, and Netanyahu, to protect the Jewish people and Israel. That's why He saved them from assassination." She added, "God, bless Jair Bolsonaro so he can return and restore Brazil to greatness."
The event was not held in a remote church or among uneducated people. It took place in a lavish hall at Mar-a-Lago, with tickets costing $1,000 or more and requiring Secret Service clearance. While Trump was expected to attend, last-minute commitments kept him away.
Among the attendees were Israeli Knesset members Ohad Tal and Yulia Malinovsky, Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, and former MK Robert Ilatov, who founded and still presides over the organization. Rabbis, devout American Christians, and others with varying degrees of faith joined together, sharing a belief in God, the Bible, and the Jewish people's rights.
The conference reflected a political and social reality that Israelis, even religious ones, often overlook. While Christians invoke God's name, Israeli representatives typically rely on secular, universal arguments to justify their positions. Yet in a world where religion is increasingly dominant, where wars stem from jihadist motives, Israel witnesses a wave of religious revival, and faith remains a cornerstone of American identity, it is time for Israelis to reclaim the divine narrative.
We believe this land was given to the chosen people by God. Yes, we believe this. Let's not be ashamed to say it.
