Editorial of The Jerusalem Post
How to recover the remaining hostages in Gaza is a problem that tears the country and threatens to dig a deep abyss in our society, which perhaps we can never overcome
The duality of Israel, a young and vibrant country that has fought for its survival since its creation, never manifests more clearly than during the 48 annual hours in which the day of memory (Yom Hazarón) is transformed on Independence Day (Yom Haatzmaut).
According to the Ministry of Defense, 25,420 soldiers have fallen defending their country throughout its history. That weight has felt especially in the last 18 months; Since the attack of Hamas of October 7, 2023, more than 900 soldiers have died and more than 5600 have been injured in the fulfillment of their duty.
It is a high price to pay for the right to live freely in our own country. And there does not seem to breathe. Last week the first casualties of the Israel Defense Forces (FDI) have been recorded since Israel resumed his controversial battle against Hamas: Captain gone Voloch, 21, an officer of the 46th battalion of the 401st armored brigade; The Net Sergeant Yitzhak Kahane, Officer of the Cover of the Border Police (Mista’aravim); And the tank driver, Sergeant Mayor (reserve) Asaf Cafri, were buried this week after being killed by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Why is this battle controversial? That is the core of the debate in which Israel is immersed, since its 77th anniversary is commemorated between Wednesday night and Thursday.
Official Logo of the 77th Anniversary of the State of Israel
Like last year, the celebrations will be discreet, since 24 live hostages that are still retained by Hamas in Gaza, as well as 35 hostages already deceased, do not enjoy independence. Twenty -five hostages were released earlier this year through a high fire between Israel and Hamas that collapsed in March. How to recover the remaining hostages of Gaza is the problem that is tearing the country and threatens to dig a deep abyss in our society, which perhaps we can never overcome.
There are two valid plans: one theoretical and one already in practice. The theorist consists in assuming that Hamas would fulfill the agreement he supposedly offered to free all the hostages in exchange for a long -term truce of five years, and to conserve their weapons and status as an authority in Gaza. This would possibly bring home to the remaining hostages, but would allow Hamas to rebuild, rearm and be a great threat to Israel as before October 7.
The other plan, already launched by the government, consists in continuing to fight Hamas and pressing the terrorist group to accept another high fire agreement that would allow the release of hostages in stages, as earlier this year.
The problem with both plans is that they sow distrust and anger among those who oppose them. The government of Prime Minister Benjamín Netanyahu Tacha of antipatriot leftists who oppose their policies. And those who oppose the continuation of the war claim that it is only done to keep the coalition in power and postpone the final judgment on Netanyahu’s responsibility for the attacks of October 7.
Does Israel have, at 77, what is necessary to argue and oppose the ideas of opposites and, at the same time, remain a single country? We have achieved that throughout our history, full of endless internal struggles and disunity.
But when the time came, when Israel’s existence was in danger, either in 1948, 1967, 1973 or 2023, the differences were left aside. Can the same be said now, when half of the country asks for the end of the war while the other half is convinced that hostages can be recovered and defeated? Is it an illusion, at best?
Does Israel have, at 77, what is necessary to argue and oppose the ideas of opposites and, at the same time, remain a single country? We have achieved that through our history, full of endless internal struggles and disunity
Israel was founded on a promise: the government and its people will work together for the security and well -being of the country. When commemorating the 77th anniversary of the country, that promise no longer looks inevitable. It is imperative that it be once again, if we want to join and celebrate the 78th anniversary, and allow our descendants to celebrate the 178º. There is a lot at stake, and there are lives at stake.
Last week, in the annual commemoration of the march for life in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, during the day of the Holocaust memory, the hostage released Eli Sharabi-who suffered in Hamas’s dungeons in Gaza for a year and a half-said: “This is the Jewish spirit of triumph. It is a reminder that the Jewish nation will exist for all eternity.”
We owe him, and all the hostages that still remain in Gaza, make sure that this statement is never questioned.
Translation Sami Rozenbaum / New Israelite world.
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