Israel’s Courage and Its Mistakes

People make mistakes. People sometimes make tragic mistakes. And in war, these mistakes occasionally have deadly consequences. We mourn the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers. The organization’s director accused Israel (and Hamas!?) of using food as a weapon. Erin Gore said, “This is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable.”

I do not believe Israel is using food as a weapon. It understandably prioritizes the lives of its hostages still held in Gaza’s tunnels over ordinary Gazans. I have confidence there will be an honest accounting of what went so terribly wrong, and I hope a thoughtful reckoning. I believe in Israel’s character. I have faith in its military leaders despite its soldiers’ occasional callousness. I recognize that others do not feel the same. They do not know Israel as I know Israel. They do not know Israelis as I know Israelis.

At present I am again in Israel traveling with congregants to learn more about the current situation. There is growing disaffection with Israel’s political leaders who many accuse of prioritizing their own political survival over the lives of soldiers and hostages. This past weekend there were large protests calling for new elections when Netanyahu will most likely face defeat. Six months into this war Israelis remain traumatized and pained.

There is anger at the Netanyahu government’s failures that led to the October 7th massacre. There is anger that the burden of service is not shared by the ultra-Orthodox. I came across a protest sign that reads, “Your brothers go to war while you stay here!?” There is anger that the world once again appears blind to Jews’ pain. There is disillusionment and sometimes, understandable despair. There is gratitude to those who travel here and continue their support.

I remain inspired by Israelis’ resilience. Their courage is enviable. The sense of “we are all in this together” is palpable. One unexpected example. We met with a young Bedouin woman who runs an organization devoted to women’s empowerment. She taught herself English by watching “Friends.” She is Muslim and wears a headscarf. Her boyfriend serves in the Israeli Defense Forces. Members of the Bedouin and Druze communities serve in the military and are Israeli citizens. On October 7th she lost family members and friends. Other Bedouins rescued people escaping the terrorist onslaught. She shared this remarkable story with the group. Everyone should watch the video.

She also told us that she has family members living in Gaza and was recently there attending a wedding. She described the difficulties crossing the border and how Hamas fighters questioned her. She refused their pressures. She despises Hamas. She worries about Israel’s soldiers and the hostages. She mourns those murdered. She worries about her Gaza family living seemingly nearby but in reality in a distant land. She worries that such a holy land could feel so cursed.

Her heart is broken and torn. We asked her how her family in Gaza is doing. We misunderstood her answer. “Yes, they must be angry,” we said. She responded, “No, they are not angry. They are hungry.” It’s even more basic. And now, I fear, they are even hungrier.

The hostages too are hungry. 134 people remain in captivity. It is now 180 days since they were captured. A new exhibit at hostage square displays half eaten pitas symbolizing how the captives must be scrounging for food. Another a long table with over 200 seats. Nearly half the table is neat and tidy with plates displaying the words “How good it is that you have come home.” The other half displays bottles of dirty water and filthy plates. People remain captive in underground tunnels.

I hear the words in my ears. They are hungry.

This is unforgivable.