I wasn’t going to write today. But then I realized I must.
The Prime Minister of Israel released verified and confirmed pictures of babies decapitated, burned, and murdered during the attack on Kfar Aza by the savage minions of Hamas. They are on twitter(X). He did it in response to those in the media and elsewhere that have argued the atrocities did not happen or were exaggerated (No different than Holocaust deniers). Other than the picture of a child’s room above, I will not show the pictures. But we should all remember those children—not just for what they say about Hamas’ depravity, but also as a litmus test for Israel’s detractors.
It is not sufficient for supposedly neutral observers to say 1,300 Israelis were killed by Hamas militants (I rebel with every fiber of my being against those that call them militants rather than murderers or terrorists) and then turn to what Israel supposedly did, or is now doing, wrong. Not properly describing the widespread depravity that Israeli civilians endured when evaluating Israel’s response is a “tell” that the supposed analyst is biased. And, those that suggest Israel brought this on herself forgive the perpetrators of any guilt and by inference give absolution for their heinous deeds. Absolution only given when those killed are Jews. Likewise, those that seek to score political points from the macabre deaths of those children should be ashamed of the themselves—and we should shame them.
But, as I said yesterday, I think this message is getting through. Everywhere, I am seeing evidence of people speaking out publicly who had not before—constantly and vociferously, with passion and erudition. Also, just in my own experience, I have been inundated with messages from friends and acquaintances of concern and understanding. Word of Hamas’ evil nature is getting out.
But today, one example of pushing back stood out for me. It came from my close friend, Barry Goldstein. For sometime, he has avidly read a newsletter that included summaries of daily events from an individual that he respected. But then came a newsletter with this particular writer’s description of what happened in Israel. Barry was incensed. Although he is an artist and not one to whom the written word easily flows, he penned the following blistering response. I thought it so perfect, and so applicable for so much of the crap masquerading as dispassionate fact these days, that I sought his permission to reproduce it for you. Here it is:
Heather Cox Richardson
"Letters from an American"
Dear Ms. Richardson,
I have great respect for your work and appreciate the education I receive from your writings.
However, I am deeply concerned over your reporting of the Hamas invasion of Israel and surrounding events.
I must assume you know the power of your words and the semantics of your communication.
In an attempt to contextualize current events within broader and long-lasting Middle East struggles, you have bedaubed your readers with a blurred lens of relativism and have thereby excused for your readers, the pure and unadulterated evil of terrorists, the Hamas terrorist organization, and their supporters. You have in no uncertain terms acted as a bullhorn for opposing perspectives, ideologies and intentions which in effect has obfuscated any recognition of pure evil and heinous Hamas acts for what they are.
Heinous acts should not seek to be understood!
There can never be a viable explanation for evil and heinous actions.
A primary tenet of Hamas' Charter (and the Charters of Iran, and Iran's other proxies, e.g., Hezbollah in Lebanon & Syria) is the complete annihilation of Jews and the Jewish State of Israel. Please be clear about this.
Israel has a right to defend itself and has a right to defend each and every one of its citizens. This should be no different than America's right to defend ourselves and our citizens.
In the coming days, weeks and months, the violence of war will rear its ugly head.
Death, mutilation, hunger and strife of innocent people will be broadcast through myriad channels. Events and circumstances will be twisted and recontextualized to fit alternative ideologic, social, economic and political motivations. What will be real and what will be fictitious will be difficult if not impossible to discern - especially from our distance.
For you to report any Middle Eastern issues without having at the very least a well-researched and scholarly understanding if not personal experience of the events you are reporting on, will be to spread as much disinformation as information to your readers.
Please stop reporting on Israel.
Please let President Biden's incisive words stand and remain clear about the inexcusability of evil and Israel's unquestionable right to defend itself.
Evil is nothing short of evil. And, evil intentions are nothing short of what they are.
Thank you for listening.
Respectfully,
Barry
Barry Goldstein
HeartoftheOnion.com
Well said Barry, and thank you for taking the time to do so. Ripples makes waves and the actions of every one of us that pushes back makes a difference.
To all my readers. For the last few days, I have been sending this newsletter out daily. I will slow the pace to every two or three days now, unless events require otherwise. I will also devote special editions to rebutting articles or opinion pieces I find especially objectionable that have wide circulation.
And, to those who have recently become subscribers—I thank you so much. And, to those who have been with me from early on, you formed the base from which views of this newsletter has increased—from three to tenfold depending on the issue. And so I thank you very much too.
Collectively, we have a job to do. To do our small part to give Israel the space and time to eradicate Hamas. And to help ensure that Israel survives.
And to all of you receiving this bi-monthly newsletter, please write to me about what you think could be improved. While normally this newsletter exclusively focuses on Hezbollah, October 7, 2023, mandates that for now I do something different. And, of course, unsubscribe if you would rather not get this. But, if you think it worthwhile, please forward this newsletter to anybody who you think would be interested in reading it.
Israel’s Struggle with Hezbollah—A War Without End is now available in eBook and hardback format on Amazon and IngramSpark. This compelling narrative explores Hezbollah’s origins and cancerous growth, traces Israel’s response, and reveals Israel’s present readiness to meet Hezbollah’s challenge.
Cliff Sobin
Important Link—Alma Research and Education Center: Understanding the Security Challenges on Israel’s Northern Border