I have resisted reporting on recent hostage negotiations because of my distrust of Hamas - and my steadfast belief that the terror group does not negotiate in good faith.
I agree. People in the West make the mistake of thinking that this is a normal negotiation where two parties Who share a common goal negotiate in good faith to agree on the details of how to achieve that goal. Negotiating with Hamas is different. First, they never operate in good faith. Second, and more significantly, the goals of each side are vastly different. Israel wants peace and security while Hamas wants all Jews dead and not only in Israel. “Ceasefire now” simply means Israel relents so Hamas, which has been badly damaged, can regroup to launch another October 7 pogram as it has expressly stated it will do.
I am in Virginia visiting family. Up the street there is a sign “free Gaza.” Every time I pass it my wife or I remark that Gaza will be free only when Hamas is decapitated and replaced with a humane government genuinely interested in the health, welfare and future of ordinary Gazans.
Thanks for your note, my friend. I will have something to say about Trump in the coming days. And tomorrow I will have a Substack essay I think you would be interested in.
I agree. People in the West make the mistake of thinking that this is a normal negotiation where two parties Who share a common goal negotiate in good faith to agree on the details of how to achieve that goal. Negotiating with Hamas is different. First, they never operate in good faith. Second, and more significantly, the goals of each side are vastly different. Israel wants peace and security while Hamas wants all Jews dead and not only in Israel. “Ceasefire now” simply means Israel relents so Hamas, which has been badly damaged, can regroup to launch another October 7 pogram as it has expressly stated it will do.
I am in Virginia visiting family. Up the street there is a sign “free Gaza.” Every time I pass it my wife or I remark that Gaza will be free only when Hamas is decapitated and replaced with a humane government genuinely interested in the health, welfare and future of ordinary Gazans.
Thanks for your note, my friend. I will have something to say about Trump in the coming days. And tomorrow I will have a Substack essay I think you would be interested in.