Why We Need A Ceasefire

It is for the good of the Greater War

I am working my way through Winston Churchill’s epic of the Second World War. It definitely provides some perspective on history, in general, and what we are currently living through, in particular.

I am jotting down a few observations here about the current ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah (even though they are not even signed on it) and where that leaves us.

First of all, even though this is not over, I want to give thanks to Gd: וְנָתְ֒נוּ יְדִידִים זְמִירוֹת שִׁירוֹת וְתִשְׁבָּחוֹת בְּרָכוֹת וְהוֹדָאוֹת לְמֶֽלֶךְ אֵל חַי וְקַיָּם: רָם וְנִשָּׂא גָּדוֹל וְנוֹרָא מַשְׁפִּיל גֵּאִים וּמַגְבִּֽיהַּ שְׁפָלִים מוֹצִיא אֲסִירִים וּפוֹדֶה עֲנָוִים וְעוֹזֵר דַּלִּים וְעוֹנֶה לְעַמּוֹ בְּעֵת שַׁוְּ֒עָם אֵלָיו

…and the beloved ones offered hymns, songs, and praises, blessings and thanksgiving to the King, the Almighty, [Who is] living and enduring. (He is) exalted and uplifted, great and awesome; He humbles the haughty and raises the lowly. He frees the captives and redeems the humble, helps the impoverished, and He answers His people when they cry out to Him. (Sefaria, prayers after Shema)

And thanks and deep gratitude to all the soldiers who gave everything to protect Israel, to their families who made their efforts possible, and to all our leaders who strive to protect Israel and destroy our enemies.

There are no longer constant sirens and alerts going off across the north. The roaring of the planes has diminished although still to be heard, and most of the schools are back to in-class learning.

Whether you think we are still in the War of Independence circa 1948 or in the most recent iteration of the Arab-Israeli conflict, this is not over. There are a lot of questions regarding the ceasefire but given the circumstances it seems the right step in the current war.

Hezbollah: We have soundly defeated Hezbollah in this battle. Even though there is no surrender and they are not destroyed, they are a remnant of what they were. But this was just one battle in a wider war. We have given ourselves time to focus on other issues. This battle and the others to be fought with Iran will determine the security of not only the northern border but all of Israel.

The United States of America: We have managed to play the diplomatic game forced upon us by America’s weakness. It is a sad state of a proud nation when its administration, which has allowed Hezbollah figures with American blood on their hands and bounties on their heads worth millions of dollars to run free for decades, pressures an ally into a ceasefire against a shared enemy.

Lebanon: A failed state, which has been cowed by Hezbollah and Iran into irrelevance. Israel’s severely weakening Hezbollah has opened up new doors for the Christians, Sunnis and Druze to reclaim their future and repair what was ravaged by the PLO so many years ago. However, there is so much animosity and distrust amongst the different factions that success is far from given.

France: Not a failed state but certainly a failed entity on the diplomatic stage. They have a great deal of responsibility for Lebanon’s sorry state of affairs. It seems they only get involved when Israel is involved. Where were they decades ago when the country needed them, and where have they been while Hezbollah rose to power and imposed its will?

The Druze: The arming and support of the Druze communities in Syria and Lebanon may go a long way to building a stable region, suppressing Hezbollah even more, and driving the Iranians away from the borders. Israel should continue to act in this direction.

The Hostages: Given the current situation, Israel should pour whatever forces are necessary into Gaza to recover the hostages. Israel should establish several zones completely under its control (ie. Northern Gaza, along the Israel border, etc.) and move all women, children and elderly into them. No humanitarian aid anywhere else will be allowed except in these zones. Everyone is checked. Everyone who will give information concerning the hostages should be encouraged to do so. At the same time, our forces go block by block. Hamas is dead. There is no organization controlling the hostages anymore. It is a disaster and Israel should act accordingly until everyone is brought home.

Iran: Another once powerful and proud nation which has chosen a path of death and destruction. Israel must move with or without the US to destroy the Jihadist regime that rules the country. We must support the Kurds and other ethnic groups looking to break away from the Republic. We must continue raiding Iranian weapons storage sites, production facilities and nuclear assets. It does not have to happen all at once. Every week, a few times a month. A relentless and persistent destruction of its military and regime capabilities.

Sooner or later they will collapse and, if we are committed to this just war, there is not much they can do about it.

Britain entered into war with Germany in 1940. They fought alone until the Germans turned on the Soviets, with only material support from the US. The war was not over until 1945. Our expectations of a quick war have been shattered this year, and well they should be. If we are to be victorious we must see this for what it is, a War of Survival and indeed, Independence.

Meir