DAY 253 OF THE WAR: Nine IDF Soldiers Killed, Conflicting Views on Palestinian Opinion, Ultra-Orthodox Draft and Ben Gurion

Tel Aviv Diary, June 15, 2024

ZOOM CALL TOMORROW— Sunday, June 16th, 6 PM Israel Time, 4 PM London, 11 AM ETD, 8 AM PTD- Invitations Will go out in the morning.

Today's events starkly contrasted those of last Saturday. Last weekend, Saturday was filled with hopeful speculation, culminating joyfully in the confirmation that hostages had been rescued, finally allowing for a national “breath of air.” In contrast, this morning was marred by distressing rumors regarding the deaths of soldiers in Rafah. Sadly, at 6 PM, these rumors were confirmed with the heartbreaking national “gut punch” with the news that eight soldiers from the Engineering Corps had lost their lives in Rafah.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, a small convoy of “Nah’mehr” Engineering Corps (APC) carriers were making their way into Rafah’s Tel Sultan neighborhood after a night of fighting there. Suddenly, one of the Namers in the middle of the group exploded. The explosion was devastating, and all eight soldiers inside were killed. As of now, the cause of the disastrous explosion — whether a mine, a remotely triggered IED, or something else— remains unclear.  The Nah’mehr was carrying explosives on its exterior, which no doubt exacerbated the destructive effect of the attack. Major efforts were expended to prevent Hamas terrorists from attempting to take the bodies.

Heavy fighting continues in Rafah, and it’s expected that the combat will persist for at least another two weeks. What will happen after Rafah is not clear. Reports indicate that the US Administration will make another attempt to push for a ceasefire in Gaza once Israel completes its Rafah operation.

Late tonight, it was also announced that Sergeant Yair Roitman (19) succumbed to injuries he received from an explosion in a building last week.

.

LEBANON

During the last four days, Hezbollah fired over 400 projectiles at Israel. Today was the first relatively quieter day, with only four barrages. In addition, a suspicious projectile launched from the East was intercepted and shot down before it could reach Israel. The Shite Militia in Iraq took responsibility for sending the drone, which they allege was aimed at Haifa.

The expectation is that Hezbollah may try to expand the scope of its targets in the coming week. Israeli government sources suggest that after the Rafah operation is completed, Israel will allow the US a few weeks to attempt to broker a settlement in the North. However, should negotiations fail, there will be no choice but to initiate a more extensive military action in Lebanon. Analysts both within and outside of government are questioning whether a more favorable deal can be reached following a military action and whether the potential cost of this action would be justified.

PALESTINIAN POLL & OPINIONS

There are two very different views on Palestinian public opinion. The first is very pessimistic, and it comes from the Ramallah-based Arab World Research and Development that I have reviewed in the past.

According to the Arab World Research and Development survey:

• 67% of Palestinians support the 10/7 attack despite the consequences.

• 61% prefer Hamas to govern Gaza over almost any other option.

• Majority view armed struggle as best way to achieve their goals.

• 65% oppose a two-state solution, even if it means getting a Palestinian state.

• 67% believe Hamas will win the war.

  

  

  

  

Rahim Mohamed presents a second, very different viewpoint: The Gazan dissidents standing at the ready to replace Hamas. In the article, Mohamed claims Gazans don't support Hamas and are just waiting for someone to replace them.

A third, different article—very much worth reading— is by Hussein Ibish, someone I respect and have been in touch over the years. The title says it all: For Hamas, Everything is Going According to Plan.

THE U.S. APPROACH

There are growing attempts to pressure Hamas to accept the deal presented by President Biden. Yesterday, Biden said that Hamas is the only thing standing in the way of a ceasefire.  The G7 issued a similar statement blaming Hamas and reiterating, once again, that Israel has accepted that agreement.

President Biden also issued a statement regarding the antisemitic events of the last week:

The horrific acts of Antisemitism this week – including a demonstration celebrating the 10/7 attack, vandalism targeting Jewish homes, attacks on Jewish faculty at college campuses, and harassment of subway riders – are appalling. Antisemitism doesn't just threaten Jewish Americans. It threatens all Americans and our fundamental democratic values.

ULTRA-ORTHODOX DRAFT

This week is expected to be a difficult week politically. Tomorrow, the government is set to approve a law extending the service of regular, active-duty soldiers, increasing the number of days that reservists serve each year, and raising the age limit for reserve duty. Simultaneously, the next steps will be taken to present a law exempting the ultra-Orthodox from service. I recently came across this letter from Ben-Gurion to Levi Eshkol at a moment when the ultra-Orthodox were protesting against the possibility of being drafted into the military 60 years ago:

Sde Boker, September 12, 1963

Dear Eshkol,

I don't believe you require advice on government affairs, and I certainly have no intention of offering any. However, the zealots' rampage has exceeded all bounds, and I feel somewhat responsible for this situation:

I granted yeshiva students exemptions from military service when their numbers were small. However, their numbers have grown. Their riots now threaten the state's honor. We cannot afford to be perceived by the world in the same light as Alabama or South Africa.

I propose that any yeshiva student aged 18 and over who is caught in an illegal assembly, throwing stones—rioting against civilians, or engaging in violent and thuggish acts—should be immediately drafted into the army and serve as any young Israeli for 30 months—not in a religious role, but as a regular soldier. In general, perhaps we should reexamine whether yeshiva students should be exempt from military duty, but certainly, lawbreakers should not enjoy this questionable privilege.

Wishing you a Happy New Year,

D. Ben-Gurion

A MUST WATCH

One of our readers sent me this video clip from Sky News Australia, described as a “MUST WATCH”— Sky News Australia tears apart the leftist media reporting on the Israeli hostage rescue. These 8 minutes of brilliance perfectly deconstruct eight months of left-wing lunacy with honorable mentions of the worst of the worst—“some things are so stupid, you'd have to be a UN official to say them” https://x.com/ChaskelBennett/status/1800497608286171337

ANOTHER WORTHWHILE READ

As some of you may know, I am working on a book that covers Israeli History from the Rabin Assassination to the current war.  I came across an article in the New York Times by Zeev Chefetz, written two days after the assassination of Rabin:

Such behavior has made the fundamentalists, many of them West Bank settlers, unpopular with the Israeli mainstream. Yet they have been tolerated. In the past, both the Labor and Likud parties have sought alliances with mainstream Orthodox parties, which are sympathetic to the fundamentalists. Since the Oslo peace accords, the Likud has actively courted the fundamentalists, seeing them as political shock troops in the fight for the West Bank.

But political expediency doesn’t entirely explain the militants' success. Sentiment also plays a major part. The rabbis exploit some religious symbols —Jewish holidays, sacred artifacts, the teachings of the Talmud — venerated by mainstream Israelis. Then there was the myth that Jews would not physically attack one another — that no matter how bitter the fundamentalists' rhetoric and deadly their attacks on Palestinians, they would never spill the blood of fellow Jews.

The murder of Yitzhak Rabin proves otherwise. Security authorities have belatedly recognized this and wrapped his successor, Shimon Peres, whom Mr. Amir said he had also intended to kill, in a security blanket that is unprecedented in Israel.

But bodyguards and bulletproof vests will not suffice. To survive, democratic Israel must knock the fundamentalist rabbis off their pedestals and lock up their violent disciples.

This means cutting off public funds to schools and youth organizations that indoctrinate children in anti-democratic ideals, strictly enforcing laws against inciting violence, court-martialing soldiers who refuse to carry out orders to remove settlers, disarming settlers with histories of violence, and cracking down on the illegal Jewish terrorist organizations Kach and Kahane Chai.

It also means that voters must let politicians of both parties know that they will be severely punished at the polls if they make common cause, overtly or covertly, with the fanatics.

Israelis must take a long step along the road from tribal solidarity to modern nationhood. It is a necessary step but not an easy one. That is why the majority is so silent now. We realize that our future words -- and actions -- will be painful ones.

Instead of being ostracized, these same people who incited violence and celebrated Rabin’s assassination now hold vital ministerial positions in the Israeli government.

U.S. Central Command Update (June 14)

In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed two Houthi uncrewed surface vessels (USV) in the Red Sea. Additionally, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen over the Red Sea.

Separately, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed seven Iranian-backed Houthi radars in a Houthi-controlled area in Yemen. Thesee Houthis to target maritime vessels and endanger commercial shipping. It was determined that radars allow th these systems presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. This action was taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.

TRAVEL

El Al is entering into an agreement with Boeing to purchase 30 of its 737 Max aircraft. The planes are scheduled to begin arriving in 2027, marking the most significant purchase in El Al’s history.

–––––∞–––––∞–––––∞–––––∞–––––∞–––––∞–––––∞–––––

A PIECE OF HISTORY

1975 Savoy Hotel Terror Attack

The Savoy Hotel terror attack, which unfolded on March 5, 1975. The attack began when eight PLO terrorists infiltrated Israel from the sea, using Zodiac boats launched from Lebanon. This daring entry was intended to surprise the Israeli Defense Forces, catching them off guard. Upon landing on a beach near the Savoy Hotel in Tel Aviv, the terrorists commandeered a taxi, forcing the driver to take them directly to their target.

.

Upon reaching the hotel, the terrorists swiftly overran the building, taking over ten hostages, including both guests and staff. Their demands were clear: the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The situation quickly escalated into a tense standoff, with Israeli security forces, including the elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit, surrounding the hotel.

Efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution were made but ultimately failed. The Israeli authorities, facing a rapidly deteriorating situation, decided to storm the hotel in the early hours of March 6th. The operation was fraught with danger, and a fierce gun battle erupted between the terrorists and the Israeli commandos. Amid the chaos, a large explosion—likely caused by a grenade or explosives planted by the terrorists—added to the destruction and confusion.

The rescue operation, although ultimately successful in neutralizing the terrorists, came at a heavy cost. Eight hostages were killed during the attack, and three Israeli soldiers lost their lives in the assault. Seven of the eight terrorists were killed, and the sole surviving militant was captured and later sentenced to life imprisonment.