Insights of the Nameless One

By Justine Hemmestad

“Papers aren't important,” the Nameless One earlier told me upon the signing of a presumed peace deal. 

He’s given me many glimpses into the fundamental differences between Middle Eastern and Western diplomacy, and I’ve learned how deeply Israel has been neglected in past peace deals.

“The question is how do you get all the hostages out including the bodies and how do you disarm Hamas, without military actions?” he questions.

Then on Sunday, when it became clear the hostages would be released, the Nameless One went into greater depth, and we at the Leader end Israel at War faithfully on his words.

First, he spoke of the relevance of the hour and day. “It’s nighttime in Israel, which means the seventh day of Sukkot has just begun.

“According to Kabbalistic tradition, each day of Sukkot we welcome a spiritual guest — an Ushpizin — into our sukkah (a temporary dwelling): Abraham on the first day, then Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and on the seventh day — King David, who represents both the Kingdom of Israel and the divine presence on earth (Malkhut).

“This is also the day when, in the days of the Temple, willow branches were placed upright beside the altar. The willow symbolizes the “sinners” of Israel — those who neither observe the commandments nor perform good deeds toward others.

“Yet without them, we are not a complete nation; just as one cannot bless the Four Species without the willow, we cannot build our unity without all of Israel’s people.

“And so it happens — on this very sacred day — that our brothers and sisters are returning home.

“Exactly two years after they were kidnapped (October 7, 2023), they are coming back on this day that leads into Simchat Torah, the joyful celebration marking the completion and renewal of the Torah reading cycle.

It’s unlikely that Trump or anyone involved in the negotiations realized the Hebrew calendar connection — which makes this timing feel even more guided by God.

“Our returning hostages are in devastating physical and emotional condition. We must pray for their healing. As for the bodies — some will return tomorrow, and others, we hope, soon.

“Israel, once again, is paying a painful price — releasing actual brutal terrorists in exchange for their freedom, including five to Jerusalem. I’ll save my thoughts on that deal for another time.

“If you see headlines like ‘The End of the War’ or ‘Peace Agreement,’ please remember

who we are dealing with.

“There is no power on earth that can separate a Palestinian militant from his weapon — not Trump, not Qatar, not Turkey, not Egypt — only the IDF.

“Right now, Gaza itself is consumed by internal strife: Hamas fighting rebels and clans, public executions, legs breaking, and all the barbarity of the 7th century on full display. So, no — I’m not holding my breath for any ‘peace deal.’

“Even if, by some miracle, the war in Gaza were truly over (which I doubt), the greater threats remain:

the Shiite axis — Hezbollah, Iran, Yemen — and the emerging Sunni axis involving Syria backed by Turkey and Egypt, as well as the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. These challenges are yet to be confronted.

“I rarely offer predictions, but here’s what I believe: 

“Israel will act with far greater aggression against threats from now on.

“The days of ‘containment’ — a Cold War concept never suited for religious jihadists — are over.

“We’ve learned to trust no one with our security.

“So the talk about Qatari, Turkish, Egyptian, or even ‘Palestinian’ forces dismantling Hamas, clearing tunnels, or recovering hostages — we’ve seen how useless such promises are.

“And the UN and its agencies must go.

“Israel cannot allow a hostile organization like UNRWA to maintain such a massive presence on our borders.

“How this will happen remains to be seen — but it must happen.

“So yes — it’s a moment for gratitude and hope. But not for euphoria.”

Editor’s Note: We at the Leader thank the Nameless One, from the bottom of our hearts, for giving rural central Iowa, half a world away, insight to the IDF and the Israeli people during the war. We’re fully aware of how special the opportunity was, and how unique our column was, and we know there were several of our readers who truly valued this inclusion in the Leader.