by Justine Hemmestad
The Leader
11-9-23
To put this week into perspective, tour guide and teacher, Itamar Ben David of Jerusalem, says that Israel’s goals are to demilitarize Gaza and get the hostages back. Israeli fury over their murdered and kidnapped citizens has translated militarily. There is, “a lot of action in Gaza” right now, he says, where a great deal of fighting has been taking place. Gaza City is surrounded, as well as is the northern part of Gaza. The anger of Israeli citizens is accentuated by knowing that rescue workers are still recovering bodies from the carnage of October 7. And there are still 242 hostages in Gaza. Ben David says that according to the Jewish concept of not disrespecting the dead, pictures of how bad the slaughter actually was will not be shown in the media. He also says that in Jewish law, it’s very bad not to be able to identify the dead, since they must have a funeral quickly after death. All Israelis, from all walks of life, are joining the war effort, Ben David says, since everyone “acknowledges that October 7 wasn’t just another round of violence.” The Army is even encouraging the Ultra Orthodox population, usually exempt from military service, to join its ranks by accommodating their religious necessities. Israel’s rage is consistently translated into Israel’s battle spirit. People feel there is no other way but to punish the ideology of Hamas itself. Israelis believe that Islamic terrorism must be uprooted. Ben David’s focus is on the national security of Israel, as citizens want this to be the ultimate - and last - war with Gaza. As a result, Israel does not consider their military use to be an act of revenge, but rather an act of justice. “Israel will not be silent right now,” Itamar asserts. Israeli thought is, “I don’t have any other land.” Though Arabs work in Israel, Ben David makes a point to say that the relationship is not the same as before October 7. The fabric of society that threads its way through the economy has fundamentally changed. There is very strong pressure on Muslims not to have solidarity with Israel. By contrast, Ben David recalls having been a teacher among a Bedouin tribe during his gap year before college. The nomadic, tribal life of the Bedouins predates Islam, says Ben David. The Bedouins live the adage: ”The guest is a poet,” and he relates the beauty of interacting with their culture. However, just as significant as their biblical-level hospitality is their tribal justice - or blood vengeance. He says in that regard, Palestinians are very similar. Ben David notes that some people say poverty leads to terrorism, however in reality it is actually terrorism that leads to poverty. He says that Hamas is at the root of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Hamas wants the UN to take care of the Palestinians, so they can focus on fighting Israel. Israel is leery of a cease fire because in the past, Hamas has attacked whenever it suits them. They adhere to Yasser Arafat’s 1994 description of the Oslo peace accords as “temporary peace accords.” Ben David is additionally concerned by the West’s charitable attitude toward Hamas, when drug money and international aid money is what funds the terrorists. In that regard, he says that a portion of America’s reaction to Hamas has been along the lines of: “Inclusivity to those who aren’t inclusive, “Tolerance to those who aren’t tolerant, “Not judging those who constantly judge you.”
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