Is Raf OK? -- Installment #162

2025-01-24 -- Tel Aviv & Jerusalem

Rafael Zimberoff

Jan 24, 2025

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First Time Here? Readers suggest starting with the expanded Gaza Explainer in #133 and #120.

Tags: 6 Min Read; Huge Relief!

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There is a ceasefire but the hatred remains unceasing - see the images of Palestinians welcoming their own people who were freed by Israel. (M.P.)

Israel releases hundreds of very violent men from prison in this process... (Killers who have collectively killed many dozens of people.)

Not a happy day.

And Elon Musk gives Nazi salutes and not even a small leaf of a tree is moving....

Musk knows exactly what he is doing. "How can he get away with it?" That day passed, perhaps when Biden was elected and didn't (or couldn't) take immediate actions to deal with the reality he inherited.

Perception catching up with reality is hard. Recent events in D.C. are an example. October 7 is an example. We say "perception is reality." My perspective is that this is constructive at the level of the individual. At the level of social systems, reality is what it is... Our perception/understanding of that reality may be constructively accurate. Or not. When Musk bought Twitter, one of his very first actions was to unblock the accounts of dozens (even hundreds) of Neo Nazis. He didn't have to do that. He wanted to. He bought Twitter for that purpose.

Unlike Germany, the U.S. has no anti-Nazi laws and there is a radically (unusually and uniquely) strong freedom of speech principle. With such ingredients, what could any person or U.S. institution do? (In the past, a billionaire would not enable Nazi agit-prop… but Musk was always transparent about why he wanted Twitter.)

Captured Lebanese Weapons, Part 4 (?)

In #148 we had a discussion of "what to do with all those weapons" captured in Lebanon.

A Ukrainian news source indicates there are discussions between Israel and Ukraine to send the arms to Kiev.

On the Honest Side of the Ledger...

IDF Chief of Staff Halevi, who has appeared in many clips on this blog, submitted his resignation:

The Oct. 7 failure will stay with me for rest of my life.
‘This decision [to resign] was made long ago [e.g. in the weeks following October 7]. Now, with the IDF holding the upper hand in all theaters of combat and with another hostage return agreement underway, the time has come’

One paragraph from his letter:

These achievements, first and foremost, belong to the IDF’s commanders and soldiers—my subordinates. IDF troops, both in active duty and reserves, from all sectors of Israeli society, stood up to fight this just war, fought with bravery and sacrifice, and emerged victorious in every encounter with the enemy. These accomplishments came at a heavy cost. We suffered the loss of some of our finest warriors, the bereaved families grew in number, and the war has left deep wounds and scars on many. The IDF will always remain committed to these families and to the memory of the fallen.

The full letter is here.

The IDF also announced:

The Commanding Officer of the Southern Command, MG Yaron Finkelman, informed the Chief of the General Staff of his decision to end his service in the IDF. [This resignation is for the same reason.]

Above: Editorial cartoon showing former Chief of Staff Halevi packing out of his office with a big “responsibility” load while Bibi ignores it.

Trump Disappointment Syndrome

David Meyers' essay is worth a read, particularly by those on the Israeli Right. A couple selected paragraphs (emphasis by Raf):

After the [U.S.] election [in November, 2024], Itamar Ben Gvir, Netanyahu’s extremist coalition partner and Minister of National Security, gleefully declared from the rostrum of the Knesset that “this is the time for sovereignty, this is the time for complete victory.” Now, two months later, he is out. Resigned in opposition to the hostage/cease fire deal that Biden and Trump collaborated to impose on Israel. The same deal that he proudly claims to have scuttled for months. Israel’s right wing is deeply disappointed, flipping between criticizing and rationalizing. They, along with thousands of warmly-dressed but not well-heeled supporters who hoped to attend Trump’s outdoor inaugural, are early victims of Trump Disappointment Syndrome, TDS 2.0.
... Having pulled out all the stops to flatter Trump, including huge posters in Israeli cities and other displays of fealty, Israel and American Jews simply can’t compete. While the Saudis have ornate scepters and fabulous glowing orbs, the best Israel can come up with is an abandoned settlement in Trump’s name and an extra serving of schnitzel at the state dinner. Perhaps more important, Trump craves global recognition and envisions himself a future Nobel Prize recipient (always chasing Obama). Only a move toward peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians can deliver that, while endless war and Israeli expansionism will only further divide Israel’s supporters from the rest of the world.

Dept of The Invisible

Items invisible in the Western media. (Now combined with the Postmark concept, to help consolidate topics by locale.)

Southern Syria

Syrian sources report on land preparation activities being carried out by the IDF at Western Tel Ahmar near the village of Qudna. Trucks carrying construction materials (gravel used as a base) and caravans have been observed being transported to this area.

Above: From the demilitarized zone in the Quneitra province.

Question: Imagine you are country A that has been in a declared state of war with country B for several decades. A demilitarized zone (DMZ) separates the respective armies. Now the government of B disappears (in a revolution). In other words, the counterparty that agreed to that DMZ no longer exists. What do you do?

Lebanon

Al-Akhbar Lebanese Newspaper:
The Israeli side informed the Ceasefire Monitoring Committee in Lebanon that the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon will be delayed beyond the 60 days stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.
No exact date has been provided for the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

And:

Israeli Prime Minister's Office Statement:
Under the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the gradual withdrawal of the IDF is intended to be completed within 60 days. This clause was worded with the understanding that the withdrawal process might extend beyond the 60-day timeframe.
The IDF's withdrawal is contingent upon the Lebanese Army deploying in southern Lebanon and fully and effectively enforcing the agreement, alongside Hezbollah's withdrawal beyond the Litani River.
Since Lebanon has yet to fully enforce the ceasefire agreement, the gradual withdrawal process will continue, in full coordination with the United States.
The State of Israel will not endanger its communities and citizens and will insist on the full implementation of its objectives in the north—ensuring the safe return of residents to their homes.
[via Amit Segal]

Aid to Gaza

UN: 915 aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip yesterday, Monday (Jan 20)
Gazan social media:
لا شايفين مساعدات ولا شايفين بضائع بأسعار مناسبة، يا أخي سكروا المعبر وما تخلوا حدا يتجمل علينا ويقولوا هينا بعتنا مساعدات..!!
We do not see any aid or goods at reasonable prices. Brother, close the crossing and do not let anyone act nice to us and say, “Here, you sent us aid.”

About Hamas

Hasni al-Attar, a Lebanese national living in Canada, explains how the clean uniforms worn by Hamas operatives after the ceasefire came into effect prove that Hamas uses Gaza's civilians as human shields.
"In times of peace [e.g. during the current ceasefire] you wear your military uniform, but in times of war you wear civilian clothes?"
He also comments on Hamas's "victory".

Seen in Bnei Brak (ultra religious city in Israel)

An agreement to draft 50% of the Haredi [ultra religious] community within seven years: Is consent to genocide.
[“Agreement” and “consent” are the same word in Hebrew.]

(In reference to the discussions in the Knesset over how to handle this topic.)

Seattle

Martin Niemoller wrote that. He was a Nazi sympathizer/supporter himself, turning against that movement after years of supporting it.

Relief Area

Alef: About Fafo....

(Referring to the TikTok/Instagram/Twitter star who played every role (injured person, concerned journalist, civil defense worker). He flooded social media with viral bits of Palestinian victimhood. Appeared here in #65, #146, #161 and others.)

Bet

For Americans, it is not surprising that folks around the administration are "bought" by one entity or another. The Commander in Chief himself has long been open about his own "bought" status. Israelis on the right may have to acclimate to the need to become the highest bidder.

Gimmel: Places to visit in Iran?

Short clip

After the fall of the Ayatollahs’ regime?

Dalet

Hey

(On the left are Reddit channels.)

[Reminiscent of that joke about the old Jew on the New York subway in 1938. He is reading Der Sturmer. Someone admonishes him: “How can you read that Nazi propaganda?” He answers: “What have you got there? The New York Times? What do you read? Looming war? Capitulations in Europe? Jews stuck in Europe? Pogroms in Germany? In my paper Jews control the banks! The movies! The governments! I feel like somebody!]