Breaking Free From the Illusion of the Peaceniks

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Breaking Free From the Illusion of the Peaceniks."

The overall lesson is to stay focused on the things in life that are right and true—connecting the dots, connecting with others, correcting past mistakes, and learning and growing to be the best person you can be every day. From the perspective of achieving peace and security for Israel, understand that this means directly confronting the terrorist aggressors and their false propaganda. What we're after is a real solution and not yet another photo opportunity.

(Source Photo: IDF via https://www.flickr.com/photos/idfonline/51572163819/in/album-72157719986826193)

Breaking Free From the Illusion of the Peaceniks

Trump's Three Steps to Middle East Peace

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Trump's Three Steps to Middle East Peace."

In his second term, Trump can achieve what has eluded his predecessors: enduring and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. This aspiration can be realized through three historic and positively impactful initiatives:

1. Neutralizing the Iranian Nuclear Threat: A decisive elimination of Iran’s threatening nuclear facilities is essential to prevent the radical and irrational leadership of the mullahs and Ayatollahs from jeopardizing global security with weapons of mass destruction.
2. Expanding the Abraham Accords: The finalization of a peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, along with other progressive Muslim nations yearning for peace and prosperity for their populations and a brighter future for all.
3. Achieving the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Plan: The conclusion of the Israeli-Palestinian 2020 Trump Peace Plan that addresses the longstanding conflict, permits Israel to annex the strategic Area C of the West Bank, including the Jordan Valley and establishes a limited two-state solution allowing Palestinians to live freely and with dignity while ensuring peace and security for Israel.

(Photo via https://pixabay.com/photos/dove-freedom-peace-trust-prayer-3426159/)

Trump's Three Steps to Middle East Peace

Israel: Time to Go All In

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Israel: Time to Go All In."

Israel is currently under attack from multiple terrorist groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and radical Islamic jihadists. Despite being targeted by various weapons, Israel's military superiority and alliances have helped it defend against most threats. Adversaries resort to terrorism, targeting civilians and using human shields. Israel has eliminated terrorists, destroyed missile sites, and countered threats effectively. Moving forward, options include maintaining the status quo, appeasing terrorists, or applying overwhelming force. Israel faces an existential threat and may need to escalate to de-escalate the conflict. Prayers are for protection, unity, and lasting peace in this challenging situation. Israel may escalate militarily to subdue enemies and create conditions for peace.

(AI generated image via Designer)

Israel: Time to Go All In

One, Two, Three, Knockout

Please see my new article in the Times of Israel called "One, Two, Three, Knockout."

Israel has achieved a significant milestone by eliminating Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in a precise airstrike in Beirut. This marks the second phase of Israel’s strategic plan to counter radical Jihadist Iran and its terrorist proxies. Following the defeat of Hamas in Gaza, Israel is now focused on dismantling Hezbollah in Lebanon. The plan includes advancing armored forces to the Litani River to recreate a buffer zone, providing strategic depth and setting the stage for future peace negotiations. Israel aims to maintain control of this zone until a comprehensive peace agreement is reached, similar to the land-for-peace deal with Egypt in 1979. If Lebanon fails to pursue peace, Israel may consider making the demilitarized zone permanent or annexing the territory. The final phase will address the existential threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with Israel determined to secure its state from further aggression.

(AI generated image via Designer)

One, Two, Three, Knockout

Luv Israel!

Luv Israel!

For Israel: An Ode of Hope and Strength

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "For Israel: An Ode of Hope and Strength."

From north to south, from east to west,
Israel stands, facing the test.
Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran's terror might,
Yet in the darkness, shines our light.

With rockets, drones, and missiles’ flight,
We stand strong, we stand to fight.
G-d’s strength within, our hearts ignite,
In this battle of wrong and right.

Falsehoods spread, to cloud the truth,
Hostages taken, tears of youth.
But G-d’s hand guides, through every night,
In this divine, eternal fight.

Global Jihad, Intifada’s call,
Yet we rise, we will not fall.
From tanks to planes, from ships to words,
Our voices soar, our prayers heard.

Few against many, David’s might,
Miracles in the darkest night.
The Mashiach near, redemption’s song,
In Zion’s heart, we all belong.

The war is harsh, the pain is real,
Yet future’s light, we soon will feel.
Blessings, peace, prosperity,
In G-d’s embrace, humanity.

Sacrifice and truth, honor’s way,
Peace will come, a brighter day.
Israel’s light, for all to see,
G-d’s will done, eternally.

(AI generated image via Designer)

For Israel: An Ode of Hope and Strength

My Beloved Zion

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "My Beloved Zion."

Zionism is a tree on the river’s edge,
A shield for our people, through ages of dread.

It’s the ancient homeland, settled anew,
Where deserts bloom, and skies turn blue.

Zionism is G-d’s promise fulfilled,
The land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob still.

 (AI generated image via Designer)

My Beloved Zion

More Than "Just" a Magen David

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "More Than 'Just' a Magen David." 

Our response to antiSemitism and hate should be to embrace our Jewish identity all the more. In the words of the singer Benny Friedman:

I'm a Jew and I'm proud
And I'll sing it out loud
'Cuz forever
And ever
That's what I'll be
I'm a Jew and I'm proud
And without a doubt
Hashem is always watching over me

We are truly in the middle of a global attack on the Jewish people, and we cannot give up even one centimeter in our quest for freedom, peace, and security.

(Credit Photo: Virginia Humanities via https://www.flickr.com/photos/vfh/46913689764)

More Than "Just" a Magen David

Shabbat Shalom Flowers

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Shalom Flowers

Colorful Shabbat Shalom

Colorful Shabbat Shalom

Imagine Peace

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Imagine Peace."

Foes are turned into friends.
Families grow rather than attend early funerals.
Communities bustle and prosper rather than lie as dying evacuated ghost towns.
We all become part of a community of nations working to solve life's biggest problems, instead of planning how to maim and kill each other with greater pinpoint accuracy and effect.

(AI generated image from MS Designer)

Imagine Peace

Israel, You're on the Right Track

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Israel, You're on the Right Track."

The war of October 7 is truly one of light against darkness in the world. And not only against the evil terrorists but also their hateful, genocidal supporters around the globe who seek "intifada revolution," and our annihilation "by any means necessary." To defeat them, we need the ultimate faith in the Almighty and the determination to fight and win from Gaza to Iran.

Our strength is the combination of our dedication to serving Hashem and our mighty determination for our national and religious freedom in a world all too often of darkness, hate, and despair where rape is portrayed as resistance, where mutilation, murder, and hostage-taking are justified by those who reject peace and coexistence, and where their vile supporters chant their racism and hatred from city centers to cancer hospitals.

(AI generated image by Bing Copilot)

Israel, You're on the Right Track

Nobody Wanted War

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Nobody Wanted War."

We know that Israel wants more than anything to live in peace and that they have tried virtually everything to make peace with their neighbors, including multiple offerings of a state for the Palestinians (and even giving in to practically their every demand, often to the Israelis own detriment), only to meet with one repeated rejection after another reiterating the Arab League's Khartoum Resolution: "no peace with Israel, no negotiation with Israel, and no recognition of Israel."

After October 7, the deadly abuse absolutely could not continue any longer.

There is a time to walk away and a time for necessary action.

(AI generated image via Craiyon)

Nobody Wanted War

Two Buddhas

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Two Buddhas

Night Sky Before WW3

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Night Sky Before WW3

Everyone Stand With Israel!

(Photo via Facebook)

Everyone Stand With Israel!

Not By Strength Alone

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Not By Strength Alone."

For Israelis and Jews around the world, success includes being powerful enough to defend ourselves from no longer being every demagogue and dictator's scapegoat, but much more than that, it means that we become a true "light unto nations." We want to be a democracy anchored in freedom and human rights. We also want to be a "Jewish State" (it's the only one in the world!) that is a haven for every Jew to come home to and that is culturally and religiously Jewish (but not a Jewish dictatorship). Israel will not survive by strength alone but rather by the spirit of Hashem (Zechariah 4:6). And so our values are to follow in G-d's path and do good in the world, fix what's broken, and make it a better place, and that includes, as the prophet Isaiah said, "beating their swords into plowshares." Moreover, we understand that G-d is not only the creator but also the perpetual master of the universe, and it is He who decides whether Israel behaves righteously and ultimately whether she will merit to stand for the duration this time and, hopefully, the final time.

(Photo: Alexi Rosenfeld, IDF/Creative Commons via https://israelradar.com/israels-3-new-tricks-for-gaza-war-with-hamas/)

Not By Strength Alone

Shabbat Shalom Flower

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Shalom Flower

They Died So We May Speak

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "They Died So We May Speak."

Israelis are a people who are not afraid to speak their minds, and they are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. Regardless of the outcome of the current controversies, I am proud to be a part of the Jewish people, and I am confident that the citizens of the Holy Land will continue to be a beacon of hope for the world.

(Photo adapted from Israel Defense Forces via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1997_Israeli_helicopter_disaster_funeral.jpg)

They Died So We May Speak

Lessons in Peace, Inclusion, and Humanity

Please see my new video and article in The Times of Israel called "Lessons in Peace,Inclusion, and Humanity."

In this video, there are three stories from my recent Caribbean vacation, which include a conversation with a waiter about peace between Israelis and Palestinians, feeling unwelcome in a synagogue, and connecting with a stranger from India.

Lessons in Peace, Inclusion, and Humanity