There are no words to express the anguish and sadness we are all feeling for the families of Hersh Goldberg-Polin H’y’d, Ori Danino H’y’d, Eden Yerushalmi H’y’d, Alex Lubanov H’y’d, Carmel Gat H’y’d, and Almog Sarusi H’y’d. On Oct 7th, our hearts were ripped to pieces for the victims of the horrendous murders, rapes, burning, mutilation, and kidnappings. 250 hostages were brutally taken. Today, we mourn the senseless murder of 6 of those cherished souls.
We heard their stories of heroism, sacrifice, going back for friends, and courageous efforts to protect others.
Their valiant families tried to stay strong, to stay optimistic, and to encourage everyone to help them be reunited with their loved ones. They did everything humanly possible to keep the world awake and caring about their family members. They spoke all over, to everyone and anyone. They called for loving one another, for unity, and for prayer. They organized parades, hung signs, yelled, and begged. Many traveled the world, beseeching all governments, Israel, the U.S., the U.K., etc, to come to their aid to find a way to bring their loved ones home.
With their families, we cried for them, rooted for them, advocated on their behalf, and desperately prayed for their safe return. We gathered to do what little we could to support their frightened, broken, struggling families. We hung posters, wrote songs, wrote articles, said tehillim, baked Challahs, and did whatever chessed we could think of, in their merit.
The Israeli government and the Israeli army were and still are determined to get our hostages back. So many young men and women have sacrificed their precious lives in this effort. Countless parents, siblings, spouses, children, relatives, and friends have had their lives torn apart, with their family members on the battlefield; many of whom have not, and tragically others who may not, return.
The greatness and weakness of Jews is that we value life. The terrorists know this. Israel is being so careful not to go in and bomb Gaza, first and foremost, because our precious hostages are there. Secondly, we don’t believe in killing innocent Palestinians (Although 80 percent of Palestinians support Hamas). Of course, because we are Jews, we have to be mindful of world opinion even though Hamas's strategy is to use their women and children as human shields. The Biden-Harris administration is more concerned about the Moslem and woke vote, so they sacrifice the U.S.’s only ally in the Middle East to win the election. The blood of these six innocent martyrs is on their heads.
Many people, rather than placing the blame on the beasts, Hamas, are furious with PM Netanyahu for not making a deal with Hamas. No one seems to remember that in 2005, Yahya Sinwar was a prisoner in Israel. Hamas had kidnapped a soldier Gilad Shalit, who had been held for five years. Israel traded Sinwar, the architect of the October 7th massacre (after curing him of brain cancer), together with 1006 other prisoners to get Gillad back to Israel and his long-suffering, loving parents.
I am certain that Netanyahu, feeling the pain and anguish of these families, is trying desperately, no matter the consequences, to make a hostage trade, willing to give thousands of prisoners for each one of ours. But besides the release of thousands of terrorists, Hamas is demanding a total permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from Gaza, control of the Netzarim Corridor, which would allow free movement of Hamas from Southern Gaza to the North, and control of the Rafa Crossing and the Philadelphia Corridor along the Egypt Gaza border. This deal would hopefully get some of our hostages back, but it would give Hamas and Iran a victory, indeed weaken Israel’s defense, and lead to future, bolder attacks and more kidnappings in their quest for our annihilation.
Netanyahu has tried desperately to achieve a hostage deal. Sadly, the world forgets that he is negotiating with terrorists who don’t want an agreement that would return all the hostages as well as ensure the safety of Israel.
No one can imagine the horrific, torturous pain, unfathomable depth of fear, and insane level of helplessness the hostage families are experiencing. No one can blame them for screaming in frustration against the Israeli government. Still, sadly, Jews fighting among ourselves is counter-productive. Netanyahu can not agree to any deal that, in the long run, will be detrimental to Israel.
Whenever we attempt to appease terrorists, as we did by giving up Gush Katif, which became Gaza, and giving the Arabs control of Har Habayis and Maaras HaMachpayla, control which causes endless fighting and attacks, in the long run, Israel pays a horrific price.
The onus and pressure must be put on Iran. Sanctions must be initiated to choke off their money supply by inhibiting or blocking their sale of oil, the sole source of their billions to sponsor global terror by Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Huthis, and to end their nuclear capabilities. The American government must stop pressuring and holding back Israel and start severely pressuring Iran.
Sadly, regarding these six beautiful hostages, our hopes have been crushed. It is beyond human understanding to comprehend G-d’s plan. Even under such heart-wrenching, devastating circumstances, we must trust Hashem has a plan that is for our best. These families have paid the ultimate price, and It is our job to continue to do what we can to help these heartbroken families, pray for them to have strength, cherish the memories of their loved ones, and somehow find solace. We continue to pray for the remaining hostages, for all the soldiers, and the survival, safety, and peace of Israel.
By Ruki Renov
