
The last seven days since my last column have been extremely eventful around the world. Between yesterday’s Inauguration, to getting a chance to tour the Eaton Fire area in Altadena with Rabbi Hanoka from Chabad of Pasadena and the Consul General of Israel Israel Bachar on Wednesday, and then turning around and taking my colleagues from the Jewish Federation of LA on a tour on Friday, to the agreement between Israel and Hamas on a three-phased approach to ending the 15-month war and release of all of the hostages, it has been a very full week.
Today, I thought I would focus my column on the ceasefire because it is a very BIG deal. While it did take a few extra days to get resolved following reports on Wednesday that it had been agreed upon, the images and videos of Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari (the three released hostages) being released elicited an outcry of tears and excitement all around the world.
I cannot even begin to imagine what it must’ve been like for them to finally be able to hug their family (and vice-versa) and begin the very difficult challenge of recovery, not just physically but mentally and emotionally, from the horrors of the October 7 kidnapping and attacks, let alone the over 470 days being held in captivity. The outpouring of love and joy will hopefully carry them through the long, long, long road ahead.
So many questions regarding all of this are still not answered, including why did the Red Cross not do more for the hostages like they usually do in similar crises, let alone was this the best deal possible between Israel and Hamas. I know that there will continue to be many discussions and perspectives about what the Israelis had to give up (i.e., the number of Palestinians held in Israeli jails, many convicted of heinous crimes and serving life sentences) in order to guarantee the release of the hostages and sign the ceasefire agreement. And yet, it really should come as no surprise because of how much Israel and Jews all around the world value life. Remember back in October 2011 when Gilad Shalit, the IDF Soldier who was captured in 2006, was released after 5 years of being held in captivity and was exchanged for 1027 Palestinian prisoners. We find ourselves in a similar situation.
As the 42 days of the first phase of the ceasefire plays out and more and more hostages are released, I am hopeful that the negotiators are able to come to reasonable terms so that the agreement can move into Phase 2 and, subsequently, Phase 3… ultimately bringing lasting peace…for the foreseeable future.
Only time will tell if this is able to happen, but we celebrate today and look forward to this coming Saturday when the next hostages are able to be wrapped in the loving arms of their family and friends.
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