Running and Gunning
“To hold the support of the Jewish supremacists in his cabinet — some of whom want Israel to erect settlements in Gaza as soon as possible — Netanyahu has to declare now that the Palestinians will have no legitimate, independent representation in Gaza or the West Bank. Yes, I know it is hard to believe, but Netanyahu is campaigning in the middle of this war. It is time for President Biden to create a moment of truth for everyone — for Netanyahu, for the Palestinians and their supporters, for Israel and its supporters and for AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby. Biden needs to make clear that America will not be Netanyahu’s useful idiot. We are going to lay down the principles of a fair peace plan for the morning after this war — one that reflects our interests and that will also enable us to support Israel and moderate Palestinians and win the support of moderate Arabs for an economic reconstruction of Gaza after the war.” In the NYT (Gift Article), Tom Friedman argues the US has to be more demanding about a postwar (and post-Bibi) peace plan. The Most Revealing Moment From My Trip to Israel. (It all sounds good but seems impossible…)
+ In other news that sounds better than good but at this point seems hard to believe, there are increasing reports of a potential deal to free some of the Israeli hostages. David Ignatius in WaPo (Gift Article) with an outline of the terms being discussed. Israel and Hamas close in on a deal to free dozens of hostages. “A temporary cease-fire of perhaps five days would accompany the exchange of hostages and prisoners, the Israeli official said. This truce would allow safe travel for the Israeli captives. It could also permit more international assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza and should ease the humanitarian crisis there.”
+ “My decades of experience in the region taught me that Palestinian and Israeli parents may say different prayers at worship but they share the same hopes for their kids—just like Americans, just like parents everywhere. That is why I am convinced Hamas must go. On October 7, these terrorists killed babies, raped women, and kidnapped innocent civilians. They continue to hold more than 200 hostages. They have proved again and again that they will not abide by cease-fires, will sabotage any efforts to forge a lasting peace, and will never stop attacking Israel.” Hillary Clinton: Hamas Must Go.
+ US intel confirms Hamas has bases and tunnels under hospitals, rains making life even more miserable for displaced Palestinians. Here’s the latest from CNN, BBC, and Times of Israel.
