Hamas’ Attack on Israel Backfires - Unity among Israelis has reached a height not seen in decades

November 9, 2023

By: Joseph Puder 

ITAI's WEEKLY MIDDLE EAST REPORT

G-d works in mysterious ways. His chosen people, in his chosen land, have never been more divided than in the days prior to October 7, 2023. The Judicial Reforms and the widespread demonstrations that lasted for almost 10 months reached a point of almost no return. Brother was set out against brother, and the Jewish state seemed on the verge of social and political collapse. Israeli air force pilots threatened to abstain from their reserve duties, and “Brothers-in-Arms” were leading demonstrations in Israel’s major cities.

Then, on Saturday, October 7, 2023, one of the most catastrophic events in Israel’s 75-year history occurred: the most brutal attack on Israeli civilians that is now appropriately called the “Black Shabbat.” On this date, 1,400 Israelis were brutally murdered by sub-human murderers who did not spare babies, the elderly, and entire families in kibbutzim who were found burned in an embrace reminiscent of the Holocaust horrors. These Hamas killers forced 240 Israelis out of their beds including children, young women whom they raped, and handicapped elderly. They dragged them to the Gaza tunnels, and they are still in captivity, which constitutes a clear war crime.

The complacency prior to October 7, 2023, turned into the realization that Israel is facing an existential threat. Israel’s deterrence, which alone guaranteed its survival is at stake following the Hamas attack, which may still become a wider war on several fronts. Reality itself has changed for Israel’s people. No longer petty quarrels, it is now a fight for the very existence of the Jewish state, the one refuge for the Jewish people who are now facing a hurricane of antisemitism in the diaspora.

A month after “Black Saturday,” millions of Israelis are volunteering to help the survivors of the destroyed kibbutzim with names seared in the nation’s collective memory; Kfar Aza, Beeri, Nachal Oz, Netiv Ha’asara, Re’em, etc. Israeli civilians are going out of their way to shower their soldiers with love and kisses, gifts, and support. Young people are volunteering to work in Kibbutz farms denuded by the murder and kidnapping of its kibbutzniks. People from all walks of life give of themselves, not asking who will receive their help. Personal beliefs and goals have been replaced by an outpouring of kindness and the spirit of unity that brings people together.

Stories of selfless sacrifice and scenes of heroism inspire. Israeli television channels have become uniformly patriotic, leaving the vitriol behind them, at least for now. This swell of emotions has melted the ice barriers dividing them before the tragic events of “Black Saturday.” Israelis are now opening their hearts to each other.

The Hamas murderers and their Iranian Ayatollah paymasters made a critical mistake when they decided to attack Israel because of their perception that Israeli society was falling apart. The demonstrations, and the rumbling among active and reserve military officers about not serving, gave encouragement to Israel’s enemies. But they did not plan on the spirit of unity in Israel when the nation was attacked in the most brutal and sadistic way. In times of crisis Israelis have banded together, and now more than ever because of the nature of the crimes committed against the innocent.

The Hamas leadership's murderous quest to kill all Israelis and Jews was blinded by antisemitic hate. Little thought went into the consequences of their dastardly attack. They did not anticipate Israel’s determination to end once and for all the Hamas menace. They expected another short Israeli campaign similar to previous operations by Israel that left their military infrastructure depleted but intact. Hamas leaders figured that the Ayatollahs of Iran would in no time replenish their rocket arsenal and all the other weapons of war.

Hamas’ destruction of the “Gardens of Eden” the kibbutzniks created in the desert, was the essence of the Zionist ethos. The courage and determination of the people of Sderot, Netivot, and Ofhakim, withstood years of rocket attacks from the Hamas’ dominated Gaza. The residents of these towns had their children growing up in shelters with less than 10 seconds time to reach these protective safe rooms. All of that made Israelis embrace their suffering and now grieving brethren from the destroyed Israeli communities. This time the people of these communities demand an end to their suffering, and every Israeli elsewhere in the country concurs. Hamas must be eliminated, and the Gaza Strip pacified.

The one thing Israelis have demanded of the country’s leadership is unity and their setting aside political bickering. The war cabinet’s three principals - Netanyahu, Gantz, and defense minister Yoav Gallant (from the prime minister’s Likud party), delivered an emotional address to the nation from the military headquarters in Tel Aviv last Wednesday evening. “The nation of Israel is united, and now the leadership is united. We’ve put aside all other considerations because the fate of our country hangs in the balance,” Netanyahu said. He continued, “Us standing here shoulder to shoulder is a clear message to our enemies. And more importantly, a message to all of Israel’s citizens – we are all together, we are all mobilizing.” Gantz added, pledging to win the war and “change the security and strategic reality in this arena.”

It would be blasphemous for this writer to imply that G-d would allow Hamas’ butchery of innocent Israelis in order to lead them to renewed unity. And, yet, as we know from Jewish history, the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed because of enmity and hate among brothers. If the current unity is to remain, then public discourse must be focused on continued brotherhood. G-d would have then accomplished his work in a mysterious way.