My position generally is that as an American, I do not believe it is my place to criticize Israel’s government. When it comes to the hostage deal, I will not even attempt to state an opinion except to note that no deal is perfect. It is such a complex issue with competing interests. There is the interest of reducing the number of military casualties and winning the war against the lives of the hostages. If the war stops even for a few days, it will be harder to restart it. On the other hand, it is important to bring home the innocent hostages taken by Hamas and may defuse criticism of Israel’s conduct in fighting the war against Hamas. There will be those who blame the one-sided Gilad Shalit trade for the attack and taking of hostages. On its face, the Shalit trade was a bad deal. However, in a country where many citizens are in the military, it is important to gain the release of the captive soldier no matter what the cost.
These complex issues show the need for competent leadership at the top or at prominent levels. A good leader knows his limitations and retains excellent people. Those who help brokered the deal should be applauded for their hard work. You can like the deal and admit the President’s important involvement and yet still support Trump or another Republican, or you can dislike the deal and still support Biden.
On a related topic, one of the key moments of the Washington rally was seeing Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Republican Policy Committee Chairman Joni Ernst holding hands together over their heads, showing a united front in support of Israel. In these days of such little consensus between Democrats and Republicans, it is important to see such unanimity. What is more concerning is the delay in Israel funding. Both Speaker Johnson and President Biden have to deal with criticism from those on the extreme ends of their respective parties. The longer it goes, the worse it seems for Israel. Not only are they not getting the immediate use of the funds, but the situation for obtaining the funds is becoming more tenuous. Now Biden is looking into conditions for obtaining the funding. It reminds me of conditions that some Republicans wanted for Ukraine funding before they moved to no funding.
I always hear how Queens is the most diverse borough in the country, and that diversity is what makes us strong. That utopian view was dispelled by what recently happened in Hillcrest High School. A mob of students in Hillcrest High School in Jamaica went looking for a Jewish teacher who posted a picture on her Facebook page of herself holding a sign at a peaceful rally that read “I Stand With Israel.” The ruckus was caught on video. Will there be accountability for those involved or it will be the usual apologetics for their actions? If this had happened back in 1968 when Albert Shanker was the head of the United Federation of Teachers, there would have been a rapid response. Teachers would have walked off the job if nothing was done to these students or otherwise protect Jewish teachers. What is the Union doing today to protect its Jewish teachers? If it had happened to another group, you can be sure there would have been a greater outcry. Why is it, when it comes to Jews, there is a different standard? Then you hear people ask why Jews are afraid. This is why we are afraid.
Warren S. Hecht is a local attorney. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
