Yossi Klein Halevi: ‘I choose the hostages’ * Qanta Ahmed: ‘Not my Islam’ * This isn’t a war, it’s a Hamas publicity stunt *I feel them closer when I run

[Times of Israel]( [The Blogs Weekly]( Thursday, September 5, 2024 from the blogs [Crush Hamas or free hostages? I choose the hostages]( By Yossi Klein Halevi If they are abandoned, too many Israelis will believe they died for political reasons – with dire consequences for the country Shawn Zelig Aster [Preventing tomorrow’s hostages]( As long as Hamas can attack, Israel must ask how it can prevent future hostage-taking, even if doing so would mean not freeing current hostages Qanta A. Ahmed [Islamism’s assault on Israel is a crime against all of humanity]( The vile murder of 6 Israeli hostages tells us who Hamas is – the heroic rescue of Bedouin captive Farhan al-Qadi tells us who Israel is [I feel them closer when I run]( By Tzippy Levy I want the freedom I take for granted when I run for those who are trapped in small dark places and may never run again Hugh Taylor [This isn’t a war, really]( For Hamas, it’s a publicity stunt, a large-scale suicide mission. And, it’s working out amazingly well for them Adrian Daniels [Even if Bibi’s right, the country can’t trust him]( Netanyahu’s most recent effort to divide the country with suspicion and keep himself in power ignores a cardinal rule of Israel: No soldiers left behind [The government fiddles while Israel burns]( By Yehuda Halper This ruling group of factional interests is too busy with political patronage and fighting the courts to put out the fires Scott Kahn [Everyone deserves a vacation… right?]( Thoughts on the Haredi men who were barbecuing, relaxing, and playing laser tag while hiding behind faux military tents in Yarmut Park Jonathan Matkowsky [No refuge for Hamas supporters]( A recent step by the US Justice Dept. is a warning to Qatar, Turkey and others that supporting a terror organization is against US law [Praying with the hostages at daybreak]( By Shira Pasternak Be'eri ’Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who releases the imprisoned… May they all be returned speedily and in our day’ Top Ops Pamela Peled [Cry, the once-beloved country]( We always knew that no matter how we voted, Israel would bring her captives home. That was before this coalition of lunacy came to power Shayna Abramson [The search for religious meaning and the danger of interpretations]( To claim that we know, with 100% certainty, why God acted as He did on October 7 is an act of theological hubris [The Blogs Weekly]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [View in browser]( [Contact support](mailto:support@timesofisrael.com) [Advertise with us](mailto:advertise@timesofisrael.com) Were you forwarded this email? [Subscribe here]( [Unsubscribe]( from this List © 2024 The Times Of Israel, All Rights Reserved