Beautiful. And it’s not grandiose to think that Israel’s immense weakening of Hezbollah directly lead to Assad fall. It’s a fact. Hezbollah was propping up Assad. For sure
Elissa - your essay today absolutely nailed the transformative end result of a horrendous year for our people and our beloved Israel. I am now planning to celebrate Passover in Israel next year with family and I can't imagine a more meaningful experience. I pray now that the hostages are brought home soon.
Thanks for this, Elissa = I will read it again ...very helpful as I had no idea what the fall of Assad would mean...and I am glad to hear there's a chance the rebels will be moderates.
Elissa, I don't want to sound weird, but I ready our words today and I feel like you are a....true leader. A leader in words, in sentiments, in community, in SURVIVAL. I thank you for articulating all the things I am feeling and thinking but can't get down on paper or out of mouth or brain as succinctly and timely as you do. Todah rabah.
While I celebrate the fall of the Assad regime, I am feeling a bit uncomfortable with the actions Israel has been taking. I think it is too early to celebrate Israel's actions following it. I think that this government is handling the situation wrongly, virtually declaring the new fledgling regime a state enemy. I see that as Smotrich's and Ben Gvir's influence. After destroying the chemical weapons, and cutting off the supply line of arms to Hezbollah, which I think was right and necessary, I think we should have taken more of a vigilant watch and wait approach.
I think we are unnecessarily provoking it, by destroying many facilities which any self-respecting country would see as essential for their national defense, like the navy, and I am not sure we need to. All we are doing is weakening Syria's ability to defend itself, making it an easy target for Turkey to invade and then commit genocide against the Kurds, annexing the entire Kurdish region for itself.
We are already being seen as a bully and an aggressor, even before they start to consolidate their control, and I am not sure it is necessary to have Israeli boots on the ground inside sovereign Syria without even a shot being fired in our direction. That is an invasion, and it amounts to a declaration of war, without any provocation.
So I am going to wait before I decide if Israel has acted wisely or not. I am having doubts.
Nothing in the Middle East is as it seems on the surface. Obviously Iran and Turkey are upset publicly, attacking Israel a) because for them they can claim that Israel is imperialist and bellicose (which, with this government isn't far from the truth), and b) in Iran's case, it takes the focus away from their bases and advanced ammunition stockpiles the had in place to attack Israel on their planned D-Day.
But under the surface, I believe Turkey is rubbing its hands in glee that Syria's defenses, especially the advanced weaponry and the navy are depleted. They want to invade the north-eastern region where the Kurds are, on the premise that Kurdish infiltrations from that region are a source of PKK terrorism in Turkey. But that region also has oil and natural gas reserves, and is rich in drug crops - (That means both money, and control over the drug trade). Food for thought...
Beautiful. And it’s not grandiose to think that Israel’s immense weakening of Hezbollah directly lead to Assad fall. It’s a fact. Hezbollah was propping up Assad. For sure
So beautiful and poignant. May this wonderful feeling last.
Elissa - your essay today absolutely nailed the transformative end result of a horrendous year for our people and our beloved Israel. I am now planning to celebrate Passover in Israel next year with family and I can't imagine a more meaningful experience. I pray now that the hostages are brought home soon.
Thanks for this, Elissa = I will read it again ...very helpful as I had no idea what the fall of Assad would mean...and I am glad to hear there's a chance the rebels will be moderates.
Elissa, I don't want to sound weird, but I ready our words today and I feel like you are a....true leader. A leader in words, in sentiments, in community, in SURVIVAL. I thank you for articulating all the things I am feeling and thinking but can't get down on paper or out of mouth or brain as succinctly and timely as you do. Todah rabah.
You can't imagine how much these words mean to me. They give me so much sustenance. Thank you so very much.
I needed this positivity today. Thank you.
Amazing! Incredible! So very impressive!
That is one spectacularly described exultation. Thank you! May things just continue in his direction.
I have a few more songs for you to consider. Check out the lyrics on these!
Hope For The Best, Expect the Worst by Mel Brooks.
Neighborhood Bully by Bob Dylan.
Excellent, Elissa! Brought tears to my eyes. Thank-you so much. 🇮🇱❤️🎶
While I celebrate the fall of the Assad regime, I am feeling a bit uncomfortable with the actions Israel has been taking. I think it is too early to celebrate Israel's actions following it. I think that this government is handling the situation wrongly, virtually declaring the new fledgling regime a state enemy. I see that as Smotrich's and Ben Gvir's influence. After destroying the chemical weapons, and cutting off the supply line of arms to Hezbollah, which I think was right and necessary, I think we should have taken more of a vigilant watch and wait approach.
I think we are unnecessarily provoking it, by destroying many facilities which any self-respecting country would see as essential for their national defense, like the navy, and I am not sure we need to. All we are doing is weakening Syria's ability to defend itself, making it an easy target for Turkey to invade and then commit genocide against the Kurds, annexing the entire Kurdish region for itself.
We are already being seen as a bully and an aggressor, even before they start to consolidate their control, and I am not sure it is necessary to have Israeli boots on the ground inside sovereign Syria without even a shot being fired in our direction. That is an invasion, and it amounts to a declaration of war, without any provocation.
So I am going to wait before I decide if Israel has acted wisely or not. I am having doubts.
Well, Iran and Turkey are very upset by these actions so it's hard for me to think that's a bad thing.
Nothing in the Middle East is as it seems on the surface. Obviously Iran and Turkey are upset publicly, attacking Israel a) because for them they can claim that Israel is imperialist and bellicose (which, with this government isn't far from the truth), and b) in Iran's case, it takes the focus away from their bases and advanced ammunition stockpiles the had in place to attack Israel on their planned D-Day.
But under the surface, I believe Turkey is rubbing its hands in glee that Syria's defenses, especially the advanced weaponry and the navy are depleted. They want to invade the north-eastern region where the Kurds are, on the premise that Kurdish infiltrations from that region are a source of PKK terrorism in Turkey. But that region also has oil and natural gas reserves, and is rich in drug crops - (That means both money, and control over the drug trade). Food for thought...