The hosts discuss their emotional response to the attack and the delayed response of the IDF. They explore the impact on their nation and question how it happened. They also discuss the failures of the army during the recent conflict and reflect on the military's effectiveness and communication breakdowns.
17:07
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
The recent crisis in Israel has shattered the illusion of stability, leaving people feeling vulnerable and disoriented.
The delayed response from the Israeli army during the crisis raises questions about communication breakdown and the need to reassess the flaws within the army and government.
Deep dives
Feeling the Walls Closing In
In the midst of the turmoil in Israel, the speakers discuss the overwhelming sense of insecurity and disorientation that many are experiencing. The recent events have shattered the illusion of stability, leaving people feeling vulnerable. Despite attempts to shield oneself from personal suffering, the human stories of pain resonate deeply, evoking sadness and empathy.
Questioning Army's Response Time
The speakers delve into the issue of the delayed response from the Israeli army during the recent crisis. They express astonishment at the time it took for the army to reach besieged towns and kibbutzim, while civilians took heroic actions to rescue loved ones. The magnitude of the situation raises questions about the army's communication breakdown and the lack of urgency in mobilizing forces.
Struggling with Army's Mythic Image
The speakers reflect on the prevailing myth of stability surrounding the Israeli army and the pressure to elevate it to a heroic status. However, they acknowledge that like any human institution, the army is flawed and prone to mistakes. They emphasize the need to reassess the unsustainable status quo in Gaza and recognize the limitations of an army that cannot be flawless. The grief felt for the Jewish people is mixed with a sense of urgency to address the flaws within the army and the government.
Israel is at War. This past Shabbat, Saturday morning, October 7, Israel faced an unprecedented, ruthless, and devastating attack by Hamas. Hundreds of Israelis have been killed, thousands injured, and many are in captivity. Israelis are fighting for their country, and Jews around the world are supporting these efforts from afar with prayers, messages, and resources. In an effort to keep our listeners connected and updated during this painful and difficult time, For Heaven's Sake will be releasing episodes every few days to address what's happening in Israel and unpack the complex and distressing events of this war. This is For Heaven's Sake: Israel at War.
Recorded on October 9, in this first episode of this series on our For Heaven's Sake feed, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss their emotional response of sadness and outrage to the attack and to Israel's nascent war. They reflect on the burning question of how did this attack and the IDF's delayed response even happen given Israelis' confidence in their army.