Special Edition: Noah Efron on the Awful Quiet of This Moment
Oct 10, 2023
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Noah Efron, a professor and writer, discusses the recent Hamas attack in Israel, the impact on society, the interregnum before the next wave of violence, acts of kindness among the victims, and the power of empathy. They also touch on hope for peace, intense empathy towards hostages, and Hamas' manipulation.
The recent attack by Hamas has created a sense of unity among Israelis, highlighting the potential for solidarity and support in the face of crisis.
The perceived failures of the government and military to protect the victims of the attack have led to anger and demands for accountability, potentially shaping the future political landscape of Israel.
Deep dives
Israeli society's unity and empathy in the face of an attack
The podcast episode discusses the sense of unity and empathy that has emerged among Israelis in the wake of a recent attack by Hamas. Despite intense political divisions in the country, the episode highlights how Israelis have come together to support and care for the victims of the attack. This sense of solidarity is demonstrated through various acts of volunteering, such as driving people to their destinations or packing meals for soldiers and affected families. The episode also explores how this unity may be tested as the conflict escalates and the country prepares for a major military response. The episode suggests that this unity may serve as a political asset in the long term, potentially shaping the future of Israeli society.
The impact of the attack on Israeli society and its political landscape
The podcast delves into the impact of the Hamas attack on Israeli society and its political landscape. It discusses the shock, disbelief, and rage felt by many Israelis due to the perceived failures of the government and military to protect the victims. This anger is directed toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with criticisms ranging from claims of intelligence failure to the belief that his policies and leadership have contributed to the rise of Hamas. While the episode acknowledges the tradition of postponing political accountability during times of conflict, it predicts that the public's anger and demands for accountability will grow once the immediate crisis subsides. This could potentially lead to changes in the government or calls for investigations into its handling of the attack.
The challenge of extending empathy towards Palestinians
The podcast explores the challenge of extending empathy towards Palestinians in light of the conflict. It acknowledges that the anticipated major Israeli military operation in Gaza will inevitably lead to Palestinian casualties, including civilians. The episode highlights the difficulty of reconciling the knowledge that civilian deaths are likely with the desire to foster empathy and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. The horrific images of the Hamas attack, which reinforced negative stereotypes about Palestinians, further complicate the task of building trust and human connections between the two sides. The episode raises questions about whether the cost of the military operation, both in terms of Palestinian lives and the potential damage to long-term peace-building efforts, is worth the objective of eliminating Hamas.
The long-term vision of unity and empathy
The podcast emphasizes the long-term vision of unity and empathy as the path to peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Despite the current setback caused by the attack, the episode maintains that the potential for empathy and understanding remains. It highlights the need for both Israelis and Palestinians to recognize and acknowledge each other's suffering in order to pave the way for a future where peace can be achieved. The episode suggests that such a future requires a fundamental change in attitude and the extension of empathy to both sides of the conflict. While the immediate future may be overshadowed by anger and grief, the episode argues that the underlying potential for unity and empathy must be remembered and nurtured to ultimately reach a resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This morning, Lawfare Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes connected with his old friend Noah Efron about the weekend's events in Israel. Noah is a professor at Bar-Ilan University, a prolific essayist and writer, and the host of The Promised Podcast, a podcast on Israeli life, politics, and culture.
In an interview punctuated twice by missile attacks, they discussed what happened over the weekend, the magnitude and horror of the Hamas attack, the impact on Israeli society, and the coming Israeli response in Gaza. They talked about the weird interregnum between the violence over the weekend and the violence that's to come and how quiet things are right now, about whether Israeli society is coming together or whether it is coming apart, about the implications of Hamas holding many hostages for the way the war is going to play out, and more.
Please note that this episode contains content that some people may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.