The Commentary Magazine Podcast Why Israel Had No Choice But to Win
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Oct 10, 2025 The podcast dives into the psychological warfare against Israel, exploring how public perception has shifted. It tackles the traumatic reality of returning hostages and critiques the media's portrayal of them. The hosts discuss how Hamas leveraged hostages and the impact of social media in shaping narratives. They reflect on Hannah Arendt's historical stance against a Jewish state and argue for Israel's vital role in ensuring Jewish security. The discussion emphasizes Israel's status as a democracy while dismissing settler-colonial claims.
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Hostage Release Brings Mixed Emotions
- The release of hostages will bring deep joy but also profound grief and long trauma for Israeli society.
- John Podhoretz warns reintegration of varied-age hostages will be emotionally complex and lengthy.
Hostage Memoir Illustrates Tunnel Trauma
- Seth Mandel recounts details from Eli Shirabi's memoir about the brutal conditions and emotional collapse of hostages.
- He emphasizes how captivity bonds hostages and how being left alone in tunnels terrified them.
Language Shapes Who We See As Victims
- Media language that treats hostages as "leverage" dehumanizes victims and normalizes war crimes.
- John Podhoretz argues the only escape from the psyop is an unequivocal Israeli victory to shift perceptions.
