Religion, and Moral Restraints, Are Necessary for Maintaining a Free Society

March 27 2017

In the book of Exodus, God makes an explicit decision not to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into Canaan via the short way—that is, what is now the Gaza strip—but instead to take them the long way through the Sinai Peninsula, so that they will enter Canaan from the east bank of the Jordan. This path, noted Yuval Levin a 2014 essay, means the Jews will first have to receive the law in the Sinai wilderness before they can achieve sovereignty in their land. In conversation with Jonathan Silver, Levin explains the lesson for today’s America, whose political system is founded on the oft-forgotten assumption that institutions—and religion not least of all—will safeguard citizens from the temptations of unrestricted liberty. (Audio, 50 minutes.)

Read more at Tikvah

More about: American politics, Decline of religion, Exodus, History & Ideas, liberal democracy, Political philosophy, Religion

What’s Behind Hamas’s Threat to Stall the Release of Hostages, and How Israel Should Respond

Feb. 12 2025

Hamas declared yesterday that it won’t release more hostages “until further notice.” Given the timing and wording of the announcement—several days before the release was supposed to take place, and speaking of a delay rather than a halt—Ron Ben-Yishai concludes that it is a negotiating tactic, aimed at “creating a temporary crisis to gain leverage.” Therefore, writes Ben-Yishai, “Hamas may reverse its decision by Saturday.” He adds:

Israel cannot afford to concede to Hamas’s demands beyond what is already outlined in the agreement, as doing so would invite continuous extortion throughout the negotiation process, further delaying hostage releases.

The group sees the public outrage and growing calls for action following the release of hostages in severe medical condition as an opportunity to extract more concessions. These demands include not only a rapid start to negotiations on the next phase of the deal and an end to the war but also smaller, immediate benefits, particularly improved conditions for displaced Gazans.

Beyond these tactical objectives, Hamas has another goal—one that Israelis do not always recognize: inflicting psychological pain on the Israeli public. The group benefits from, and perhaps even draws strength from, the anguish and emotional distress in Israel, as well as the testimonies of freed hostages detailing the abuse they endured. Hamas wants these stories to be heard—not only to pressure the Israeli government but also because, in the eyes of its supporters, Israel’s suffering is its ultimate victory.

Read more at Ynet

More about: Gaza War 2023, Hamas, Israeli Security