The Remarkable Life of George Weidenfeld

Reviewing a biography of the famed British publishing magnate George Weidenfeld, Carl Rollyson writes:

In 1938, George Weidenfeld, an Austrian-Jewish refugee, landed at London. . . . The ebullient Weidenfeld, who seems to have hosted several parties a week for most of his 96 years, promoted free speech for everyone, including the Nazis he published after World War II—much to the shock of fellow publishers, the press, and the public.

Weidenfeld [later on] became Lord Weidenfeld and spoke in the House of Lords. He put up with a fair amount of sniggering British anti-Semitism, but that hardly fazed a man who could publish Nazis in order to understand their mindsets.

The magnificent thing about Weidenfeld is how he went his own way most of the time and brought along with him outstanding people like Isaiah Berlin and the historian Hugh Trevor-Roper.

Read more at New York Sun

More about: Anglo-Jewry, Anti-Semitism, Holocaust rescue

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