Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Standard Deviation
An expose in the New York Times shows that on October 7th the IDF took an extraordinary decision to double the number of civilians whose lives it was willing to risk in order to attack Hamas leaders and rank-and-file fighters. What should we make of that?
Again, This Time With Less Feeling
Anthropologist Amalia Sa’ar asserts that Israeli political discourse is filled-to-the-gills with a “narrative of trauma” that keeps us from being able to have rational political discourse and make rational political and military decisions. Is she right?
New Year’s Resolutions
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: It’s January. What are our political “resolutions” for the new year?
Plus, Yehudit Ravitz with a new record at 68.
Songs
- Ayala (words by Yona Volloch)
- Baboker (words by Yehudah Amichai)
- La-Kahat (song by Matti Caspi and Yankale Rotblit)
Noah, I just listened to your 01/02/25 podcast. It’s a good discussion and, while listening, I found myself going back to Americans’ experience on 09/11 (which I do vividly remember). Our government had more than enough information available to preempt this attack – simple hands-down, hard fact, well before it was carried out. It was a failure of attention and imagination on our government’s part. But after it had happened people expected a response and, boy, did we ever respond! I get it. This is the comparison that I make with your 10/07 attack: the Israeli government didn’t have procedures in place to protect its citizens (I admit, just my opinion) and if, after a formal investigation, it turns out to be very true, this failure doesn’t obviate the need for a vigorous response to the perpetrators. I understand that Israel’s enemies are within rock-throwing distance of many of its people. That’s just like having a pet rattlesnake – I don’t recommend this but, if one insists on having it, it damned well better be locked up in a secure cage! The government wasn’t paying attention to the snake, it seems. With regard to Amilia Sa’ar what she seems to be getting at is this: having emotions is normal – letting emotions have total sway is abnormal, and not healthy (but I think most people know this). Please forgive me my editorializing in this instance. I do so appreciate your program and please keep it up, and take care!
Sincerely,
Paul Giles, Taylors, SC USA
Thanks, Paul. Starting with Amalia Sa’ar, I don’t think that anyone would say that emotions have “total sway” over what Israel is doing in Gaza. I think she really does believe (like many others) that, in politics, one ought to try to neutralize emotion altogether, or as much as possible, and I disagree with her on that point. I think emotion is a legitimate, inevitable and important part of politics.
About us being utterly unprepared for October 7, I think you’re absolutely right about that, and I think in this sense, the parallel to 9/11 is undeniable. You’re also right about the differences between the two events, especially that Al Qaeda was based half-a-world away from New York, which meant that the kind of threat it posed to the US is different from the kind of threat that Hamas posed/poses to Israel. It’s helpful to think about this in the way you proposed, thank you!
Noah,
Thank you for your reply to my message. Your point is well taken about emotions. There might not be any philanthropy with out them, either.
Keep up the good work and please be as careful as possible.
Paul Giles
Noah,
Thank you for your reply. Your point about emotions is well taken – and there might not be much philanthropy without them, either.
Keep up the good work and please take care!
Paul Giles