Rabbi Andrew Jacobs

I am angry.

When Brittney Griner was taken hostage in Russia, the world was focused on liberating her. Our government moved mountains for her. Her plight touched the hearts of Americans. What about Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Edan Alexander, Omer Neutra, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Keith Samuel Siegel, Americans held hostage by Hamas? What about Itay Chen, Gad Haggai, and Judy Weinstein, Americans killed by Hamas, their bodies still in Gaza? While the world rages at Israel about a ceasefire, something Hamas continues to turn down, Hersh, Edan, Omer, Sagui, Keith, and the memories of Itay, Gad, and Judy have been lost.

When Islamic extremists kidnapped young girls in Nigeria back in 2014, First Lady Michelle Obama was photographed holding up a sign saying #BringBackOurGirls. Many other celebrities did the same thing, drawing international attention to the plight of the young hostages. What about Ariel and Kfir Bibas (and their parents, Shiri and Yarden), babies held hostage by Hamas? Where are the #BringBackOurBabies signs on social media? While the world screams about the innocent children in Gaza and points the finger at Israel instead of the true culprits – Hamas, Ariel and Kfir, and the countless children in Israel who continue to live under the threat of Islamic terrorists, are forgotten.

Just this week, freed hostage, Amit Soussana, detailed her rape and torture while being held by Hamas. Her story is just one of many that have been shared detailing the brutal sexual assault committed by Hamas on October 7 and in the months that have followed. The world saw the horrific pictures of Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Liri Albag and Daniela Gilboa. The world watched the video of Naama Levy, her pants bloody, being pulled by her hair and shoved into the back of a jeep by a Hamas terrorist. The world also watched as Doron Steinbrecher, along with Daniella and Karina, appeared in a Hamas propaganda video. Where’s the global outrage, #BringBackOurGirls? There is no outrage. There is, for the most part, silence. Because Karina, Agam, Liri, Daniela, Naama, Doron, Amit, and countless other victims of Hamas brutality aren’t the world’s children. They’re Israeli. They’re Jews. And because of this, they don’t matter as much. Its 21-century antisemitism on full display. But for me, you, and our global Jewish community they are OUR girls. They are OUR babies. They are OUR brothers, sisters, parents, children, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends. And I am sick and tired of them being ignored. #BringThemHomeNow

Israel offered Hamas 800 prisoners, many of them convicted murderers, in exchange for just 40 Israeli women, children, sick, and elderly hostages. Hamas turned down the deal. And the world continues to rage at Israel. And, because of this, I am angry.

Before I close, I want to address a shift in the global narrative that is being supported by some proIsrael folks, a shift that demonizes Prime Minister Netanyahu. Prior to October 7, I shared many serious concerns about Bibi. At my invitation, RSBI brought in an Israeli speaker who was part of the anti-Bibi movement in Israel and abroad. I was no fan of Bibi prior to October 7. After October 7 and to this day, while I’m still no Bibi fan, my focus has been on doing what I can to help free the hostages, secure the Israeli people, and, logically, eliminate or significantly undermine Hamas and other terror groups that seek Israel’s demise. Yes, Israel needs elections. Yes, Israel needs a new Prime Minister. But, to those in the proIsrael camp pushing the anti-Bibi narrative, keep in mind that your words play right into Hamas’ narrative: Israel is to blame. Your words, while not intentionally, help to push Israel’s hostages further and further off the front page and into a dangerous abyss. Your words, again, not intentionally, are fodder to the antisemites who are using them to undermine the Jewish State. Hear me clearly: I am not saying anything positive about Bibi. I am reminding us that one of the fronts of this horrific war is the media that eats up the antiIsrael narrative. The anti-Bibi movement strengthens this narrative, a narrative that has helped undermine support in the US for Israel. I ask that those of us who support Israel, no matter where we fall when it comes to Bibi, watch our words and realize that what we say does make a difference. I’m not saying to be quiet! I am saying we all need to be careful. And, let me stress that I believe in the Israeli street. The people of Israel will bring about the change needed when the time is right.

Please join the Plantation community this Sunday, and every Sunday, at 10:00am at the Riverside Market (6900 Cypress Road), as we continue to Walk for the Hostages. This event is NOT political. It is designed to keep the focus on what matters: bringing them home.

For all of you who share my anger, I pray that we can find some peace this Shabbat.