Weekly Commentary: We Can't Let Hostages Trump Victory
Dr. Aaron Lerner 16 May 2025

Only a few brave leaders have openly shared the painful truth: it is highly
likely that we cannot defeat Hamas if we continue to rule out military
operations which might possibly endanger hostages.

This is probably the first war in the history of the world in which a
country chose a long drawn-out conflict with huge losses both in casualties
and economic costs by severely restricting operations in order to avoid
endangering hostages.

To be clear: its only human for emotions to trump logic in the extended
family which is the very nature of our Jewish State.

That's why, over a decade ago, the Shamgar Commission on hostages
recommended that Israel's decision makers not meet with hostage families.

I desperately hope that In the coming days our leaders have the intestinal
fortitude to do the right thing for the country and move quickly to defeat
Hamas on the ground.

I'm going to share a brutal political assessment: If we quickly smash Hamas
- even at the cost of dead hostages - this issue it NOT going to determine
the outcome of the next elections.

If the next elections take place AFTER the war ends, the parties will battle
over the central question "who can guaranty our children's future?".

Those are questions relating to education, housing and the economy -
including the continuation of current policies which encourage able bodied
men to intentionally choose poverty for their families.
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