Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser: Hezbollah’s ability to manipulate the LAF has weakened considerably over the past year due to the damage it absorbed in the war against Israel. However, Hezbollah retains influence and ties within Lebanon, including Lebanon’s government structures and military.

A thorough analysis should be conducted, and the Americans should be approached to replace compromised personnel [in the LAF] with individuals who can be trusted. Overall, while the LAF is moving slower and less effectively than Israel would like, its deployment is nevertheless “moving forward, slowly.

Published in JNS, February 05, 2025.

Dr. David Wurmser: t’s actually what hasn’t happened. There’s no crisp definition of what MAGA is, going forward, and what we’re seeing now is a battle over the soul of the movement. The term-turned-epithet “neoconservatism” became a kind of clarion call on the part of those who hated Israel, were antisemitic or classic leftists like “The Squad.” It became a rubric, and the Iraq War became a symbol of how “evil” the neoconservatives were. Of course, the history of that war has been distorted. The people I was dealing with at the time had a very different vision of how it would progress from the way it’s been depicted by detractors. It was much less a colonialist American vision than an Iraqi one. It was Colin Powell’s vision to go in with 600,000 troops, and then it was Paul Bremer’s idea to have a colonial presence in Iraq to rebuild the country. That was horrifying to many of us. We wanted Iraqis to do the heavy lifting of liberating their country; we wanted them to assume control as fast as possible. Our model was the Free French in World War II.

Published in JNS, February 03, 2025.

Prof. Kobi Michael: Displacement is not a logistical issue; it’s a matter of national identity. The Nakba is deeply ingrained in Palestinian consciousness, and any suggestion of relocation—even temporary—will be perceived as ethnic cleansing and will intensify hostility.

Published in The Media Line, January 29, 2025.

Asher Frednan: The new U.S. administration offers a chance to deepen U.S.-Israel ties in order to advance regional stability and shared interests. Expanding regional multilateral initiatives, military collaboration, and AI innovation will enhance shared security and economic growth. Countering Iran through sanctions and supporting pro-democracy movements is key to stability. Addressing biased international institutions will protect both nations. Strengthening this alliance will help shape a safer and more prosperous future.

January 29, 2025.

https://youtu.be/yOyiLdk39Iw

Dr. Raphael Ben Levi: U.S. aid has become part of the central policy considerations of Israel in the last 30 years. He noted that this led Israel to accept territorial concessions in the past, including returning the Sinai to Egypt, which ended with a peace deal, but also in 1999 when the U.S. signed the first 10-year Memorandum of Understanding for aid after then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak was willing to give roughly 97% of the West Bank to the Palestinians, which Yasser Arafat rejected.

Published in JewishInsider, January 29, 2025.

Arsen Ostrovsky: Every Holocaust Remembrance Day, we have become accustomed to many leaders and lawmakers making eloquent statements about the importance of ‘Never Again’, when for 364 other days of the year, they only stoke antisemitism and engage in relentless vilification of Israel or minimizing Hamas crimes and the October 7th massacre. For these individuals, ‘Never Again’ is an empty slogan, a cliche. They only demean the memory of the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, by using it as a facade to masquerade their own innate antisemitism. Perhaps it would be better had they said nothing at all.

Published in JNS, January 29, 2025.

Ruth Wasserman Lande: Hamas is returning to northern Gaza. On January 27, 2025, a significant development unfolded as part of the ongoing hostage release agreement. Approximately one million Palestinians began moving back from southern Gaza to the northern part of the Strip, which has historically served as a hub for Hamas operations. This region was central to the planning and execution of the brutal attack on Israel on October 7, and its proximity to Israeli communities, such as Sderot, Nativ HaAsara, Nachal Oz, and Kfar Aza, remains a serious security concern.

Published on  Israeli Citizen Spokespersons’ Office, January 27, 2025.

Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser: Israel’s policy now is to begin negotiations for the second stage of the deal. In this stage, the quid pro quo will be either Hamas relinquishes control over Gaza, allowing reconstruction efforts to begin, or it remains in power, in which case there will be no reconstruction. From Israel’s perspective, and that of international donors funding the reconstruction, it makes no sense to invest in rebuilding while Hamas remains in power.

That is the central issue. If Hamas insists on staying in power, we could see another round of atrocities.

Published in NewsX, January 28, 2025.

Ruth Wasserman Lande: The entire nation is overwhelmed with emotion as we witness the return of young women held captive for over 470 days by a terrorist organization. The reunion with their families is a deeply moving moment for all Israelis.

However, the circumstances surrounding their release are troubling. These women endured not only the trauma of captivity but also the ordeal of being surrounded by crowds of men—some armed—upon their release, with no women present to provide comfort. Such inhumane treatment cannot be normalized and must be condemned by the international community.

The interview took place on LBC NEWS on January 25, 2025.

Prof. Kobi Michael : This is a high price, but it is not the highest. The highest price Israel may pay is allowing Hamas to remain a sovereign power in Gaza. The ramifications of Hamas’s continued sovereignty extend to the West Bank, Iran, and the broader resistance axis in the region. This cost is greater than the release of convicted murderers from Hamas and Fatah.

Hamas will not give up its strategic control of Gaza. Even if a civil administration is introduced, it would be a façade. Hamas will retain its weapons and military capacities, following the Hezbollah model in Lebanon. Their goal is clear: to replace Fatah and dominate the Palestinian Authority and the PLO. Without control over Gaza, Hamas cannot achieve this end state.

The interview took place on Channel I24, on January 25, 2025.