Arsen Ostrovsky explaining why Israel’s decision to halt aid to Gaza was entirely just and legitimate under international law, and noting that “Churchill and FDR certainly were not expected or required to provide aid to Nazi Germany during World War II, yet what we are seeing is a systematic legal double standard being applied against Israel.”
Published in JNS, March 18, 2025.
Sophie Kobzantsev: Israel needs to be very careful with Russia. I don’t think they’ll abandon Iran so fast. Iran and Russia worked closely in Syria, and while Iran may no longer have a foothold there, their cooperation continues in other areas.
Israel wants Russia in Syria because we know how to work with the Russians. The security understanding between us is comfortable.
Israel must ensure its own security interests are protected — to maintain demilitarization and a buffer zone — in coordination with the U.S.
Published in JewishInsider, March 13, 2025.
Prof. Kobi Michael: Israel should make it clear that it will only accept a plan for Gaza’s reconstruction after Hamas is no longer in power. Until then, there is no plan or idea that could succeed in Gaza with Hamas remaining as the sovereign power. When we look at the Arab League summit’s statement last week, we see empty words. Hamas isn’t mentioned once, but Israel is severely condemned. They talk about Egypt’s plan for Gaza’s reconstruction without addressing Hamas’s role. They also provide platforms that could allow Hamas to be part of Gaza’s future and the broader Palestinian system by calling for reforms to the PLO and Palestinian Authority, which includes all Palestinian factions—meaning Hamas too.
The interview took place on ILTV on March 13, 2025.
Dr. Raphael Ben Levi: Hamas doesn’t care about being killed or about deaths among Gaza’s population, therefore threats to eliminate them are unlikely to lead it to surrender. We must pressure Hamas with something they do care about: controlling territory. Israel must begin annexing small portions of the Gaza Strip, with each day the hostages remain captive resulting in more permanent land lost. This might be pressure Hamas understands. Other measures should include withholding aid to Gaza entirely.
Eventually, however, there is no alternative path to victory than the IDF conquering Gaza and imposing military rule in the interim. Only then can we begin discussing local Arab self-rule, as any technocratic government installed without first eliminating Hamas would inevitably fall under its control.
The full interview took place on TV7 Israel news on March 6, 2025.
Prof. Kobi Michael: Trump has freed Israel of all of the reins and restrictions. Israel is being given all the legitimacy to conquer the whole of the Gaza Strip, impose military rule, and evacuate civilian population from there. Trump is willing to let Israel do this, taking into account the dire consequences for Gaza, while letting Israel use extensive amounts of force.
Israel and Hamas’ end games can never be reconciled. “ven if Israel is willing to release an even greater number of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for more hostages and would agree to stop the war, it cannot accept the continued presence of Hamas in Gaza.
Published in The Media Line, March 8, 2025.
Col. (res.) Dr. Hanan Shai: Unlike others in recent decades, he is a graduate of a command training program that was founded after “Operation Peace for Galilee” [the First Lebanon War], under the sponsorship of Dan Shomron [the 13th IDF chief of staff]. This program was created as a response to the realization that the IDF’s level of command professionalism was very low.
Zamir is the last officer who was trained under the original IDF doctrinal framework” and therefore has the knowledge and ability to lead the military back to a warfighting doctrine focused on the overarching goal of decisive victory. This, therefore, is his big advantage. He knows where the IDF needs to go, and more important, he knows how to get it there.
Published in JNS, March 8, 2025.
Prof. Kobi Michael: “Any negotiation, mainly direct negotiation, provides Hamas with a broader layout or space of maneuver as well as legitimacy. Furthermore, it enables Hamas to manipulate and play between Israel and the U.S.”
Published in the Washington Post, March 6, 2025.
Prof. Kobi Michael: The conflict with Hamas is part of a broader regional war, involving Iran and the “resistance axis.” If Israel fails to achieve its goals in Gaza, it will face threats on other fronts, potentially widening the conflict. Israel is now positioned as a strong regional power, and it must act accordingly, particularly in dealing with Hamas. Although Europe and the UN may oppose further military action in Gaza, the U.S. remains a crucial ally. If Israel decides to resume military operations, international support will likely align with the U.S., and the war is expected to be shorter than the previous 15-month conflict.
The interview took place on ILTV on March 4, 2025.
Ruth Wasserman Lande: As for Jordan, it is very fragile, with 70% Palestinians already living there, and there are already internal issues with the Palestinian population. “Do we need more Palestinians from Gaza to move to Jordan?” This would only create additional security challenges for Israel.
The solution I’m proposing, which might seem a bit off the radar, is Qatar. Qatar “has been funding and supporting Hamas” and has the infrastructure from the World Cup, the money, and land that is 30 times larger than Gaza. This could be a much better solution for the Palestinians in Gaza. “They would enjoy living in a more prosperous country like Qatar, rather than under Hamas rule in Gaza.”
I understand that Qatar would not gladly accept such a solution, and neither would Egypt or Jordan. The question is, “What leverage will the United States use to make this possibility a reality?”.
The interview took place on Channel I24 on March 3, 2025.
Dr. Rafael BenLevi discusses the severity of recent attacks in Israel, emphasizing the necessity of IDF operations in Judea and Samaria as it serves as the main front in the current multi-front war. He questions the Palestinian Authority’s ability to act as a stabilizing force, highlighting Israel’s intervention in counterterrorism efforts.
Regarding Hamas, he warns that any arrangement allowing it to remain in power would be a strategic disaster for Israel and the broader Middle East, benefiting Islamist factions.
He is skeptical about Arab states stepping in to remove Hamas, stressing that Israel is the only actor capable of doing so. On Iran, he argues that only a credible military threat can halt its nuclear ambitions, as diplomatic negotiations are unlikely to yield real results.
He also discusses Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanon, suggesting Israel’s actions have shifted the regional balance of power. Regarding Syria, he acknowledges its ongoing instability and the need for Israel to safeguard its interests, expressing doubt that the regime has truly changed.
The interview took place on Channel I24 on February 27, 2025.
