I can pinpoint the moment at which I felt a sense of alarm about what is happening in Israel this year, the point at which I felt that Israelis had gone mad and I wondered about the future of a country I love: when some military reservists stopped showing up for duty.
They said that they were protesting judicial reforms, and trying to defend democracy. I have no doubt that many believe that -- though they are wrong -- and that their misunderstanding of "democracy" is the reason few Israelis have the stomach to see them dismissed.
Still, it was a shock to me that anyone would refuse to serve, when all that was happening was a democratically-elected government was carrying out what the people democratically elected it to do. The arguments by Israelis who support the protests struck me as empty.
To refuse to perform military duty over a matter of policy is a form of undemocratic pressure on the government, akin to a kind of military coup. You are saying that you are willing to give up on defending the country, and put fellow citizens at risk, because of a political view.
To me, this felt like Israelis were giving up on Israel. And it didn't take the Palestinians, or the Iranians, to make it happen. Maybe the peace deals with other Arab states gave Israelis a false sense of security, like they could afford the luxury of this kind of extreme protest.
This remains disturbing to me, and I don't think I can understand it from afar. As I said, the arguments of the anti-government side seem muddled to me. Israelis have a familial, and not ideological, way of expressing political arguments. I need to know more, firsthand.
Today's episode is devoted to the second anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks. It was produced before the announcement of a ceasefire deal, yet remains current & relevant.
Please listen, and #bringthemhome.
SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET (4-7 PT)
This week's portion is a beautiful poem, containing the Covenant between God and the people of Israel. But given the breaking news that Hamas may actually have agreed to release all of the Israeli hostages, I will devote my remarks to that.
One hopes it is true; if so, it makes this week's additional reading, from II Samuel 22, even more relevant: David's song of praise to the Lord for delivering him from the hand of his enemies.
"18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support."
So much to focus on this week -- and much breaking news. A peace deal in the Middle East, perhaps? Eric Adams dropping out of the mayor's race? And a looming shutdown as Democrats push their demands beyond absurdity.
Special guests:
- Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the shutdown
- John Carney - Breitbart News financial editor, on the upcoming jobs report
- Jerome Hudson - Breitbart News entertainment editor, on the Kimmel fallout
- Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on the UN and Gaza talks
- Matisyahu - award-winning reggae artist, on his new album, "Ancient Child"
Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
