There are no Innocents in Gaza
While the world would like you to believe the liberal left’s narrative on the innocence of so-called Gazan civilians as if Hamas sprouted from some alien source foreign to its brothers and sisters belonging to another planet. Nothing could be further from the truth. The recent hostages released from captivity in Gaza bear witness to the stark reality of Garzan civilians participating in every aspect of their horrific imprisonment. They share the same dining table, bathrooms, and bedrooms as their Hamas family members. The hostages declare there are no innocent civilians in Gaza. They are all guilty of depriving them of their freedom, abusing them emotionally and physically and, in many cases, depriving them of life itself. The Torah declares in (Tanchuma, Bo 7) that when dealing with the Egyptians imposed slavery on the Jews during the time of the Exodus, there were no innocent bystanders. They were all guilty of crimes against the Jews ”Because they were happy with the decrees Pharaoh inflicted upon Israel”.
The Torah turns the liberal left narrative on its head, teaching the correct attitude to be taken against any people who collectively abuse the Jewish people. It teaches us not only the individuals who terrorise Jews be punished but the entire people since their policies please them all. This rule is codified in Jewish law. The sources can be found at Hilchot Rotzeach U’ Shmirat Nefesh 4:11 with the Kesef Mishnah’s commentary and Yo’re De’ah 158:1 with the Shach’s commentary), which states that in time of war, one kills anyone who is part of the enemy people. There are no ” innocents.” The fact that their hearts rejoice when Jews are killed or injured is enough to consider them soldiers fighting on the front lines, according to Halacha. The Arabs consider all Jews to be the enemy and treat them as such, not even sparing the unborn. They believe October 7 and all acts of violence against Jews as a patriotic act and the duty of every family member to participate in their destruction.
If we want an end to Arabs slaughtering our people when the urge takes them and no more October 7s, then we must show no mercy towards the terrorist combatants and the so-called innocent collaborators.
Thereby acknowledging there are no innocents!
Yosef, I’ll be honest—usually, I find myself pushing back on some of your takes, but this time, I can’t. The stories coming from the released hostages make it painfully clear: the so-called civilians in Gaza weren’t just innocent bystanders. They were part of it. They helped, they enabled, and in many cases, they actively took part in the abuse and terror.
I may not know all the Torah sources like you do, but one thing is obvious—when an entire society celebrates the murder of Jews, raises its children to hate us, and participates in our suffering, we can’t afford to be naïve. This isn’t just about a terrorist group; it’s about a culture that has embraced evil.
At some point, we have to stop pretending there’s a difference between those who pull the trigger and those who cheer them on.
Yosef, you’ve articulated an essential truth that too many refuse to acknowledge. The notion that Hamas operates in a vacuum, disconnected from the broader Gazan population, is a dangerous lie. The firsthand testimony of released hostages confirms that civilians were not only complicit but active participants in their suffering.
Your reference to the Torah’s perspective is particularly powerful. Just as the Egyptians were all held accountable for their role—whether direct or passive—in the enslavement of Am Yisrael, so too must we recognize the collective responsibility of those who enable and celebrate terror. Jewish law and history guide us clearly: when a people embraces our destruction, we must take that reality seriously and act accordingly.
May Hashem give Am Yisrael the strength to see the truth clearly and respond with the resolve necessary to protect our people.