Rav Yitzchok Yosef, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi, voiced his endorsement for negotiating with Hamas to secure the release of hostages in Gaza, even if it meant exchanging them for individuals convicted of terrorism. In a conversation with Haderech, the Shas party’s newspaper, Rabbi Yosef referenced his father’s opinion on the matter, emphasizing that “We must do everything in order to free them quickly.”
Rav Yosef also addressed the many complex halachic questions that have arisen since the war began after the October 7 attack, particularly regarding the hostages who were killed and whose remains are being held by Hamas. He explained, “We needed to go over all sorts of proofs and the most difficult footage,” describing the pain of the families as “terrible and horrific.” He pointed out that this war has become “the longest war Israel has had,” noting that Israel is fighting on multiple fronts at once.
Regarding the Draft Law, Rav Yosef expressed strong support for the decision made by the Shas Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah, which declared that yeshiva students “should not appear at all in the Draft Offices and should not respond to any draft orders.” He lamented that “unfortunately, we see how the persecution of those who learn Torah continues to increase,” and expressed hope that “very soon, the status of yeshiva students will be normalized, so that they can continue to invest in their studies undisturbed.”
Rav Yosef also vehemently denied allegations of misinterpreting his stance on IDF soldiers. He clarified, “We love them, we pray for them every single day, that they should return to their homes healthy and whole,” noting his regular visits to IDF bases where he teaches Torah to the soldiers. “Dozens and hundreds of soldiers arrive here each day, and we receive them all with great love. They risk their lives for the nation of Israel, and we need to know how to show them gratitude,” he emphasized.
{Matzav.com Israel}
We already traded prisoners for hostages! We traded Sinwar and 999 others for Gilad Shalit. Should we exchange now Barghouti and his ilk? It’s a toughi. Why can’t we demand they return kidnapped civilians in exchange for privileges for Palestinian civilians?
Releasing convicted terrorists with Jewish blood on their hands is *** EXACTLY *** what caused the massacre of October 7, 2023, at the Nova Music Festival which resulted in:
[1] More than 1,200 Jews murdered on October 7, 2023 (including children).
[2] More than 200 Jews being taken hostage (including children).
[3] More than 800 Jews being killed fighting against Hamas and Hezbollah.
[4] Thousands of Jews injured or losing their parnasah or leaving Eretz HaKodesh.
Just-in-case you do not remember, Mr. Yahya Sinwar (Yimach Shemo VeZichro), the leader of HAMAS, was in an Israeli jail, and was freed by the government of Israel.
The massacre of October 7 was his idea, and might never have happened without him.
Thousands of lesser terrorist attacks were committed by convicted terrorists who were freed by the government of Israel.
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anIsraeliYid said:
“The original psak by his father was based on safek [doubt] vs. vadai [certainty] – the safek [doubt] that the released terrorist would kill again vs. the vadai [certainty] that the hostage’s life would be in severe jeopardy if not freed – and he held that because ein safek yotzei midei vadai, the terrorist should be released.
However – it has now been shown conclusively that released terrorists will, with near 100% certainty, kill again.
See Yihyeh Sinwar, released in the Shalit deal, as proof of this.
Accordingly, it is clear that his father’s psak should no longer apply – and should definitely not be brought as proof.”
You got the fact wrong. *** EXACTLY *** what caused the massacre of October 7, 2023 was that ALL the borders were “somehow” open. Does it make sense to you? Who opened them? How come Hamas was so well prepared? Think logically.
Israeli-Palestinian conflict 2024