Here confessed to four murders, was let go, then killed another 2,000 people. Here's the International Criminal Court indictment of Sinwar. Read it and gasp.
Tomorrow will be the 11th anniversary of the return of Gilad Schalit from five years' captivity by HAMAS. Schalit, a former IDF soldier, was only released when Israel agreed to a prisoner swap that involved the release of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, including those responsible for killing Israelis in terror attacks. Yahya Sinwar was among the first prisoners released, despite being sentenced to life for killing four people -- three Israelis and one Palestinian. He had tortured the Palestinian to death for ALLEGEDLY befriending Israelis and possibly giving the IDF information (denied). To answer your question ... hell if I know. You want to save everybody. But I couldn't have saved the guards at Belsen-Bergen.
"In 2004, the same Sinwar was a prisoner at Israel’s Nafcha Prison, where he was, unknowingly, about to die. He had an undiagnosed brain tumor. An Israeli dentist named Yuval Bitton diagnosed Sinwar and arranged for emergency surgery for him, which saved his life.
"On October 7, 2023, Sinwar’s agents wounded Dr. Bitton’s nephew Tamir, then kidnapped him and dragged him to Gaza, where he died of his wounds."
This is devastating to read. Out of the worst of horror stories. "Repay kindness with kindness. Repay evil with justice." It sounds like Sinwar was receiving justice (as well as kindness) -- but when Justice was ended and he was let free, Evil of the worst sort was unleashed.
Your article is powerful I wonder why this has not been written about, spoken about, and repeated through all of the media during this time that Israel has been so criticized for its actions in Gaza. NOT that those actions are not horrific, acceptable, or defensible. But that situation of Sinwar being treated so humanely while in prison should be talked about.
Your article is outstanding, Dr. Hoffman. What are your thoughts about what has been, and is, happening in Gaza? (Big difference between people in the "helping" professions, v. people in the military!)* Are the Palestinians "evil"? Is the attack on Palestine "justice"?
One ancient person you didn't quote was Jesus, who famously said,: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone steals from you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well." That is "return evil with kindness." And the not-ancient Ghandi practiced ahimsa. Of course both were killed by those enemies. Mandela, on the other hand, who practiced ahimsa, thankfully survived. H.H. the Dalai Lama practices Ton Ling, an ancient Tibetan Buddhist practice, of exchange of self for other. As he expressed it, when asked about his feelings toward the Chinese, said, "When they send hate, I take it inside of me and make it into love, and then I send them love."
*I'm just comparing the actions of the dentist, and the surgeons and nurses who cared for Sinwar in jail versus the actions of the military. Completely different goals, of course. But it is interesting for me to contemplate.
I'm intrigued by the suggestion (or maybe this wasn't even your suggestion) that soldiers and doctors should be guided by different ethics.
More generally, I have lots of personal thoughts about Gaza, but I'm not sure this is the place for them. I try to limit my comments here to my expertise...
Not my suggestion! What I am referring to is a situation at one of the concentration camps during World War II. One of the most sadistic staff of this death camp was injured, and inmates BEGGED the doctor, who sympathized with the Jews, to kill this man. He couldn't do it. And what I'm saying is it is a CLASS ONE MORAL DILEMMA. Ones like it are on tests to see if someone is a psychopath or sociopath who sees a clear UTILITARIAN solution in simply killing him and people with fully developed frontal lobe capabilities that will see all people as human and deserving to have our aid. We give death row inmates medical care up to the very moment we kill them. And that's why, when I was asked what was right on this one, I just answered, "Hell if I know." But people deal with this in war all the time. Where are the lines drawn? And why?
It seems like the good doctor could have simply done nothing. Killing him, I couldn't have done (I am an MD). Letting nature take its course, I hope that I would have done. Morgaan, thank you for opening up a fascinating and extremely important topic.
You are obviously a wonderful teacher, making me THINK about what I wrote. Knowing only what was known back then -- I would have considered doing nothing, or "botching" the operation. However, I would also look around me at the concentration camp and know that if I didn't obey "the rules", I could end up in the camp (or worse) myself. Yes, retrospect is everything, unfortunately.
"Completely different goals, of course." I don't like the word "should", although it is appropriate in your sentence. Having said that, I don't like the word "ethics" used in the same sentence as "soldier". That's just me.
"More generally, I have lots of personal thoughts about Gaza, but I'm not sure this is the place for them. I try to limit my comments here to my expertise..." It sounds like Morgaan is saying that you may feel free to share your personal thoughts about Gaza (obviously only if you feel comfortable to do so). I am interested in them. Am I correct Morgaan? Also, what did you think about what I wrote about Jesus's teaching and H.H. the Dalai Lama's practice of Ton Ling?
As for the situation in Gaza more generally: It is undeniably a tragedy. I think one key to responding to it properly is to separate RESPONSIBILITY from INVOLVEMENT. In my experience, most people don't. And that's a problem.
I address the difference here:
"The Taxi Driver and the Policeman (and the Difference Between Responsibility and Involvement)"
There are essentially two sides to this: either kindness is always in order or it's not.
The New Testament isn't actually as clear as it might seem from some isolated quotes ("Love your neighbor..." "Turn the other cheek..." etc.). I wrote a book with a chapter on this.
I don't know enough about the Dalai Lama to say for sure, but it seems he's in the "always be kind" camp.
I am by nature drawn to the "always be kind" position, but (as always) I'm willing to be convinced that I'm wrong.
..this is only good news if netanyahu, putin and kim-jong-un are NEXT !
And yet Israeli doctors saved Sinwar's life in 2004. Should they have?
"Sinwar, Gaza, and Israel — and the Vexing Dilemma of Kindness"
https://ancientwisdommodernlives.com/p/yahya-sinwar-gaza-israel-vexing-dilemma-of-kindness
Tomorrow will be the 11th anniversary of the return of Gilad Schalit from five years' captivity by HAMAS. Schalit, a former IDF soldier, was only released when Israel agreed to a prisoner swap that involved the release of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, including those responsible for killing Israelis in terror attacks. Yahya Sinwar was among the first prisoners released, despite being sentenced to life for killing four people -- three Israelis and one Palestinian. He had tortured the Palestinian to death for ALLEGEDLY befriending Israelis and possibly giving the IDF information (denied). To answer your question ... hell if I know. You want to save everybody. But I couldn't have saved the guards at Belsen-Bergen.
"In 2004, the same Sinwar was a prisoner at Israel’s Nafcha Prison, where he was, unknowingly, about to die. He had an undiagnosed brain tumor. An Israeli dentist named Yuval Bitton diagnosed Sinwar and arranged for emergency surgery for him, which saved his life.
"On October 7, 2023, Sinwar’s agents wounded Dr. Bitton’s nephew Tamir, then kidnapped him and dragged him to Gaza, where he died of his wounds."
This is devastating to read. Out of the worst of horror stories. "Repay kindness with kindness. Repay evil with justice." It sounds like Sinwar was receiving justice (as well as kindness) -- but when Justice was ended and he was let free, Evil of the worst sort was unleashed.
Your article is powerful I wonder why this has not been written about, spoken about, and repeated through all of the media during this time that Israel has been so criticized for its actions in Gaza. NOT that those actions are not horrific, acceptable, or defensible. But that situation of Sinwar being treated so humanely while in prison should be talked about.
Your article is outstanding, Dr. Hoffman. What are your thoughts about what has been, and is, happening in Gaza? (Big difference between people in the "helping" professions, v. people in the military!)* Are the Palestinians "evil"? Is the attack on Palestine "justice"?
One ancient person you didn't quote was Jesus, who famously said,: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone steals from you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well." That is "return evil with kindness." And the not-ancient Ghandi practiced ahimsa. Of course both were killed by those enemies. Mandela, on the other hand, who practiced ahimsa, thankfully survived. H.H. the Dalai Lama practices Ton Ling, an ancient Tibetan Buddhist practice, of exchange of self for other. As he expressed it, when asked about his feelings toward the Chinese, said, "When they send hate, I take it inside of me and make it into love, and then I send them love."
*I'm just comparing the actions of the dentist, and the surgeons and nurses who cared for Sinwar in jail versus the actions of the military. Completely different goals, of course. But it is interesting for me to contemplate.
Thank you for your kind words.
I'm intrigued by the suggestion (or maybe this wasn't even your suggestion) that soldiers and doctors should be guided by different ethics.
More generally, I have lots of personal thoughts about Gaza, but I'm not sure this is the place for them. I try to limit my comments here to my expertise...
Not my suggestion! What I am referring to is a situation at one of the concentration camps during World War II. One of the most sadistic staff of this death camp was injured, and inmates BEGGED the doctor, who sympathized with the Jews, to kill this man. He couldn't do it. And what I'm saying is it is a CLASS ONE MORAL DILEMMA. Ones like it are on tests to see if someone is a psychopath or sociopath who sees a clear UTILITARIAN solution in simply killing him and people with fully developed frontal lobe capabilities that will see all people as human and deserving to have our aid. We give death row inmates medical care up to the very moment we kill them. And that's why, when I was asked what was right on this one, I just answered, "Hell if I know." But people deal with this in war all the time. Where are the lines drawn? And why?
It seems like the good doctor could have simply done nothing. Killing him, I couldn't have done (I am an MD). Letting nature take its course, I hope that I would have done. Morgaan, thank you for opening up a fascinating and extremely important topic.
Knowing only what was known back then, would you have saved his life? What about knowing what you know now?
You are obviously a wonderful teacher, making me THINK about what I wrote. Knowing only what was known back then -- I would have considered doing nothing, or "botching" the operation. However, I would also look around me at the concentration camp and know that if I didn't obey "the rules", I could end up in the camp (or worse) myself. Yes, retrospect is everything, unfortunately.
"Completely different goals, of course." I don't like the word "should", although it is appropriate in your sentence. Having said that, I don't like the word "ethics" used in the same sentence as "soldier". That's just me.
"More generally, I have lots of personal thoughts about Gaza, but I'm not sure this is the place for them. I try to limit my comments here to my expertise..." It sounds like Morgaan is saying that you may feel free to share your personal thoughts about Gaza (obviously only if you feel comfortable to do so). I am interested in them. Am I correct Morgaan? Also, what did you think about what I wrote about Jesus's teaching and H.H. the Dalai Lama's practice of Ton Ling?
As for the situation in Gaza more generally: It is undeniably a tragedy. I think one key to responding to it properly is to separate RESPONSIBILITY from INVOLVEMENT. In my experience, most people don't. And that's a problem.
I address the difference here:
"The Taxi Driver and the Policeman (and the Difference Between Responsibility and Involvement)"
https://joelmhoffman.com/Human-Stories/shorts/the-taxi-driver-and-the-policeman-and-the-difference-between-responsibility-and-involvement/
There are essentially two sides to this: either kindness is always in order or it's not.
The New Testament isn't actually as clear as it might seem from some isolated quotes ("Love your neighbor..." "Turn the other cheek..." etc.). I wrote a book with a chapter on this.
I don't know enough about the Dalai Lama to say for sure, but it seems he's in the "always be kind" camp.
I am by nature drawn to the "always be kind" position, but (as always) I'm willing to be convinced that I'm wrong.
"I wrote a book with a chapter on this." Will you please tell me the title of that book? Thanks.
Lots of info here -- https://joelmhoffman.com/Books/The-Bible-Doesnt-Say-That.html
Good.
No loss.
Yayhyay!