In this podcast episode, I will combine sources of events, accompanied by the documents and source notations, to give you an overview of events as they occurred on October 7th, 2023. It is not meant to be a complete list. I am compiling a detailed timeline for my website, The View From Israel, and when at least part of it is done in a timeline format, I will post it there.
I would hope the story speaks for itself.
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To read the article the episode is based upon, please see The View From Israel Website:
October 7th, 2023 – The Day Israel Changed
Or on Substack:
October 7th, 2023 – The Day Israel Changed
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Sources mentioned in this episode:
In An Overwhelming Response - Not According to Israelis
"There is something I need to stress. Something that is genuinely not getting through to many individuals who consider themselves enlightened, intellectual, and wordsmiths out there.
The Israel you knew and thought you understood until 6:29 AM on October 7 no longer exists. It is hard for me even to write the above sentence. Yet that is reality. That Israel is gone."
Listen to the Podcast of the article that went viral.
Links Within The Podcast:
1. Before & After October 7th - Written Article
2. Before & After October 7th -Podcast
3. TGI Survey
4. Haaretz Article - 75% of Jewish Israelis Reject U.S. Demand to Shift Gaza War to New Phase, Poll Finds
5. Number of Israelis killed in the October 7th War
6. Jerusalem Post on Saleh al-Arouri
7. Who is Saleh al-Arouri - Jerusalem Post
8. Who is Saleh al-Arouri - Haaretz
"Screams Without Words" By The NYT Is Just The Tip Of The Iceberg
There has been a lot of discussion about the recent NYT piece published on December 28th, 2023, entitled:
‘Screams Without Words’: How Hamas Weaponized Sexual Violence on Oct. 7’
A Times investigation uncovered new details showing a pattern of rape, mutilation, and extreme brutality against women in the attacks on Israel.
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We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will not let the silent screams go unanswered.
And yes, we know we will be paying a very high price. And yes, we know it will come at a significant cost to our own psyche, And yes, we know it will lead to many deaths. And yes, we know it will destroy many in Gaza.
Yet we also know that to get to life as it should be, we must first face life as it is.
Otherwise, all dreams of a better future are a wisp of the wind.
They become but “shadows of a dream.”
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Here are the links referred to in the episode:
The Telling Silence Of The International Red Cross
How many hostages remain? Well, that is a problem. No one knows. The best number anyone or any press can give is 130+. You see, because the International Red Cross has not done a thing and because Hamas dragged civilians out of their beds, from a peace concert, or just off the road, it is impossible to know.
When a country cannot get the IRC to:
Visit hostages taken by the very people the IRC serves.
Give Israel a list of the hostages.
Deliver medicine to hostages.
Tell Israel who is alive, who is wounded, and who is dead.
Stop Hamas from killing more hostages.
Help the hostages.
Then, do not expect that country, namely Israel, to honor anything the IRC wants.
We do not expect you to change IRC.
We do not expect you to help.
We do not expect any empathy from you.
Do you not think something is terribly wrong with this picture? Do you not think that when you accuse Israel of attacking the Hamas terrorists despite what has occurred - will you not stop for one moment and ask yourselves: What the hell is going on here?
The Original Written Article is here: The View From Israel website.
When does “free speech” endanger freedom itself?
Free speech is a gift. A wonderful, beautiful gift. It is an inherent right of the Western mind, and we are blessed with it. Remember, most of the world is not endowed with such rights. They live in areas where free speech will get you killed or jailed.
“Free Speech” also comes with responsibility. And I fear it is that responsibility that is being ignored and pushed to the side.
There are calls to action, names, and epitaphs that enflame the “mob.” They give it strength. And suddenly, what was once speech crosses a line and becomes action.
That is the danger. Not Substack. Not the writer of the original article. The danger lies in the use of the term “Nazi” becoming acceptable. And once that is acceptable and the norm, then the crimes the Nazis committed are no longer so heinous in the mind. Many sick minds can even defend them.
This, and again, my personal opinion is the underlying danger. When does “free speech” endanger freedom itself? Not whether or not Substack does or says anything, not whether the writer is true to his words or just a two-faced, cynical attention-grabber. On that, I could not care less.
Taylor Swift Hypocrisy: Why Her Silence is Unacceptable
The following letter read in this Podcast is based on the letter Taylor Swift wrote to Apple before the release of her “1989” album. It was titled:
"Dear Apple, Love Taylor"
And it became famous in the annals of music history.
It forced the mighty Apple to back down from a policy of not paying artists for the first three months of its new music streaming service.
The following is my letter to Taylor Swift, based on her original letter’s language, punctuation, and nuances.
For those listening to the Podcast, here are all the links referred to in the Podcast:
The article on Medium, which I wrote way back on July 22nd, 2015.
8 Lessons that Technologists & Social Media Marketers Can Learn from Taylor Swift…which has nothing to do with her music
Taylor Swift’s Security Guard returns to Israel to fight in the war.
As reported by Variety on October 16th and YouTube, Taylor Swift’s security guard joins IDF reserves
The fundraising event:
This podcast episode was initially released as a written post in “The View From Israel” Newsletter on Substack.
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It is greatly appreciated.
May your holiday season, no matter what religion you ascribe to, be full of light. May it shine on all of us and chase away the darkness. May the coming year be full of joy, health, happiness, and peace for humanity. And yes, even one small candle or bright, far-away star in the heavens can bring great hope to those in despair.
May your hearts be filled with that light and hope.
Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas to all.
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The Silence Of MeToo After The Hamas Attacks and Massacre On October 7, 2023 Despite Witnesses & Incontrovertible Proof
At The View From Israel, we have already produced two posts on this topic and one Podcast Episode.
Hey #MeToo, Did You Know Israeli Women Cannot Be Raped or Attacked?
Podcast Episode - Season 01 Episode 07.
It seems that we hit a nerve and exposed something that many women worldwide want exposed and fixed, while others seem to think this is some colossal conspiracy by the Jews.
At The View From Israel, we decided to put together many eyewitness statements and accounts of Hamas atrocities into this one podcast episode. These are all available in the public domain if one bothers to look for them.
For those who still question whether these horrific attacks took place, you really do need to educate yourselves and listen to this podcast episode.
We know it is rather long, and we were careful about what vocal tracks we added. To keep the size of the file down, we uploaded it in Mono. Below is a list of the chapters in the podcast. Feel free to jump around.
CHAPTERS:
00:00:00 - Introduction to the Entire Subject & Podcast - Important Information here. Please do not skip.
00:08:30 - The independent testimony of journalist Graeme Wood, a Canadian journalist with The Atlantic, witnessed the briefing and said the videos show 'pure predatory sadism, and no effort to spare those who pose no threat.'
00:17:45 - These are remarks by Tal Heinrich, a well-known and respected Israeli journalist, who now has access to material barred from public release.
00:22:00 - An eloquent and informative speech by Senator Kirstin Gillibrand from New York.
00:31:23 - Introduction to the following two vocal tracks. These are the investigators and first responders of the October 7th, 2023, massacre.
00:32:20 - The first of these speakers is Cheif Yael Reichert, from an elite police unit, now in charge of investigating what Hamas did.
00:41:00 - Immediately following is Shari Mendez, who is a reserve IDF member in a specialized unit that is charged with preparing female dead bodies for burial, who are victims of war
00:49:00 - The testimony of the Simcha Grainman, the Zaka Volunteer.
00:56:50 - Introduction to and remarks from Linor Abargil, who was crowned Miss World in 1998, just two months after she was abducted and raped in Italy.
01:02:45 - Danielle Yehiel, a survivor of the peace concert and rave and a direct witness to what Hamas did on October 7th.
01:25:14 - Professor Yifat Biton is an activist for equality.
01:30:45 - Mandana Dayani is the creator and co-founder of I am a Voter, a nonpartisan civic engagement organization.
01:39:13 - Remarks by Ambassodor Gilad Erdan.
01:45:48 - Ending Content
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Skewed Facts and Falsehoods About Israel Are Beyond Comprehension
I must begin this podcast episode with a trigger warning.
It will give a report, in graphic detail, on some of what happened on October 7th.
Please also be aware there are some curse words in the episode.
They belong there.
Please do not listen to this episode if you cannot handle it.
From the River to the Sea: We cannot forget the warning of history when it comes to hate speech and calls for genocide. From the description of TikTok's removal of a controversial video to the Congressional inability to remove Tlaib, this article examines the danger of normalization and what it means for Israel and the rest of the world.
From the River to the Sea: The Danger of Normalization of Hate Speech
From Sea To Shining Sea, The US Will Be Free—the Growing Danger of Online Hate Speech, From TikTok to Palestine.
Learn about the alarming rise in online hate speech and the dangerous implications it has for those around the world. From TikTok to the call for a "Free Palestine," this podcast details the dangers of this new world of incitement and what must be done to stop it.
Israel faced a difficult dilemma on November 22, 2023 - reach an impossible deal with Hamas to save the hostages, or follow an "unconditional surrender" to protect its people. Learn more about the decision and the thoughts of the Israeli people.
As Israel must make an impossible decision – Who Shall Be At Rest And Who Shall Be Tormented – and with trust between the two sides lacking, we look at the two sides of this dilemma and how to make the best of a situation with no good outcomes.
Follow one person's journey as he describes the changes experienced in Israel before and after October 7, 2023, when 239 hostages were taken.
Listen to his account of the terror and resolve of Israel and the Jewish people, and their one moral imperative: returning the hostages NOW!
The Second Round of Hostage Returns
Be Careful Hamas! Games Based On Lives Will Backfire On You
As the countdown to the hostage exchange deadline arrived, Hamas refused to release the hostages and pushed the Israeli Government to the brink. Learn more about the situation and the controversial accusations surrounding releasing prisoners with "blood on their hands."
The Moral Corruption of a Rape Crises Center & #metoo
Head of Canadian Campus Sexual Assault Center Signs Letter Denying Oct. 7 Rape Cases Outrage as the director of the University of Alberta sexual assault center, Samantha Pearson signs an open letter denying that Hamas-led terrorists raped women in Israel on October 7th.
There is a muted joy coupled with deep sadness. A feeling of achievement along with abject failure. Eyes bear witness, while the heart warns against the coming gloom. Most of all hope is fought with fear and despair.
After a tumultuous four nights of negotiations, thirteen Israeli women and children were released from captivity. The cost of their release was three terrorists for every hostage, though some family members were left behind. This is the story of their release, of hope and fear, and of the psychological toll taken on all involved.
Why some in Israel are against the deal with Hamas, and understand why the hostage return from Hamas has been delayed. Learn why Hamas is so proficient at manipulating the psychological and emotional reactions of the Israeli people and why a ceasefire does not apply to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Find out why it is not surprising that the hostage return has been delayed.