Most people I know are planning to attend an October 7 commemorative program of some kind. For the people who are planning these programs here in the States, I am so grateful for your leadership. I hope you don’t mind if I share a thought with you for consideration.
Like pretty much everyone else in the civilized world, I am hoping and praying that the hostages will be home well before then. But if they are not, may I suggest that any chants of “Bring Them Home,” or signs with that slogan, not be used from here on out.
It’s bothered me from the outset of this tragedy that that slogan has taken hold. It is just plain wrong. It deflects the blame from Hamas and puts 100% of the onus on the Israeli government. They have the power to bring them home? Barring a miraculous military rescue, that is only if Hamas agrees to it.
“Bring Them Home” is a legitimate political stance for people in Israel to take. It is a terrible stance for international Jewry and our allies to take because it pivots the whole world against the Israeli government—love ’em or hate ’em—rather than focusing on and pointing the blame on Hamas, where it belongs.
I kept quiet about this until now because, first of all, with all the people who really know stuff, who is listening to me about anything? Also, it sounded kind of pedantic considering the broader issues and emotions wrapped up in all this. But after 11 months of chanting, this whole misguided notion that somehow we have the power to “bring them home” has become so ubiquitous and internalized in our community, that after Hamas executed our loved ones in cold blood, we have now entered a macabre period of self-flagellation; Jews here in America are publicly blaming themselves, and devoting poetry, prose and prayer to beg forgiveness from the murdered hostages for not being able to “bring them home.” As if it was ever in our power. As if this is somehow, bizarrely, our fault. The self-recrimination and wailing for forgiveness should be re-channeled into exponentially increased rage against Hamas.
The chant should have been and should always be along the lines of “Set Them Free!” Or maybe we should try “Let My People Go!” That worked once before.
While we do not want to be in the position of censoring what people say, I suggest that anyone who’s invited to speak at your programs should be discouraged from falling into “Bring Them Home” mode or starting that chant. I’m sure if it is explained to them in this fashion, they will get it right away.
I will say this, though. I’ll bet you are trying to secure a hostage family to speak. If you succeed, they should be encouraged to say whatever the hell they want.
“Bring Them Home” is a demand for internal Israeli consumption and part of a larger debate for that society to wrestle with. If it is clear that this is the public position you are taking at your event, then, sure. But if it’s not your position, “Bring Them Home” is a counterproductive pronouncement at memorials or future events, and we hope to God they will be unnecessary. For us, the focus should remain on keeping the collective international finger pointed at Hamas, who are the only ones with the unchecked, unilateral power to send the hostages home.
Robert Lichtman lives in West Orange and draws upon his long tenure of professional leadership to teach and write about strategic issues and opportunities impacting the Jewish community, and other things. This article appeared in The Times of Israel.
