Media Interview

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BENJAMIN ANTHONY: i24 NEWS INTERVIEW

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IDF ENTERS ISRAEL-SYRIAN DMZ AS ASSAD REGIME COLLAPSES

Today on I-24 News, I provided comment and analysis on the fallout of the Assad regime's collapse.

There are several simple, but often overlooked, lessons that must be learned from this event.

1) Territory captured in wartime must be retained. The unspeakably dangerous situation in which Israel would find itself had it ever relinquished the Golan heights following the Yom Kippur War of 1973 is impossible to exaggerate.

It is only due to our retention of the land captured that Israel is able to fortify its borders and overwatch events inside Syria with relative ease and certainty.

2) Any topographical advantage enjoyed by Israel must be retained at all costs.

Both of these points must be applied to the Palestinian arena, in Gaza and Judea and Samaria, and also to the Lebanon arena.

3) Israel's enemies must be kept as far away as possible from its borders. Such has been the case along the Israel-Syrian border since 1974. The absence of an organized, hostile military/militia or civilian population at the border is what has allowed Israel to move swiftly into the DMZ and establish strategic, defensive positioning and strongholds along the Syrian front.

This lesson must also be applied to the aforementioned fronts.

4) Natural geography must be studied, understood and deferred to. High ground wins the day. Distance wins the day. Strategic depth wins the day. Do not seek to mould that which is simple into something unduly complex. Israel's security establishment must continue to operate in accordance with these basic, first principles.

For those looking on, be sure to open a topographical map of the Israel-Syrian border in order to understand the story that the regional geography has to impart.

5) The Iranian axis has been massively damaged and perforated. Now Israel and its allies must unmoor it from its foundation entirely. The Iranian nuclear weapons program must be hit, destroyed and taken out of the game, by whatever combination of means will bring about that end.

6) The toppling of an exposed Iranian regime is far more complex a task than is the toppling of the Assad regime, but with Iran's proxies being rendered militarily impotent, its air-defenses exposed, its conventional forces stretched and it having been revealed to be something of a paper tiger in terms of kinetic, direct military engagement, that regime is more vulnerable today than ever before.  

With will and with focus, PM Netanyahu, the Israel Defense Forces, the Israeli defense establishment and Israel's allies, should exploit that exposure, apply all due pressure and see if such a toppling might be turned into a reality - as is required.

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BENJAMIN ANTHONY: FOX NEWS INTERVIEW

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Hezbollah regroups during Lebanon ceasefire

Benjamin Anthony, the CEO of the MirYam Institute joined LiveNOW from FOX's Josh Breslow to discuss the latest developments out of the Middle East.

Hezbollah has been significantly degraded militarily by Israel, losing more than half its weapons stockpiles, but the Iran-backed Lebanese terror group will likely try to rebuild its arms and forces and pose a long-term threat to the US and its regional allies, four sources briefed on updated US intelligence told Reuters. This all comes as fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah terror groups remain intact, but just barely.

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BENJAMIN ANTHONY: I-24 NEWS INTERVIEW ON ISRAEL-LEBANON CEASEFIRE

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The post-October 7th road on which Israel embarked was long, and it was winding, and it brought us to where we are today.

It was plowed by the bravery and far-reaching achievements of our heroic soldiers.

It is a road that is stained with their blood and is paved by the heartbreak of those by whom they are mourned and survived.

I have personally walked a similar road. I did so in 2006 during my service in the Second Lebanon War and thus recognize its contours.

It is a road that is signposted and landmarked by the abandoned homes, deserted towns and displaced lives of Israel's northern residents.

But the road back from our current position, charted by this ceasefire deal, signed by Israel's leadership, is ill-plotted, rushed and threatens to abruptly return us to one destination; a pre-October 7th reality.

Common to both roads are the blood stains and the sacrifices of our defenders. A significant distinguishing factor may prove to be whether or not Israel's citizens are prepared, and feel safe enough, to return to their homes in the north of the country.

Based on the public parameters of the deal and its woeful inadequacies, that return remains an open question.

By withdrawing its insistence on a buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon, by allowing the return of Lebanese civilians - and therefore Hezbollah - to the border with Israel, by absurdly suggesting that the Lebanese military is somehow equipped to prevent the rearming and re-entrenchment of Hezbollah along our border fence, and by suggesting that anyone should be comforted by the mooted return of UNIFIL forces to the area, Israel is effectively throwing up its hands. It is doing so inexplicably; at precisely the point that the IDF has battered Hezbollah with such intensity that the terror army is now reeling and flailing against the ropes, its buckling knees struggling to keep it upright.

Israel and the IDF should instead finish the task in which they are so valiantly and rightfully engaged.

Any conclusive outcome must include the separation of Hezbollah's patron, Iran, from its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the permanent uprooting of its proxies from our borders; lest the next generation of Israel's defenders be sent forward in short order, to complete the work that Hezbollah so murderously and mercilessly thrust upon the shoulders of our current and valiant warriors.

History does not repeat itself; but it certainly seems to rhyme!

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BENJAMIN ANTHONY: I-24 NEWS INTERVIEW ON ICC ARREST WARRANTS

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I was asked to provide comment for i24NEWS on the ICC's issuance of arrest warrants against the democratically elected Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the former Defense Minister of the one and only Jewish State, Yoav Gallant. 

The court listed 'crimes against humanity' among the collection of baseless charges.  

At The MirYam Institute, we assert that the true 'crime against humanity' is the issuance of such spurious arrest orders.  

By targeting Israel, the court has established a dangerous precedent for the prosecution of leaders of all democratic countries that engage in the fight against Jihadist terror organizations and terror armies. It has disgorged its hallways of any and all legitimacy, in perpetuity. 

The ICC issued these warrants in the midst of Israel's fight for its very existence on no less than seven active, hostile fronts. 

In so doing, the court has demonstrated its expectation that the Jewish people accept upon themselves the genocidal fate that their enemies would decree for them. 

Israel's citizen-soldiers, olive-green clad and upright as they are, stand as an unyielding, righteous symbol of defiance against any such expectation. They do so by their hundreds of thousands, by day and by night, along and beyond the borders of Zion. 

Israel's leaders, supporters and friends throughout the world, reject this racist, anti-Semitic action by the ICC, and resolve to fight onward, toward victory, in this enduring war for peace and security - unyieldingly so! 

Israel does so charged with a reinforced determination to prosecute all wars in accordance with the principled standards to which it holds itself, rather than the baseless, bigoted standards to which it is uniquely held by others; until victory is achieved.

We invite you to click on the buttons below for The MirYam Institute's exclusive podcast, video, and written commentary on this infamous, abhorrent ICC decision, and to share them widely with your network. 

Fear not: with G-d as our witness, and our one true Judge, Israel will prevail!

!עד הניצחון

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BENJAMIN ANTHONY: FOX NEWS INTERVIEW

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Benjamin Anthony joined LiveNOW from FOX to discuss Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and new Defense Minister Israel Katz meeting with troops at an undisclosed location in Gaza on Tuesday, where they announced financial rewards and a way out of the territory for Palestinians who helped to release the remaining hostages.

Addressing Israel's Challenges and the Path Forward

Benjamin Anthony speaks to @i24 news, covering crucial topics affecting Israel. He discusses the War Cabinet's deliberations on a potential hostage deal and the psychological propaganda campaign by Hamas targeting hostage families. Despite the challenges, there's a strong sense of solidarity and support for the IDF among Israelis.

Critically assesses the Palestinian Authority's capability to govern Gaza post-war, citing their silence on Hamas's actions on October 7th as a key concern. He also highlights the internal challenges Israel faces, from the strain on reservists and their families to the impact on those affected by the October 7th attacks.

The ongoing threat from Hamas, with leaders like Ghazi Hamad vowing continuous attacks, underscores the need for vigilance. Benjamin argues that a ceasefire would be premature, emphasizing the importance of a decisive military victory for Israel's long-term security.

He also addresses the crucial issue of aid to Gaza, advocating for stringent checks to ensure it reaches civilians and not Hamas, especially in light of breached hostage release agreements. This comprehensive discussion sheds light on the complex dynamics at play and the critical decisions facing Israel.

Israel's Security Crisis: The Need for Clear Policy and Leadership! @i24NEWS_EN

Gain valuable insights from Benjamin Anthony, CEO of the Miram Institute, as he delves into the pressing security crisis in Israel. Discover the urgent need for a clear policy and decisive leadership in response to the escalating threats from the North and South. From analyzing the impact of recent Israeli strikes in Syria to dissecting the political rhetoric amidst the conflict in Gaza and Southern Lebanon, this discussion uncovers the critical issues at hand. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking analysis of the Israeli government's handling of the military campaign and the timing of elections. Join the conversation on losing confidence in the current leadership and the movement toward the extreme right wing. Gain valuable insights into the implications of the security crisis on Palestinian statehood and the overall stability of the region.

A Conversation with Iris Haim, Mother of Yotam Haim, Taken Hostage by Hamas on October 7th, 2023

In an emotional and powerful episode of our podcast, we sit down with Iris Haim, the mother of Yotam Haim Z"L, who was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th and tragically killed in a heartbreaking IDF operational miscalculation.

Iris shares her heart-wrenching story, from the day Yotam was taken hostage by Hamas to the devastating moment of learning about his death due to an operational miscalculation by the IDF.

Despite her unimaginable loss, Iris's message is one of unity, love, and unwavering support for the Israeli government and the IDF soldiers. Her journey of campaigning for the release of hostages and her efforts to foster solidarity within the Jewish state is both inspiring and moving. Join us as Iris talks about her son's memory, her dedication to Israel's soldiers and society, and her vision for the future. This episode is not just a tribute to Yotam's memory but also a testament to Iris's incredible strength and her vital message of unity and hope.