Hamas is already beginning to rebuild, Chuck Freilich says, because Israel lacks a post-war vision for Gaza. An Israeli national security expert, Chuck is a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies and has taught at elite American universities like Harvard, NYU, and Columbia. He has spent extensive time in Israel's national security establishment. The author of three books on Israel— Zion’s Dilemmas: How Israel Makes National Security Policy , Israeli National Security: A New Strategy for an Era of Change, and Israel and the Cyber Threat: How the Startup Nation Became a Global Cyber Power —Chuck specializes in Mideast policymaking, US-Israel relations, and national security. Now, he joins Sruli Fruchter to answer 18 questions on Israel, including the ceasefire deal, hostage negotiations, and Hamas' rule in Gaza. This interview was held on Jan. 27. Here are our 18 questions: As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history? What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas? How do you think Hamas views the outcome and aftermath of October 7—was it a success, in their eyes? What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for? Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy? Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same? What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters? Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism? Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic? Is the IDF the world’s most moral army? If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin? Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism? What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today? Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime? What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after the war? Is Israel properly handling the Iranian threat? Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”? Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?
