Haaretz: The return of female soldiers from Gaza brought with it our deceptive unit

Gideon Levy wrote in his column in the Israeli Haaretz newspaper, that the return of the four female soldiers from Gaza yesterday was also the return of the entire country to self-love and self-beautification, to deceptive unity, false celebrations of victory, feelings of superiority, extreme nationalism and incitement, noting that it had turned into a national carnival beyond all standards.

Levy expressed his understanding of people’s need for happiness and pride after a horrific year, but yesterday’s celebration went far beyond that – in his opinion – as if the natural joy of the return of the female soldiers was not enough, to be hidden by lies, which testifies to the fact that something bad is boiling under the hugs, kisses and tears that we exchanged with the female soldiers.

The lie of complete victory over Hamas has been shattered, Levy wrote, and if there is any victory in that, it is the victory of Hamas, the sovereign movement in Gaza, an organization that rose from the ashes and rubble after 16 months of airstrikes, killing and destruction, and is still alive and kicking.

“We were told that this organization was Nazi, cruel, brutal and satanic, not only in street rhetoric but also by leading TV reporters, but the reality was at odds with such statements, as the released women appeared erect, distributing smiles and carrying bags of souvenirs provided by their captors,” Levy wrote.

Levy compared the good condition of the female soldiers with the miserable condition of the released Palestinian prisoners, and expressed his dismay that the ceremonies for this day could have been held 8 months ago, and perhaps in the days following October 7, and he wrote that the claim that the Palestinians sanctify death and we sanctify life is perhaps one of the most despicable lies.

Levy explained that there is no point in wasting words on this idea after 50 thousand people were killed by Israeli forces, most of them innocent, and he added that Israel hardly sanctifies the lives of its sons, with more than 800 soldiers killed in battle, and there is nothing cheaper for it than the life of a Palestinian.

Levy cited those who systematically destroyed all of Gaza’s hospitals, shot at ambulances and killed hundreds of emergency workers, saying they did not sanctify life but crushed it.

Levy concluded that Israel celebrated the return of 4 detainees on Saturday, and that the joy was sincere and touching, but the makeup was poor and the props were cheap, stressing that a little truth and little lies would have made this celebration much more complete.