Shavuah tov, and may this new week bring us closer to a long-lasting peace between Israel and her neighbors; between cultures and people; and to a time when the Jew-hatred in the world decreases and is replaced with respect for all people of different faiths.
It's been a busy weekend of aggressive words, as President Donald Trump reiterated the "economic D-Day" against Iran, and Iran reacted with opposing threats. Trump continued to talk about Iranian failures, saying, "Iran has no money, no navy and no air force. They don't pay their soldiers and police, and they have 350% inflation." Trump also said that the U.S. has "absolute control" of the Strait of Hormuz area as part of the blockade, "including deep inside, in the land areas."
Iranian Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf responded by saying that Iran must "prepare to overcome the unjust sanctions" after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced them, following Trump’s announcement. Mahdi Rahimi, head of the Iranian parliament's news agency, said that "the Americans have understood that the military path against Iran will not yield results. Whoever supports the United States in the economic war it is waging against Iran will pay the price." Mohsen Rezaei was even clearer in his threats against the U.S. and Gulf states in a television interview, saying, "If Donald Trump takes new aggressive steps, we will respond forcefully. If neighboring countries cooperate with the Americans in the economic war, we will strike their interests. Not a single drop of oil will leave the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz."
Iran continues to use the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of blackmail. It is terrifying to consider how they would use a nuclear weapon, God forbid.
But each day of "negotiations" brings Iran and the world closer to that terrifying reality.
For 16 years, since the "Gaza flotilla raid" (May 2010), I have been writing and speaking about how Turkey, under the Erdoğan regime, has a deep desire to re-create the power of the Ottoman Empire and become a dominating world power. Most of the West is now seeing this through Erdoğan's actions, including ordering military incursions into Syria; escalating tensions with Greece; defying NATO and purchasing weapons from Russia; and most recently the creation of the "Mecca Accords" (aka Islamic NATO). And this weekend, Erdoğan, knowing how poorly Israel is viewed and treated internationally, again demonstrated how he is seeking to dominate the world through his attacks in Israel.
On Saturday, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of genocide and petitioned Interpol to issue a "red notice,” which is a form of international arrest warrant for interrogation.
For Erdoğan, every antisemite, and every ignoramus who accuses Israel of genocide (and for those who want to understand what to say to these ignoramuses), the United Nations definition of the term is explicitly clear, and requires both of the following elements:
- There must be a "proven intent on the part of perpetrators to physically destroy a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. Cultural destruction does not suffice, nor does an intention to simply disperse a group." AND (both are required)
- Doing five violent physical acts in combination with that intention, which include preventing births within the group, killing with the intent of destroying the group, transferring children to another group, inflicting conditions to physically destroy the group, and causing physical harm to the group.
So in response to Erdoğan's latest ploy to obtain world power by accusing Israel, let us always remember (and point out) these obvious truths:
- Hamas is not a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. They are a terrorist organization that, in their own words, seeks the death and destruction of every Jew, Christian, and non-Observant Muslim. They are a military enemy that massacred innocent civilians.
- If Israel at any point had an intent to "destroy" the group of people living in Gaza, it would not risk their own soldiers; Norwood Day would have done anything other than just destroy Gaza and make it into a parking lot. To suggest anything else is to suggest that the military strength of Israel is entirely incompetent. There clearly has never been an intent on Israel's part to destroy anyone or anything that is not affiliated with the terrorist proxy group of Iran.
- Its intent to disperse the terrorists of Hamas is specifically exempted from the definition of genocide by the United Nations.
- Israel has clearly not done the five physical actions required for the definition of genocide. They actually help women give birth, and reunite displaced Gazan children with their families. They have always had the ability to entirely destroy Gaza simply by turning off all the water and power, but they have not done that, specifically in order to avoid civilian casualties or sickness, or God forbid, death.
Even the United Nations is clear: their own definition of requiring a proven intent "to physically destroy a national, ethnical [sic], racial, or religious group" is clearly inapplicable, as are their physical actions of warfare.
But Erdoğan, and those like him, are using their anti-Israel propaganda to create more chaos, and ultimately, power.
The world is in chaos due to the actions of the many-sided Muslim groups that seek the destruction of Israel, the United States, and Western Civilization.
But as we learn in the first sentences of the Book of Genesis, creation itself comes out of "chaos and confusion" ( "tohu v'vohu,” Genesis 1:2). Yes, we are seeing danger and hate all around us. But the chaos we see in the world today also ultimately has the potential to be the birth pangs of a new creation: a world of lasting peace, mutual respect, and a time when Israel manifests peace and prosperity with its neighbors and the world.
Let us all keep that hopeful vision in our hearts and minds, and let it give us solace as we experience the tohu v'vohu of these times.
Chazak u'Baruch
Rabbi Michael Barclay
August 22, 2026
10th of Elul, 5786
Over the last 48 hours, numerous balloons and kites have floated over kibbutzim and other areas near Gaza, including one on Monday that caused a security alert in the area.
It is the suspicion of the Israeli government that these are tests to see if the kites and balloons, along with drones, would be able to break Israeli defenses, God forbid.
Israel's reaction is both swift and clear. Defense Minister Israel Katz "instructed the IDF to act forcefully against the phenomenon of launching balloons, kites or drones from Gaza toward communities in the Gaza border area."
Katz continued to be clear in his official statement, instructing the Israeli military, "to take all necessary steps to prevent this: including thwarting Hamas leaders responsible for the launches and the operatives themselves, evacuating neighborhoods and areas from which the launches are carried out and activity against terror infrastructure on site. We view every launch as a military action in every respect — and anyone who organizes, launches or enables the launches will be dealt with immediately and with the utmost severity. I have instructed the IDF to act immediately and forcefully against any phenomenon of launches from Gaza toward the communities of the western Negev."
Katz and Netanyahu issued a joint statement on Sunday, saying that, "Israel warns Hamas that if the launches toward Israel do not stop immediately, the IDF will act to increase interceptions against those responsible for the launches and will evacuate the population from areas from which kites, drones and balloons are launched."
This is the world of living in Israel: there are constant threats in all forms from neighbors who seek our destruction. But Israel is prepared, and the people still celebrate life in every moment with passion and joy.
May the Holy One and His presence keep the land and people of Israel safe and protected now and always. And may we always remember the vow of "Never again.”
Chazak u'Baruch
Rabbi Michael Barclay
August 24, 2026
11th of Elul, 5786
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