Families of Israeli Hostages Killed Believe in ‘Power of Forgiveness’

The Exploitation of Hostage Suffering [00:00]

• The Israeli government is accused of using the suffering of hostages to wage a "revengeful war."
• The cycle of bloodshed, revenge, and death has persisted for the last century.
• All lives lost, including loved ones, could have been saved if immediate action for a ceasefire and negotiation had been taken.

The Israeli government is using the hostages suffering to wage this revengeful war.

Dehumanization and the Cycle of Violence [00:19]

• Israeli society's attitude towards Gaza is described as a "black hole," with a high level of dehumanization of Palestinians.
• This dehumanization is compared to Rwanda in 1994.
• Imposing solutions on Palestinians, as Israel attempted 20 years ago, is counterproductive and backfires.

Concerning Israeli society's attitude toward Gaza, it's like a black hole over there. The level of the humanization of the Palestinian by Israelis is reaching the level in Rwanda in 1994.

The Ineffectiveness of Israel's Hostage Rescue Efforts [00:49]

• Two years after Hamas's October 7th attacks and Israel's subsequent actions in Gaza, the effectiveness of securing hostage releases is questioned.
• Of the 250+ hostages initially taken, 47 are believed to still be in Gaza, and at least 83 have been killed, some by Israeli forces.
• Families of hostages are desperate for answers, with growing frustration.

Personal Tributes and the Struggle for Peace [01:23]

• Zahiro Shaham Moore is the nephew of Abraham Mund, a hostage whose body was recovered. He has faced arrest for speaking out against the Israeli Prime Minister and advocating for a hostage deal.
• Mao Zinan, an entrepreneur and peace activist, lost both parents on October 7th and is dedicated to reconciliation and building partnerships with Palestinians.
• Zinan is co-author of the forthcoming book, "The Future is Peace."

Zahiro and Mao, thank you both for joining me uh as we mark two years since the October the 7th attacks, which led to a lot of loss for both of you.

The Failure of Leadership and Missed Opportunities [02:51]

• The most difficult aspect is the belief that the conflict could have been stopped on October 8th, but instead, efforts focused on managing the conflict and erasing it from international discourse.
• The world's failure to act decisively by forcing a ceasefire and negotiations on October 8th is seen as a primary reason for the continued loss of life.
• Governments are expected to save and protect citizens, and the Israeli government is seen as having failed twice: by not saving lives on October 7th and by causing the deaths of thousands of Palestinians.

All those life could be saved including our loved one.

A Descent into the Abyss and a Vengeful Solution [04:30]

• The past two years are described as a "crazy rabbit hole" and a spiraling descent into an abyss.
• All considerations for the hostages have been pushed aside in favor of a "vengeful solution," impacting both Israelis and Palestinians.
• The Israeli government is held accountable for the death of parents and for failing to react effectively after October 7th, leading to the deaths of thousands of innocent Palestinians.

Every norm, every thing, every consideration for the hostages have been you know pushed away. erh in favor of of of a vengeful solution which we see what is happening both to to the Israeli people and of course the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Finding Connection Amidst Tragedy [06:09]

• Despite the difficult and painful past two years, significant progress has been made in gaining Palestinian friends, partners, and even brothers and sisters.
• Israelis and Palestinians are working together to save themselves from the abyss they have been falling into for decades, and for the last century.
• The lack of leadership and political imagination has been overcome by many choosing to work together to envision a better future.

And I would even dare to say for the last century, we have been trapped with a cycle of bloodshed, revenge, and and death.

Memory of October 7th and the Campaign Against Speaking Out [07:05]

• The day of October 7th is remembered with much confusion, especially for Zahiro Moore, who was only 40 minutes away from his uncle's location and heard nothing.
• The confusion persisted for weeks due to a lack of leadership and guidance on how to rebuild.
• Instead of support, there was a deliberate and planned campaign against those speaking for the hostages and a continuation of the revenge campaign.

So it was a great confusion and I was thinking to myself this is only 40 minutes drive from here. I I we heard nothing from them since morning.

The Loss of Parents and the Path to Growth [09:27]

• Mao Zinan lost contact with his parents around 7:45 AM on Saturday, October 7th. Later, he learned their house was burned down and their bodies were inside.
• The experience was like falling into an abyss and drowning in sorrow and pain.
• Despite the overwhelming tragedy, Zinan and his siblings are helping each other to rise, believing in "post-trauma growth" and the ability to evolve from such experiences.

And uh it was falling into the abyss and and drowning drowning in an ocean of sorrow and pain.

The Cynicism of Using Hostages to Justify War [11:53]

• There is 100% agreement that the Israeli government is using the hostages' suffering to wage a revengeful war, leading to the deaths of innocent people and spiraling the region into more violence.
• This cynical use of victims to justify prolonging their suffering and the suffering of others is appalling.
• The past two years have been a period of learning painful lessons from the actions of Israeli leaders.

This is maybe the most appalling fact of of all of this ordeal that they are using the the Israeli government is using the hostages suffering to wage this revengeful war.

The Possibility of Peace Amidst Sabotage [12:58]

• Less than two years ago, Mao Zinan expressed certainty that peace was reachable.
• Despite this optimism, there has been no peace, and not even an enduring ceasefire for the past two years.
• Benjamin Netanyahu is accused of sabotaging negotiations repeatedly, leading to the question of whether a ceasefire or peace deal is possible while he is prime minister.

We have seen Benjamin Netanyahu sabotage negotiations time and again both under Biden and under Trump.

History as Proof of Transformation and Peace [13:31]

• Zinan has met with world leaders and is certain that all conflicts end, and that every day passed brings them closer to peace.
• History proves that people can be transformed and change their policies drastically, citing Anwar Sadat as an example of a former enemy signing a peace treaty.
• The creation of political will is necessary for peace, and Zinan believes that despite the current dire situation, change is possible.

So we need to create a political will for that to happen.

The Great Peace Conference and the Disconnect from Power [15:17]

• A "Great Peace Conference" was organized in Tel Aviv, drawing thousands and becoming the largest left-wing gathering in Israel in decades.
• However, only four sitting Knesset members attended, highlighting how far this movement is from the corridors of power.
• Support is needed to amplify their voices and build legitimacy to create a roadmap for peace.

So this is exactly why we need your support to amplify our voice to build our legitimacy.

The Power of Forgiveness and Radical Hope [16:33]

• The most important lesson learned after October 7th is the power of forgiveness.
• Forgiveness is seen as a tool to free oneself from slavery and a predetermined destiny.
• Zinan expresses radical forgiveness for Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu's government, believing their loss can be a sacrifice for peace, not war.

I forgive Hamas for murdering my parents and I forgive Benjamin Netanyao and his government for sacrificing them, sacrificing the hostages, dehumanizing the Palestinian and forgiveness is a very powerful tool.

Public Opinion and Societal Dehumanization [18:37]

• A poll by the Hebrew University showed 64% of Israelis believe there are no innocent people in Gaza.
• Other polls suggest a majority of Israelis support ethnic cleansing and tougher military action.
• This reflects a deep-seated societal issue where, for decades, Gaza has been viewed as a place Israel could act upon with impunity, leading to a "black hole" of indifference.

Concerning Israeli society's attitude toward Gaza has been it's it's like a black hole over there. we don't really care.

A Call for Sanctions and Incentives [22:15]

• The discourse and public opinion in Israel need to change through two components: sanctions and incentives.
• Israel should be sanctioned by the US, EU, and the international community for its government's actions, including those in Gaza and the West Bank.
• Incentivizing Israeli-Palestinian civil society is crucial to support their efforts in ending the conflict and creating a reality of peace.

Israel must be sanctioned and I'm saying it also only few weeks after October 7th.

The Legacy of Optimism and a Sacrifice for Peace [24:21]

• Zahiro Moore remembers his uncle Abraham as a kind, family-oriented man who was always helpful. His son was also murdered on October 7th.
• Mao Zinan describes his parents as loving and supportive, deeply involved in their grandchildren's lives. His father, a farmer, always sowed wheat with the belief that he could change the future.
• Zinan aims to fulfill his parents' dream and ensure their loss becomes a sacrifice for peace, not war.

And I'm I'm continuing his legacy because I I know I know that next season, next deal will be better and that we have the agency to change the futur