Jathan Janove Interview of Israeli Deputy Consul General Matan Zamir: What’s Happening in the Middle East?

By Jathan Janove (Guest Contributor)–

As the world knows, the Middle East is currently in a state of great turmoil. I’m fortunate to be able to ask questions of Matan Zamir, Israeli Deputy Consul General for the Pacific Northwest region. I hope the readers of Michael O’Brien’s blog will find the information useful, and perhaps enlightening.

Jathan Janove:

Since this is being published in a Christian blog, what are your current thoughts on US Christian support for the State of Israel? 

Matan Zamir:

We are very grateful for the Christian support we’ve had from around the world, in the United States, and the Pacific Northwest, which is the region in which I work. Support has included getting the word out, particularly about rising anti-Semitism and the true nature of the Hamas atrocities, financial support, and volunteer services for events and activities in the United States and in Israel.

We Israelis were especially happy to see a group of Christian cowboys from Montana. After the October 7 massacre, they got on a plane to Israel and have been donating their time and services ever since. They said they will stay until the war is over.

JJ:

I’ve heard the October 7 massacre compared to our 9/11 and I’ve heard that if one were to scale it for country size, the death rate in Israel would be far greater. What has been the impact of October 7 on the overall Israeli psyche?

MZ:

In terms of population proportion, it’s more like 20 times the death rate from 9/11. It is no exaggeration to say that October 7 is a turning point in Israeli and Jewish world history. Things will not be the same.

Growing up in Israel I felt we had created a safe home for Jews and others. We realize we can’t take this for granted. Our ability to deploy force is necessary to our survival, and we cannot tolerate a terrorist entity like Hamas to operate next to us.

It’s not just the scale of death. It’s the shocking brutality and barbarism, as if it was straight out of the Middle Ages. After watching the videos, I couldn’t sleep. Parents murdered in front of their children. Children murdered in front of their parents. And the sheer joy the murderers took in their barbarism.

I served in the IDF during the Second Intifada, and there was terror, violence, and bloodshed, but nothing like October 7, not even close.

I am a second-generation Holocaust survivor. When I was brought up, we were taught never to use the word “Nazi,” except when referring to the actual Nazis. That is no longer true. The October 7 atrocities, Hamas’s unmistakable hate and evil, tell us Nazis do exist.

JJ:

There is currently a huge push to free hostages. President Biden has made this a priority. What is the current status of hostage release and what do you foresee in terms of freeing the remaining hostages?

MZ:

Every day we can breathe a little bit easier. Each mother, grandmother, or child released from the horrid conditions they’re in is a blessing.

Please understand though that this is not a cease-fire. It is simply a pause in the fighting. Also, the people who are being released from Israeli prisons had been convicted in courts of law of various acts of violence. It pains me to see them released yet it’s a price we must pay.

Please also understand that Hamas did not agree to this exchange from the goodness of its heart. The IDF had its back against the wall militarily and it was desperate for an opportunity to regroup. The delay in fighting may help them somewhat but I can also assure you that the IDF is not standing idly by. We are also regrouping and are still fully dedicated to the eradication of Hamas. We intend to liberate Gaza from the grip of Hamas.

We are grateful to the United States and President Biden, as well as to the governments of Egypt and Qatar, who have used their leverage and influence on Hamas to help bring hostages home.

JJ:

Israel has been roundly condemned on college campuses and elsewhere for the deaths of numerous Gaza civilians. What is your response to this criticism?

MZ:

Although antisemitism certainly plays a role, I think a lot of this criticism or condemnation of Israel arises from ignorance, especially on college campuses. They truly don’t know the realities and instead go with whatever is trending or what TikTok induces them to think.

I shake my head when I see things like the LGBTQ community protesting Israel when we know that in Gaza, gay men or men believed to be gay, have been hung, stoned to death, or dragged behind motor vehicles. Same with women’s groups when we also know that in the Hamas world, women are mere commodities to be handed off from father to husband via arranged or forced marriages where the bride may not have reached 10 years old. Also, where honor killings are fully sanctioned. If you suspect your wife, sister, or daughter of being unfaithful to her husband, you can murder her with impunity.

Again, although it’s frustrating, I don’t think it’s necessarily all anti-Semitism, although I’m sure there are many anti-Semites fomenting this kind of willful ignorance. In my heart of hearts, I believe that many of these protesters chanting “river to the sea” and so forth would behave very differently if they knew the truth.

JJ:

Since you say this is not a cease-fire and that hostilities will resume, what steps will the IDF take to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza?

MZ:

First and most important: Unlike Hamas, the IDF’s target is NEVER civilians. Second, before the operation even started Israel asked the civilians of Gaza who live in the northern part of the Gaza strip to travel south of the Gaza River to safety through millions of pamphlets, texts, phone calls. Unfortunately, Hamas, sometimes under gun threats and even gun shots, prevented many of them from doing so to keep them in harm’s way. Third, the IDF created humanitarian corridors to allow the civilians to safely travel south. Hamas actually shot civilians who tried to utilize it.

Israel has never intended or desired to harm civilians in Gaza. We don’t want to do it now and we don’t ever want to do it in the future.

JJ:

For readers of this post who want to help, what suggestions do you have?

MZ:

Speak up! Combat the ignorance! Let your neighbors, your family, your fellow church members, your community organizations know the facts. Every single voice counts. Tap into your social media networks and reach out to your Jewish friends and neighbors.

Speak against antisemitism. Support the great many organizations, Christian, Jewish and others that are helping. If you would like suggestions on organizations to support, please email us at press@sf.mfa.gov.il and Community@sf.mfa.gov.il.

Also, beware of misinformation even in the traditional press, where we have found significant mistakes such as the Gaza hospital supposedly blown up by Israel with 500 to 700 deaths, all which was proven to be entirely false.

For reliable, vetted information, here are some sources where you can go: Consulate General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest: @israelinsf on

Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook @israel on X @idf on X @israelMFA on X.

Lastly, if the example of the Christian cowboys inspires you, come to Israel! We can use all the help we can get from both your hands and your heart.

My many thanks and appreciation to the Christian community for its unwavering support.

JJ:

Thank you Matan!

Jathan Janove is Principal of Janove Organization Solutions. Through consulting, executive coaching and training, he works with employers to create fully engaged workplace cultures. He also practiced law in Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.