October 9, 2025 • 37 mins
President Trump made the announcement that the first phase of his proposed peace deal to end the conflict in Gaza had been agreed to. Both Israel and Hamas signed a deal in Egypt. The first phase includes a ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages as well as Palestinian prisoners. What other steps will take place from here? Benny Sharoni, the Israeli Consul General to New England, joined us to discuss this landmark peace deal in the Middle East!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
It's Night Side with Dan Ray on WBS Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Thank you very much, Dan Watkins. As we move into
our nine o'clock hour, we welcome everyone back. And of
course tonight we had had scheduled a subject at nine
o'clock which we have pushed over to tomorrow night, So
we will be talking tomorrow night about the difficulty many
families are now facing as they try to send I
(00:30):
guess you call, you know, toiletries and small gift items
to American military personnel serving overseas. Apparently the rules have
changed on that, but we'll get to that tomorrow night.
At nine o'clock. Tonight, we are going to talk about
what has transpired in the Middle East in the last
forty eight to ninety six hours. It's been an amazing
(00:53):
whirlwind moment in time. Were just a little bit about
twenty four hours ago, President Trump made the announcement at
the White House that there had been an agreement and
let's hope the agreement holds whereby the hostilities would end
(01:14):
between Israel and Hamas and that hostages Israeli hostages would
be released as part of the first phase of this agreement.
This is the President I guess it was either early today.
I think it was earlier today. Cut number forty, please Rob.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
So I want to express my tremendous gratitude to the
leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for helping us reach
this incredible day and for being there.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
They were there with us all the way. And of course,
as you know, Saudi Arabia and Jordan and so many.
I will tell you President Erwan was personally involved in
dealing with Hamas and some of the others. He's been great,
They've all they've all been really amazing. Indonesia has been amazing.
(02:05):
Indonesia has been fantastic. The whole world has come together
for this.
Speaker 5 (02:10):
People that didn't get along with people that didn't like
each other, neighboring countries that frankly didn't like each other,
but now they this this moment in time. So we
look forward to welcoming the hostages like you.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Can't believe, home to their families, and that'll take place
early next week, we hope, Monday or Tuesday. And all
Americans should be proud of the role that our country
has played in bringing this terrible conflict to the end
to an end, and.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
A lot of people have had interest in the safety
of the Israeli hostages from October seventh, that horrific Saturday
morning of two years ago. In my opinion, none perhaps
more so than Newton resident Jeff Kosowski. Jeff Kosowski put
(03:01):
on a fence in front of his house photographs of
the Israeli hostages, and back in shortly thereafter those posters
were placed there, some of them were defaced, and we
talked with Jeff Kasowski. Back at that time. He organized
(03:24):
a massive outpouring of friends and neighbors and others, and
he has been very much involved in this process. So
I could think of no better person than to kick
off this conversation with then Jeff Kasowski. Later in this
hour we will talk with the Israeli Console General Benny
Sharoni about the latest on what is going on right
(03:48):
now halfway around the world. But first I want to
welcome back to the WBZ microphone Jeff Kasowski. Jeff, It's
almost seems too good to be true. I hate to
put it like that, but if the hostage is a
truly going to be released Monday or Tuesday, it almost
seems like a miracle.
Speaker 6 (04:08):
Yes, thanks Dan, and thanks for having me on it's
been a long two years, and I'm someone who's only
remotely involved compared to those who have direct family or
those who live in Israel, although as many listeners may know,
we have a friend in Newton whose nephew, Hirst Follen,
(04:30):
was murdered as a hostage, so it's never too far away.
It's been a long two years. I think there's something
very nice about it. It was almost torture in the
past when hostages would dribble out day by day. You
didn't know who was coming, you didn't know what trick
was being played. If you recall the Bebus family to
(04:50):
the two red headed children, they thought they're alive, they
would delivered dead. And I think they even delivered the
wrong bodies if I recall correctly. So I think there's
something at least it may not it's not a conclusion
obviously for the hostage families who where the trauma will
be enduring, but hopefully it does close at least this chapter.
(05:10):
And I believe I read that the agreement posits that
there should be no parading and celebration for your call Ahmas,
and I guess their terrorist organization, what can you expect?
But they basically put the hostages as they paraded them
through very demeaning conditions. So my understanding, at least for
(05:30):
the news reports is it'll be all of them and
without any hut demeaning release propaganda.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Yeah, there were there were degrading releases where the hostages
were forced to appear happy with the way they were treated,
and in some cases I think actually were prompted, encouraged,
or compelled to say things that were relatively nice about
their captors. Let's just refreshed in my audience's mind. You
(06:04):
became very much concerned with this. There had been a
very ugly incident in Newton, I think before you got involved,
where some of the hostage posters had been had been
put up in a commercial district, and there was a
woman who I believe was a dentist of some sort,
(06:25):
I mean, a professional if I'm if I'm recalling correctly,
who who was videotaped ripping those hostage posters down. And
so it wasn't as if everybody in America, Massachusetts, or
for that matter, even Newton felt the empathy that that
you and your family felt. How was it that you
(06:47):
came to post all of these put all of these
posters up on this this fence in the front of
your yard.
Speaker 7 (06:55):
So a great question.
Speaker 6 (06:57):
I believe that that woman was somewhere in chest On Hill,
which is just down through it obviously from Newton.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah, well part of take it take Chestnut Hill is
part of Newton. Uh, it's one of the villages of Newton,
and it was in the The commercial district is called
the Street. There's a Shaws and a couple of restaurants,
Legal Seafoods is there. So yeah, it's a it's a
it's a high end area.
Speaker 7 (07:24):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
And it appalled me, and I'm sure it appalled you,
but I didn't need to interrupt, Go right ahead.
Speaker 6 (07:28):
Yeah, So I think there was a It was in
many communities. People wanted didn't want these hostages forgotten. So
there was sort of individual efforts of people posting hostage
posters to create awareness and sadly, and it wasn't just
in Boston. You know, there incidents across the country that
(07:52):
people would rip it down and just think of it.
You know, you put up and I don't mean to
make it a comparison, except in the farcical notion. You know,
you put up a picture of a missing dog and
no one tears that down the area of a human
child or something with a picture which is a political
I mean, it's not meant to be political, and people
are ripping it down. And I think when we saw that,
(08:13):
I was thinking, well, that's a bit of a whack
a mole game, and an important game for some people
to play. Not a game, but you know, important to
persistent with that. You're taken down, you put them back up.
But I felt we had a reasonable length of property,
a couple hundred feet on Homer Street, which is a
major street in Newton, and if we put it in
that property, no one can make an excuse that, oh
(08:34):
it's on public property. I can take it down. Our
mayor also, you know, for various reasons, was not did
not allow anything on any public space. So I think
we said, hey, we'll do it on private space and
then it's ours and no one has any right to
touch it, to destroy it, to contest it.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
And for a while, no one bothered it. And again,
if anyone is in Newton, they remember Homer Street is
near City Hall, a well traveled seat and for street.
And for a while there wasn't a problem. But there
came a Sunday morning where the problem, you know, what
I considered to be, you know, virulent anti Semitism once
(09:15):
again popped up as a whack them home.
Speaker 6 (09:19):
Yeah, I mean, you're right, And in fact, we I
would meet people. It was up for about six months
before anything happened, and I would meet random people at
the trader at Joe's or you know, Wegman's Away or
any of the stores, and people would say, oh, you're
the one. Well, thank you so much. We only positive feedback.
Then someone knocked on our door, almost panic, telling us
(09:42):
one Sunday morning, I think at beginning of March, I
believe of twenty twenty four that this time we've been vandalized.
And we're not talking about one sign. We're talking about
they were more than one hundred posters, you know, full
page size of pictures, and they were either ripped off,
but even more concerning, people spray painted over the pictures
(10:05):
very very deliberately. And then there were also various anti
Semitic messages that were spray painted on the posters as
well as on our property. So that was a big shock.
And I think we had two you know, one could
react in two ways. One could just you know just
say okay, you know, we don't want to fight this,
or we're scared or whatever, or but we took the
(10:27):
opposite approach. We said, the purpose of anybody who tears
it down, whether it's our signs or anybody else, they're
trying to suppress the memory. Maybe they feel guilty, Maybe
they don't like the fact that the side of the
terrorist is looking bad by kidnapping children.
Speaker 7 (10:44):
Shocking.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Yeah, so we innocent innocent civilians, men, women, and children
in that horrible morning rate Jeff, I want to take
a quick break here, okay, and I want to complete
the story, but I got it with a time orange here.
I got to get a couple of messages in. We'll
be back with my guest Jeff Kasowski. He is a
(11:06):
resident of Newton who basically stood up to the to
the people who operated in the dark and defaced the
posters that were on his private property. Uh. And I
thought that Jeff is the perfect person to talk to
about tonight to bring this full circle. Uh. With the
release hopefully to be completed on Monday or Tuesday, according
(11:30):
to President Trump, back on Nightside with my guest Jeff Kasowski.
Will we will be talking after the news at the
bottom of the hour with Israeli Console General. But Benny
SHARONI and if if you want to give us a
call and get a word of support in for Jeff
or ask a question, we'll try to get a couple
(11:50):
of calls in six one seven four thirty or six
one seven ninety. Coming right back on Nightside.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
You're on Nightside with Dan Ray News Radio.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
I guess it is Jeff Kasowski. So so, Jeff, the
placards that you and your family had posted on the
front of fence at the front of your home were defaced,
and you decided not only were you going to put
those posters back up, but I remember the big rally
(12:26):
that you had in April, which was which was fabulous. Uh.
And a part of the good news is that apparently
in the last year and a half, none of the
posters have been defaced.
Speaker 6 (12:41):
Yeah, that's correct. And you know, you had a couple
of thousand people, all ages young to old, Jewish, not Jewish, local,
not local.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
It was great.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
I was I remember being there.
Speaker 6 (12:50):
I remember, yes, thankfully. You know it's been quiet. I think,
you know, attention moved elsewhere in terms of some of
the people, some of the outrageous protests, and you know
that has been done by the pro terrorist crowd. So
thank god, luckily it's been pretty quiet. So you know,
(13:14):
it's now all really about It's not about us, it's
not about what we did. It's really now we need
to focus on. How is hoping these hostages can return
to real life and that this never happens again.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Well, I suspect that at some point during your life
you're going to meet one or more of these hostages
and they will remember you as the guy in Newton,
Massachusetts who who stood behind them literally and figuratively at
the most difficult time in their lives. Let me grab
a call here from Newton. If folks wanted to join
(13:49):
the conversation quickly, they are more than welcome. Let me
go to Suzanne. Suzanne, you're on with Jeff Kasowski, right
hit Susan.
Speaker 8 (13:58):
Thank you so much. Thissky, I have a Jewish last day.
I am not Jewish, but I certainly husbands Ashkanoski Jewish.
What's the best thing in the world that ever happened
to me? And I would do everything I can't If
(14:20):
you're in no to two, do what I can.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Okay, thank you? Thank you very much, Suzanne. I appreciate
your phone call on Jeff. There's a lot of people
who feel that way, and you could tell that she's
pretty emotional about it. How I don't want to jinx
anything here, but we're moving very quickly on this situation,
(14:47):
really at at at at mock speed, if you will.
The President apparently is going to fly to Egypt this
weekend for a signing ceremony. Uh he's suggesting that the
hostage is are to be released in Toto Monday or Tuesday. Again,
you don't have any diplomatic insights that that you know
(15:10):
that other people don't have. But how confident are you
that this is a moment in time which we're going
to be able to hold on to and actually see
effectuated in the in the next few days.
Speaker 6 (15:23):
I mean, I guess that's the billion dollar question. I
think we have to have hope, because if there's no hope,
we don't have nobody has a future. And you know,
I just I think I could just go back more
generally that you know, in the United States and the
much of the Western world, Jews are off of the
canary in the coal mine, right, So the force of
(15:45):
the vehicle that do this. It's a message to all
of us, and I think that's going forward. You know,
maybe that's what we need to be thinking about, is
how do we protect our civilization, How do we you know,
keep the good here? How do we event to decline
into you know, evils of the past, whether it's this
particular evil or other similar evils that you know, the
(16:07):
hatred and intolerance lead us to. And so to me,
that's what I'm you know, hopefully this gets done, but
we need to be thinking about how do we make
sure we have a better future.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Here's what's amazing to me is that out of that
horrible day what never should have happened, okay, in which
twelve hundred people were slaughtered, some in their beds as
they woke up on that Saturday morning, that maybe two
years later, no one ever could have anticipated that Hezbollah
(16:40):
would be defanged, that that Assad in Syria would have
left the Middle East for political refuge in Russia, that
Hamas would have suffered such damage that they have actually
come to the table to try to end this war,
or that Iran would have been defanged with the attack
(17:04):
on their nuclear facility. It's just amazing that that two
years ago the state of Israel seemed to really be
in trouble on its back, but the the the residents
of Israel, the people of Israel, as they always have
stood up and maybe maybe at the end it will
(17:26):
prevail and that a lasting piece might take hold in
the Middle East. It's it's an incredible story.
Speaker 7 (17:34):
I agree.
Speaker 6 (17:35):
And I think you know, whether one believes in miracles
literally or not literally, you know, there are a lot
of miracles in what happened there and really unique time.
And whether one likes Trump or doesn't like Trump, I
think we need to give him credit because you know,
some of the some of the things that he does
that are that people consider outrageous. Is perhaps his secret
(17:56):
power here that he can get things done that can't
be done a conventional means, whether it's where we are now,
but hopefully he also has the ability to create, to
have a new approach, to be sort of bring people
together that more traditional methods have failed in the past.
That's my personal hope and prayer that maybe he's the
right person at the right time to truly bring peace.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
I join you in that opeen prayer. And ironically, when
you look back at history, you think well, probably Richard
Nixon was the last president that you think would have
opened up the door to what was then called Red China,
and yet Nixon did open the door to China. There
have been some things that sometimes president is some of
the successes or things that might have been unexpected. Jeff,
(18:45):
thank you so much. It's great to talk with you
earlier today and great to talk to you tonight. Thank
you for the coverage that you and your family displayed.
And at the end of the day, although obviously there
was a horrific damage both in loss of life and
property that occurred on October seventh, I think all of
us need to celebrate the hostages who come home, and
(19:09):
maybe maybe the Palestinian people will no longer have to
deal with Hamas as their their captors and their rulers.
So it's I don't want to say all's well that
ends well, because all was not well, but we have
maybe found another day and another dawn in the world
(19:30):
that we never could have imagined two years ago. Thank
you so much, Jeff. I look forward to grabbing a
cup of coffee with you. Want to get back to Newton.
Speaker 7 (19:37):
Okay, okay, thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Well, we get back when to talk with the Israeli
Console General Benny Sharoni. He will give us some time
on the other side if you'd like to jump on
board and talk to him the lines of the same
six one, seven, two, five, four ten thirty six one
seven nine three one ten thirty Back with the Israeli
Console General to New England. He will have the latest
(20:03):
on the meeting of the Israeli Cabinet this afternoon, and
I'm sure he'll be able to give us an update
on what time schedules and timetables are now beginning to
be cemented into place. Back on Nightside right after.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
This, It's Nightside with Ray on Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
We're delighted to be joined tonight on this very interesting
evening by the Israeli Console General to Boston, mister Benny Sharoni,
Console General. Welcome to Nightside. Welcome back to Nightside.
Speaker 7 (20:37):
Thank you, Dan, thank you for the opportunity. It's always
great to be at your show, especially this evening.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Well, absolutely, this is something that would have been difficult
to have dreamed this. I just spoke with Jeff Kasowski
of Needham. He was the gentleman who had signs dozens
and dozens of pictures of hostages up on his property
early on. And it's so difficult to realize the horror
(21:07):
that Israel has been subjected to, but the the the
incredible response of Israel, their people, their there armed, their
armed forces. Whoever would have could have foreseen that Hamas
would be as as badly beaten as they have been.
(21:30):
Has Polage destroyed, Iran denuded from a nuclear program, and
Asad now living in exile in Russia. It's been two years,
but it could it almost seems like the blink of
an eye. When did you sense, mister Kunsul General, that
things were starting to move in the right direction? How long? Uh,
(21:51):
it's it's it's gone at just mock speed for the
last forty eight hours. How how long have you had
a sense that, hey, maybe something's going on here?
Speaker 7 (22:01):
So you know me Dan from previous discussions that I'm
always optimistic, but this evening I'm even more more optimistic
than usual because the sense is that this is imminent
and hopefully we will see the return of the hostages
as early as the beginning of next week. Over the
last couple of days, a little bit more than forty
(22:22):
eight hours, I would say we got the sense that,
you know, there was a potential path forward. It started
with you know, President highlighting his plan of twenty points
and US investing a lot of efforts, putting its resources,
(22:43):
both diplomatic and obsources into this whole process, making sure
that negotiation are taking place. And yes, over the last
couple of days, I think we started to become cautiously
optimistic and starting to get the science. At this time around,
it looks as if film into a deal that will
(23:04):
finally finally find me moving to the release of all
of the hostages and let them, you know, reunite with
their family.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Yeah, there's obviously some phases here that people are concerned about, uh,
and that is whether Hamasa's fighters will leave Gaza or
whether they will surrender their weapons. I don't want to
get too far ahead of ourselves here, but what will
(23:36):
be the next area that we should be concerned about
that we should watch for. Obviously, it would be great
if this now means peace has broken out forever in
the Middle East, and I know the President seems to
be hoping that. Again. I don't want to ask you
a question that from a diplomatic point of view, is
(23:59):
one that's possible to answer. But what should my listeners
be watching for in the next week or two to
make sure that this agreement remains on track on time.
Speaker 7 (24:13):
So I would say the following, you know, the immediate stage,
we are all focused on the implementation of Phase one
of President's Drum Plan, which involves that that first phase,
I think in first when the first element of that
is the idef redeployment along the yellow line as as
you know, part of that plan, and right after ceasefire
(24:37):
to be followed by the release of all of the hostages,
release of some prisoners.
Speaker 8 (24:43):
And.
Speaker 7 (24:45):
Yeah, and that's that's basically the first phase. And of
course the continuation of the flow of humanitary maid into
guys are similar to other deals of releasing hostages that
we experience over as you So this is the first phase,
and all efforts are currently focused towards that this. This
(25:06):
is complicated enough, I would say, you know, this is
this is not an easy you know business negotiating with
with you know, but there's one person who wants to
sell and one the other person who wants to buy,
and this is just negotiating you know, the right terms
of the price. It's it's way more complicated when the
other side sits a brutal terrorist organization that seeks to
(25:30):
distract the state of Israel UH and the one that
actually gave the horrible October seven attacks. So it's it's
slightly more complicated than many adults issues. So we all
focused on that first stage. What comes after there is
a plan UH, and it helps, you know, step the
(25:53):
belief that that this plan puts from you know, from
from us. It involves giving up it's it's arm completely,
you know, the arming h Hamas and Hamas, giving up
on any kind of current and future governments in Ghaza.
And there are a couple of other developments though it's
(26:14):
it's it's curatively cute. So I think it pretty much
depends on the implementation of those steps. But then again,
I think the first phase is sensitive enough, and I
think we are, you know, just waiting for the successful
fulfillment of plane and see the hostage is coming back.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
I guess the the comment that that a political leader
once made that the journey of a thousand miles begins
with one step. And I know I'm quoting mount Say tongue,
which I'm which I'm not a fan of, but but
I think there that this is similar. This is a
journeys as well. Can I hold you just for a
few more minutes? I have to do it. I have
(26:53):
to take a commercial break, and I would love to
have some of my listeners, Uh feel free to chime
in and offer congratulations and success, particularly if we get
if you this Israel can get their hostages home. We'll
take a very quick break. I'll be right back and
we'll be done by by three minutes of ten. I
(27:14):
know it's been a long day for you, mister Consul General.
Six one seven, two, five, four to ten thirty six
one seven, nine three one ten thirty Back with the
Israeli Console General to New England, Benny Sharoni, talking about
what is likely to happen over this weekend into early
next week and who knows beyond Well, we'll take a
quick break, be right back after these messages.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
It's night Side with Dan Ray Boston's News Radio.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
My guest is the Console General of Israel to New England,
mister Benny Sharoni, Console General. How critical was the relationship
between your Prime Minister Benjamin Nettania who and President Trump
to the excess of this project? They were not on
the same page every day precisely there were differences of
(28:07):
opinion between each of them from a tactical point of view,
but I think there was tremendous respect, and I just
would be interested to know how important that relationship was.
Speaker 8 (28:20):
Oh.
Speaker 7 (28:20):
I think extremely important, extremely important.
Speaker 9 (28:23):
You know, we we.
Speaker 7 (28:26):
You know, we've been waiting for that moment so for
two years now. And I think it takes a lot
of leadership, you know, to you know, put all political
and diplomatic force into the discussion and into the negotiation
(28:46):
room in order to make such such a deal. And
we we very difficult to imagine how such a deal
would have been broken without United States leadership, without President Trump,
without a very close discussion coordination that have been taking
(29:06):
place always but specifically over the last weeks and months
between US administration and Israeli senior leadership. We can't imagine
how such a thing wouldn't happen without that close relations.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
As I'm sure you probably know, I truly respect your
Prime Minister immensely. As a matter of fact, I view
him he is to Israel as Churchill was to England
during the early days of World War Two. You know,
it was his strength as it was Churchill, strength to
(29:44):
face really long odds and yet at the end prevail.
Do you think that historically, I'm totally over the moon
when I analogize Prime Minister net Yahoo to Prime Minister Churchill.
Speaker 7 (30:01):
So so I'll say the following. You know, we look at
where Israel was right after Oaktoba seven, the day after
Vactoba seven, you know, we've been taken by surprise, we
were attacked, we lost many civilians and many three personal
and that day, you know, Israel wasn't a very good place.
(30:26):
And then look at what we did and what we've
been able to achieve over the last two years in
terms of our well, you know, regaining these ready terms,
regaining Israeli power, making sure that by the end of
the day, our enemies are removed from the equation. And
(30:49):
you know, let's let's look at the strategic balance now
two years after the seven. I think this is that
that that calls for a lot of brasilience, but that
cause of the whole lot of leadership, and I think
we demonstrated exactly that. And it is the combination of
that close the height conducted by the Israelityfense force and
(31:11):
Israel those Security Agency is bravely fighting over the last
two years. So the combination of those two elements and
United States leadership, those are the elements that allowed us
to be where we are currently extermining at.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
Last, quick question, is that you're understanding I know there
have been some reports tonight that the President of the
United States, President Trump, is contemplating going to Egypt for
as signing ceremony this weekend. Is that you're understanding that
is now being planned.
Speaker 7 (31:49):
So I can't say anything about the President's plans. Unfortunately,
I'm not in the loop of gotcha.
Speaker 2 (31:59):
Okay, very well, let me make it. Let me I'll
let you off the hook there. Let me get a
couple of phone calls in here people who awfully that's
them to be very brief and u uh make a
make a quick comment. Let me go to Jeff uh
in Waltham. Jeff, you're on with the Consul General of
(32:20):
the State of Israel to New englandad.
Speaker 10 (32:23):
Okay, it's an honor to talk with him. I don't
know whether this is a question or a comment, but
it's that's called a rhetorical question.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
Just just make it direct, Jeff. That's all I ask.
Go ahead.
Speaker 7 (32:33):
Okay.
Speaker 10 (32:33):
From a tactical point of view, what guarantee is there
that this so called agreement by a must would not
amount to strictly a regrouping tactic.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
Well, I don't know, but they have to regroup and
let's see what.
Speaker 7 (32:54):
Take that valid Okay, sure, So, so I would say following,
I don't think that there's a you know, one hundred
percent guarantee that Hamas will fully implement you know, each
side of the deal. Uh, this is terrible organization by
the end of the day, a very brutal and globoic onin.
(33:15):
But that that highlights two elements. The first one is
that all of us collectively responsible clout in this equation
should make everyfl in order to make sure that Hamas
is under a lot of pressure and you know, maintain
and fulfill it's part of the deal by the end
of the day. And the other element that I would
(33:37):
say is that Israel has not given up on other
options as well. We stick with diplomacy, because diplomacy is
you know, and has been all along the way our
personal past towards solving that that war. That we are
we are full there and fully ready to use other
(33:58):
means if if the know he's not going to move
forward the way to his highlight of the present by
the President, and.
Speaker 2 (34:05):
I think as would understand that as well. And they
may be many bad things. I'm not sure suicidal is
one of the adjectives that I would have that I
would apply to them. Thank you Jeff for your question,
really good question to Ben in acted. Ben, you are
on with my guest, the Consul General to New England
for the state and for the Nation of Israel, Benny SHARONI.
Speaker 9 (34:25):
Go right ahead, then, good evening, Council General shoremy hawks,
Samya or.
Speaker 7 (34:32):
Some quick question.
Speaker 9 (34:35):
We were in Israel back in April visiting family and pataka.
We were in Tel Aviv. We went up north, the
visited the Gamla. One of the things that we heard
from family and friends was rebuilding up north and communities
like carry out Shmona. What is the plan moving forward
now with hopefully the end of the ward the Milhama
(34:57):
and asa, But what's is the plan to help with
build communities in the north and along the envelope. Otherwise,
we're thankful to see family and friends being reunited and
hopefully that's coming Saturday. You know, in Hostage Square, there
will be even more celebrations.
Speaker 7 (35:15):
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for putting
that question. So, you know, the first thing that we
needed to do is to make sure that the military
thread him coming from from Chrisbala and Lebanon two words,
is running off because we moved and then we I
think successfully took care of that last year. So that
(35:36):
was the first step. The second step, which is already
happening and you know, taking place over the last couple
of months, there's a lot of orchestrated governmental efforts, including
putting budget into the prolonged process of reconstruction, as well
as north the vast majority of the citizens to do
(35:57):
many of the towns and Kibusin and village which is
i know an Israel or really went back, not all
of them, but the vast majority are already back. Kiachmana
is slightly more complicated. It's a big city that had
challenges even before the war, and those challenges, those challenges
became even most of you with the effect of of
(36:21):
the world over the last few years. So the goody
is is that there is a lot of thinking taking
place back in Israel and now is about that and
including relocating governmental funds in other to pay, but it's
going to take some time. It's it's a lengthy process.
Speaker 2 (36:40):
Yeah, this has been quite a process in of itself.
Console General, as always, thank you for being available and
to talk with my audience. Everything you've said tonight has
been very reassuring and let us hope and pray, of
whatever our religious background, that peace will take hold in
(37:00):
the Middle East and we will talk again, I'm certain
in the next uh with probably sooner than later, and
hopefully it'll be a positive, another positive conversation.
Speaker 7 (37:11):
It's always a pleasure to be a guest at your
show and looking forward for future opportunities. Thank you very
much and thank you for the audience and the listeners absolutely.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
Bennys Erroni the Consul General of Israel to New England.
When we get back, we have the WBZ car guys
are going to lighten it up a little bit. All
of your automotive questions will be answered by Larry and
Scott here on night side right after the ten o'clock news.
The Bruins won in overtime, by the way, just a
couple of minutes ago there too, and zero
It's Night Side with Dan Ray on WBS Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Thank you very much, Dan Watkins. As we move into
our nine o'clock hour, we welcome everyone back. And of
course tonight we had had scheduled a subject at nine
o'clock which we have pushed over to tomorrow night, So
we will be talking tomorrow night about the difficulty many
families are now facing as they try to send I
(00:30):
guess you call, you know, toiletries and small gift items
to American military personnel serving overseas. Apparently the rules have
changed on that, but we'll get to that tomorrow night.
At nine o'clock. Tonight, we are going to talk about
what has transpired in the Middle East in the last
forty eight to ninety six hours. It's been an amazing
(00:53):
whirlwind moment in time. Were just a little bit about
twenty four hours ago, President Trump made the announcement at
the White House that there had been an agreement and
let's hope the agreement holds whereby the hostilities would end
(01:14):
between Israel and Hamas and that hostages Israeli hostages would
be released as part of the first phase of this agreement.
This is the President I guess it was either early today.
I think it was earlier today. Cut number forty, please Rob.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
So I want to express my tremendous gratitude to the
leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for helping us reach
this incredible day and for being there.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
They were there with us all the way. And of course,
as you know, Saudi Arabia and Jordan and so many.
I will tell you President Erwan was personally involved in
dealing with Hamas and some of the others. He's been great,
They've all they've all been really amazing. Indonesia has been amazing.
(02:05):
Indonesia has been fantastic. The whole world has come together
for this.
Speaker 5 (02:10):
People that didn't get along with people that didn't like
each other, neighboring countries that frankly didn't like each other,
but now they this this moment in time. So we
look forward to welcoming the hostages like you.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Can't believe, home to their families, and that'll take place
early next week, we hope, Monday or Tuesday. And all
Americans should be proud of the role that our country
has played in bringing this terrible conflict to the end
to an end, and.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
A lot of people have had interest in the safety
of the Israeli hostages from October seventh, that horrific Saturday
morning of two years ago. In my opinion, none perhaps
more so than Newton resident Jeff Kosowski. Jeff Kosowski put
(03:01):
on a fence in front of his house photographs of
the Israeli hostages, and back in shortly thereafter those posters
were placed there, some of them were defaced, and we
talked with Jeff Kasowski. Back at that time. He organized
(03:24):
a massive outpouring of friends and neighbors and others, and
he has been very much involved in this process. So
I could think of no better person than to kick
off this conversation with then Jeff Kasowski. Later in this
hour we will talk with the Israeli Console General Benny
Sharoni about the latest on what is going on right
(03:48):
now halfway around the world. But first I want to
welcome back to the WBZ microphone Jeff Kasowski. Jeff, It's
almost seems too good to be true. I hate to
put it like that, but if the hostage is a
truly going to be released Monday or Tuesday, it almost
seems like a miracle.
Speaker 6 (04:08):
Yes, thanks Dan, and thanks for having me on it's
been a long two years, and I'm someone who's only
remotely involved compared to those who have direct family or
those who live in Israel, although as many listeners may know,
we have a friend in Newton whose nephew, Hirst Follen,
(04:30):
was murdered as a hostage, so it's never too far away.
It's been a long two years. I think there's something
very nice about it. It was almost torture in the
past when hostages would dribble out day by day. You
didn't know who was coming, you didn't know what trick
was being played. If you recall the Bebus family to
(04:50):
the two red headed children, they thought they're alive, they
would delivered dead. And I think they even delivered the
wrong bodies if I recall correctly. So I think there's
something at least it may not it's not a conclusion
obviously for the hostage families who where the trauma will
be enduring, but hopefully it does close at least this chapter.
(05:10):
And I believe I read that the agreement posits that
there should be no parading and celebration for your call Ahmas,
and I guess their terrorist organization, what can you expect?
But they basically put the hostages as they paraded them
through very demeaning conditions. So my understanding, at least for
(05:30):
the news reports is it'll be all of them and
without any hut demeaning release propaganda.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Yeah, there were there were degrading releases where the hostages
were forced to appear happy with the way they were treated,
and in some cases I think actually were prompted, encouraged,
or compelled to say things that were relatively nice about
their captors. Let's just refreshed in my audience's mind. You
(06:04):
became very much concerned with this. There had been a
very ugly incident in Newton, I think before you got involved,
where some of the hostage posters had been had been
put up in a commercial district, and there was a
woman who I believe was a dentist of some sort,
(06:25):
I mean, a professional if I'm if I'm recalling correctly,
who who was videotaped ripping those hostage posters down. And
so it wasn't as if everybody in America, Massachusetts, or
for that matter, even Newton felt the empathy that that
you and your family felt. How was it that you
(06:47):
came to post all of these put all of these
posters up on this this fence in the front of
your yard.
Speaker 7 (06:55):
So a great question.
Speaker 6 (06:57):
I believe that that woman was somewhere in chest On Hill,
which is just down through it obviously from Newton.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah, well part of take it take Chestnut Hill is
part of Newton. Uh, it's one of the villages of Newton,
and it was in the The commercial district is called
the Street. There's a Shaws and a couple of restaurants,
Legal Seafoods is there. So yeah, it's a it's a
it's a high end area.
Speaker 7 (07:24):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
And it appalled me, and I'm sure it appalled you,
but I didn't need to interrupt, Go right ahead.
Speaker 6 (07:28):
Yeah, So I think there was a It was in
many communities. People wanted didn't want these hostages forgotten. So
there was sort of individual efforts of people posting hostage
posters to create awareness and sadly, and it wasn't just
in Boston. You know, there incidents across the country that
(07:52):
people would rip it down and just think of it.
You know, you put up and I don't mean to
make it a comparison, except in the farcical notion. You know,
you put up a picture of a missing dog and
no one tears that down the area of a human
child or something with a picture which is a political
I mean, it's not meant to be political, and people
are ripping it down. And I think when we saw that,
(08:13):
I was thinking, well, that's a bit of a whack
a mole game, and an important game for some people
to play. Not a game, but you know, important to
persistent with that. You're taken down, you put them back up.
But I felt we had a reasonable length of property,
a couple hundred feet on Homer Street, which is a
major street in Newton, and if we put it in
that property, no one can make an excuse that, oh
(08:34):
it's on public property. I can take it down. Our
mayor also, you know, for various reasons, was not did
not allow anything on any public space. So I think
we said, hey, we'll do it on private space and
then it's ours and no one has any right to
touch it, to destroy it, to contest it.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
And for a while, no one bothered it. And again,
if anyone is in Newton, they remember Homer Street is
near City Hall, a well traveled seat and for street.
And for a while there wasn't a problem. But there
came a Sunday morning where the problem, you know, what
I considered to be, you know, virulent anti Semitism once
(09:15):
again popped up as a whack them home.
Speaker 6 (09:19):
Yeah, I mean, you're right, And in fact, we I
would meet people. It was up for about six months
before anything happened, and I would meet random people at
the trader at Joe's or you know, Wegman's Away or
any of the stores, and people would say, oh, you're
the one. Well, thank you so much. We only positive feedback.
Then someone knocked on our door, almost panic, telling us
(09:42):
one Sunday morning, I think at beginning of March, I
believe of twenty twenty four that this time we've been vandalized.
And we're not talking about one sign. We're talking about
they were more than one hundred posters, you know, full
page size of pictures, and they were either ripped off,
but even more concerning, people spray painted over the pictures
(10:05):
very very deliberately. And then there were also various anti
Semitic messages that were spray painted on the posters as
well as on our property. So that was a big shock.
And I think we had two you know, one could
react in two ways. One could just you know just
say okay, you know, we don't want to fight this,
or we're scared or whatever, or but we took the
(10:27):
opposite approach. We said, the purpose of anybody who tears
it down, whether it's our signs or anybody else, they're
trying to suppress the memory. Maybe they feel guilty, Maybe
they don't like the fact that the side of the
terrorist is looking bad by kidnapping children.
Speaker 7 (10:44):
Shocking.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Yeah, so we innocent innocent civilians, men, women, and children
in that horrible morning rate Jeff, I want to take
a quick break here, okay, and I want to complete
the story, but I got it with a time orange here.
I got to get a couple of messages in. We'll
be back with my guest Jeff Kasowski. He is a
(11:06):
resident of Newton who basically stood up to the to
the people who operated in the dark and defaced the
posters that were on his private property. Uh. And I
thought that Jeff is the perfect person to talk to
about tonight to bring this full circle. Uh. With the
release hopefully to be completed on Monday or Tuesday, according
(11:30):
to President Trump, back on Nightside with my guest Jeff Kasowski.
Will we will be talking after the news at the
bottom of the hour with Israeli Console General. But Benny
SHARONI and if if you want to give us a
call and get a word of support in for Jeff
or ask a question, we'll try to get a couple
(11:50):
of calls in six one seven four thirty or six
one seven ninety. Coming right back on Nightside.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
You're on Nightside with Dan Ray News Radio.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
I guess it is Jeff Kasowski. So so, Jeff, the
placards that you and your family had posted on the
front of fence at the front of your home were defaced,
and you decided not only were you going to put
those posters back up, but I remember the big rally
(12:26):
that you had in April, which was which was fabulous. Uh.
And a part of the good news is that apparently
in the last year and a half, none of the
posters have been defaced.
Speaker 6 (12:41):
Yeah, that's correct. And you know, you had a couple
of thousand people, all ages young to old, Jewish, not Jewish, local,
not local.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
It was great.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
I was I remember being there.
Speaker 6 (12:50):
I remember, yes, thankfully. You know it's been quiet. I think,
you know, attention moved elsewhere in terms of some of
the people, some of the outrageous protests, and you know
that has been done by the pro terrorist crowd. So
thank god, luckily it's been pretty quiet. So you know,
(13:14):
it's now all really about It's not about us, it's
not about what we did. It's really now we need
to focus on. How is hoping these hostages can return
to real life and that this never happens again.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Well, I suspect that at some point during your life
you're going to meet one or more of these hostages
and they will remember you as the guy in Newton,
Massachusetts who who stood behind them literally and figuratively at
the most difficult time in their lives. Let me grab
a call here from Newton. If folks wanted to join
(13:49):
the conversation quickly, they are more than welcome. Let me
go to Suzanne. Suzanne, you're on with Jeff Kasowski, right
hit Susan.
Speaker 8 (13:58):
Thank you so much. Thissky, I have a Jewish last day.
I am not Jewish, but I certainly husbands Ashkanoski Jewish.
What's the best thing in the world that ever happened
to me? And I would do everything I can't If
(14:20):
you're in no to two, do what I can.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Okay, thank you? Thank you very much, Suzanne. I appreciate
your phone call on Jeff. There's a lot of people
who feel that way, and you could tell that she's
pretty emotional about it. How I don't want to jinx
anything here, but we're moving very quickly on this situation,
(14:47):
really at at at at mock speed, if you will.
The President apparently is going to fly to Egypt this
weekend for a signing ceremony. Uh he's suggesting that the
hostage is are to be released in Toto Monday or Tuesday. Again,
you don't have any diplomatic insights that that you know
(15:10):
that other people don't have. But how confident are you
that this is a moment in time which we're going
to be able to hold on to and actually see
effectuated in the in the next few days.
Speaker 6 (15:23):
I mean, I guess that's the billion dollar question. I
think we have to have hope, because if there's no hope,
we don't have nobody has a future. And you know,
I just I think I could just go back more
generally that you know, in the United States and the
much of the Western world, Jews are off of the
canary in the coal mine, right, So the force of
(15:45):
the vehicle that do this. It's a message to all
of us, and I think that's going forward. You know,
maybe that's what we need to be thinking about, is
how do we protect our civilization, How do we you know,
keep the good here? How do we event to decline
into you know, evils of the past, whether it's this
particular evil or other similar evils that you know, the
(16:07):
hatred and intolerance lead us to. And so to me,
that's what I'm you know, hopefully this gets done, but
we need to be thinking about how do we make
sure we have a better future.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Here's what's amazing to me is that out of that
horrible day what never should have happened, okay, in which
twelve hundred people were slaughtered, some in their beds as
they woke up on that Saturday morning, that maybe two
years later, no one ever could have anticipated that Hezbollah
(16:40):
would be defanged, that that Assad in Syria would have
left the Middle East for political refuge in Russia, that
Hamas would have suffered such damage that they have actually
come to the table to try to end this war,
or that Iran would have been defanged with the attack
(17:04):
on their nuclear facility. It's just amazing that that two
years ago the state of Israel seemed to really be
in trouble on its back, but the the the residents
of Israel, the people of Israel, as they always have
stood up and maybe maybe at the end it will
(17:26):
prevail and that a lasting piece might take hold in
the Middle East. It's it's an incredible story.
Speaker 7 (17:34):
I agree.
Speaker 6 (17:35):
And I think you know, whether one believes in miracles
literally or not literally, you know, there are a lot
of miracles in what happened there and really unique time.
And whether one likes Trump or doesn't like Trump, I
think we need to give him credit because you know,
some of the some of the things that he does
that are that people consider outrageous. Is perhaps his secret
(17:56):
power here that he can get things done that can't
be done a conventional means, whether it's where we are now,
but hopefully he also has the ability to create, to
have a new approach, to be sort of bring people
together that more traditional methods have failed in the past.
That's my personal hope and prayer that maybe he's the
right person at the right time to truly bring peace.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
I join you in that opeen prayer. And ironically, when
you look back at history, you think well, probably Richard
Nixon was the last president that you think would have
opened up the door to what was then called Red China,
and yet Nixon did open the door to China. There
have been some things that sometimes president is some of
the successes or things that might have been unexpected. Jeff,
(18:45):
thank you so much. It's great to talk with you
earlier today and great to talk to you tonight. Thank
you for the coverage that you and your family displayed.
And at the end of the day, although obviously there
was a horrific damage both in loss of life and
property that occurred on October seventh, I think all of
us need to celebrate the hostages who come home, and
(19:09):
maybe maybe the Palestinian people will no longer have to
deal with Hamas as their their captors and their rulers.
So it's I don't want to say all's well that
ends well, because all was not well, but we have
maybe found another day and another dawn in the world
(19:30):
that we never could have imagined two years ago. Thank
you so much, Jeff. I look forward to grabbing a
cup of coffee with you. Want to get back to Newton.
Speaker 7 (19:37):
Okay, okay, thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Well, we get back when to talk with the Israeli
Console General Benny Sharoni. He will give us some time
on the other side if you'd like to jump on
board and talk to him the lines of the same
six one, seven, two, five, four ten thirty six one
seven nine three one ten thirty Back with the Israeli
Console General to New England. He will have the latest
(20:03):
on the meeting of the Israeli Cabinet this afternoon, and
I'm sure he'll be able to give us an update
on what time schedules and timetables are now beginning to
be cemented into place. Back on Nightside right after.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
This, It's Nightside with Ray on Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
We're delighted to be joined tonight on this very interesting
evening by the Israeli Console General to Boston, mister Benny Sharoni,
Console General. Welcome to Nightside. Welcome back to Nightside.
Speaker 7 (20:37):
Thank you, Dan, thank you for the opportunity. It's always
great to be at your show, especially this evening.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Well, absolutely, this is something that would have been difficult
to have dreamed this. I just spoke with Jeff Kasowski
of Needham. He was the gentleman who had signs dozens
and dozens of pictures of hostages up on his property
early on. And it's so difficult to realize the horror
(21:07):
that Israel has been subjected to, but the the the
incredible response of Israel, their people, their there armed, their
armed forces. Whoever would have could have foreseen that Hamas
would be as as badly beaten as they have been.
(21:30):
Has Polage destroyed, Iran denuded from a nuclear program, and
Asad now living in exile in Russia. It's been two years,
but it could it almost seems like the blink of
an eye. When did you sense, mister Kunsul General, that
things were starting to move in the right direction? How long? Uh,
(21:51):
it's it's it's gone at just mock speed for the
last forty eight hours. How how long have you had
a sense that, hey, maybe something's going on here?
Speaker 7 (22:01):
So you know me Dan from previous discussions that I'm
always optimistic, but this evening I'm even more more optimistic
than usual because the sense is that this is imminent
and hopefully we will see the return of the hostages
as early as the beginning of next week. Over the
last couple of days, a little bit more than forty
(22:22):
eight hours, I would say we got the sense that,
you know, there was a potential path forward. It started
with you know, President highlighting his plan of twenty points
and US investing a lot of efforts, putting its resources,
(22:43):
both diplomatic and obsources into this whole process, making sure
that negotiation are taking place. And yes, over the last
couple of days, I think we started to become cautiously
optimistic and starting to get the science. At this time around,
it looks as if film into a deal that will
(23:04):
finally finally find me moving to the release of all
of the hostages and let them, you know, reunite with
their family.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Yeah, there's obviously some phases here that people are concerned about, uh,
and that is whether Hamasa's fighters will leave Gaza or
whether they will surrender their weapons. I don't want to
get too far ahead of ourselves here, but what will
(23:36):
be the next area that we should be concerned about
that we should watch for. Obviously, it would be great
if this now means peace has broken out forever in
the Middle East, and I know the President seems to
be hoping that. Again. I don't want to ask you
a question that from a diplomatic point of view, is
(23:59):
one that's possible to answer. But what should my listeners
be watching for in the next week or two to
make sure that this agreement remains on track on time.
Speaker 7 (24:13):
So I would say the following, you know, the immediate stage,
we are all focused on the implementation of Phase one
of President's Drum Plan, which involves that that first phase,
I think in first when the first element of that
is the idef redeployment along the yellow line as as
you know, part of that plan, and right after ceasefire
(24:37):
to be followed by the release of all of the hostages,
release of some prisoners.
Speaker 8 (24:43):
And.
Speaker 7 (24:45):
Yeah, and that's that's basically the first phase. And of
course the continuation of the flow of humanitary maid into
guys are similar to other deals of releasing hostages that
we experience over as you So this is the first phase,
and all efforts are currently focused towards that this. This
(25:06):
is complicated enough, I would say, you know, this is
this is not an easy you know business negotiating with
with you know, but there's one person who wants to
sell and one the other person who wants to buy,
and this is just negotiating you know, the right terms
of the price. It's it's way more complicated when the
other side sits a brutal terrorist organization that seeks to
(25:30):
distract the state of Israel UH and the one that
actually gave the horrible October seven attacks. So it's it's
slightly more complicated than many adults issues. So we all
focused on that first stage. What comes after there is
a plan UH, and it helps, you know, step the
(25:53):
belief that that this plan puts from you know, from
from us. It involves giving up it's it's arm completely,
you know, the arming h Hamas and Hamas, giving up
on any kind of current and future governments in Ghaza.
And there are a couple of other developments though it's
(26:14):
it's it's curatively cute. So I think it pretty much
depends on the implementation of those steps. But then again,
I think the first phase is sensitive enough, and I
think we are, you know, just waiting for the successful
fulfillment of plane and see the hostage is coming back.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
I guess the the comment that that a political leader
once made that the journey of a thousand miles begins
with one step. And I know I'm quoting mount Say tongue,
which I'm which I'm not a fan of, but but
I think there that this is similar. This is a
journeys as well. Can I hold you just for a
few more minutes? I have to do it. I have
(26:53):
to take a commercial break, and I would love to
have some of my listeners, Uh feel free to chime
in and offer congratulations and success, particularly if we get
if you this Israel can get their hostages home. We'll
take a very quick break. I'll be right back and
we'll be done by by three minutes of ten. I
(27:14):
know it's been a long day for you, mister Consul General.
Six one seven, two, five, four to ten thirty six
one seven, nine three one ten thirty Back with the
Israeli Console General to New England, Benny Sharoni, talking about
what is likely to happen over this weekend into early
next week and who knows beyond Well, we'll take a
quick break, be right back after these messages.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
It's night Side with Dan Ray Boston's News Radio.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
My guest is the Console General of Israel to New England,
mister Benny Sharoni, Console General. How critical was the relationship
between your Prime Minister Benjamin Nettania who and President Trump
to the excess of this project? They were not on
the same page every day precisely there were differences of
(28:07):
opinion between each of them from a tactical point of view,
but I think there was tremendous respect, and I just
would be interested to know how important that relationship was.
Speaker 8 (28:20):
Oh.
Speaker 7 (28:20):
I think extremely important, extremely important.
Speaker 9 (28:23):
You know, we we.
Speaker 7 (28:26):
You know, we've been waiting for that moment so for
two years now. And I think it takes a lot
of leadership, you know, to you know, put all political
and diplomatic force into the discussion and into the negotiation
(28:46):
room in order to make such such a deal. And
we we very difficult to imagine how such a deal
would have been broken without United States leadership, without President Trump,
without a very close discussion coordination that have been taking
(29:06):
place always but specifically over the last weeks and months
between US administration and Israeli senior leadership. We can't imagine
how such a thing wouldn't happen without that close relations.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
As I'm sure you probably know, I truly respect your
Prime Minister immensely. As a matter of fact, I view
him he is to Israel as Churchill was to England
during the early days of World War Two. You know,
it was his strength as it was Churchill, strength to
(29:44):
face really long odds and yet at the end prevail.
Do you think that historically, I'm totally over the moon
when I analogize Prime Minister net Yahoo to Prime Minister Churchill.
Speaker 7 (30:01):
So so I'll say the following. You know, we look at
where Israel was right after Oaktoba seven, the day after
Vactoba seven, you know, we've been taken by surprise, we
were attacked, we lost many civilians and many three personal
and that day, you know, Israel wasn't a very good place.
(30:26):
And then look at what we did and what we've
been able to achieve over the last two years in
terms of our well, you know, regaining these ready terms,
regaining Israeli power, making sure that by the end of
the day, our enemies are removed from the equation. And
(30:49):
you know, let's let's look at the strategic balance now
two years after the seven. I think this is that
that that calls for a lot of brasilience, but that
cause of the whole lot of leadership, and I think
we demonstrated exactly that. And it is the combination of
that close the height conducted by the Israelityfense force and
(31:11):
Israel those Security Agency is bravely fighting over the last
two years. So the combination of those two elements and
United States leadership, those are the elements that allowed us
to be where we are currently extermining at.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
Last, quick question, is that you're understanding I know there
have been some reports tonight that the President of the
United States, President Trump, is contemplating going to Egypt for
as signing ceremony this weekend. Is that you're understanding that
is now being planned.
Speaker 7 (31:49):
So I can't say anything about the President's plans. Unfortunately,
I'm not in the loop of gotcha.
Speaker 2 (31:59):
Okay, very well, let me make it. Let me I'll
let you off the hook there. Let me get a
couple of phone calls in here people who awfully that's
them to be very brief and u uh make a
make a quick comment. Let me go to Jeff uh
in Waltham. Jeff, you're on with the Consul General of
(32:20):
the State of Israel to New englandad.
Speaker 10 (32:23):
Okay, it's an honor to talk with him. I don't
know whether this is a question or a comment, but
it's that's called a rhetorical question.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
Just just make it direct, Jeff. That's all I ask.
Go ahead.
Speaker 7 (32:33):
Okay.
Speaker 10 (32:33):
From a tactical point of view, what guarantee is there
that this so called agreement by a must would not
amount to strictly a regrouping tactic.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
Well, I don't know, but they have to regroup and
let's see what.
Speaker 7 (32:54):
Take that valid Okay, sure, So, so I would say following,
I don't think that there's a you know, one hundred
percent guarantee that Hamas will fully implement you know, each
side of the deal. Uh, this is terrible organization by
the end of the day, a very brutal and globoic onin.
(33:15):
But that that highlights two elements. The first one is
that all of us collectively responsible clout in this equation
should make everyfl in order to make sure that Hamas
is under a lot of pressure and you know, maintain
and fulfill it's part of the deal by the end
of the day. And the other element that I would
(33:37):
say is that Israel has not given up on other
options as well. We stick with diplomacy, because diplomacy is
you know, and has been all along the way our
personal past towards solving that that war. That we are
we are full there and fully ready to use other
(33:58):
means if if the know he's not going to move
forward the way to his highlight of the present by
the President, and.
Speaker 2 (34:05):
I think as would understand that as well. And they
may be many bad things. I'm not sure suicidal is
one of the adjectives that I would have that I
would apply to them. Thank you Jeff for your question,
really good question to Ben in acted. Ben, you are
on with my guest, the Consul General to New England
for the state and for the Nation of Israel, Benny SHARONI.
Speaker 9 (34:25):
Go right ahead, then, good evening, Council General shoremy hawks,
Samya or.
Speaker 7 (34:32):
Some quick question.
Speaker 9 (34:35):
We were in Israel back in April visiting family and pataka.
We were in Tel Aviv. We went up north, the
visited the Gamla. One of the things that we heard
from family and friends was rebuilding up north and communities
like carry out Shmona. What is the plan moving forward
now with hopefully the end of the ward the Milhama
(34:57):
and asa, But what's is the plan to help with
build communities in the north and along the envelope. Otherwise,
we're thankful to see family and friends being reunited and
hopefully that's coming Saturday. You know, in Hostage Square, there
will be even more celebrations.
Speaker 7 (35:15):
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for putting
that question. So, you know, the first thing that we
needed to do is to make sure that the military
thread him coming from from Chrisbala and Lebanon two words,
is running off because we moved and then we I
think successfully took care of that last year. So that
(35:36):
was the first step. The second step, which is already
happening and you know, taking place over the last couple
of months, there's a lot of orchestrated governmental efforts, including
putting budget into the prolonged process of reconstruction, as well
as north the vast majority of the citizens to do
(35:57):
many of the towns and Kibusin and village which is
i know an Israel or really went back, not all
of them, but the vast majority are already back. Kiachmana
is slightly more complicated. It's a big city that had
challenges even before the war, and those challenges, those challenges
became even most of you with the effect of of
(36:21):
the world over the last few years. So the goody
is is that there is a lot of thinking taking
place back in Israel and now is about that and
including relocating governmental funds in other to pay, but it's
going to take some time. It's it's a lengthy process.
Speaker 2 (36:40):
Yeah, this has been quite a process in of itself.
Console General, as always, thank you for being available and
to talk with my audience. Everything you've said tonight has
been very reassuring and let us hope and pray, of
whatever our religious background, that peace will take hold in
(37:00):
the Middle East and we will talk again, I'm certain
in the next uh with probably sooner than later, and
hopefully it'll be a positive, another positive conversation.
Speaker 7 (37:11):
It's always a pleasure to be a guest at your
show and looking forward for future opportunities. Thank you very
much and thank you for the audience and the listeners absolutely.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
Bennys Erroni the Consul General of Israel to New England.
When we get back, we have the WBZ car guys
are going to lighten it up a little bit. All
of your automotive questions will be answered by Larry and
Scott here on night side right after the ten o'clock news.
The Bruins won in overtime, by the way, just a
couple of minutes ago there too, and zero
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