WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:05.960 It's Night Side with Dan Ray. I'm w Eazy Boston Video. 2 00:00:07.879 --> 00:00:12.519 Welcome back everyone. It's ten oh seven here on w 3 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:14.919 BZ and Boston. My name is Dan Ray, and we 4 00:00:14.960 --> 00:00:19.960 are about to get a late update from the Consul 5 00:00:20.039 --> 00:00:25.320 General of Israel to New England, Benjamin Sharoni, also known 6 00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:30.359 as Benny Benny Sharoni, Consul General. Welcome to Night's Side, 7 00:00:30.399 --> 00:00:31.679 first appearance with us here. 8 00:00:31.800 --> 00:00:36.039 Welcome, Thank you, Thank you, Dan. Good evening, Good evening 9 00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:38.840 to you, good evening to the listeners. Thank you very 10 00:00:38.920 --> 00:00:41.520 much for the kind invitation. It's great to be with 11 00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:42.119 you tonight. 12 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:47.520 Well, you have a what people should understand is you 13 00:00:48.679 --> 00:00:52.640 represent the government of Israel here in New England. You're 14 00:00:52.679 --> 00:00:56.640 a Consul General. You are in the office of the 15 00:00:56.679 --> 00:00:59.719 Minister Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Israel, and you have 16 00:00:59.799 --> 00:01:05.120 a a long background, a long career as a diplomat. 17 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:08.079 Tell us a little bit about yourself. How does someone 18 00:01:08.280 --> 00:01:11.719 end up as a member of the diplomatic corps in Israel? 19 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:17.359 Thank you, it's a great question. I'm a career diplomat. 20 00:01:17.439 --> 00:01:22.040 I've been with is Ready Foreign Ministry twenty one years now, 21 00:01:22.120 --> 00:01:26.840 and it happened that when I was younger. I went 22 00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:29.519 to the university and when I did my master degree, 23 00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:32.959 I was looking for something interesting and I saw the 24 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:37.280 television university had just open the registration for master degree 25 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:41.000 in diplomatic studies. I didn't know that much about diplomacy 26 00:01:41.079 --> 00:01:43.879 back then. For me, it was a combination of many 27 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:48.400 things that I like to enjoy, history, geography, politics, economy. 28 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:52.599 So I joined and then I met other people and 29 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:55.439 I learned more from them about this ready foreign ministry 30 00:01:55.519 --> 00:01:58.519 and what is the way if one wants to be accepted, 31 00:01:58.599 --> 00:02:02.040 what's to be admitted. I applied and went through the 32 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:03.560 process and the rest is history. 33 00:02:04.519 --> 00:02:08.840 Well, if you had an interesting career, because obviously were 34 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:12.879 you worked in Cairo, Egypt for a while as a 35 00:02:12.919 --> 00:02:16.680 political affairs officer. You're then with a deputy chief of 36 00:02:16.759 --> 00:02:21.759 mission in Hungary and as we say, Buddha Pesche, I 37 00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:24.879 was in Budapest a few years ago and learned that 38 00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:29.280 the city was bisected by the Danube River. On one 39 00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:31.400 side of the city was called Buddha and the other 40 00:02:31.479 --> 00:02:36.599 side was called Pesh which you knew, but it was. 41 00:02:37.159 --> 00:02:40.960 It was a really interesting historic city to visit. You 42 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:42.879 have spent a lot of time in Jerusalem, you were 43 00:02:42.919 --> 00:02:47.000 posted for five years in Washington at the Israeli Embassy 44 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:50.599 in Washington, d C. You went back and served as 45 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:56.000 the Director of Arms Control in Jerusalem, and now you're 46 00:02:56.039 --> 00:02:59.280 the Consul general and you've been here just just about 47 00:02:59.400 --> 00:03:04.439 six months. So tell us your impressions of New England 48 00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:06.319 at this point. And you know you spent a lot 49 00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:09.039 of time in Boston, but you also have six states 50 00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:12.680 for which you are responsible. What's your impressions of New England? 51 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:15.800 Is this the longest Well, you were in Washington, but 52 00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:18.919 we don't really consider Washington part of the country because 53 00:03:18.919 --> 00:03:23.960 it's capital the country. New England's really a section of America. 54 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:27.479 I'm just curious your your impressions of our region. 55 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:32.639 I love being here, to be sally honest. And when 56 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:35.719 the time came for my family and I to choose 57 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:41.719 our next diplomatic posting abroad New England and Boston, Kingstons, 58 00:03:41.960 --> 00:03:43.919 it was no brilliant. It was very clear for us 59 00:03:43.960 --> 00:03:46.960 that this is where we would like to be. We visited. 60 00:03:47.479 --> 00:03:49.680 In the years that that we used to live and 61 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:52.400 work in Washington, d C. We had opportunity to travel 62 00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:54.439 mainly in the East Coast, and I remember the first 63 00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:58.400 time that we visited as a family in New England 64 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:03.080 with start in Rhode Island, was back in twenty eighteen. 65 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:06.479 Then we came back a year later for a big 66 00:04:06.520 --> 00:04:10.159 trip all over New England and with potass and I 67 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:12.560 remember my wife and I speaking back at the time 68 00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:14.719 and saying, look, if we're going to come back to 69 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:18.079 the United States for another diplomatic to let that be 70 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:22.160 this part of America. So we felt back then that 71 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:25.519 this is a wonderful place, and we still think that 72 00:04:25.800 --> 00:04:28.399 is the case. And actually it was becoming more and 73 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:31.360 more convinced, you know, the more the more time that 74 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:36.959 we spent here to me, this part of America, this 75 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:41.319 part of the United States, offers a wonderful combination. On 76 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:45.000 one hand, it has a very strong leg deep rooted 77 00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:47.920 in American history. Is this is the birthplace of the 78 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:52.079 American Revolution, the birthplace of modern America, the Boston Tea Party, 79 00:04:52.199 --> 00:04:55.600 you know, many things that now United States began here. 80 00:04:56.480 --> 00:04:58.959 But at the same time, it has another leg, which 81 00:04:59.040 --> 00:05:04.199 is all about moderna and future and technology and innovation 82 00:05:04.839 --> 00:05:08.800 and the world best universities. And I found that combination 83 00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:12.959 to be unique and fascinating at the same time. So 84 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:16.639 we really loving our time here. We enjoy being here 85 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:17.399 in New England. 86 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:20.079 And have you have you hit all six states so far? 87 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:22.720 I know that the winter time in Vermont, New Hampshire 88 00:05:22.720 --> 00:05:25.680 and Maine sometimes can be a little challenging. Have you 89 00:05:25.959 --> 00:05:28.600 have you had a chance, I know part of your 90 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:33.399 responsibilities to get in touch with the political leaders. I 91 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:35.560 know you've met with Governor Healey. Have you met the 92 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:37.800 other governors here in New England as well? 93 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:42.160 So I met thus far free I think out of 94 00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:47.759 the six governors, we are now working on finalizing the 95 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:51.680 list and scheduling meeting with the governors that I haven't 96 00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:54.759 met thus far. I in the last five and a 97 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:58.600 half months already they visited five out of the six 98 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:05.240 in Indland state, most of them more than once. And 99 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:08.800 I'm looking forward also to conclude the last state which 100 00:06:08.839 --> 00:06:11.759 I haven't visited. Basketball. I'm not going to reveal which 101 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:13.959 one in order not who'll find anyone. 102 00:06:15.399 --> 00:06:16.240 A dip on that. 103 00:06:17.800 --> 00:06:19.879 They're all my favorite? You know which one? 104 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:25.000 Therefore, of course, well, I understand when we get back, 105 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:28.160 mister Consul General, I want to talk about what is 106 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:31.839 going on in Israel. We have followed this story from Afar, 107 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:36.680 but we've covered the Middle East. Here on Nightside, I 108 00:06:36.720 --> 00:06:40.120 think you'll find my audience is a fairly a very 109 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:44.240 sophisticated audience when it comes to world affairs, and I 110 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:48.560 would encourage them if they have questions for you or 111 00:06:48.600 --> 00:06:53.360 want to offer some comfort or some support. I'm sure 112 00:06:53.360 --> 00:06:57.000 you would appreciate that. We'll open up phone lines. But 113 00:06:57.040 --> 00:06:58.680 when we get back, I'd like to talk with you 114 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:03.079 about the latest. I know that this ceasefire is still 115 00:07:03.480 --> 00:07:06.399 in its earliest stages, and I just would like to 116 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:09.839 make our audience aware of what is happening, what will 117 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:13.759 be happening this coming weekend, and where this might lead. 118 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:16.519 And we can talk obviously about how we got here 119 00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:20.639 after this horrific four hundred and now more than four 120 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:23.759 hundred and seventy days of captivity for those who are 121 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:26.399 still being held hostage in gossip. My name's Dan Ray. 122 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:29.439 This is the Night Side. We're talking with the Consul 123 00:07:29.560 --> 00:07:35.519 General of Israel to New England, Benjamin Benny SHARONI will 124 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:37.279 be taking phone calls, so you want to get on 125 00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:39.959 quickly six one seven, two five four ten thirty or 126 00:07:40.040 --> 00:07:43.079 six one seven, nine three one ten thirty. We're going 127 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:45.040 to learn a lot about what's going on in the 128 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:48.240 Middle East in the next part of the program, So 129 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:50.839 please stay with us and feel free to join the conversation. 130 00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:53.720 I wish I was smart enough to ask every question 131 00:07:53.800 --> 00:07:56.439 that's on everyone's mind, So whatever questions you have, feel 132 00:07:56.480 --> 00:07:58.319 free to join us. Coming back on Nightside. 133 00:07:58.759 --> 00:08:02.439 Now back to Dan live from the Window World Nightside 134 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:05.519 Studios on WBZ News Radio. 135 00:08:06.600 --> 00:08:10.000 With me is the Israel's Consul General to New England 136 00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:17.720 and Console General SHARONI. We have reached a ceasefire, and 137 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:20.759 I think it's important for everybody to understand that this 138 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:25.639 is not necessarily a lasting piece or the end of 139 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:29.040 the conflict. From what you know, and you know a 140 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:33.480 lot more than about this than any of us. How 141 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:38.159 optimistic are you that that, in this very complex world 142 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:42.720 of conflict in the Middle East, that this ceasefire might 143 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:44.320 actually hold. 144 00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:50.639 I was started by saying that, you know, when we 145 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:54.480 sew the whole nation was glued to the television screen 146 00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:59.600 last Sunday, you know, witnessing the return of Roydon and Emily, 147 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:04.879 of the hostages that have been held by hamasters By 148 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:08.759 for almost four hundred and seventy days. And that was 149 00:09:09.240 --> 00:09:13.080 you know a little bit of happiness in a long 150 00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:18.159 sixteen months of a nation that has been struggling with 151 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:23.519 a very dramatic event. There is a lot of hope 152 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:26.919 among the Israeli people, and there's a lot of desire 153 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:32.919 to see the completion of the deal when all its phases, 154 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:35.080 and the hope that by the end of the day 155 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:38.360 we have the ability to see everyone, all of the 156 00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:44.919 hostages coming back home. It's not a matter of being 157 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:48.120 optimistic or pessimistic. It's a matter of other things that 158 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:53.080 you know, must must happen. It's a reflection of the 159 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:59.080 commitment of Israel, you know, to our people to bring 160 00:09:59.080 --> 00:09:59.960 the hostages back. 161 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:07.320 It has to be just to set the stage here, 162 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:12.360 there were three women, young women released last week, one 163 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:16.879 of whom had been a member of the IDEF. This 164 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:21.279 Saturday or Sunday, I believe three more hostages are to 165 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:23.440 be released. And I think you mentioned to me yesterday 166 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:26.679 that the identities of the three who will be released 167 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:31.200 this weekend will be disclosed sometime on Saturday, and at 168 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:36.519 the same time, somewhere anywhere between fifty and ninety Hamas 169 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:41.279 prisoners will also be released. That seems a little disproportionate 170 00:10:41.399 --> 00:10:47.320 to us as Americans. That for three people, the Hamas 171 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:50.440 is getting back anywhere from fifty sixty maybe in some 172 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:54.679 cases up to seventy or eighty fighters. That is what 173 00:10:55.360 --> 00:11:00.279 historically Israel has done because obviously they value the lives 174 00:11:00.320 --> 00:11:06.320 of their citizens tremendously. How long will this sort of 175 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:12.559 small release by Hamas three a week continue. I know 176 00:11:12.679 --> 00:11:16.759 the ceasefire is for six weeks, but you know, if 177 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:19.279 it's just three a week, that means after six weeks, 178 00:11:19.279 --> 00:11:22.799 if the ceasefire isn't continued, only eighteen hostages will have 179 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:25.799 been released. And I always thought the commitment was thirty 180 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:30.679 three from Hamas. Can you reconcile that apparent discrepancy? 181 00:11:30.960 --> 00:11:34.559 Yeah, So the deal is a gradual one that has 182 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:37.759 three phases the free The first play is the one 183 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:42.919 that involves release of thirty three of the hostages in 184 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:46.320 a gradual manner. And three were released or the first 185 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:50.080 the first day, and then we're expecting another four, I believe, 186 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:53.240 although these come is coming weaker, and then we are 187 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:56.600 we're waiting for the names to be released by Hamas, 188 00:11:56.600 --> 00:12:00.840 maybe as early as tomorrow. Again, I think it's a group. 189 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:05.080 The first day is a gradual one and where every 190 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:08.679 seventh day we have expected to see another three of 191 00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:15.000 the hostages coming back. The deal speaks about bringing back 192 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:18.559 the live ones. First. We know, unfortunately that some of 193 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:23.159 the hostages are no longer with us, but the deal 194 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:27.000 includes also returning that the bodies of those who are 195 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:31.879 deceased althody. Unfortunately, that's the first day, the first phase. Again, 196 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:36.759 it's thirty three hostages, and that will involve also releasing 197 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:40.879 from the Israeli side more than seven hundred terrorists, including 198 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:46.799 some that have Israeli blood on their hands, were responsible 199 00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:52.080 for horrible murders, plus another more than thousand Palestinians from 200 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:57.799 Gaza who are detained during the defense of October seven. 201 00:12:58.600 --> 00:13:00.679 It's a very heavy price. I think the one is 202 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:05.000 going to argue against that. Uh but but but it's 203 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:07.559 a reflection of the moral obligation to do everything that 204 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:10.360 we can in order to bring all of the hostages back. 205 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:16.320 Have there and again, our attention here in the country, 206 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:19.720 in this country has been on the inauguration, on the 207 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:26.159 wildfires in California, on the blizzard in Louisiana. You know, 208 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:32.159 our attention span in this country is pretty parapatetic. I mean, 209 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:34.360 we we move from a big story to the next 210 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:39.000 day to the next day have there How can can 211 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:48.879 the ceasefire hold realistically or will there be sporadic violations 212 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:52.000 which both sides will be able to look past if 213 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:56.440 if someone you know on the Hama side, uh, you know, 214 00:13:56.519 --> 00:14:01.559 decides to try to disrupt things, that just seems to 215 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:08.799 me to be a very complex achievement to realize that 216 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:12.240 that all guns would be would be silent for six 217 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:13.360 full weeks. 218 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:17.080 Yeah, I agree that, you know, there are a lot 219 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:21.279 of challenges with with with regard to the implementation of 220 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:24.840 that of that DL. Well, there's a strong determination of 221 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:27.519 this really, so I began to do the utmost in 222 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:29.879 order to bring to the release of the hostages, and 223 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:33.919 we want to see that happen. Of course as well 224 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:37.480 is very you know, looking very carefully to making sure 225 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:41.679 that everything every commitment that is being taken by by 226 00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:46.399 other sides the ceasfire agreement needs to be fully implemented. 227 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:49.679 And we did, you know, so some delays on the 228 00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:52.840 the early days on the first day, those turned out 229 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:54.080 by the end of the day to be of a 230 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:56.960 technical nature that didn't stop the release of the first 231 00:14:57.039 --> 00:15:02.799 three hostages. U uh, And I you know, we cannot 232 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:05.120 exclude that there will be further delays down the road, 233 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:08.320 but the desire is definitely to see the implementation of 234 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:13.960 the first phase and seeing during the first phase the 235 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:16.080 thirty three coming back. 236 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:22.440 Is the top leadership of Hamas. They are outside of 237 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:26.240 Gaza As I understand it, they are. They're in relative 238 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:31.279 comfort and cutter, correct. So uh, that's where the top 239 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:34.360 what the existing whatever is left of the leadership of 240 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:37.360 Hamas is, Is that correct? 241 00:15:38.559 --> 00:15:41.720 So? Some some some. They have a very interesting structure 242 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:44.440 where they have an external leadership that sits outside of 243 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:49.720 Gaza Street, but they also have internal apparatuses that within Gaza, 244 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:53.279 and I think up to today, even though after the 245 00:15:53.559 --> 00:15:56.039 vast majority of the leadership has been taken out of 246 00:15:56.080 --> 00:16:01.600 the equation, still there are some leadership focus leadership centers 247 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:06.720 within Gaza and as far as I can tell, decisions 248 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:12.360 on their side is being taken between the external players 249 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:14.320 and the ones who are inside Gad Street. 250 00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:18.759 When we get back, I want to talk about the 251 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:22.960 efforts by our government to move this process along. It 252 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:26.720 came at an interesting time where we were transitioning from 253 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:31.360 the Biden administration to the Trump administration, and from where 254 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:36.639 I'm sitting, it seems as if both administrations contributed to 255 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:40.519 the success of this arrangement. It's too bad that it 256 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:44.279 took four hundred and seventy days, but better to get 257 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:47.399 it done at for seventy than to continue. So when 258 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:49.440 we get back, I'd like to just ask you to 259 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:54.000 sort of tell us were there some key moments from 260 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:58.480 the State of Israel's perspective that made this deal work? 261 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:00.720 And then I do want to talk talk about is 262 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:06.440 it possible in the long run that after all that 263 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:09.720 Israel has gone through and the success in terms of 264 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:17.400 eliminating leadership of Hespollah, an Iranian leader, the departure of 265 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:21.480 Asad from Syria, and of course the really the dissolution 266 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:27.519 of Hamas, is it possible possible that for the next 267 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:32.559 few years, once if this ceasefire holds, that we actually 268 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:36.680 could have something that resembles peace in the Middle East. 269 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:40.079 So that'll be my next question. Coming up. On the 270 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:42.279 other side of the news break, my guest is the 271 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:45.680 Consul General of Israel to New England, Benny Benjamin Sharoni. 272 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:49.599 Benny Sharoni has been with us for six months here 273 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:54.200 in New England. Very forthcoming. If you have any questions 274 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:57.400 about what's going on in the Middle East. You were 275 00:17:57.400 --> 00:18:00.759 more than welcome to join the conversation. Six one, seven, two, five, 276 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:04.160 four ten thirty six one seven, nine, three, one ten thirty. 277 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:06.640 My name is Dan Ray. This is Nightside. It is 278 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:11.079 not often that we get a guest of mister Sharoni's stature, 279 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:17.200 Console General sharoni stature, so please take advantage of speaking 280 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:21.799 directly with someone who knows that part of the world 281 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:24.559 much better than any one of us could ever imagine. 282 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:26.119 We'll be back on Nightside right after this. 283 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:33.640 You're on the Night Side with Dan Ray on w BZ, 284 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:37.279 Boston's news radio. 285 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:42.240 My guest is the Israeli Console General to New England, 286 00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:50.160 Benny Sharoni. I ended the last segment asking you to comment, 287 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:52.960 if you will, on what role the US might have 288 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:59.279 played in the final days of these negotiations, which ultimately 289 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:03.559 resulted in a ceasefire, just you know, before one administration 290 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:07.119 left and then another arrived. 291 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:10.200 So I will say that the United States have been 292 00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:16.119 actively involved since since October seventh, since day one of 293 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:21.559 this horrible last sixteen months and years, was quick to 294 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:26.799 use its assets, both military assets and diplomatic assets. You know, 295 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:29.680 make clear that it's present and it's willing to back 296 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:32.200 up and support as well from day one, and we 297 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:34.519 all know and we all understand that the situation would 298 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:38.279 have looked completely different without US active involvement. Now, I 299 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:43.200 think the years administration had at a lot of effort, 300 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:46.319 you know, during those last sixteen months, with an ongoing 301 00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:50.279 attempts to broker agreement which will bring to the release 302 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:54.799 of the hostages. And in this regard, in this point 303 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:57.920 of time, I think we sew efforts from both the 304 00:19:57.960 --> 00:20:05.000 outgoing Biden administration and becoming Trump administration, and that along 305 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:08.359 with other reasons is the fact that we are now 306 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:13.599 into the Sits Fire agreement and seeing finally some release 307 00:20:13.640 --> 00:20:17.519 of the hostages. So it's a combined effort and US 308 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:20.200 have been active all along the way. And I should 309 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:23.319 say that the people of Israel are a seemly thankful 310 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:26.640 for the United States and a leadership for the ongoing 311 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:29.599 involvement and support, including the efforts to be to the 312 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.799 release of the hostages. 313 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:38.319 From we're up sitting and I'm not a Middle East expert, 314 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:42.200 but I followed it pretty closely going all the way 315 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:45.359 back to the to the nineteen sixty seven war, in 316 00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:49.519 the Sixth Day War, I was born the same year 317 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:52.359 that the state of Israel was founded, so Israel is 318 00:20:52.359 --> 00:20:55.160 a couple of months older than I am, and I 319 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:58.559 feel a great kindred spirit towards Israel. My dad fought 320 00:20:58.599 --> 00:21:01.720 during World War two and all we taught us as 321 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:07.039 children to always support Israel so that what happened re 322 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:11.680 leading up to World War II could never happen again anywhere. Now. 323 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:17.079 From my perspective, and if I'm wrong, correct me, please, 324 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:19.720 it seems to me that this might be one of 325 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:24.720 those moments in history when the tide could potentially turn 326 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:27.640 in the Middle East. There will always be groups and 327 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:30.880 individuals in the Middle East who cannot countenance the existence 328 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:34.359 of a Jewish state. But it just seems to me 329 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:40.640 that the departure of Asad Iran having been weakened, the 330 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:44.480 success of the Israel Defense Forces in conjunction with the 331 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:51.240 United States last spring from those horrific including ballistic missile 332 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:55.559 attacks from Iran, the successful defense of Israel. What has 333 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:59.279 happened to Hamas, what has happened to Hesbelah? Even today, 334 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:02.680 I believe that hoodies Uh said that they were going 335 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:06.680 to I think engage in some form of a ceasefire. 336 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:16.000 Our conditions uniquely positive for maybe some years here of 337 00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:20.839 reconstruction and reconciliation possible in the Middle East? Have we 338 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:25.279 reached one of those magic moments, mister Consul General, or 339 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:29.599 am I just being too too polygyannish their look? 340 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:33.319 I'm coming from a land of the profits. That's one 341 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:36.039 point that you don't want to be be a profit 342 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:41.400 when it comes to Middle East politics. I agree with you. You know, 343 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:46.440 the situation do offer some prospects, and it looks as if, finally, 344 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:50.839 after a couple of good decades that the whole region 345 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:58.400 was under subject to many interference from Iran network of proxies, 346 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:03.640 we are finally at a much better position. From an 347 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:08.480 Israeli perspective, we have been surrounded by years, during years 348 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:11.839 by by a network of Iran in process. This is 349 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:15.039 like an octicus with with hands with tentacles all around us, 350 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:21.799 with Hispala in Lebanon, their support for a sad, murderous 351 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:26.480 regime in Syria, Hamas and uh In Guds, the hoodies 352 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:31.160 in Yen and Iranian involvement in Iraq, and true yes, 353 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:34.200 nowadays I think when you look at the Northern Front 354 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:37.640 and you see his ballad defeated and the situation the 355 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:42.519 seats fire there, which hopefully will will last, although we 356 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:46.359 are more than willing to respond with both to any violation. 357 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:49.440 You see how Hamas is now much weaker, and I 358 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:52.240 think the run in journalist of the serious blow over 359 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:54.599 the last couple of months. So he do offer a 360 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:58.160 couple of good prospects for the future of the Middle East, 361 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:02.039 but that you know, there are still things that that 362 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:04.480 needs to be done. And I think I just I 363 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:08.119 want to highlight this is today. It's Iran is important 364 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:11.240 factor Dell, because we still continue to see Iran's ambitions 365 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:14.359 on the nuclear front, on the original front, and those 366 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:17.000 needs to be addressed before the whole region can move 367 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:23.119 into a much stable situation. And and also Hamas. Hamas 368 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:27.039 suffered the serious blow. But we have to bear in 369 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:29.559 mind that the rule of Hamas of a no pathway 370 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:34.039 for Please, it's only a continuation of conflict, suffering instability 371 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:37.759 for both the Palestines and the Israeli The removal, the 372 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:41.359 complete removal of Homans, it's not really an Israeli interest, 373 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:47.279 it's a regional necessity without Hamas, only without commands that 374 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:51.519 could be rebuilt us. It's only that without Hamas gus 375 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:55.200 in israelis would begin to envision a different future. So 376 00:24:56.559 --> 00:25:00.359 that that's that's definitely the and that's something that will 377 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:04.480 need to be addressed, not just by Israel, but also 378 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:08.319 by the international community, because we do have an opportunity here. 379 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:15.680 Where where could Hamas relocate to? You know, if if 380 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:18.079 they were to leave Gaza, and I'm not sure they 381 00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:22.039 were willingly leave Gaza, but if they were to leave Gaza, 382 00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:27.160 is there a safe haven for Hamas somewhere else in 383 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:32.000 the Middle East with removed from removed physically from Israel. 384 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:37.359 Yeah, So Hamas leadership through the years found shelter and 385 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:44.119 establish headquarters in different Middle Eastern state but also established 386 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:48.160 presidence in not just in the Middle East, also in 387 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:51.720 Asia in other places. Our hope is that there's not 388 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:55.359 going to be a single country that would be willing 389 00:25:55.880 --> 00:26:00.599 to accept this group, this murtherers terroist group and allow 390 00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:03.200 them to re emerge. And I think it is not 391 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:05.759 just you know, Israel, but I think it is it 392 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:09.359 is up collectively, you know, the the international community to 393 00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:13.480 put pressure on state UH not to allow them to 394 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:18.359 absorb or to host Hamas leadership and allows them to 395 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:23.160 continue to UH to work from from any any given 396 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:23.440 to it. 397 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:27.440 Theory is it is it realistic to think that they 398 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:33.319 would be willing to leave Gaza and basically you know, 399 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:36.880 settle in several countries, you know, and and for them 400 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:41.680 to separate their leadership. How do you convince them to 401 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:44.359