Dr. Craig Hartman is a former attorney and the founder and director of Brooklyn-based Shalom Ministries Inc.  Born of Jewish parents and reared in the Bronx and Queens, Dr. Hartman has developed an outreach to the Jewish people that is being effectively implemented in the New York area and overseas.  A frequent conference speaker and lecturer, Dr. Hartman has published a book, Through Jewish Eyes, in which he explores the Jewish roots of Christianity.  Dr. Hartman holds degrees from New York University School of Law and The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City.

The cease-fire is now over in the Middle East and some hostages have been released.  Jim indicated that the latest report shows there are about 59 hostages held by Hamas of which there’s quite a bit of variance as to how many may still be alive.  Israel is entering Gaza again and there are uprisings by the people there against Hamas.

In response, Dr. Hartman reminded listeners that the Israeli government engaged in a hostages for prisoners trade but the ground war has begun again so people recognize that probably the only real way to get the estimated 24 hostages back that are still allegedly alive is through military action. 

Has Hamas been strengthened by the release of these prisoners?  Dr. Hartman indicated they are but at the same time they are losing ground.  Israel has taken back roughly 20% of Gaza and with the new initiatives they expect to be over 30%.  

What’s also interesting are the anti-Hamas protests.  Dr. Hartman is taking a “wait and see” attitude as he noted how at least some of the people protesting were also, not long ago, calling for the torture and death of Israeli’s.  So it’s early in the process and Dr. Hartman is waiting to see if future protests get larger.

As the program moves along you’ll hear conversation about the accusations of an IDF intelligence failure related to the October 7, 2023, massacre.  Also, what’s the latest concerning neighboring nations possibly taking in Gazans?  What’s happening at the northern front with Hezbollah?  The answers to these questions are just a small part of the information you’ll hear, because during this one hour of Crosstalk, all eyes are on Israel and the Middle East.  

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