A Life on the Line
Yousef’s journey from Hamas member to Israeli spy, detailed in his bestselling book *Son of Hamas*, has made him a lightning rod for controversy. “Being killed is not the worst thing,” he declared. “If I stay silent, my soul is dead. I’d die every day.” After a decade of secret operations saving lives, his public exposure has come at a cost, a self-imposed “death sentence” from those who see him as a traitor. Yet, he has no regrets. “I wouldn’t change anything,” he told the interviewer, dismissing any longing for his family or past life.
Hamas’s “Invitation” to War
Yousef framed the current Gaza conflict as a trap set by Hamas, accusing the group of deliberately orchestrating civilian casualties to delegitimize Israel. “Hamas invited Israel to this war,” he said, referencing the October 7 attack that killed hundreds and took hostages. “They doubled down, tripled down, weaponizing civilians, knowing a ground invasion would lead to massive casualties.” He called Hamas’s strategy a calculated move to paint Israel as the aggressor, exploiting global sympathy for Palestinian suffering.
He didn’t mince words about Hamas’s rule in Gaza, describing it as an “iron fist” that executed suspected collaborators, including innocents, making intelligence-gathering nearly impossible. “Not everyone is willing to risk their life like I did,” he admitted, reflecting on his own difficult choices as a Shin Bet asset.
A Provocative Stance
Yousef’s boldest claim sparked gasps: “The biggest terrorist is the god of the Quran.” Acknowledging the danger of his words, he stood firm, arguing that Hamas’s ideology, rooted in what he sees as violent interpretations of Islam, fuels its actions. He also dismissed the notion of a unified Palestinian identity, asserting, “There is no such thing as Palestine. If they didn’t have Israel as a common enemy, they’d kill each other.” His rejection of Palestinian nationhood, coupled with his support for Israel, has made him a polarizing figure.
He accused pro-Palestinian activists, particularly in Europe, of fueling hatred and criticized some Israelis for undermining the IDF during wartime. “Accusing soldiers risking their lives to defend the Jewish nation is treason,” he charged, urging unity over division. “Hamas is counting on our collapse.”
The Stakes: Civilization vs. Savagery
Yousef painted a dire picture of the global consequences if Hamas prevails. “If their method works, it’s the end of civilization,” he warned, pointing to international moves like France’s recognition of a Palestinian state as “rewarding terrorism.” He argued that releasing “thousands of mass murderers” in a hostage deal would prolong the war, allowing Hamas to regroup. “The military wing controls the hostages,” he said. “They know if they return the last one, it’s over.”
His solution? Relentless pressure to remove Hamas from power. “We can defeat Hamas, but we must be patient, resilient, united,” he urged. A loss, he cautioned, would have “deadly consequences” for Jews worldwide, emboldening antisemites and terrorists.
A Plea for Unity
Yousef’s passion peaked as he addressed Israel’s internal strife. “It’s not the time to change governments or let the government collapse,” he said, warning that such moves signal Hamas’s success. While acknowledging the right to protest, he opposed early elections, speaking as an “independent observer” who loves Israel. “I am Israel,” he declared, aligning his fate with the nation’s. “A victory will put us in a special place globally. A defeat, God forbid, and the world will come after us.”
The interview ended with a heartfelt plea: “Stop blaming each other. This is why I trust the Jewish people are special. We have a bigger job than fighting ourselves.”
