Editor’s Notes: The Rosh Hashanah accounting of leadership – comment

The article discusses the challenges of discerning truth in news, particularly regarding Israeli leadership and the October 7 events, amidst a landscape of misinformation and AI-generated content. It highlights a disputed report from a new book claiming UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about a major Hamas move 10 days before October 7. Netanyahu's office called the report an "absolute lie," while an Emirati source confirmed it to Hebrew media, and the UAE issued a non-committal statement. The author expresses uncertainty on several major questions of the past year, including the veracity of the UAE warning and the motivations behind hostage negotiations. The piece contrasts leaders who project certainty with those who acknowledge complexity, suggesting that the public often rewards the former. It references historical examples of Israeli leaders like David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin, who made unpopular decisions for the long-term good, emphasizing that true leadership is judged by actions rather than rhetoric. The author concludes by urging readers to focus on what leaders do, rather than what they say or how loudly they shout, especially as Rosh Hashanah approaches, a time for reflection on deeds and accountability.