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

The Bulletin Network, a fake news site with over 53,000 followers, posts photographs and captions about Israeli soldiers and police officers killed. Some posts are recycled or fabricated. The site is an example of the fake news industry, which thrives in the age of AI.

A Haaretz report suggests UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about 10 days prior to the October 7 massacre, warning about Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's plans. The report was initially dismissed as "an absolute lie" by Netanyahu's office and later confirmed by an Emirati source, with the UAE issuing a statement neither confirming nor denying the claim.

The report raises questions about Netanyahu's motivations for pursuing the hostages' release, and the effectiveness of the war with Iran, which started in February 2022. President Donald Trump's visit to Israel shortly after the hostage release brought some clarity to the situation, as he met hostage families and spoke in the Knesset.

The year 2025 will mark 20 years since Hamas' attack on the Israeli community, and the hostages' return was celebrated nationwide. US President Donald Trump's visit to Israel during this time was a surreal occasion, as over 20 world leaders signed the Gaza agreement.

Tough leaders often gain admiration by speaking with certainty and showing contempt for opponents. However, the public tends to reward leaders who acknowledge their uncertainties and make unpopular decisions that benefit the people. This year, the Rosh Hashanah prayers will crown a king and ask to be judged, with the record of every creature coming before God, including each person's deeds and reckoning. Ultimately, the verdict on this year is not ours to deliver, but what we reward is up to us.