Israeli Government to Discuss Formally Changing Country’s Name for Gaza War
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by Troy O. Fritzhand
Israeli soldiers inspect the entrance to what they say is a tunnel used by Hamas terrorists during a ground operation in a location given as Gaza, in this handout image released Nov. 9, 2023. Photo: Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS
Israel’s Government Naming Committee is set to meet next week to discuss formally changing the name of the country’s war against Hamas in Gaza — currently called “Swords of Iron” — to one of three new choices, according to Israeli media reports.
The three names to be discussed are “Genesis War,” “Simchat Torah War,” and “War of the Winds.”
The discussion comes after Hebrew media reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was unsatisfied with the current war name because it was too similar to names generally associated with recent military operations — such as Breaking Dawn and Pillar of Defense — but insufficient for a full-scale war.
The meeting is set to be attended by representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Public Information Ministry, the National Security Ministry, the National Security Council, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The three potential new names all relate to the date on which the war broke out — Oct. 7, when Hamas terrorists rampaged across southern Israel, murdering 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 others as hostages.
Oct. 7 was the date of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, the day that commemorates the conclusion of the weekly Torah readings and the beginning of the new cycle, which begins with the Book of Genesis.
As for “War of the Winds,” that is also related to the holiday, as Simchat Torah marks the time when observant Jews change aspects of their daily prayer, including asking for “wind and rain.”
Another name that has been considered, according to reports, is “Gaza War.” This name, apparently favored by Netanyahu at one point, was met with opposition, particularly from Health Minister Uriel Buso, who reportedly said, “Prime Minister, don’t forget that you live on Gaza Street.” This was in reference to the fact that Netanyahu does in fact live on a road named Gaza Street in the center of Jerusalem.
According to reports, Genesis War is the current top choice of the prime minister, who says it also sounds good in English.
Many Israelis, particularly religious ones, have already been referring to the conflict as the Simchat Torah War since its outbreak.
