The following article was written for RaymondIbrahim.com by Joachim Osther
In the wake of the massacres carried out by Hamas on October 7th, many in the West called for cease-fire and questioned the need for Israel to engage Hamas inside of Gaza. One reason for the IDF offensive may lie in the objectives of the antagonists—objectives that have long marked the historical conflicts between militant Islam and the West.
In his book, Defenders of the West: The Christians Heroes Who Stood Against Islam, Raymond Ibrahim traces centuries of warfare between Western and Islamic armies, providing historical insight that may inform the rationale for Israel’s current riposte.
Notably, one Christian warlord employed a very different strategic approach in his efforts to defend his nation from Islamic conquest. His name was Janko [John] Hunyadi.
The White Knight of Wallachia
Ottomans led by Murad II and his successor, Muhammed II, were at the helm of the 15th Century effort to Islamize Europe. A fractionated Europe had lost its resolve to liberate the surviving indigenous Christians of the Middle East and the holy city of Jerusalem, along with the requisite unity necessary to prevent the Ottomans from invading the West. As Europe lowered its collective guard, the Ottomans gained ground along the southeastern corridor framed by the Balkans and southern Hungary.
From this forward position, the Ottomans built forts and launched unrelenting raids to weaken both the physical defenses and the will to resist. The strategy was to move incrementally northwest into Europe with the objective of conquest, enslavement and destruction of Christianity through death or conversion. Using contemporaneous sources, Ibrahim details the reasons for Western fear as borne out of the ignominious magnitude of slaughter, rape, enslavement, and mass beheadings resulting in “great mountains of [Christian] heads.”
Using present-day parlance, the 15th Century Ottoman objective can be described as an all-encompassing goal of conquest, death or conversion “from the Danube to the sea [Atlantic].”
At that time, the strategic mindset of the various Western warlords was defensive in nature. This posture allowed the Ottomans to dictate the timing and manner of aggression, and, crucially, this also enabled the replenishment of troops and materiel—the key to offensive military campaign vivacity.
However, it was in this strategically pivotal frontier that the Ottomans would face a confounding foe. A man whose style of warfare was unusual, highly effective, and through which the strategic residue of Israel’s current actions can be traced. His name was Janko [John] Hunyadi, and through his military genius, his valor, and his bright armor, he became known as The White Knight of Wallachia. Ibrahim describes how Hunyadi was both a master of the implements of war and a keen student of the art of war. He was consummate military thinker who closely studied military strategy from ages past and was said to be “especially fond of Caesar’s military journal.”
In 1441, Hunyadi was named voivode (“warlord”) of Transylvania and placed in charge of the southeastern border of Hungary. In facing such a daunting and existential threat, Hunyadi reconfigured his fighting forces by adding an infantry element, some armed with firearms, to the existing cavalry regimens. More importantly, however, he viewed a defensive posture as de facto acquiescence to constant aggression—a strategic presupposition he found to be unacceptable. Instead, Hunyadi embraced a strategic approach that Ibrahim describes as “unthinkable” at that time: he went on offense.
Wasting little time, in the very year he was designated voivode, Hunyadi left the defensive ramparts behind and crossed the Danube to engage and rout a large Ottoman army camped along the frontlines.
The offensive strategy became the modus operandi of the White Knight who meted out defeats to the Ottomans not merely along the Hungarian frontlines, but deep within their own territory. In doing so, the Ottomans were unable to reorganize, resupply, and mount their continuous assaults on Hungary. It was a strategy of both preemption and of psychological warfare as the hunters became the hunted.
For a time, his actions and successes inspired other European nations to join in the efforts to ward off the Ottoman armies. Not surprisingly, the consequent response throughout Muslim-held lands was one of defense. The fear that Hunyadi may suddenly descend upon them was so great that defensive preparations were made as far off as Cairo.
Israel’s White Knight Strategy
Hunyadi left a long-lasting legacy of military strategy that kept the Ottomans at bay for decades following his death, and elements of his strategic approach is currently on display
As Israel faces a 21st Century embodiment of the militant Ottomans, it surely recognizes the string of historic proclivities exemplified by Hunyadi’s antagonists, as the stated overarching objective of Hamas is not merely land and spoils, but the eradication of the Jewish people “from the river to the sea.”
Similar to Hunyadi, Israel understands that it must respond when attacked or before they are attacked—that it must go on the offense and the concept of preemption must be sown into its military doctrine. Using what could be called “The White Knight Strategy,” Israel has repeatedly kept radical Islamists at bay from their modern rebirth in 1948 until the present. This strategy has clearly been adopted as manifest policy seen in the Six Day’s War, Operation Orchard, the ongoing efforts to cripple Iranian nuclear capabilities through a variety of means, and yes, in their current war with Hamas.
The Intent of ‘Cease-Fire’?
There is one more notable similitude tying past conflicts to the current war.
In the present, protestors angrily call for Israel to ‘cease-fire.’ A similar refrain calling for armistice came in 1451 when Muhammed II succeeded Murad II. In reality, the cease-fire was to buy time for the new Sultan to consolidate his power and amass a formidable fighting force. Once his power and military were primed, he reneged the agreement and besieged the Christian seat of the Byzantine Empire: Constantinople. An unprepared West had ignored Hunyadi’s warnings of the coming disaster and thus Constantinople fell in 1453. Eyewitnesses who recounted the scenes following this Ottoman victory, describe with eerie similarity the grotesque details that emerged from Israel on October 7th, 2023.
In his works, Ibrahim details the constancy of making and breaking peace treaties to such a degree that it seems to be a counterstrategy rather than an intended settlement. In his book, Sword and Scimitar, lies a noteworthy description of Constantinople’s conqueror’s call for truce – “peace was on his lips while war was in his heart.”
It would seem that past actions of Hamas and certainly the current inflamed tenor of the anti-Israel protests convey a similar sentiment.
Joachim Osther is a multi-disciplinarian – a freelance writer focusing on the intersection of culture and Christianity. Osther holds a master’s degree in theological studies while working as a strategist, advisor, and published author in the life sciences.
Mark Persis says
What has gone on since this October 7th, has nothing to do with Ottomans and Christians of centuries ago! Today, Israel has taken over Palestinian Arabs land and is under UN condemnation! see: https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-condemned-israel-more-than-all-other-countries-combined-in-2022-monitor/ The Christians in Gaza who long have been showing the love of Christ to Muslims by providing hospitals and other services to them, are sharply critical of Israel’s bombing of civilians and some Christians have been killed as a result. Serach for Orthodox Church response, also Anglican and Catholics are unanimous in condemning Israel! Except the media seems to be hiding these from the public! Sometimes over zealousness can drive us into the twilight zone! This certainly is the case with the rootless evangelical churches of America!
shoshi was says
The Christians of Gaza are much like the Jews of Iran. They know how to stay alive. However, all the hospitals and services they provide will not save them in the end.
Here’s a thought: There’s an old saying in the ME, first the Saturday people, then the Sunday people.
Mark Persis says
The Christians of Gaza have no similarity to Jews of Iran! On the issue of Christians staying alive in Gaza, it is difficult when Israel bombs your church that you’re sheltering in! Here’s an excerpt from an Aljazeera report:
In one of the defining moments so far of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, a deadly explosion at the al-Ahli Arab Hospital on October 17 killed close to 500 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Two days later, Israel bombed the Church of Saint Porphyrius, the Gaza Strip’s oldest, killing at least 18 people.
The deadly attacks on the hospital — an Anglican institution — and the church have brought into sharp focus the enclave’s embattled Christian minority, which, like the rest of the Gaza Strip, is under assault from relentless Israeli bombardment.
The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem described the attack on the church as a “war crime”.
The historic Churches who provide hospitals and charities to the Muslims of Gaza, are already saved! It appears that you don’t know the basic mechanism of Salvation! And lastly, your old saying, again, does not seem to understand basic Christianity!
shoshi was says
Please try to read sources other than Aljizeera. Human Rights Watch (not allied with Israel at all) said that the explosion was the caused by a ‘Palestinian’ rocket. I would not rely on any news report from Aljizeera that bases it on Hamas’s ‘evidence.’ As far as my comparison, I stand by that. Staying alive is one thing, being saved is another.
Tershia says
An interesting historical comparison. It brings to mind the biblical verse in Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NIV) “What has been will be again, what has been done will be again; there is nothing new under the sun.”
In Genesis 12:3 God said about Israel, “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonours you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” There are numerous versus throughout scripture relating to this topic that needs further study.
All those who have rejected God and his word will suffer His wrath.
don_gaetano says
Hi Ms T, latest from Mary is she’s much weaker after the second fall. She remains mentally alert and clear in her writing. She’s resting comfortably with good family care.
Stay well in the totalitrian state of Monsieur Trudeau.
Mark Persis says
By coming of Jesus, the special place of Israel was lost! This is crystal clear in the New Testament from Acts, where the Holy Spirits falls on all present, not just Jews! Apostles immediately notice this! And their conclusion? All the rules and regulations of OT have gone! (just keep away from food sacrificed to idols). Salvation is offered to all! When Peter tries to judaise the new Christians, Paul rebukes him sharply! In any case, OT cannot be used to justify Israel bombing civilians!
Dum Spiro Spero says
The comparison makes no sense.
A few observations: Israel has a much larger army than Hamas. So do weapons, tanks and aircraft. The Hunjadi case is the other way around.
The same goes for logistics. Israel has everything it needs, the Palestinians don’t even have the basics. Plus US military support for Israel.
As for the war, from a military perspective, you have to recognise that Hamas are very brave. They don’t care whether they live or die. That is the most dangerous characteristic for any soldier.
Mark Persis says
Thank you. You’re the only person here who sees the situation as is. The rest are all brainwashed into Israel’s narrative! The Christians of Gaza are witnesses to the love of Christ to Muslims and have been martyred by Israeli bombs in the process. This is how historical churches have witnessed to Muslims, while the rootless fundamentalist churches of America spread hatred towards Muslims!
Andrea Tedesco says
Excellent article! If I may, I’d like to say that in my opinion the main reason why Israel has to stay on the offensive and rely on “preemptive attacks” to defend itself is the lack of “strategic depth” and therefore time and room for manoeuvre “at home”.
Israel may have the most powerful army in the Middle East and one of the most effective in the world, but it’s very small.
Such limited size makes Israel very vulnerable and at risk of actually been wiped off the face of the Earth virtually overnight for obvious reasons.
On the one hand, hostile forces and their weapons can reach any corner and target of Israel almost in a blink of an eye, on the other Israel cannot deploy and exploit its formidable military force to the fullest extent possible within its own borders.
don_gaetano says
Very well said Andrea. Westernes have been blinded to the real and present dangers of Islam, meaing their divine command to subdue the entire world, nothing less and, their evolving use of all the modern weapns of war they are able to gain access to and use.
But note that now in modern times, they also favor barbaric practices ued in antiquity, rape, enslavement, torture and mutilation and domination and more.
A quote for historian Hillaire Belloc in 1938 printed in one of Raymonds articles calls Islam, “… the West’s most formidable and persistant enemy…”.
Here’s the link to Raymond’s article –
https://www.raymondibrahim.com/2019/02/13/islam-the-wests-most-formidable-and-persistent-enemy/
Stay well Andrea
Andrea Tedesco says
Thank you very much also for the link! I will be reading the article. I couldn´t agree more with your comment. We are definitely on the same page when it comes to Islam and the threat it poses to Israel, the West and the rest of the world. Stay well too! By the way, where are you from, if I may ask? A.
don_gaetano says
New England, USA and you?
My plan is to contct legislators, retired military and honest journalists.
The danger is so great and the subject matter so terrible that the common citizen has a mental break just hearing about it. Add to that the adoption of Islam as a “victim group” by the progressive left, media, Dem party, academia, corporations and you have a solid wall of denial that is almost impervious to the truth.
Raymond’s books and aritcles are full of information and warnings and history enough to bring a spotlight on the real danger and need to protect oursleves in the West. I hope with more time on my hands to get the message out to hand-picked legislators with conviction and courage to break thgough the media block on the subject.
Europe I fear, is in real trouble.
I can drop a spare email here if you’d like to talk off Raymond’s site.
Andrea Tedesco says
For a moment “stay well” made me think you might be from South Africa…:-) I´m originally from Italy , but I live in Slovakia. It sounds like you have a great plan which can make a real difference! And once more I must agree 100% with your remark: Europe is in real trouble, at least western Europe…Speaking of “preemptive attack”, here is an email address…:-) [email protected]
don_gaetano says
Got it pisan. I’ll send you a quick email.
don_gaetano says
Thanks Raymond and Joachim.
AE Devereux says
Anyone here believe in the talking donkey in Numbers 22:28?