Speak Out

October 7 is a date etched into the collective Jewish memory, bearing deep significance for the State of Israel and Jews worldwide. Just as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Pearl Harbor marked a turning point for America, 10/7 signifies a crucial moment in Jewish history. From surviving historical horrors – including the Catholic Inquisition, countless pogroms and the Holocaust – to defending Israel, 10/7 underscores the unwavering commitment to safeguarding the future of the Jewish state. This date represents the memories and challenges endured in the Jewish people’s relentless pursuit of self-determination and security. This is another war of independence against the evil forces that pursue the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people.

An elderly woman in her walker dragged away by force; teenagers gunned down while fleeing armed terrorists who invaded a music festival; mothers and their young children snatched from a bus station; hundreds executed at close range. Families dragged by force, humiliated, stripped and paraded in front of rabid Hamas supporters in Gaza. They are suffering unspeakable horrors amid despicable war crimes.

Whether you are a woman, man, or simply a human being, you must be outraged by the brutal rape and slaughter of innocent civilians. If not, then what values do we have as a society? The premeditated Hamas attacks intentionally targeted innocent Jews in their homes celebrating a Jewish holiday and the weekly sabbath. No matter where you are from, what tribe you belong to or what you believe in, these barbaric acts can never be tolerated, let alone supported.

Hamas is not a freedom fighting resistance movement. It is a radical, misogynistic terror organization, committing rape, torture and genocide with only one goal – the extermination of the Jewish state. In fact, Hamas causes just as much harm to the Palestinian people they govern. The horrific violations of international humanitarian law prove a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life and the principles that underpin a civilized society.

Israel is a democratic nation committed to the protection of human rights. Iran’s radical Islamist leaders and its proxies are dedicated to the extermination of all Israelis – especially Jews. Democratic societies uphold the principles of due process, justice and proportionality in their efforts to safeguard citizens. In stark contrast, Hamas barbarians’ blatant disregard of these principles by deliberately targeting innocent civilians, launching rockets from densely populated areas and using human shields as part of their strategy. Such actions are fundamentally immoral and run counter to the most basic values of humanity. Intentionally harming civilians is morally indefensible.

It is about Hamas and its fellow Iran proxies going to any lengths to destroy the Jewish state. Yes, this is a complicated issue. Yes, we are concerned for the plight of the Palestinian people, but they are no better served by the likes of Hamas and Iran, who do not seek peace or coexistence. The Palestinian people should be freed from Hamas.

Hamas terrorists do not wear military uniforms; they blend in with civilians. They build bases, store bombs and launch rockets from civilian neighborhoods, underneath hospitals, schools and mosques. On the other hand, Israel makes every effort to avoid any civilian casualties. The IDF notifies Palestinians before taking out Hamas sites in Gaza. Hamas did not provide any warning before butchering Israelis celebrating outside and sleeping inside. There is no defense for the crimes against humanity committed by Hamas and its allies.

What would you do if terrorists armed with machine guns invaded your community and home, searching for people to murder and abduct. What would you expect your government to do? Those who insist Israel do nothing in the face of terror are holding the Jewish State to a dangerous double standard. No other country, including our own, would ever accept that.

As lead sponsors and funders of Hamas, Iran’s radical religious leaders are clearly supporting the terrorist atrocities. The state-sponsored propaganda spewed by the Iranian merchants of death demand that Israel be wiped off the map. And soon the ayatollahs will have nuclear weapons. Iran funds and provides weapons to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza and the West Bank, to Hezbollah in Lebanon – and supports the enemy Syrian government, all united in their hatred and aim to eradicate Israel.

Calls to “free Gaza” should be directed at Hamas. Many Palestinians living in Gaza want a free and open society, free from Hamas. The dehumanizing and grotesque assaults were likely launched to prevent a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, designed to bring peace to the region and offer a better life for all Palestinians.

Palestinians living in Gaza are ruthlessly controlled by the autocratic Hamas leadership. Many Palestinians share the same desire for freedom, democracy and human rights that Americans and Israelis enjoy. They want a society where they can express themselves freely, participate in the political process and enjoy basic civil liberties without fear of repression or persecution. Despite the challenges they face, some Gazans have demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination in their quest for a more open and democratic society. The promotion of freedom and democracy is not only a moral imperative, but also vital for peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

Americans don’t need to choose a side in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In an interview with Bill Maher, Israel’s then Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism and Delegitimization Noa Tishby, stated: “I’m pro-Israeli and I’m also pro-Palestinian.” It is important to recognize that supporting both communities is necessary to promote stability and peace in the region. Encouraging leaders to engage in constructive dialogue and negotiations can help bridge the divide and find common ground. Supporting initiatives that promote education and bring together Palestinian and Israeli youth to learn about each other’s cultures and histories can help break down barriers and foster understanding, essential for building a foundation of trust and cooperation.

Sen. Bernie Sanders: “I don’t know how you can have a ceasefire, a permanent ceasefire, with an organization like Hamas, which is dedicated to turmoil and chaos and destroying the State of Israel. I think what the Arab countries in the region understand is that Hamas has got to go.” The founding covenant of Hamas explicitly calls for the destruction of the Jewish state. Its control of Gaza is marked by authoritarianism, human rights abuses and a disregard for the welfare of Palestinians. Hamas is incapable of making Gaza thrive because it dedicates its resources to the destruction of Israel and not the construction of Gaza, and the betterment of its citizens.

Rapidly rising anti-Jewish bigotry in the streets and on campuses is a frightening reminder that antisemitism abounds even in our modern world. This growth also unequivocally reveals that anti-Zionism is clearly antisemitism. Germany in the 1920s was considered the most tolerant culture in Europe, and Jews were integrated into society. Within 10 years, Germans became increasingly brainwashed to hate their fellow citizens who were different from them. Condemnation alone is insufficient to tackle this antisemitism. A multifaceted approach is necessary: education to reject stereotypes, awareness campaigns and the reinforcement of laws that combat discrimination.