October 7, 2024, by Dr. Susanna Kokkonen
Holocaust Remembrance Association strongly condemns the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israeli towns and communities. Holocaust Remembrance Association deplores the keeping of Israeli hostages in Gaza. At the anniversary of the attack, we mourn the loss of lives and feel the pain of their families.
October 7, 2023
On October 7, 2023, the terrorist organization Hamas launched a horrific surprise attack against innocent Israeli civilians. As photos, videos and testimonies emerged of the attack, it became clear that Hamas had planned brutal violence, murder, desecration of bodies, and hostage taking, ahead of time. The murderous plan was brutally executed leading in the words of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “an unbearable price”.
In one day, Hamas murdered app. 1200 Israelis; other 250 Israelis were kidnapped and forced into Gaza. Among the kidnapped were elderly, even Holocaust survivors and small children, even babies. As a result of this, Israel launched its defensive action against Hamas. As of today, Hamas is holding over one hundred hostages in Gaza.
Despite the initial sympathy Israel received from world leaders, the original attack and the condition of the hostages no longer commands media attention. The war in Gaza has led to an absurd situation, where much of the world condemns Israel’s defensive action.
Hamas fighters hide among civilians but also prevent them from moving to safety. Hamas hides weapons in hospitals. Hamas takes food and crucial supplies meant for civilians. Few brave Gazans have spoken out against Hamas. There is aid entering Gaza, but aid does not seem to reach civilians. Similarly, Hamas’ figures for civilian casualties are not scrutinized to the full extent.
Hamas’ Allies
In the already complicated situation, Iran attacked Israel on April 13. In total, the Iranian attack comprised 170 drones, thirty cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles. The Iranian attack, we note, was preceded by years of Holocaust denial and aggressive genocidal rhetoric by Iran’s leaders.
Hezbollah, an Iranian backed terrorist organization in Lebanon, has attacked Israel since the early days of the Gaza War. On July 27, Hezbollah hit a football field in Majdal Shams, a Druze town in Northern Israel. The attack killed twelve children and youth.
The war has since widened, and analysts say that Hezbollah is distracting Israel to come to Hamas’ aid in Gaza.
Meanwhile the UN and the International Court of Justice have taken decidedly anti-Israel stands. In the latest news, in September 2024, the General Assembly voted on a resolution “demanding that Israel end its occupation of Palestine within a year”. 124 nations voted for the resolution; fourteen voted against and forty-three abstained. Among those, who criticized the resolution, there was a compelling argument that the resolution was a prize for terrorism.
Antisemitism
Antisemitic mass-demonstrations against Israel started very soon after October 7. These took place all over the world. In Europe demonstrators even attacked police-officers. In the USA, in college campuses and schools, Jewish students are still afraid to attend classes. Hostility is such that Jewish students refrain from wearing any Jewish symbols in public.
As violent attacks took place on college campuses, there was a riot against a Los Angeles synagogue and antisemitism became rampant in the streets. In Chicago demonstrators outside the Israeli Consulate burned an American flag, as they clashed with the police. Even Disney film “Snow White” featuring famous Israeli actor Gal Gadot is facing calls of boycott.
Truthfully, it is no longer possible to recount all the antisemitic harassment and attacks taking place all over America daily.
All these developments are extremely troubling because unchecked hatred may give rise to unintended consequences. If antisemitism is allowed to flourish, it will eventually change even a democratic society.
It is time to say Never Again!
The Holocaust Remembrance Association exists to remember, reconcile, and take a stand against antisemitism in all its forms.
