A year ago, New Yorkers awoke to the horrific news of a dastardly terrorist attack in Israel, perpetuated by Hamas terrorists who ambushed innocent men, women and children where they lived and gathered.
The bloody Oct. 7 terrorist attack left more than 1,200 people murdered and hundreds more taken as Hamas’ captives to Gaza. Israel then went to war with Hamas, seeking to dismantle the terrorist operations and neutralize the clear and present threat to her existence. It led to more death and destruction in Gaza, the enclave where 2 million people live; tens of thousands have died there, having been caught in the middle of the conflict or deliberately used by Hamas as human shields.
In the wake of the Oct. 7 attack in New York, there was an outpouring of grief, shock and horror. But there was also an outburst of antisemitism and hatred that only added to the shock, horror and grief — leaving many perplexed as to how much antipathy and prejudice had been revealed in the hearts of neighbors and friends.
We saw protesters take to the streets calling for the “liberation” of Palestine “from the river to the sea,” words which serve as a clarion call to destroy the state of Israel. We saw bigots rip down missing person posters of Israeli hostages and vandalize Jewish-owned businesses with disturbing temerity. We saw misguided college students verbally intimidating their Jewish peers and openly calling for the destruction of institutions that serve to protect them.
Now a year removed from the events of Oct. 7 in Israel, New Yorkers will gather at prayer vigils and other ceremonies to remember those murdered or held captive. There will also be New Yorkers who will demonstrate in the streets and on campuses the ongoing war; some will inevitably resort to using the same hateful rhetoric repeatedly echoed in the past year to advance their own agenda.
But all New Yorkers must realize that genuine peace begins with us and how we treat each other — especially those with whom we might disagree.
Peace-loving people do not march in public and call for the destruction of their rivals. They do not take down missing person posters or vandalize businesses. They do not verbally harass or physically harm people of different faiths or ethnicities. There is no justification for such destructive acts — period.
Remember the victims murdered and kidnapped of Oct. 7, 2023. Pray for a peaceful end to this conflict, and the safe return of all remaining hostages. And always reject hate — in all its forms.
