Oct. 7, 2023, was a day of infamy for every Jew on earth. It was the day our dreams of peace with Israel’s neighbors were shattered into millions of pieces as thousands of Hamas members and “ordinary” Palestinians from the Gaza Strip infiltrated Israel’s border; slaughtered 1,200 men, women and children; and took 251 back with them, where many have languished to this day.
The attack was so vicious, so brutal, so immoral that it was a shock to one’s soul. It hit me personally, as I saw children the same age as my own being kidnapped, shot, stabbed, put into cages like animals and dragged off to cheering crowds in Gaza. A grandmother in her 80s was golf-carted away by Arabs who drove her to the dungeons of Gaza.
I sat in front of my computer, mesmerized by what I saw. Almost 50 years to the day after Arabs invaded Israel in another October surprise—the 1973 Yom Kippur War—it happened again. Israelis were caught off-guard by an enemy who aimed to destroy the country and every one of its inhabitants.
As part of the first generation in thousands of years to say, “This year in Jerusalem,” I watched in horror as Israel stood at the precipice of destruction in our homeland. Didn’t the world say, “Never Again?”
In the aftermath of Oct. 7, one might have expected the world’s sympathy to shine on the Jewish people. Instead, antisemitism grew exponentially around the globe. Jews were once again the targets of international derision and hatred. And they concluded that they were alone in the world, save for a few pro-Israel friends and supporters.
Now, with a new leader in the White House, the situation may be shifting. President Donald Trump proposed transferring Gaza residents to other Arab countries, including Jordan and Egypt.
This solution is so outlandish that even Israelis don’t quite believe it. But once the shock settles, Trump’s plan makes sense. To implement a two-state solution now would only reward terrorism. And, if we are honest about Gaza, it is an area filled with hate oozing out from every street, tunnel and home.
This war is not just Hamas against Israel. It is the people of Gaza against Israel. The people of Gaza elected a known terror organization as their leader. They supported Hamas, helped Hamas, honored Hamas—all of which led to the participation by “ordinary” residents in the slaughter and kidnapping of Israelis.
The terror didn’t start on Oct. 7. Gazans cheering on violence against Jews is not a new phenomenon. Hamas has attacked Israel numerous times since it came to power in 2007. The physical damage to Israel from this war and previous conflicts is likely in the billions of dollars. And what about the psychological damage inflicted on the population?
Yes, Gaza has been mostly destroyed. Yes, civilians have died, even though Israel took every precaution possible to prevent their deaths. And, yes, Gazans have suffered psychological damage as well. However, the war and its aftermath rest primarily with them.
Trump is right when he says that Gaza should be depopulated and rebuilt. Only then will there be a chance for peace, if they even desire it.
