The Israeli hostages still being held captive by Hamas after 18 months serve as a painful reminder of the historic persecution of the Jewish people. On the eve of Passover, commemorated for more than 3,000 years, the traditional seder meal recounts the powerful Exodus narrative of liberation from oppression. For the Jewish people, Moses leading the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage is a hallmark story of resilience and self-determination, retold with profound meaning every year during Passover.
The biblical story of the Exodus—the struggle against tyranny and the yearning for freedom—remain as profoundly relevant for the Jewish people today, thousands of years later. Recounting the story of the Israelites fleeing slavery in Egypt inspires countless persecuted people around the world.
Jews today are confronting threats from every direction—from global terrorism and the specter of nuclear proliferation to biased international organizations and the persistent poison of antisemitism, now morphed into more modern and pernicious forms.
‘Let my people go’: The modern-day plague of captivity
“The hostages are held in cages, in tunnels, in the darkness, chained by their hands and legs. They suffer from malnutrition and must beg for food, doing all kinds of humiliating things. It has been 18 months in hell, and any day can be their last.”
— Professor Hagai Levine, chair, Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians
The testimonies of former hostages reveal the severity of endless physical and psychological suffering from their Iranian-backed Hamas tormenters. After 18 months, 24 of the remaining 59 hostages are reportedly still alive. Hamas continues to release propaganda videos of current hostages. Matan Angrest, 21, was captured from a tank while defending Israelis during the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Former hostages described how terrorists kept him in a “small cage that he can’t stand upright in because of its height.”
Eliya Cohen was held captive for 505 days and kept in chains that were only removed every two months for him to wash his hands and face. He survived numerous grenades being tossed by Hamas terrorists into a roadside bomb shelter near the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, known as the “bunker of death.”
Plot to erase Israel echoes ancient tyranny
Hamas leaders asked the Iranian government for $500 million in 2021 to destroy Israel within two years. The terror group wanted “to achieve these great goals, through which we will change the face of the world. We are confident that by the end of these two years, or during them, God willing, we will uproot this monstrous entity.”
Hamas leaders asked the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force—a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization—for the funding. The IRGC, according to Israel’s defense minister, “accepted the request and replied that Iran, despite its difficult economic situation and the plight of the Iranian population, will continue to funnel money to Hamas, because the struggle against Israel and the U.S. is the top priority of the Iranian regime.”
Palestinian civilians in Gaza have risen up to stage mass rallies against Hamas despite threats by the terror group. Muhammad, a law student, said: “People are fed up with Hamas attempting to use their bodies, their lives. Even though it’s very risky to protest Hamas, this is a duty on a humanitarian and moral level. Hamas went too far in oppressing the people. All they are doing is looking for political gains for Hamas and not humanitarian gains for Gazans. If the war ended now but Hamas would stay in Gaza, we will see another Oct. 7 because Hamas would do it again and again.” Hamas also killed a Palestinian collecting food at a U.N. warehouse and recently resumed rocket fire into Israel.
From pharaoh to ayatollah: Iran’s nuclear ambitions threaten Israel
Iranian allies and proxy groups continue to be threats to Israel’s safety and very existence. The regime continues to back Houthi attacks against the U.S. Navy and commercial ships off the coast of Yemen. Washington is responding with continuing strikes on the Houthi terrorists. The Israeli Defense Forces targeted Hezbollah terrorists rebuilding terror infrastructure in Lebanon.
Israel also reportedly struck three airbases in Syria where Turkey intended to deploy forces. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently called to “destroy and devastate Zionist Israel.”
During Netanyahu’s recent visit to the White House, Trump announced that “we’re having direct talks with Iran” over its nuclear program. The United States has ramped up sanctions on Iran that are crippling the country’s economy.
Netanyahu said: “We’re both united in the goal that Iran does not get nuclear weapons. It would be good if it can be done diplomatically.” An American, Israeli or joint military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities is considered an option if Iran fails to abandon its pursuit of nukes. America reportedly transferred another anti-missile defense battery to Israel and the Pentagon announced the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the region.
Bitter herb of bias: False charges threaten Israelis
The U.N. Human Rights Council reappointed an official who blamed Israel for the Oct. 7 Hamas atrocities, denied Israel’s right to self-defense and said the “Jewish lobby” controls America. Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur for the Palestinians, had her term extended through 2028. Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), the House Foreign Affairs Committee chair, led American opposition to her reappointment. The Dutch government, 42 French politicians and U.S. Jewish groups also demanded that she be disqualified because she fails to maintain impartiality, integrity and objectivity.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant in November for Israel’s prime minister over false allegations concerning Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The warrant requires member states to arrest Netanyahu if he enters their territory.
Nevertheless, he recently visited Hungary, whose prime minister ignored the warrant and announced his country’s intention to withdraw from the court. Netanyahu expects more countries to leave the ICC. His flight to America avoided the airspace of European countries that announced they would enforce the warrant.
Echoes of Exodus in America? ‘Mass deportation of U.S. Jews’
A popular far-right media influencer and known Holocaust denier, Christian nationalist and conspiracy theorist recently announced that he supported the mass deportation of American Jews as a “final solution.” Just like the Albanese at the United Nations, he sees Jews as controlling America … and Trump.
Other popular media personalities, including Joe Rogan, Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson, continuously host like-minded guests, spreading lies about the Jewish people and the Jewish state. Two congressional Republicans recently made worrying statements: Sen. Bernie Moreno called Jewish Sen. Chuck Schumer “Fuhrer” (Adolf Hitler’s title) and Rep. Keith Self intentionally referenced Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels during a censorship hearing.
Points to consider:
- The Jewish Exodus from Egypt is one of humanity’s most inspiring, empowering and ageless stories.
The timeless narrative of liberation from oppression continues to resonate deeply within the Jewish people, shaping our identity and fueling an enduring hope for a brighter future. As we gather to commemorate Passover, the story of Moses leading the Israelites to freedom serves as a powerful reminder of resilience in the face of adversity and the unwavering pursuit of self-determination. This historical journey highlights the deep connection of Jews to their ancestral homeland of Israel is powerfully expressed in the traditional affirmation: “Next year in Jerusalem!”
- Hamas is dedicated to Israel’s destruction, even at the cost of its own people.
The brutal reality of Iran-backed Hamas terrorists—from the captivity of innocent hostages to its deliberate targeting of civilians and its charter calling for Israel’s destruction—reveals a deeply ingrained culture of terror. The extremist group’s exploitation of Palestinians and its willingness to sacrifice civilian lives for its destructive agenda must be unequivocally condemned. The international community must hold Hamas accountable for its atrocities and support efforts to dismantle its terror infrastructure to pave the way for a peaceful future for everyone.
- Iranian tyranny threatens regional stability and fuels global terror.
The Iranian regime suppresses its own people while simultaneously backing proxy terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. Its pursuit of nuclear weapons multiplies these threats, presenting a clear and present danger to Israel. Iran’s ballistic-missile program and its aggressive rhetoric demonstrate a commitment to regional dominance and the potential for widespread conflict. World leaders must stand united against Iran’s malign influence and hold its leadership accountable for its human rights abuses and terrorist actions.
- The United Nations often demonstrates unacceptable bias against Israel.
The repeated singling out of Israel for criticism, often disproportionately compared to other nations, at the United Nations undermines the organization’s credibility as an impartial leader. The extension of mandates for officials with openly hostile views against Israel and the Jewish people is all too common. The adoption of resolutions that ignore or distort the complexities of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict contributes to a climate of unfair scrutiny. An effective world body must adhere to principles of fairness and objectivity in its treatment of all member states, including Israel.
- Some Americans on the far right and far left see Jews as an eternal scapegoat.
The politicization of American Jews is a worrying phenomenon. Gerard Baker, editor-at-large at The Wall Street Journal, said: “In our polarized politics, extremists on both sides can agree on one thing: The Jews are to blame again.” This disturbing convergence highlights a persistent and dangerous form of antisemitism where baseless accusations and conspiracy theories are used to target the Jewish community. It is important to recognize and actively combat this hateful rhetoric from all corners of the political spectrum to ensure the safety of American Jews.