NEW YORK--Today marks one year since October 7th, a day that forever changed the Jewish people and the State of Israel. One year ago, the world witnessed unspeakable acts of terror as Hamas brutally targeted innocent men, women, and children in Israel. The pain and trauma from that day continue to resonate across Jewish communities around the globe.
For every Jewish heart, no matter where in the world, the horror we felt was deeply personal. The elderly victims—our parents and grandparents. The families burned alive in their homes—our own families. The hostages—our brothers and sisters. We are one people, and when one of us suffers, we all suffer. The hatred that fueled those attacks is the same hatred that has plagued our people throughout history.
We hoped such violence was a relic of the past, but October 7th reminded us that antisemitism never truly disappears—it merely waits to surface once more, as virulent as ever. For a brief moment, the world stood with us. But as the days passed, that solidarity faded, and a disturbing wave of antisemitism took hold in unexpected places—in our schools, on our streets, and even in institutions of higher learning.
As President of the World Jewish Congress, I reaffirm today that our mission has never been clearer. The security of Jewish communities worldwide is at stake, and the rise of antisemitism, often disguised as anti-Zionism, is a direct threat to every Jew. But we are not alone. We have allies who understand the gravity of this moment, and we call on world leaders to take decisive action against the ideologies that breed hatred and terror.
On this solemn day, we remember those who were taken from us, and those still held in Gaza in barbaric conditions. We must stand together—stronger, more determined, and more united than ever—to bring about their return to their families in Israel.
The Jewish people have faced unspeakable hatred before, and against all odds, we are still here. And we will continue to stand, as we always have, with God’s blessing.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Watch WJC's online event marking one year since the October 7 terror attacks.
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