A Day OF Taking Oath On October 7, 2024
Tomorrow is October 7, 2024—Israel at war – DAY 367. Exactly a year ago, Hamas launched a brutal terrorist attack on Israel, killing innocent Israeli people mercilessly and taking many hostages. Indeed, a year has passed, but the wounds of that day remain deep.
Tomorrow will mark the first anniversary of that horrific terrorist attack. I am thinking about how Israel and the families who lost their loved ones will remember this day. I feel how painful it is for those who still live under the shadow of grief as they find the strength to carry on.
No doubt, October 7, 2023, was a dark day in Israel. On this day, Iran-led proxy Hamas attacked the very spirit of humanity. They killed more than 1,200 innocent men, women, and children in this attack. The pain of this vicious attack wasn’t confined to Israel alone but echoed across the world.
Needless to say, this barbaric terrorist attack left a deep scar on the hearts of all those who value humanity all over the world. Jews, Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists everywhere equally felt the shock of this terror.
I know how hard it is for those who lost their loved ones. I can imagine how long the year has been and how filled it is with sorrow. I know how much parents, siblings, and friends have felt the emptiness every single day as Hamas snatched the smiles, voices, and presence of their loved ones in a moment.
But amidst this unimaginable grief, we have witnessed Israel’s strength. Israel is a nation that knows how to endure loss and rebuild even in the face of unimaginable darkness. Israel showed us how to fight with the terrorists by hammering Hamas members one by one.
I can feel the sorrow of Israel from peaceful Tokyo. The distance of thousands of miles has not separated us. This grief has united people around the world.
I offer my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I know the pain you bear is beyond words. No language can heal the hearts of the parents who have buried their children, nor can it fill the void left by the absence of a loved one.
But I want to tell you this—you are not alone. From Tokyo to Israel and even beyond, the world stands with you in grief. Tomorrow, as you gather in synagogues, homes, and public places to remember your loved ones, please know that the world remembers them with you. We, the people who love Israel, share your pain and pray for your strength and peace.
I know tomorrow, there may be a solemn atmosphere in Israel. Citizens will gather, light candles, and offer prayers. The collective memory of the nation will unite in grief, but I am sure there will also be a firm resolve—never to allow such barbarism to happen again.
From here in Tokyo, I send my humble prayer: May the souls of the lost in this brutal terrorist attack rest in peace, and may the families find solace in knowing that their loved ones’ memory will live on, not just in Israel but across the world. We remember the innocent victims of October 7, 2023.
We hope for peace, justice, and a future free from terror.
At the same time, tomorrow, let’s take an oath to fight until the terrorists are completely destroyed. Let’s fight against Islamic terrorism—from Tokyo, London, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts to Israel and all over the world together.
I know you will never forget your loved ones, nor will we.
October 6, 2024
Tokyo, Japan