From surviving to defining: Israel must lead

Nearly 22 months have passed since October 7, 2023—the day Hamas unleashed the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. At least 1,175 people were murdered—approximately 736 civilians, including babies, children, and elderly, and 379 Israeli security personnel, many ambushed in their sleep. Entire families were burned alive. Babies were decapitated. Women were gang-raped—some beside their murdered children. Holocaust survivors were dragged bleeding into captivity. Israeli soldiers were executed in their beds.

Over 250 people were abducted into Gaza—civilians and soldiers alike.

Today, 50 hostages remain. Mothers. Fathers. Children. Soldiers. Holocaust survivors.

They are still there. Forgotten.

Held underground in Hamas tunnels, denied sunlight, medicine—and food. Many are now being left to starve in darkness.

Meanwhile, Hamas leaders dine on stolen aid. There is food in Gaza. Hamas has it. The hostages do not.

And yet, the world’s focus is on Israel’s restraint—not the hostages’ survival.

22 MONTHS. 50 HOSTAGES. GLOBAL AMNESIA.

Where is the outrage?
Where are the Red Cross visits?
Where are the journalists?

If these hostages were European, UN planes would be landing daily.

But they are Jewish. And so, they are ignored.

Their families live in torment.

The world scrolls on.

And we, the nation, must not forget.

THE WORLD PREPARES TO RECOGNIZE A PALESTINIAN STATE—WITH HOSTAGES STILL IN GAZA

In an act of diplomatic blindness, global leaders are preparing to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September.

Not a resolution demanding the hostages’ release.

Not sanctions on Hamas.

Not a tribunal for October 7.

But a reward for terror.

How can you declare statehood while the victims of the last attack are still underground?

What message does this send, other than: “Massacre Jews, get borders.”

This is not peace. This is appeasement.
It is the political legitimization of barbarism.

THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT GAZA. THIS IS A REGIONAL WAR.

The war did not begin in Gaza. It will not end there.

Israel is facing an eight-front war, orchestrated and funded by Iran:

1. Gaza – Hamas fights as a militia and regroups in real time.

2. Judea and Samaria – Armed cells, incited by Hamas and Iran, destabilize from within.

3. Lebanon – Hezbollah pauses fire under deterrence, but Israel strikes operatives daily.

4. Syria – Iranian militias are embedded, preparing for escalation.

5. Yemen – The Houthis continue to launch long-range missiles at central Israel, including a direct hit on Ben Gurion Airport.

6. Cyberwarfare – Iran’s proxies attack Israel’s medical, civil, and defense infrastructure.

7. Information warfare – Hamas manipulates global media while Israel scrambles to respond.

8. Iran itself – Recently, Israel endured a 12-day direct war with Iran—the first in modern history. Iran launched missiles from its soil, including nuclear-capable delivery systems. The immediate war passed, but the threat remains. Iran’s nuclear ambition is unresolved. The region sits on a powder keg.

Israel is not fighting a border dispute.
We are defending our existence—and by extension, the values the West claims to uphold.

ISRAEL MUST LEAD. NOT FLINCH.

The time for defense-only is over.

The moral clarity of October 7 must not fade.

1. Reframe the War: This is not a “conflict.” It’s a multi-front war against Iranian imperialism.

2. Put the Hostages First: Every speech. Every press conference. Every foreign visit must begin with: “There are still 50 hostages in Gaza—civilians and soldiers, including babies and Holocaust survivors.”

3. Enforce Red Lines: Appeasement failed. If Hezbollah rebuilds, strike. If the Houthis hit Tel Aviv, respond decisively.
Proportionality is a Western luxury. Deterrence is our oxygen.

4. Launch a Real-Time AI Strategic: Response Unit: Israel must deploy a 24/7 multilingual AI-driven communication task force to detect disinformation, arm our allies, and preempt global lies before they take root.

5. Own the Humanitarian Story: Israel feeds Gaza. Hamas steals it. Film it. Share it. No more silence.

6. Mobilize the Diaspora and Allies: Silence abroad weakens resilience at home. The Jewish world must rise—not with apology, but with truth and courage.

THIS IS THE LINE IN THE SAND

To the West: If you cannot condemn baby beheadings without adding “but what about…”—you are not neutral. You are enabling it.

To global institutions: You are about to legitimize a state whose partners burned families alive. History will remember.

To the Jewish people: This is our hour. Speak up. Stand tall. Refuse to disappear.

To Israel’s leaders: We are not here to survive the headlines.

We are here to define the future.

FINAL WORD

Israel was not meant to merely endure.
We are here to live with purpose and lead with clarity.

Let the world remember:

We did not ask for this war.
But we will define how it ends.
Not in the shadows of October 7—
But in the light of unwavering resolve.

For the hostages.
For the fallen.
For the truth.
For the future.