The Next October 7 Will Come from Inside Israel

Israeli Christians and Jews have long shared a history of coexistence and mutual respect in the land we both proudly call home. Today, however, our communities face growing challenges that threaten this cherished bond and the future of the Jewish state itself. The next October 7 could come not from outside our borders but from within, unless we unite to confront these dangers together, in defense of the principles upon which Israel was founded.

On March 10, 2024, Jewish Israelis awoke to alarming news: Israeli police had arrested 13 Arab Israelis, primarily from the town of Sakhnin. The group was found stockpiling weapons and plotting significant attacks against their fellow citizens. This was a shocking revelation to many, a nightmare scenario they had never imagined possible. But for Israeli Christians, this was not shocking at all—it was an inevitability that they had long feared and warned about.

This situation is part of a broader pattern, rooted in the influence of radical Islamist movements within Israel. The Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement, banned in 2015, had long propagated anti-Israel sentiments, particularly within Arab towns. Their activities have contributed significantly to the radicalization of these communities, fostering an environment where violence against non-Muslims is increasingly normalized.

Just last week, a grenade was thrown into the backyard of a Christian family in Nazareth. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the message was clear: Christians are no longer safe, even in their own homes. In July, the community was further shaken by the brutal murder of Fadi Jamal, a young Israeli Christian father from Shfar’am. His death was reported in the media as part of ongoing “protection rackets,” but this term obscures the true nature of what is happening. These are not mere criminal enterprises; they are better understood as modern-day Jizya schemes—extortionate demands for protection money imposed on non-Muslims under the guise of “protection.”

A grenade explodes in the back yard of an Israeli Christian in Nazareth, as the motorcycle of the attackers speeds away. Shared with permission of Fawzi Shlayan.

Israeli society was overconfident in the defenses it had built around Gaza. The kibbutzim, once thought impenetrable, were tragically proven vulnerable on October 7. Yet, despite this painful lesson, many Israelis continue to place blind faith in the nominal security measures surrounding most villages and towns, assuming they will be sufficient to repel determined internal attackers. But what happens when the threat is not external, when the enemy is already inside the gates?

The unsettling truth is that the “mafia” violence plaguing Arab towns in Israel is not the result of some organic, disorganized criminal underworld. It is rooted in an Islamist ideology that sees minorities, particularly Christians, as sources of revenue and power. In these communities, informing on fellow Muslims to Israeli authorities is considered treason, a betrayal that can have deadly consequences. This is not the work of common criminals but of a deeply embedded system that views Christians as second-class citizens in their own land.

The Galilee, once a region of coexistence, is being Islamized. This is not hyperbole; it is the lived reality of Israeli Christians who face daily harassment, violence, and discrimination. We are the canaries in the coal mine, warning of a greater danger that is coming if nothing is done. Take a look at Nazareth, once a thriving Christian-majority city, now better known for its mafia/Islamist violence and trash-strewn streets than for its rich Christian heritage. The Church of the Annunciation, a site of immense significance to Christians worldwide, is often avoided by tourists who fear hostility and see the walls adorned with Palestine graffiti and threats against those “collaborating” with Israel.

Pro-Palestine and anti-Zionist graffiti at a bus stop in Nazareth. Shared with permission of Ihab Shlayan.

This transformation did not happen overnight. It is the result of years of neglect, both by the state and by Jewish Israelis, who have failed to understand the gravity of what is happening in the Galilee. The growing Islamist influence in these towns is not just a threat to Christians; it is a threat to all Israelis. By standing together, Jewish and Christian Israelis can confront these shared threats head-on and protect the fabric of our nation—ensuring that the vision of a safe and secure Israel remains a reality for all its citizens.

Reversing the Islamization of the Galilee is not a simple task. It requires a comprehensive approach that involves the state, the Jewish diaspora, and, most importantly, Jewish Israelis themselves. First, the government must take a hard stance against the Islamist ideologies festering in Arab towns. This includes cracking down on incitement and extremist teachings in mosques and schools. It also means providing the police with the resources they need to dismantle the so-called “mafia” networks that are, in reality, Islamist terror cells in disguise.

Second, the state must invest in Christian education that fosters a distinct identity, separate from Arab nationality. This educational investment should empower Israeli Christians to connect more deeply with the Israeli mainstream, providing opportunities to network, engage in civic life, and assert their rights within the broader society. By promoting a strong, independent Christian identity, the state can help our communities resist the pressures of Islamist influence and stand up for themselves in an increasingly hostile environment. This approach will also reinforce the idea that Israeli Christians are an integral part of the nation, deserving of the same opportunities and protections as any other citizen.

Israeli Christian IDF soldiers proudly displaying the Israeli Christian flag. Shared with permission of Ihab Shlayan.

Finally, Jewish Israelis and the diaspora must take an active interest in the plight of Israeli Christians. This means more than just offering moral support; it means engaging with our communities, learning about our struggles, and advocating for us within Israeli society and the broader international community. Diaspora Jews, in particular, can stay informed and connected by following Israeli Christian voices on social media, ensuring they are aware of the challenges we face in real-time. By supporting Israeli Christians, Jews around the world can contribute to a stronger, more united Israel, reflecting the Zionist principles that seek to ensure a safe homeland for all its citizens.

The next October 7 will not come from Gaza. It will come from within, from the towns and villages of Israel where Islamist ideology has taken root and is growing unchecked. The time to act is now, before it is too late. The fate of Israeli Christians is intertwined with the fate of Israel itself. Ignoring our warnings will only hasten the day when the threat we face becomes the threat that all Israelis must confront. By standing together, we can ensure that our shared values and our shared future are safeguarded for generations to come, fulfilling the Zionist dream of a secure and prosperous homeland for all who live within its borders.