"The world needs courage more than ever before ... you don't really have to be a prophet to know that things aren't really going that well. The threats are mounting and evil is growing, darkness is falling. Far too many politicians are just too willing to look away." This is an excerpt from Glenn's "Restoring Courage" speech he delivered on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in 2011. Thirteen years later on the anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks, these words ring more true than ever before.
October 7, 2023, is etched in history as a day of unspeakable horror when Hamas launched one of the most brutal terror attacks in modern history against Israel. In a meticulously coordinated assault, Hamas militants breached Israel's borders, indiscriminately targeting civilians, storming homes, executing families, and kidnapping hostages. The world watched in horror as over 1,200 innocent Israelis were slaughtered in cold blood, many of whom were children, women, and the elderly.
Today, a year later, the tragedy of October 7 continues to cast a long shadow. More than 100 hostages, including both Israelis and foreign nationals, remain in Gaza. Out of the original 200 hostages, 34 died during their time in captivity, and those who survived had tales to tell of unspeakable horrors. The fate of these innocent men, women, and children is a painful reminder that Hamas' goal remains the destruction of Israel with no regard for human life.
One year after the terror attacks, Israel is still defending its right to destroy the threat of Hamas. Having gained control over Gaza, Israel is now battling Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terrorist group in Lebanon, which has launched missile barrages and cross-border raids against northern Israel. This two-front war has Iran's signature all over it: if Israel cracked down on Hamas, Iran was quick to mobilize its other proxy to Israel's north.
These attacks are not isolated incidents. They are part of a larger, coordinated effort by terrorist groups, backed by Iran, to destabilize the region and ignite a wider conflict. A total of 728 Israeli soldiers, reservists, and local security officers have been killed and another 4,576 have been wounded in the war since October 7 in their effort to check Iran's aggression and keep their enemies at bay. But this anniversary is not just a time to remember the dead. It is a time to remember Israel's resolve and the need to stand beside that nation. Israel, though surrounded by enemies, stands as a beacon of democracy and liberty in the Middle East. The significance of defending Israel cannot be overstated.
As Glenn so powerfully said, "In Israel, you can find people who will stand against incredible odds, against the entire tide of global opinion, just because it's right, just because it's good and just because it's true." Those words still ring true. This is not just a war for territory—it’s a battle between good and evil, and our stance towards Israel will determine which side we land on.
The world must rally behind Israel, not just as an ally, but as a moral imperative. Terrorism cannot be appeased or tolerated. Hamas and Hezbollah represent not only a threat to Israel but to the entire world. Their terror tactics and brutal disregard for human life are a clear assault on the values of freedom and human dignity. Failing to stand by Israel in this moment of crisis would signal to terrorist groups that they can operate with impunity.
One year after October 7, we are reminded of the price of complacency. Terrorism thrives in the voids created by inaction. Now, more than ever, we must reaffirm our commitment to Israel’s right to exist and defend itself. As Glenn said following the October 7 terror attacks, "Stand to choose life. Stand to reject evil. And just make the next right choice."
On this solemn anniversary, we honor the dead, we pray for the hostages, and we pledge our unwavering support to Israel.
