Why the world must stand against terror

The events of Oct. 7 have left an indelible mark on the collective memory of Israel. We find ourselves still in shock, pain, and horror in the aftermath of the outrageous massacre perpetrated by Hamas against innocent civilians on a peaceful Sabbath morning, which also happened to be a religious holiday.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks by Hamas, it is important to dispel the notion that these actions are mere “animal behavior.” Animals do not engage in such calculated cruelty. We must recognize that those who cold-bloodedly tortured and murdered innocent families are not animals; they are subhuman. The State of Israel was established to protect the Jewish people from the horrors of the past, and now, we find ourselves facing a new threat. It is imperative that we stand together, united in our fight against this organization of terror, to safeguard our home and the lives of our children.

Over 2,000 armed terrorists invaded homes, ruthlessly murdering whole families as they slept in their beds. Their cruelty knew no bounds as they used iron wire to bind mothers to their daughters, grandmothers to grandsons, and set them ablaze. These harrowing scenes are difficult to describe, but it’s crucial that we acknowledge the horrifying reality. Babies were decapitated with knives, young girls were raped, and pregnant women had their bellies cut open. Buildings were set ablaze with people trapped inside. A music festival turned into a nightmarish scene as revelers were hunted down, shot, and killed with unimaginable brutality.

The innocent lives lost in this brutal attack are a painful reminder of the relentless suffering inflicted upon our people. Families torn apart, dreams shattered, and communities left in mourning—these are the consequences of Hamas’ reign of terror. We must never forget the faces of those who perished, for their memory fuels our determination to rid our land of this menace.

For years, it was believed that coexistence with Hamas, based on rational thinking, was possible despite their known violent and anti-Semitic ideology of wiping off the State of Israel from the map and annihilating the Jews.

The international community often turned a blind eye to this, even though the 1988 Hamas charter remains one of the most dangerous anti-Semitic documents since the Holocaust. It blames Jews for historical problems, dehumanizes them, and rejects any peaceful political solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Clause 13 of their founding charter explicitly states, “There is no solution to the Palestinian problem except by Jihad.” The charter also calls for the global murder of Jews, saying, “The stones and trees will say: ‘O Muslim, O servant of Allah, there is a Jew [hiding] behind me, come and kill him.’” Regrettably, this is precisely what they have done.

For the longest time, world leaders have urged Israel to overlook Hamas’ rhetoric and ideology, claiming that Hamas wants to improve Palestinian living conditions in Gaza. The well-coordinated and brutal attack on Oct. 7 shattered this illusion. Hamas does not seek coexistence or peace; it aims to eliminate the Jewish state and harm its citizens. Hamas is not just a jihadist organization; it is IS, Islamic State.The international community must recognize the gravity of the situation. Hamas is willing to sacrifice its own people in pursuit of its monstrous goals. In Gaza, there is no freedom, no freedom of speech, and no freedom of religion. Instead, Hamas uses civilian population centers as shields, hiding its military bases among the most vulnerable. Photographs of dead Palestinian civilians are their most potent weapon, and they use them to manipulate public opinion.

Israel, as a true democracy, does everything in its power to avoid harming innocent civilians. It operates within the constraints of international law, while Hamas proudly documents its acts of genocide and crimes against humanity. The blame for the deaths of innocent civilians in Gaza lies squarely with Hamas and other extremist organizations that use their own people as human shields.

The war against Hamas is not a private conflict; it has far-reaching implications for the entire Middle East and the world at large. An alliance is forming between the United States, European countries, and Israel to combat this evil. The time has come for all nations to take a stand. Oct. 7 is a reminder for us to take immediate action, to do everything in our power to expedite the return of abductees, some of whom may be citizens of your own country, to their homes.

Defending Hamas is akin to defending IS and al-Qaida, and those who follow this policy unwittingly bring murderers into their own homes. It’s time to choose a side on the moral map. Stand against terror and with the values of peace, coexistence, and freedom for all. The world must unite against this reign of terror, for the sake of humanity, justice, and a better future. Where do you stand?

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Ilan Fluss is Israel’s ambassador to the Philippines.