OPINION:
October 7 is not just another date on the calendar — it serves as a reminder of shattered lives and stolen futures. It is a day that will forever haunt the families of those who were killed and ruthlessly taken hostage. It is not only a time to remember the brutal atrocities committed but also a moral imperative to bring the remaining hostages home.
On this day in 2023, families in the Kibbutzim were celebrating a Jewish holiday. Girls played with dolls, and boys with balls. They lived everyday lives. Nearby, young people danced all night at a music festival, celebrating life. All were unaware that their futures were about to be violently stolen in an unimaginable wave of terror.
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In March 2024, I was humbled to join a London panel where three siblings of the hostages shared the agony of having a brother and sister taken. Their pain was palpable, their courage inspiring. As someone committed to mentoring, I couldn’t help but think about the futures that were lost a year ago.
For 12 months, those taken hostage have faced unthinkable horrors — rape, torture, and imprisonment. They are moms, dads, students, dreamers, and future leaders. October 7 marks a tragic anniversary, but it is also a reminder of the unimaginable suffering endured. Their lives are suspended in cruelty. Each day that passes without their return deepens the sorrow of their families, who wait in the agony of uncertainty.
The hostages must be brought home, and those lost must be honored. They deserve our help, so make this day a call to action. We may never know what these young adults and children might have accomplished, but we do know that those who were raped, tortured, and murdered on October 7 will never again celebrate holidays with their families, nor will they dance or play.
SEE ALSO: One year of war in Israel has tragically altered life for Jews around the world
Today, we find ourselves in troubled times where prejudice — particularly virulent anti-Semitism — overshadows the hope of a brighter future. College campuses have become breeding grounds for hatred. Jewish students can feel isolated in their vulnerability.
My heart goes to those young minds trying to focus on their studies while managing uncertainty and disillusionment. Many Jewish students are encountering an indifference so cold it’s chilling. Moral relativism has become a justification for evil. Why do Holocaust museums and memorials stand if not to prevent us from dismissing such heinous acts?
For Christians and allied nations, the mandate is clear: We must stand with Israel, the only functioning democracy in the Middle East, home to nearly 10 million people — two-thirds Jewish and almost one-quarter Druze, Muslim, and Christian Arabs. Israel’s diverse society is a testament to coexistence and the spirit of innovation that defines its character.
The war with Hamas and Hezbollah is not a political conflict but a fight for the future of free societies. These Iranian-backed terrorists have inflicted immeasurable suffering on Israelis — Jews, Christians, Arabs, and Druze alike. Ensuring Israel’s security and self-determination is both a moral duty and a strategic necessity.
Moments like these demand that we ask difficult questions. Why is it so hard to unite in grief, irrespective of political affiliations? Why can’t we universally condemn rape and terror when the victims include young women, children, and families? It’s alarming how quickly some have opted to shield themselves from reality, avoiding genuine empathy by reducing suffering to political debate. The words “yes, but” are heard too often.
Bring them home. Honor those lost. Refuse to let silence become complicity.
SEE ALSO: Israel on October 7: A year of grief, trauma and resilience
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Lisa Gable is a CEO, former US Ambassador, UN Delegate, and author of Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller “Turnaround – How to Change Course When Things Are Going South.” Lisa is recognized worldwide as a turnaround mastermind and innovative businesswoman and started her career in the Reagan administration.
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