Our say

Terror

Israel must not, and cannot, relent in its Gaza operation until every last threat is neutralised.

Israeli forces cross a main road in an armored personnel carrier (APC) as additional IDF troops are deployed near the southern city of Sderot following an assault by Hamas terrorists, October 8, 2023. (Menahem KAHANA/AFP)
Israeli forces cross a main road in an armored personnel carrier (APC) as additional IDF troops are deployed near the southern city of Sderot following an assault by Hamas terrorists, October 8, 2023. (Menahem KAHANA/AFP)

The Jewish world stands shaken to its core by Hamas’ barbaric attack. On the blackest day in Israel’s history, more of our brothers and sisters were slaughtered in a single day than at any moment since the Holocaust.

How Hamas orchestrated this malevolent assault remains a mystery. But the path forward is crystal clear.

Israel must not, and cannot, relent in its Gaza operation until every last threat is neutralised. We have witnessed this tragic cycle before: the world clamours for a ceasefire, Israel acquiesces, only for Hamas to regroup and rearm with the aid of its Iranian overlords, and unleash further terror. This cycle of bloodshed must end.

Hamas and ISIS are cut from the same vile cloth – both are malevolent entities fuelled by a radical ideology that does not value human life or dignity. The world united against ISIS; it’s time Hamas is treated with the same unyielding resolve. Their reign of terror must be obliterated, leaving them utterly powerless to ever menace Israel again.

Yet, what chills the soul almost as deeply as Hamas’ heinous acts is the realisation that there are individuals, even here in Australia – like those who took to Sydney’s streets on Monday night – who seemingly endorse this spree of murder, rape and abduction. Such malevolence has no place in our diverse democratic society, and our law enforcement authorities need to act decisively against it.

Hamas didn’t do this alone. The world must hold Iran accountable for its aggressive destabilising of the Middle East through its puppet proxies, including Hamas. We emphatically call on the Australian government to heed Julian Leeser’s advice: reevaluate ties with Tehran, or at the very least and as recommended by a Senate committee, proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.

As go to print, reports say that Israel has fortified its borders, but a handful of Hamas terrorists are believed to still be within Israel, and a heart-wrenching 100 Israeli souls – women, children and elders among them – remain captive in Gaza.

As we pray for their safety, we ask our readers: stand with people in Israel. Support them in every conceivable manner – be it financially, through advocacy, or with fervent prayers.

Am Yisrael chai. The people of Israel live.

read more:
comments

Support the Australian Jewish News and enjoy 3 months free website access.

The AJN has been delivering important, timely and free online news to our community — keeping you informed, connected, and engaged. To continue providing the high-quality, independent journalism you rely on, we need your support. From May 2025, we will be introducing a website paywall, but subscribers who sign up now will enjoy 3 months of free access to the AJN website. After the free period, full access will be just $18 per month. Subscribe today to help us keep our community’s stories alive and ensure the AJN thrives for years to come.

Lock in 3 Months Free Before the AJN Paywall Begins!

The Australian Jewish news website is introducing a new subscription model soon. Subscribe TODAY to secure 3 months of free access to the entire website and our wealth of important and impactful articles and news content. Don’t miss this early bird offer!

Register Now