We said never again. Then again came

The return of Ran Gvili’s remains over the weekend has closed a chapter. Every Israeli taken on October 7, 2023, when Hamas led a bloody invasion of southern Israel, killing 1200 people and abducting 251, has returned (albeit sadly, many deceased). And for the first time since 2014, there is not one hostage, not one body, in Gaza.

It doesn’t change what happened on October 7. But for the first time in almost 28 months, the wounds from that dark day, while they will always be painful, are no longer bleeding. Everyone that was taken has come home.

It is also somewhat symbolic that Gvili’s body was returned on the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It reminds us that while the chapter is closed – notwithstanding the future of Gaza itself – the larger fight remains.

Marking the inhumanity of the Shoah is meant to ensure it is not repeated. We say, and the world says with us, “Never again.”

But “Again” happened on October 7, 2023. And then the world turned to condemn Israel for defending itself. The world used the language of what was done to the Jews against the Jewish nation.

“Again” happened at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025. And while our fellow Australians – and indeed people worldwide – expressed genuine shock, too many of them remain oblivious to how their own rhetoric helped fuel the flames that led to it.

We know too well from history that “Never again” cannot just be a platitude. We owe it to the victims of the Shoah. We owe it to the victims of October 7. We owe it to the 15 dear souls massacred at Bondi. We cannot rest or let our guard slip even in the slightest, lest “Again” happens again.

But at the same time, we must live proudly as Jews. We must live as steadfast Australians.

We must follow the example set by those such as Senior Australian of the Year Henry Brodaty, the 19 Jewish Australians recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours, or the artists from SHIR who showcased our community on a national, televised stage.

We can be both vigilant, and proudly Australian. Because our contribution to “Never again”, in a local context at least, requires both.