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ADL Bearing Witness, Sharing Solidarity in Israel
Friends, last weekend I had my first opportunity to visit Israel since October 7. As I landed at Ben Gurion, I recalled hearing the initial reports about the massacre, and staying awake all night trying to comprehend what would ultimately turn out to be the deadliest attack on the Jewish community since the Holocaust.
Each day since then, we have learned new details and heard unbelievable stories. Some further expose the cruelty of Hamas and the hypocrisy of the world’s muted or hate-filled response, while others highlight the bravery and amazing spirit of the people of Israel.
Yet there is no substitute for actually experiencing today’s Israeli reality. My first stop was “Hostages Square” in front of the Tel Aviv Art Museum, where the families and supporters of those taken hostage have been gathering and camping out. It was the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, and as I, along with my wife and ADL colleagues, lit the Menorah together with the families of several hostages, we all shared our hope for another Hanukkah miracle — their safe return.
It was moving to be there in person and hear about the hostages directly from their loved ones. We made sure they know that we are doing everything we can to ensure the safe and quick return of the hostages, and that we will not rest until every single one is home. The following day we were devastated to learn that kidnapped soldier Ron Sherman, whose brother Dan spoke to us about the challenges Ron faced as an asthmatic in a Hamas tunnel, was discovered killed and his body returned to Israel.
Later in my trip, I toured Israel’s northern border which has been bombarded by missile and rocket attacks from Hezbollah terrorists based in Southern Lebanon. While we were making a stop in the war room of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, two Hezbollah drones entered Israel’s airspace and attacked an IDF position, killing 53-year-old military reservist Yehezkel Azaria. The attack brought home just how vulnerable Israel’s northern communities are to deadly attacks by Hezbollah terrorists.
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| ADL bears witness to the devastation in Kfar Aza. |
On my last day in Israel, I had the opportunity along with my ADL colleagues to visit the communities near Gaza that were attacked on Oct. 7, and to bear witness to Hamas’ atrocities. Upon arriving in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, I was struck by the contrast between the pastoral beauty of the place and the horrific massacre that took place there. Kfar Aza, which was home to about 800 people, lost over 70 of its members, including babies, children and the elderly, and eighteen more were kidnapped to Gaza.
We bore witness to burned homes, bullet-holed walls, everyday items like clothes, toys and dishes scattered about, and Sukkot left standing, all of which remain as evidence of life before the massacre and the death and destruction that hangs over the community. Our visit concluded with a ceremony in memory of the massacred, and we prayed together for the quick and safe return of the hostages and the safety of the IDF soldiers fighting Hamas.
At the conclusion of my trip, I was privileged to meet with my dear friend Israeli President Isaac Herzog. We discussed many things, but what struck me was the genuine concern he, and indeed so many in Israel, had about the safety and well-being of the American Jewish community in the face of rising antisemitism. Despite all of the challenges Israel is facing in this moment, there is a clear recognition that the events of Oct. 7 have reverberated around the world, and that Jews around the world are all in this together. No matter the geographic distances or political differences, there
is an indisputable connection between Israel and the Diaspora, one that underlies our shared destiny as a united Jewish people. Am Yisrael Chai!
| Sincerely, |
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| Jonathan Greenblatt |
| CEO and National Director |
| ADL |
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