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Dear John,

I land in Israel today with a heavy heart. The news of Hamas’ execution of six hostages has cast a long, mournful shadow over Israel, on the entire Jewish people and on humanity itself. It is a dark time.

Funerals already have taken place for Ori Danino z”l, Carmel Gat z”l, Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l, Alex Lubnov z”l, Almog Sarusi z”l and Edan Yerushalmi z”l. For nearly eleven months, their families have displayed extraordinary grace and tremendous strength in the face of the unthinkable. They’ve done so again in the past few days as they bid farewell to their loved ones who were stolen from them and from all of us. Indeed, if you can watch the
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remarks of Jon Goldberg and Rachel Goldberg-Polin at Hersh’s funeral, it is worth the time. Their words are among the most agonizing and yet inspiring talks that you will ever hear.

In the coming days, thousands of people will visit these families to offer comfort and support as they sit shiva. I will be among them. I will do my best to represent all of you in these visits.

But even as we pause and mourn those we have lost, we cannot rest. We must work through our grief and push forward for the sake of the 101 hostages who remain trapped in Gaza. We owe it to them and to our own children who, one day, will ask how we led in this moment and learn from our example.

The path is clear but the journey will not be easy.

First, we must continue to call on all parties — Qatar, Egypt, the US, Israel and the international community — to do all they can to ensure Hamas ends this horrific conflict and releases the remaining 101 hostages immediately. There will be painful choices ahead. But they need to be made. Bring them home now.

Second, we must demand that the US government and that the entire world community hold Hamas accountable for its grotesque, unprovoked attack on Israel; for the seizure and torture of 250 people including Israelis, Americans and others; for the devastating consequences that the war has wrought on the Jewish state; and for the catastrophic damage done to the people of Gaza. Hamas is a vicious organization that openly calls for genocide and acts on these evil plans. They have violated the most basic norms of our society. Like al Qaeda, ISIS and other terror organizations, it must be eradicated. Its patrons in Tehran who encourage their barbarism must be stopped. It will not be simple. Far
from it. But there is no alternative.

Finally, we must make it 100% clear that we will never tolerate Jews — in Israel, America or anywhere else on Earth — being marginalized, threatened or violated just because of who we are. Marching and masking with the intent to harass and intimidate isn’t freedom of assembly. Inciting violence isn’t freedom of speech. These are criminal acts, and we will demand that the culprits who commit them are held accountable.

Whether on college campuses, in private spaces or in public places, it is long overdue for leaders at all levels to lead and to deter such shameful behavior with clear and consistent consequences. As long as ADL exists, hate against Jews or anyone else will never have safe harbor. We will be relentless. We will never give up the fight.

Again, these are difficult days. I share the anguish and heartbreak that so many of you feel. But, above all, as Jon Polin said at Hersh’s funeral, citing Israel’s national anthem, we must remember that Od Lo Avda Tikvateinu — our hope is not lost.

May their memories forever be a blessing. #BringThemHome
Sincerely,

Jonathan Greenblatt
CEO and National Director
ADL

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