(New York, N.Y.) – On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers.
CEP CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace and CEP President Fran Townsend
Exactly one year ago, Hamas committed unspeakable atrocities and started a war that continues to devastate the region.
Instead of support and solace in the wake of the attacks, Jewish communities around the world have experienced unprecedented surges in antisemitism in the last year. Meanwhile, despite its extremist and genocidal aims, Hamas continues to enjoy the support not only of fellow terrorist groups but of sovereign nation states such as the Islamic Republic of Iran, U.S. ally Qatar, and NATO ally Turkey.
And while today should be a day of reflection and remembrance to honor those who were murdered and abused, terrorist supporters are at this moment thronging the streets of major Western cities—justifying last year’s brutality and appropriating this solemn anniversary as a day of so-called “resistance.” There are clear gaps in existing laws when it comes to support for designated terror groups, as well as reluctance to enforce existing regulations. Online hate and disinformation is at the frontline of this battle and social media companies have repeatedly failed to enforce their own terms of service and purported values.
October 7 was an attack on civilization itself, and those who continue to support its perpetrators—whether with further violence, weapons, finance, or rhetoric—represent an existential threat to global peace. Hamas, as well as its friends, allies, and sponsors who threaten this peace, must be held to account.
We at the Counter Extremism Project stand strongly with our Jewish friends and unequivocally condemn Hamas and those who support it. We will continue to call for defiance in the face of extremism and hate.
###
