RSS
A Student’s Perspective on the One-Year Anniversary of October 7
Illustrative: A projection is seen with a picture of US President Joe Biden along with text reading “Genocide Joe” on the wall of the George Washington University during a pro-Hamas protest on campus in Washington, DC, May 7, 2024. Photo: Probal Rashid via Reuters Connect
October 7, 2023, marked a pivotal moment for the Jewish community. On that day, Hamas terrorists infiltrated southern Israel, unleashing unspeakable brutality on Israeli children, women, and men.
In the aftermath of the massacre, the world witnessed a profound outpouring of grief and solidarity from some, along with a deeply unsettling reaction from others.
I first saw this unsettling shift on October 8, 2023, when Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at the University of Georgia held a rally celebrating Hamas’ murder, rape, and hostage-taking.
SJP claimed that “the Palestinian people, yesterday, fought back successfully,” and tried to tell uniformed college students that these terrorist acts were actually “resistance.”
Immediately after the October 7th massacre, National SJP (NSJP) released a “toolkit” for their national “Day of Resistance,” which took place on October 12th.
The toolkit referred to the massacre as a “historic win,” and taught its readers to justify the murder of innocent Israeli civilians (including small children) by calling them settlers.
Fast forward to this year, when NSJP is using their social media to announce a “week of rage” taking place Oct. 7-11, commemorating “one year of genocide.”
If NSJP claims their intent is to mourn innocent Palestinians — many of whom have died because Hamas only fights among the civilian population — many would share that sentiment. However, NSJP and their local chapters claim that October 7th — which they celebrated previously and before any Israeli ground response — was the beginning of a genocide against Palestinians.
The label of genocide carries immense weight, and in this context, is completely false.
To wield that word without acknowledging that the claim is false — and without acknowledging the specific contexts of both Jewish and Palestinian suffering — is irresponsible. This appropriation of Jewish pain is not just tone-deaf; it is a troubling manipulation of trauma. It reveals a disturbing trend in which pain is weaponized, where the suffering of one group is overshadowed by the narratives of others, and where solidarity is selectively given.
Hamas is the one who acted on their genocidal intentions, specifically intending to dehumanize and then kill as many Jews as possible. Its charter calls for the eradication of Israel, and all Jews living in it.
The problem of spreading this false claim is especially destructive on college campuses, where many students are uninformed on the issues, and want to stop genocide where it is actually happening.
We need to reject Hamas propaganda and focus on pressuring Hamas to lay down their arms, end their continued attack on Israeli civilians, and stop using their people as human shields.
As Jews in the Diaspora, we worry every day for the safety of our family and friends in Israel. Unfortunately, some of our worries materialize and we must mourn the loss of our loved ones taken without apology.
NSJP’s actions reflect a broader pattern of erasing Jewish experiences. Despite Hamas’ use of human shields, experts have determined that Israel has maintained the lowest civilian-to-combatant casualty ratio ever recorded in modern urban warfare.
In a world where conflict often breeds division, it is essential to foster spaces of genuine dialogue rather than exploitation. Mourning should not be a competition; it should be a pathway to understanding and healing. The glorification of violence and the trivialization of suffering only serve to deepen existing wounds and perpetuate cycles of hatred.
It is crucial for organizations like National SJP to reflect on the implications of their rhetoric and to acknowledge the profound impact their words can have. And if groups like SJP and NSJP won’t do that reflection — it is time for colleges to step in and stop them from incitement and hate speech.
The struggle for justice and peace is not a zero-sum game; it thrives in environments of empathy.
On the anniversary of October 7th, we must unite as a community — both at UGA and across American campuses — to honor the memory of those who lost their lives and to recognize the profound impact terrorism has on the Jewish community and those around the world.
We must acknowledge our pain without allowing it to be co-opted or misrepresented by others. We must stand firm in our commitment to education, empathy, and solidarity, ensuring our grief is respected and our stories are told authentically.
For us, the war on terror is not halfway across the world, but something we must fight in our backyards. Let us create space where we can finally heal. Let us advocate for understanding, respect, and a true remembrance of the October 7th tragedy.
As a senior at the University of Georgia studying journalism and social entrepreneurship, Gabriela Lefkovits’ commitment to advocating for Israel stems from personal experiences with antisemitism on her campus. Since then, she has collaborated with several national Israel advocacy organizations, and strives to create spaces for conflicting beliefs while fostering empathy for all.
The post A Student’s Perspective on the One-Year Anniversary of October 7 first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Israel Pounds Gaza City Suburbs, Vows to Press on with Offensive
Smoke rises following an Israeli strike, in Gaza City, August 24, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Israeli planes and tanks pounded the eastern and northern outskirts of Gaza City overnight Saturday to Sunday, destroying buildings and homes, residents said, as Israeli leaders vowed to press on with a planned offensive on the city.
Witnesses reported the sound of explosions non-stop overnight in the areas of Zeitoun and Shejaia, while tanks shelled houses and roads in the nearby Sabra neighborhood and several buildings were blown up in the northern town of Jabalia.
Fire lit the skies from the direction of the explosions, causing panic, prompting some families to stream out of the city. Others said they would prefer to die and not leave.
The Israeli military said on Sunday that its forces have returned to combat in the Jabalia area in recent days, to dismantle militant tunnels and strengthen control of the area.
It added that the operation there “enables the expansion of combat into additional areas and prevents Hamas terrorists from returning to operate in these areas.”
Israel approved a plan this month to seize control of Gaza City, describing it as the last bastion of Hamas. It is not expected to begin for a few weeks, leaving room for mediators Egypt and Qatar to try and resume ceasefire talks.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday vowed to press on with the offensive on the city where famine has been declared, which has raised alarm abroad and objections at home. Katz has said that Gaza City will be razed unless Hamas agrees to end the war on Israel’s terms and release all hostages.
Hamas said in a statement on Sunday that Israel’s plan to take over Gaza City showed it wasn’t serious about a ceasefire.
It said a ceasefire agreement was “the only way to return the hostages,” holding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for their lives.
The proposal on the table calls for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living hostages held in Gaza and of 18 bodies. In turn, Israel would release about 200 long-serving Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Once a temporary ceasefire begins, the proposal is for Hamas and Israel to begin negotiations on a permanent ceasefire that would include the return of the remaining hostages.
On Thursday, Netanyahu said that Israel would immediately resume negotiations for the release of all 50 hostages – of whom Israel believes around 20 are still living – and an end to the nearly two-year-old war but on terms acceptable to Israel.
‘HUNGRY AND AFRAID’
Around half of the enclave’s two million people currently live in Gaza City. A few thousand have already left, carrying their belongings on vehicles and rickshaws.
“I stopped counting the times I had to take my wife and three daughters and leave my home in Gaza City,” said Mohammad, 40, via a chat app. “No place is safe, but I can’t take the risk. If they suddenly begin the invasion, they will use heavy fire.”
Others said they will not leave, no matter what.
“We are not leaving, let them bomb us at home,” said Aya, 31, who has a family of eight, adding that they couldn’t afford to buy a tent or pay for the transportation, even if they did try to leave. “We are hungry, afraid and don’t have money.”
A global hunger monitor said on Friday that Gaza City and surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine that will likely spread. Israel has rejected the assessment and says it ignores steps it has taken since late July to increase aid.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen burst into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and taking 251 hostages.
RSS
Iran Signals Willingness to Scale Back Uranium Enrichment to Ease Tensions
Atomic symbol and USA and Iranian flags are seen in this illustration taken, September 8, 2022. Photo: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
i24 News – Iran may be prepared to significantly reduce its uranium enrichment levels in a bid to stave off renewed UN sanctions and limit the risk of further strikes by Israel and the United States, according to a report published Sunday in The Telegraph.
Citing Iranian sources, the paper said Tehran is considering lowering enrichment from 60% to 20%.
The move is reportedly being championed by Ali Larijani, the newly appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, who is holding talks with regime leaders.
“Larijani is trying to convince the system to reduce the level of enrichment in order to avoid further war,” a senior Iranian official told the paper.
The proposal, however, faces stiff resistance from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has long opposed concessions on the nuclear program. Still, the report suggests Iran’s leadership may be open to greater flexibility, including the possibility of reviving engagement with Western powers.
Last month, i24NEWS reported exclusively that a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to travel to Iran. The team of technical experts would seek to resume monitoring of nuclear sites, inspections that have been heavily restricted in recent years.
The development comes amid mounting regional tensions and could represent a critical turning point in the long-running nuclear standoff.
RSS
Major Brush Fire Erupts Near Jerusalem, Evacuations Underway
A view of the new Tel Aviv-Jerusalem fast train seen over the HaArazim Valley (“Valley of Cedars”) just outside of Jerusalem, Sept. 25, 2018. Photo: Yossi Zamir/Flash90.
i24 News – A large brush fire broke out Sunday in the Cedars Valley area, near Route 1 and the Motza interchange, prompting an emergency response from Jerusalem district fire services. Several water-bombing planes were dispatched, and authorities have declared a “fire emergency.”
As a precaution, residents of Mevaseret Zion are being evacuated. Access to the town from Route 1 has already been blocked, and officials are weighing a full closure of the major highway.
Fire crews from the Ha’uma station are on site working to contain the flames, while motorists in the area are urged to heed traffic updates and follow instructions from emergency services.
Eight firefighting aircraft are currently operating above the blaze in support of ground teams. The fire comes amid one of the hottest, driest summers on record, with conditions fueling a series of destructive wildfires across the country.
Officials warn the situation remains critical, as the blaze threatens a vital transportation corridor leading into Jerusalem.