REMEMBERING OCTOBER 7

October 7, 2023, must not be forgotten. The Hamas attack on Israel brought horrifying violence, with civilians murdered, families shattered and hostages taken. For Israelis and Jewish communities around the world, the day remains a profound trauma and a reminder of the vulnerability created by terrorism and insecurity. Those lives deserve to be remembered, and the taking of hostages and deliberate attacks on civilians must be unequivocally condemned.

At the same time, remembering October 7 cannot mean accepting an endless cycle of suffering. Israelis have a fundamental right to live in security, free from terrorism and the fear of attack. Palestinians, too, have a fundamental right to live with safety, dignity, freedom and the opportunity to build a future in the land they call home.

The challenge is to recognise both truths without allowing one people's suffering to erase another's. The Holy Land is home to peoples with deep historical, cultural and religious connections. Neither Israelis nor Palestinians should have to surrender their identity, their aspirations or their right to a secure future.

Moving on does not mean forgetting October 7, excusing terrorism, or ignoring the suffering of Palestinians. It means refusing to allow grief and anger to dictate the future. It means protecting civilians, opposing terrorism, and working toward political arrangements that provide genuine security and self-determination for both peoples.

The path ahead will be difficult. But peace ultimately requires Israelis and Palestinians to recognise one another's humanity and rights. The goal should not be victory for one side, but a future in which both peoples can live safely and with dignity in the Holy Land.