On the anniversary of the Oct. 7 massacre, Christians are urged to remember the events without moral confusion or political expediency and to stand with Israel. The assault by Hamas and other armed groups, along with many Gaza civilians, into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people and the abduction of 252 individuals. The attackers targeted men, women, children, and the elderly with murder, torture, and kidnapping.
Israel's response is characterized as the action any sovereign nation would take when its citizens are attacked. The piece distinguishes between a democracy defending its people and terrorists who target civilians. It asserts that any honest discussion of the subsequent conflict must start with the events of Oct. 7.
American leaders are encouraged to visit the Middle East to comprehend the threats Israel faces from groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, noting that these adversaries also target American interests. The author emphasizes the historical and biblical significance of the region, including Judea, Samaria, Hebron, Shiloh, and Jerusalem, to the Jewish people. Jewish communities in these areas, often described critically, are depicted as vibrant with families, educators, and business owners who face daily threats.
The article critiques what it terms collective economic punishment of Jewish businesses in the biblical heartland, arguing that such actions are harmful and ignore the historical and legal legitimacy of the Jewish presence there. It notes that many U.S. states have adopted measures opposing boycotts of Israel, but argues that legislation alone is insufficient.
For Christians, the stance supporting Israel is framed not just as a foreign policy preference but as a matter of deeply held biblical promises. The piece references the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants, citing both Old and New Testament passages to underscore the enduring nature of these promises. It suggests that Christian support for Israel involves rejecting the idea of abandonment and recognizing the Jewish people's connection to their ancestral homeland.
The anniversary of Oct. 7 is presented as a test of moral clarity, requiring Americans to oppose terrorism, confront antisemitism, and affirm the bond between the Jewish people and Israel. The author highlights Israel's resilience in the face of grief, with communities rebuilding, praying, and defending themselves, and individuals continuing to live, create, and worship in their homeland.
The piece concludes by asserting that Americans should stand with Israel both because it serves U.S. interests and out of conviction, opposing terrorism, confronting antisemitism, and affirming the enduring connection between the Jewish people and their land. The response to Oct. 7, it argues, should demonstrate the requirements of remembrance and solidarity.