1. On October 7th, 2023, an estimated 3000 Hamas militants from Gaza crossed into southern Israel and brutally murdered over 1000 civilians, including pregnant women, infants, children and teens, unarmed adults and the elderly. The same attack killed more than 350 Israeli soldiers and police. More than 240 persons of all ages were taken hostage, including about 30 children. Some of the hostages were executed after their abduction.

Included in the above totals, 21 Bedouins were killed and 6 were taken hostage. The attackers included some militants from factions other than Hamas, such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihadists. The above stated figures are subject to revision, once more information is publicly available.

Sources: 2023 Hamas attack on Israel (Wikipedia) | Kidnappings during the 2023 Israel Hamas war (Wikipedia) | IDF estimates 3000 Hamas terrorists (Times of Israel) | Bedouin Community mourns (Times of Israel) | IDF.il (English)

Reports on the brutality of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack: BBC | MSN | CBS News

2. I believe the attack against Israel on 7 October 2023 was one of the most severe terrorist attacks in human history. The mass murder of civilians is never justifiable, regardless of the political situation. And the particularly brutal nature of these murders is wickedness beyond measure.

Israel has a right to exist as a sovereign nation, and its people have a right to live in Israel in peace. Israel and its people therefore have a right to self-defense. The October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel was one of the worst terrorist attacks the world has ever seen. Israel has a right to respond with military force against Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza (such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihadists). The United States should support Israel in this war of self-defense, a war to respond to and prevent terrorism, a war to defend a nation and a people.

At some point, every war must end, and so a ceasefire must occur at some point. But Israel has a right to secure the defense of its people, before a ceasefire ends the war.

The Palestinian people have a right to exist as a people and to have a prosperous free nation, but not at the expense of the destruction of another nation and people. No solution to this conflict can include a destruction of either the Israeli or the Palestinian people. Therefore, Israel must not pursue war to the extent of the elimination of Gaza, its society, or its people. Also, use of excessive force in war, by either side, is always immoral, especially when civilians are killed or harmed.

3. The recent rise in antisemitism, which followed immediately after the 7 October terrorist attack and continues today, is very alarming. No group of any kind should be treated with hatred, contempt, or discrimination. No person or group should be subject to death threats, unjust violence, intimidation, or the like. The condemnation of antisemitism must also include a condemnation of similar treatment of any and all other groups. It is hypocritical to decry hatred of Muslims, but support hatred of Jews. And we Christians must condemn hatred toward Jews and Muslims, just as we condemn hatred toward Christians.

The concomitant outpouring of support for the Palestinians has included troubling expressions directed at Israel and Jews. Expressions such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” “no peace on stolen land”, and claims that all Israelis are “occupiers” suggest the destruction of Israel and its population as the means to “free” Palestine. How else would this be accomplished? No one thinks that all Israelis will pack up and leave. So this is an implicit call for the extinction of both the nation and its population.

A rise in antisemitism was also seen in the world before World War 2 and the Jewish Holocaust. But I do not believe that God will ever permit a second Jewish Holocaust. Those who disagree should consider that Israel possesses hundreds of nuclear weapons and has the will to use them. Also, the support of the U.S. for Israel is unassailable.

In subsequent posts, I will be discussing the situation in the Middle East and possible future events. But I wanted to make my position on the 7 October terrorist attack and the 2023 Israel Hamas war clear from the outset.

Ronald L Conte Jr