Hamas Kills 6 More Hostages: Have We Learned Anything About Antisemitism?

The film “Irena’s Vow,” released in 2023, recounts the remarkable true story of Irena Gut Opdyke, a Polish nurse during World War II. She took on the role of housekeeper for a German army major while secretly hiding 12 Jews in the officer’s villa, risking her life to protect them from extermination in Nazi death camps.

Through her journey, an innkeeper advises Irena to remain discreet to ensure her survival. When he learns that she is harboring Jews, he chooses to turn a blind eye, stating, “I don’t want to know anything.”

In our contemporary world, marked by escalating antisemitism at elite universities and rising violence from groups like Hamas, serious questions arise. Have we truly learned anything from history, particularly regarding the insidious nature of antisemitism and how it proliferates?

In a recent development, the Israel Defense Forces announced the recovery of the bodies of six hostages from Hamas captivity, including 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American. These individuals had been held in a tunnel in Gaza before their tragic deaths.

Hamas implied that the captives were executed as Israeli forces were preparing a rescue operation. The terrorist organization has since threatened to kill additional hostages should Israel attempt further rescue missions.

Among the deceased hostages was Eden Yerushalmi, a 24-year-old who expressed despair for her family in a propaganda video released by Hamas, stating that she did not expect to survive the ordeal. She also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of abandoning her and her fellow captives.

Other hostages confirmed dead by Hamas include Ori Danino, 25; Alex Lobanov, 32; Carmel Gat, 40; and Almog Sarusi, 27.

The fate of these hostages, victims taken during Hamas’s October 7 invasion of Israel that resulted in the deaths of over 1,189 civilians, underscores an urgent call for intervention. Currently, Hamas holds at least 101 hostages, including seven Americans.

Amidst this humanitarian crisis, the Hamas-controlled health ministry claims that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the onset of the conflict.

The situation has incited significant political agitation in Israel. Large-scale protests have erupted in cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with as many as 500,000 demonstrators rallying against the government’s handling of the hostage situation and the negotiations for a cease-fire.

President Joe Biden has also weighed in, criticizing Netanyahu for inadequately assisting in the release of hostages. Yet questions linger regarding whether Biden himself is doing enough to secure their freedom. The loss of an American hostage places further scrutiny on the effectiveness of U.S. responses in these dire circumstances.

Despite Netanyahu’s efforts to negotiate for a cease-fire, the situation has remained complex. In August, Israel accepted a cease-fire deal proposed by the Biden administration, which Hamas subsequently rejected. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that earlier attempts to broker peace had also been rebuffed by Hamas.

In a bold move, the U.S. Justice Department has charged six Hamas leaders in connection to the October 7 attack, with serious accusations including conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens and support terrorist activities.

As the conflict in Gaza continues, antisemitism is alarmingly prevalent, with Jewish individuals facing discrimination and hostility in the United States and worldwide. This underscores the necessity for political leaders, including presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, to unequivocally commit to protecting Jewish communities, regardless of the electoral outcomes.

At a recent funeral in Jerusalem, the family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin mourned his loss. He was only 23 when he was kidnapped while attending a music festival in Israel on the day Hamas launched its attack.

There is an urgent need for awareness and action regarding the threats posed by groups like Hamas. As a society, we cannot afford to feign ignorance about the suffering of Jews worldwide.

Jon Polin, at his son’s funeral, poignantly expressed a need for transformation in the face of such tragedy: “May his memory be a revolution.” It is imperative that we strive for this change and respond to these crises with resolve.

Source: USA TODAY