“It has been one year since the worst attack on Israel in its history. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 250 people hostages, the worst single day loss of life for Jewish people since the Holocaust. For the Jewish community around the world this is and will always be a day of infamy in international history. It has marked one long year of anguish and despair for the Jewish people around the world.
The trauma of that day has not waned, as it shattered the sense of security in Israel and a hostage deal has still not been reached. Even today, Edan Alexander, who grew up in New Jersey, and four other American hostages are still being held in captivity by Hamas in Gaza. Furthermore, if this tremendous loss of life and hostility wasn’t bad enough, much of the death and destruction was livestreamed over social media for the world to watch as it was occurring.
This date remains a somber anniversary as we remember the innocent loss of lives and the ongoing violence that continues in the area to this day. The Board of Commissioners remains steadfast in its support of Israel and the Jewish community, and we encourage our residents to use this day as one of reflection to pray for a return and reunification of the hostages and peaceful solution to the conflict in the region.