“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed.” (Isaiah 54:10) The beautiful words of the prophet Isaiah were intended to guide the first International Pro-Israel Summit organized by the Center for Fundamental Rights in Budapest this fall. But Israel's peace was brutally shattered on October 7th, 48 hours before the event. That day of infamy brought suffering, fear and pain to Israel and left people of good will in shock and dismay. The events that have unfolded since have brought some clarity. How each actor behaved in the aftermath of this brutal pogrom reveals a lot, and will determine the judgment of history.
Last week the media got it wrong. Israel did not strike a hospital in Gaza, in fact no one did. The explosion everyone saw was the result of a failed rocket from a militant group in Gaza that landed in the parking lot adjacent to the hospital. Yes, people were killed, and people were injured. The lot was being used as a triage area for the wounded and was also hosting many displaced people. At first, the estimates were that 200-300 people were killed, then it became 500-600. The world was fuming at Israel, despite Israel’s insistence, and Al Jazeera’s live-feed confirmation that it was a failed launch from Gaza which caused the explosion.
Five days have elapsed since Hamas’s terrorists breached Israeli borders, perpetrating a litany of appalling acts such as rape, torture, and kidnapping. Further shocking revelations emerged yesterday, detailing the live immolation of individuals and the beheading of infants. In what constitutes Israel's first major conflict since the Yom Kippur War of 1973, social media personalities are offering extensive coverage. Engaging in live YouTube debates, Instagram interviews, and conversations on X (formerly Twitter) Spaces, a range of commentators—both amateur and professional—are weighing in. While perspectives naturally vary between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine stances, a sizable portion of these voices claims to aim for unbiased reporting.
Israel has launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas's initiation of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against the Jewish state. The group governing the beleaguered enclave claims to have fired thousands of rockets at Israel, resulting in multiple casualties and compelling Israel to declare a "state of war."