Michael Balaban's Update on the War in Israel

- Michael Balaban
President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

We are nearing two months since the war between Israel and Hamas began. And as the weeks go by, Hamas’ terror continues, breaking the agreed-upon temporary truce by firing rockets into Southern Israel, killing three Israelis — including a pregnant woman — at a Jerusalem bus stop yesterday, failing to hand over a list of hostages — the blatant disregard by Hamas for civilian life and to international law goes on and on. 

But even in the continued bloodshed, we have found a glimmer of hope over the past week as 112 innocent hostages – including children, women and elderly – have been freed from captivity. And yet, we know that those 112 lives have been irrevocably changed with children coming home as orphans and families returning with loved ones still held captive as emotional warfare. 

And while it may feel as though the world has been fooled by or complicit in the manipulations of a terrorist organization, we must bear witness and we must remember. 

When terrorists forced hostages to wave and smile to cameras – we saw the truth.

When released children spoke in whispers – we heard the truth. 

When institutions founded in believing women denied or were silent to the mass rape of Israeli women – we knew the truth.

And when children reported being forced to watch videos of their Kibbutzim massacred, threatened with violence if they were to cry – we felt the truth. 

And as these freed innocent civilians return to a broken world – we must speak the truth to advocate for all of the remaining hostages to be released. And while you may ask what part you have to play, half a world away from our Jewish homeland, it is exactly that – your voice. 

From December 4-8, I am asking you to join me and the American Jewish community for a National Mobilization Week to use your voice to call Congress and urge our elected officials to stand with Israel. With your help, our call will not be ignored. You can take action at callforisrael.org/phillymobilizes.  

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