In the wake of the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas, the Jewish people will continue to fight for a better world for all humanity.
Rowan Polovin October 6, 2024
In the quiet dawn of October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists unleashed a brutal assault on Israel and the soul of the Jewish people. Among the hundreds of harrowing tales from that day, the story of Shlomo Ron stands out. With unwavering resolve, he hid his family and faced the attackers alone in his house in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, sacrificing himself so that others might live. His final act of courage is a haunting testament to the horror that unfolded that day — a day that would become the darkest for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
The atrocities committed were beyond comprehension. Women were brutally raped, entire families incinerated in their homes, and children subjected to unspeakable cruelty. As innocent lives were mercilessly extinguished, the air filled with the sickening sounds of celebration from the perpetrators. In a final act of barbarity, hundreds of innocents were dragged across the border as hostages. Today, nearly a year later, almost 100 of these captives remain in Gaza, their fate unknown, their families trapped in an agonizing limbo of hope and despair.
One year later, the shock waves of that fateful day continue to reverberate across the globe. The Jewish community in South Africa, like millions worldwide, gathers to honor the memory of more than 1,200 innocent souls brutally taken, and to hold vigil for those still held in inhuman captivity. We stand in solidarity with Israel, the sole democracy in a turbulent region, as it faces relentless attacks on multiple fronts. Just this week, Iran launched a brutal assault and act of war on Israel, firing 180 missiles into the country and threatening thousands of civilian lives.
In the wake of the tragedy of October 7, a disturbing phenomenon has emerged. Anti-Semitism, that ancient hatred, has reared its ugly head with renewed vigor in the West. University campuses, once bastions of critical thinking, have become hotbeds of moral confusion. The UN, an institution founded on peace and human rights, has repeatedly failed to unequivocally condemn the actions of terrorists or treat the world’s only Jewish state with fairness.
The South African government’s response to the October 7 attacks has been nothing short of bewildering. Within days of the atrocities, then-Minister of International Relations & Cooperation Naledi Pandor reached out to the Hamas leadership, reportedly expressing support for and solidarity with their cause. When faced with widespread criticism, Pandor made an unconvincing attempt to backtrack, claiming the purpose of her call was misunderstood. This unconscionable act set the tone that would persist in the months to follow.
In a further shocking move, South Africa took the extraordinary step of bringing Israel, the victim of these heinous attacks, before the International Court of Justice, attempting to delegitimize its fundamental right to self-defense against the perpetrators of the October 7 atrocities. The government’s stance in aligning itself with those who seek to deny Israel’s right to exist and defend itself not only betrays the values of democracy and human rights, but also places South Africa on the wrong side of history.
As the Middle East reconfigures itself through groundbreaking initiatives such as the Abraham Accords, South Africa clings to outdated ideologies, making itself the ally of autocratic regimes that sponsor terror. This misguided approach carries real consequences, jeopardizing vital economic partnerships and denying South Africans access to Israeli innovations in technology, medicine, and environmental solutions.
For South African Jews — who helped to build South Africa and have long been at the forefront of the struggle for democracy and equality in the country — the government’s condemnation of Israel has been a bitter pill to swallow. It marks a stunning betrayal of the Jewish people and the final abandonment of any moral leadership in the post-apartheid era.
Yet, even in these dark times, there is reason for hope. As we remember the victims of October 7, pray for the hostages still in the clutches of their captors in Gaza, and stand with those suffering in its aftermath, we also look to the future. Throughout history, the Jewish people have faced seemingly insurmountable challenges, emerging not just intact, but strengthened. Our resilience is not born of hatred or vengeance, but of an unwavering commitment to improving the world. We will continue to build, innovate, and contribute to the betterment of all humanity. We will forge new alliances, bridge divides, and work tirelessly for peace. Our history is one of survival against all odds, and our future will be no different.
Those we lost will not have died in vain. Their deaths will fuel our determination to create a world where such atrocities are unthinkable. This is the legacy we choose to leave — a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people and a beacon of hope for all humanity. From the darkness of tragedy, we will rise, illuminating the path forward with hope, resilience, and unwavering faith in the human spirit. We choose life in the face of death, and creation in the face of destruction. This is our promise to the fallen, our duty to the living, and our gift to future generations. Through our actions, we declare to the world, “Am Yisrael Chai — the people of Israel live.”
Author Bio:
Rowan Polovin is the national chair of the South African Zionist Federation.
READ THE ARTICLE HERE: https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/opinion-and-analysis/opinion/2024-10-06-those-israel-lost-in-the-october-7-attacks-did-not-die-in-vain/#
