A letter from me about the October 7 massacre

The people of Israel will remember their loyal and brave sons and daughters, the women and men, the girls, the boys, the elderly women and men. The people of Israel will remember the burned houses, the bloodstains on the floor, and the families who, just moments before were smiling for the camera. The people of Israel will remember those who sat in shelters for hours, begging for help, and were not answered. The people of Israel will remember the babies, the naked women, the families murdered while embracing, the decapitated heads, and the set tables left in silence.

The people of Israel will remember the dancers, the energy, the freedom, and the innocence that were cut short. The music that was replaced by sirens, the attempt to escape, and the convoy of cars that were attacked. The people of Israel will remember the shelters, the gunshots, and the women tied up, their bodies telling the story they will never be able to tell. The people of Israel will remember all those who risked their lives to save others, even people they didn’t know. The people of Israel will remember the prayers, the frantic phone calls, the trembling voices, and the pleas that went unanswered.

The people of Israel will remember the soldiers, male and female, the policemen and policewomen, the reservists and career officers, the intelligence and security forces, the commanders and commanders, and the lookouts who were there until their last moments. The people of Israel will remember the heroes who fought to their last breath over positions, bases, and kibbutzim, doing everything they could for the country. They stood firm even before receiving orders, understanding the magnitude of the disaster. The people of Israel will remember those who entered Gaza to bring people back and did not return. They will remember the fighting spirit, the dedication, the sensitivity, and humanity, and the entire worlds left behind by each name released for publication. The people of Israel will remember those wounded in body and soul, those who fight to recover despite the loss of friends and limbs.

The people of Israel will remember the children torn from their childhood, who witnessed horrific sights and experienced what no child should ever have to endure. Those who lost their innocence, whose lives will never be the same again. The people of Israel will remember the communities that were uprooted, the places that until yesterday were vibrant and peaceful centers of communal life, now left abandoned, destroyed, or broken in spirit. They will remember the collective sense of loss and dislocation, as though the very roots of life were torn out.

The people of Israel will remember the kidnapped men and women. Those who were freed and those who are still there. Those whose bodies are held, and those who are believed to be alive. The people of Israel will remember the children snatched from their beds, the elderly taken without their medications. The people of Israel will remember the tunnels, the testimonies, the bruised faces, the limping, the hollow eyes, and the torn-apart families. They will remember the atrocities, the rapes, and the tortures inflicted at gunpoint. The people of Israel will remember the men waiting to lean on a familiar shoulder, and the girls who remain there alone.

The people of Israel will remember the evacuees. From the north. From the south. Those who left behind homes, toys, beds, and a sense of security. They will remember all those who have been living for a year in hotels, with family or friends, longing for the day they can return home. They will remember those wandering from place to place, searching for stability, yet not knowing when the journey will end. The people of Israel will remember those whose homes were completely destroyed, who lost not just walls and a roof, but the place once called "home." Those who gaze toward the future with uncertainty, wondering if they will ever again have a place of their own. They will remember the longing to return to a safe haven—a place that may never be the same as it once was.

The people of Israel will remember those who were murdered in cold blood, on their way to work, to a wedding, or at gas stations. The people of Israel will remember those who left home in the morning and never returned because terrorists murdered them.

The people of Israel will remember the screams, the orphans and widows, the parents whose faces tell the whole story. The mothers who haven’t hugged their children for a year. The smoke rising from the burned kibbutzim and the residents of Sderot and Ofakim. The white pickup trucks driving through cities unhindered. The heartless, merciless monsters. They will remember the pain, the terror, and the resolve.

The people of Israel will remember October 7 and the months that followed. They will neither forgive nor forget. They will strive to be worthy, so that all of this will not have been in vain. They will do everything possible to bring the hostages back and rescue them from hell. They will remember them at night before falling asleep, and they will unite all of us in pain and in hope for better days. Days of freedom, days of peace—in the land of Zion and Jerusalem.

The People of Israel Say Thanks

The people of Israel thank the successes and the ongoing heroism of the soldiers, men and women, who are defending the homeland, defeating a cruel and determined enemy, and safeguarding the freedom of the people. Thank you to the Air Force soldiers who are fighting from the skies to protect Israel's airspace, to the pilots who are striking enemy targets in dangerous and precise operations, and to the members of the Air Defense forces who are standing guard against missile and rocket threats. Thank you to the tank soldiers who are charging across the battlefields with heavy tanks, to the Artillery Corps who are shaking the ground with precise and powerful fire, and to the Navy who is defending the country’s shores and preventing infiltration attempts from the sea.

The people of Israel thank the Golani, Givati, Paratroopers, Nahal, and Kfir soldiers who are fighting on the front lines, who are entering deep into enemy territory, showing uncompromising combat bravery. Thank you to the special reconnaissance units, to the elite fighters of Sayeret Matkal, Shaldag, and Duvdevan, who are operating quietly and efficiently behind enemy lines to ensure the security of Israel.

The people of Israel say thanks to the Combat Engineering Corps soldiers who are paving the way, neutralizing tunnels, and preparing the ground for the fighters. Thank you to the Border Police fighters who are maintaining order at the borders and within the country, and to the Intelligence, Cyber, and Electronic Warfare units who are standing on the digital front line, providing vital information that enables successes on the battlefield.

The people of Israel say thanks to the Medical Corps soldiers who are entering the inferno to save lives, to the field commanders who are making fateful decisions under fire, and to those who are going into battle knowing they are risking their lives to protect the country and its citizens. Thank you to all those who are fighting with courage and determination, defending the freedom of the people and the state.

The people of Israel say thanks to the reservists, to those who left behind families, jobs, studies, and their daily lives to stand up in defense of the homeland. Thank you to those who received the call late at night and didn’t hesitate for a moment before putting on their uniforms and heading to the battlefield. Thank you to the mothers and fathers who left small children behind, to the young who paused their lives in the middle, and to the older individuals who left offices and businesses to fight once again for the land. The people of Israel say thank you to the unique spirit of the reservists, those who embody the unity of the nation, the sense of responsibility, and the willingness to sacrifice everything for the homeland. A spirit of brotherhood and dedication that knows no bounds.

The people of Israel say thanks to the members of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), to those who work day and night in the shadows, conducting sophisticated operations to thwart attacks and protect the lives of citizens. Thank you to those who reach wanted individuals, neutralize threats within the borders of the state, and prevent the enemy from striking at the heart of the nation. Thanks to their dedication, many severe blows are averted before they can take place, and they are an inseparable part of the defense of the country. Thank you to the intelligence personnel in the field, the managers behind the scenes, and to those who remain anonymous, yet whose contribution to the security of the state is immense.

The people of Israel say thanks to the volunteers who are transporting soldiers and reservists from all corners of the country. These are the people standing at intersections, waiting for hours to ensure that every fighter gets to their base on time. They arrive with a smile, a vehicle full of people, and they don’t stop for a moment. Thanks to them, IDF soldiers feel the warmth of the nation and the immense support coming from every corner.

The people of Israel say thanks to the volunteers who are arriving at the bases with hot meals, drinks, and treats for the soldiers. To all those who bring homemade food, who deliver the flavors of home to the front lines, bringing warmth and love to those who are risking their lives to protect us all.

The people of Israel say thank you to those who are advocating on social media. These individuals are on the digital front lines, fighting with words and images to defend Israel’s legitimacy. They dedicate countless hours, often as volunteers, responding to hostile comments, explaining the true situation, and spreading the truth about what is happening in the country. Through articles, posts, comments, and videos, they share the Jewish story and reveal the truth behind the state’s struggle to protect its citizens. Thanks to their efforts, our voice is heard worldwide, and our truth stands tall against lies and defamation. Thank you for their sacrifice, their commitment, and for standing firm in the face of rising antisemitism, boldly defending our good name.

The people of Israel thank the Israeli artists who volunteer to perform at military bases to bring joy to the soldiers. These artists play music, sing, and offer moments of happiness. Thanks to them, the soldiers receive a brief moment of light during the struggle, a moment of hope and strength to carry on.

The people of Israel say thanks to the Israeli businesses doing everything they can to support the success of the IDF in the war. They offer discounts, donate products, and provide services to soldiers and reservists. Thanks to them, the army receives immense logistical and moral support, giving the fighters a sense of security and national solidarity.