The Oct. 7 massacre was first and foremost an attack on the Jewish state. It took place in an area where Israel had already withdrawn to the Green Line and removed settlements, proving beyond doubt the true nature of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This war isn't about the 1967 boundaries – it's about 1947, perhaps even 1917. It's not a territorial dispute, but a fight for existence itself.
This conflict stems from our neighbors' absolute rejection of a Jewish state anywhere in this land. The massacre on Simchat Torah ranks among the most horrific atrocities since World War II, revealing the conflict's true character to anyone who still harbored doubts. The kidnapping of children, rape of women, beheading of men, and burning of families alive showed us exactly what we face – an enemy devoid of mercy, compassion, or restraint. We confront an adversary stripped of morality, culture, and basic humanity. We stand against absolute evil.
The Oct. 7, 2023 massacre also represented an attack on the Jewish people, unleashing the worst wave of antisemitism worldwide since 1945. Just as Jews once again became victims of a deadly attack, the ancient dragon of Jew hatred emerged from its lair, breathing fire in all directions. At elite American universities, crowds chanted "from the river to the sea" – a call for ethnic cleansing of Jews from the entire land. European capitals labeled Israel's democratic self-defense as apartheid and genocide. International institutions denied the Jewish right to self-determination. The Hague conducted – and continues to conduct – outrageous proceedings that put the victim on trial instead of the perpetrator. Jewish communities, families, and individuals worldwide found themselves encircled by hatred and persecution.
Yet the Oct. 7 savage assault on the Jewish state blinded us to its third dimension: an attack on the free world itself. Hamas' barbaric attack exposed the West's immediate danger from those who embrace medieval values while wielding modern weapons. The subsequent involvement of Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Shiite militias demonstrated that we face Iran – a regional power with numerous proxies, backed by two global powers: China and Russia.
This means our just war extends beyond Israel and the Jewish people. This comprehensive conflict belongs to everyone determined to prevent the Chinese-Russian-Iranian-North Korean axis from undermining global order. This historic struggle belongs to all who seek to stop this new barbarism from threatening humanity with advanced conventional weapons and nuclear arsenals.
The trauma of Oct. 7 caused Israel to focus entirely on the first two dimensions of this war, overlooking the third. Our profound pain and anxiety led us to concentrate solely on our immediate situation and justifiable response. Yet to win this war, we must embrace this neglected third dimension. We must transform our defensive war from a Jewish struggle into a battle for the free world.
This shift becomes particularly crucial given the strategic developments of September-October 2024, which both strengthened Israel and escalated the conflict into a high-intensity regional war. We now face direct confrontation with Iran and full-scale conflict with Hezbollah. We must also shape Gaza's future after Yahya Sinwar's elimination. These vital tasks require close partnership with moderate Arab states and genuine alliance with the democratic West. Just as Britain couldn't defeat Nazi Germany alone, neither can we defeat Iran on our own.
The time has come to complement the IDF, Mossad, and Shin Bet's operational efforts with a comprehensive strategy and proactive diplomacy. The immediate challenge is to reframe this campaign and rally the free world to this battle for liberty, civilization, and stability – a fight in which Israel stands as the frontline fortress.
