J7 Task Force Issues Statement on Anniversary of Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas Attack on Israel
New York, NY, October 7, 2024 … On the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, the J7 Large Communities’ Task Force Against Antisemitism issued the following statement:
We are leaders of seven of the largest Jewish communities outside of Israel. One year ago, our communities were shocked and devasted by the horrifying terror attack on Israel. Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups massacred more than 1200 innocent people, young and old, who were burned, shot, tortured and raped in their homes, at a music festival, on a morning walk, or trying to flee their attackers. October 7 was the single deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.
One year ago, over 250 people were ripped from their families, homes and friends and taken into Gaza as hostages. These hostages represent over two dozen nationalities, including citizens of our own countries, and include Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze, Buddhists, Hindus and atheists. According to Hamas, their crime was being in a Jewish state. Today, 366 days later, 101 hostages remain in Gaza, their fate and condition still unknown.
On this tragic anniversary, we also mark one year of unbridled, unprecedented antisemitism, that has targeted Jews around the globe. Our community organizations and governments have documented a staggering increase of antisemitic incidents since October 7. Jewish individuals and institutions have suffered violent attacks, arson, graffiti, harassment, and discrimination, hostility and isolation. We have been victimized in our homes, in the streets, on campuses, and online.
One year later, we remain united in our call on our seven governments and on the international community:
- To exercise maximum pressure on Hamas to immediately release all hostages still being held in Gaza.
- To support Israel as it remains under constant attack from Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, and their state sponsor, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and others who seek its eradication.
- To take concrete steps to fight antisemitism through legal, educational and whole-of-society strategies. The Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism, released in Buenos Aires in July 2024 and endorsed by over 40 countries and regional groupings, provide guidance for policies and actions that can be implemented by national governments, international organizations and civil societies alike.
On this tragic anniversary, we continue to mourn those we have lost and to face significant challenges ahead for Israel and the Jewish people. Yet, we reaffirm the resilience and vibrancy of the global Jewish community. We stand ready to continue to collaborate with our partners in government and civil society to ensure a future of security and well-being for all.
J7 Members:
Argentina: Delegación de Asociaciones Israelitas Argentinas (DAIA)
Australia: Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ)
Canada: Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)
France: Conseil Représentatif des Institutions Juives de France (CRIF)
Germany: Central Council of Jews in Germany
The United Kingdom: Board of Deputies of British Jews
The United States: ADL (Anti-Defamation League) and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
The J7 Large Communities’ Task Force Against Antisemitism was formed in July 2023 response to increasing rates of antisemitism around the world and comprises major Jewish organizations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Argentina and Australia. In addition to top-level consultations, the J7 leads working groups comprised of subject matter experts from each community to develop strategies and action plans within areas such as policy and advocacy, tech policy, security, extremism and education against antisemitism.
