October 7th
Thoughts and a resource list
A year ago today, we were in Copenhagen visiting Caroline. As soon as we returned home, I began reading and listening to all I could about what had happened on October 7th and all that led up to that day. Over the past year, I have learned about history and geography. I have learned about politics and international affairs. And I have learned a lot about people.
What happened on October 7th was an act of terror akin to September 11th. We all remember the feeling of absolute terror on that day and the days following. We knew that the goal of Al Qaeda was our death and the destruction of our way of life.
Israelis and Jews across the world shared these feelings with us on October 7th and every day before and since because Hamas and Hezzbolah share Al Qaeda’s goal. Their goal is the death and destruction of Israel and the western way of life.
Here though is where our paths diverge.
After September 11th, we watched the world come together to support America.
After October 7th, Israelis and Jews around the world watched and are still watching the world come together to support the terrorists who murdered, raped and kidnapped their friends and family.
My one wish for today, is that the Israelis and Jews could feel the love and support that the United States felt in the days after September 11th.
In today’s day and age, this is a naive wish so for now I will do my part and say:
I stand with Israel because I believe Israel and the Jewish people have a right to exist and because I stand against terrorism.
And I stand with the innocent civilians of Gaza and Lebanon who are suffering because their land is controlled by terrorist groups who are using them as human shields against the Israeli army.
To my Jewish friends always and today especially, I send my love and support.
And to my fellow non-Jewish friends, if you are so inclined, I have shared a short list of resources below. These are the people whose work dI have found particularly useful over these past 365 days.
xo,
Stacey
Resources:
The Ezra Klein Podcast- I listen to Ezra almost every week. I highly recommend scrolling back and listening to his coverage from last fall. He interviewed Israeli and Palestinian scholars and I learned an incredible amount.
Mo News on Instagram- I visit Mo’s IG stories multiple times a day for news updates and he has done extensive coverage on the Middle East.
Plain English Podcast- Ditto to what I wrote about Ezra Klein.