A Somber Anniversary of Hamas’ Horrific 10/7 Attacks

Last Updated on October 7, 2024.

WashingtonWin Without War Executive Director, Sara Haghdoosti, released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ horrific attacks in Israel:

“Today is a somber anniversary of a horrific attack, marking a year of agony for those targeted by Hamas’ vicious violence, as well as their loved ones. We remember all those who were killed in the Hamas attack, those who were injured, those who were sexually assaulted, and those who were kidnapped — including many who remain hostages today. We mourn this suffering, and we continue to condemn their assailants unequivocally. 

“The victims of October 7th deserve care and justice, today and every day, but that is not what they have received from their government, or from ours. Instead, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, with backing from the U.S. government, has chosen to kill tens of thousands of Palestinians who had nothing to do with Hamas’ crimes — bombing schools, refugee camps, and hospitals while blocking aid and creating a famine.

“To those of you reading who have lost family in this conflict or have had your own family attacked because of antisemitic, Islamophobic, or anti-Palestinian bigotry — we see you. Today, we share in your grief and redouble our commitment to working together so all of us can live in a more peaceful world, free from the threat of violence. 

“It has been a year of talks without negotiators securing a lasting ceasefire. This is an abject failure for all leaders involved, many of whom have put personal politics and self interest ahead of the safety and security of their own people. The families of many of those taken hostage by Hamas a year ago today are demanding that Netanyahu, who has repeatedly undermined ceasefire talks, change course. These failures by political leaders have now led us to another terrible outcome we have feared since last October: a metastasizing regional war, with consequences that will fall most heavily on civilians in Palestine, Lebanon, Israel, and beyond. 

“We need the hostages returned home. We need the bombing — in Gaza and across the region — to stop. We need food and medicine to be accessible. 

“We need the recent, frightening escalations to stop. And we desperately need a turn toward diplomacy and de-escalation, in order to create a genuine path of rebuilding towards a sustainable, lasting peace.

“We demand that President Biden’s administration, as a key ally of the Israeli government, finally use every tool at its disposal, including those it has been reluctant thus far to use, to ensure we get to a lasting ceasefire. 

“Everyone in Israel, Palestine, and beyond deserves to live with dignity and thrive without the fear of violence. Today, we rededicate ourselves to breaking the cycles of violence we’ve witnessed for far too long, and urge all those who value peace and justice to do the same.”

 

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Win Without War is a diverse network of activists and national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in the United States.

October 7, 2024