One year after October 7, we must fight anti-Semitism and stand with Israel

It’s been more than a year since the world witnessed a horrifying act of terror unfold in real time as Hamas launched a brutal invasion of Israel. More than 1,000 innocent people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks that marked one of the darkest days in modern history and the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. From the smallest babies to elderly grandparents, Israelis have been subjected to unspeakable cruelty – tortured, raped and killed. More than 200 hostages were dragged into Gaza, where many still remain. The pain and trauma of that day reverberates not only in Israel, but around the world, including right here in Rockland County.

Over the past year, I have met survivors of the October 7 attacks and spoken with the families of those kidnapped by Hamas. The pain they endured is unimaginable. Yet their resilience—the same resilience that carried the Jewish people through centuries of persecution, pogroms, and genocide—remains unwavering. Despite everything, the Jewish people continue to hold fast to their faith, traditions and culture, standing firm in the face of hatred.

But the Hamas attack on Israel did not stop with the Israeli casualties. The ripple effects of their violence have also devastated Palestinian civilians, with tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians killed since the start of the war. The attack also emboldened Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, spreading violence further across the Middle East. Closer to home, the past year has seen an alarming rise in anti-Semitism here in the United States. From synagogues to college campuses, Jewish institutions and individuals have faced the harassment, vandalism, and threats of violence that are often carried out. Anti-Semitism has always lurked in the hearts of bigots, but now it has burst into view and risen to new heights. On the far left and the far right, anti-Semites feel emboldened to express their hatred blatantly and unapologetically at a level not seen in decades. New York Jews feel under siege in their own state. This is appalling and unacceptable.

To address this rising tide of hate, we need bold action. We must increase funding for security at synagogues, community centers and schools in Rockland County because of the violence. In the state Senate, we voted to significantly increase the availability of this type of funding, but much more is needed.

But funding security is only part of the battle. We also need to address the ignorance that serves as the root cause of hatred. According to recent polls, more than half of Millennials and Gen Zers in the US do not know the facts about the Holocaust, and even more are ignorant of the centuries of anti-Semitism that led to the Holocaust and necessitated the creation of Israel. as a refuge for the Jewish people. This is more than a failure of education – it is a danger to our society and needs to be addressed urgently. New York also needs to make sure there are real consequences for anyone who crosses the line from legitimate protest to illegal harassment, and for the universities that allow them.

As we reflect on the horrific attacks against Israel a year ago, it is essential that we remain vigilant, both internationally and here at home. Anti-Semitism is not a problem of the past; it is alive and growing in the US today. Whether it manifests itself in violent attacks or insidious rhetoric, it is our duty to confront it head on.

Although I have not had a direct role in foreign policy as a state senator, I stand firmly with Israel’s right to defend itself and its people. And here in New York, I will not rest until Jewish families feel safe in their synagogues, schools and neighborhoods. We will continue to enforce hate crime laws and ensure that state institutions are protected.

As we look to the future, we must not be complacent. I join millions around the world in calling on Hamas to release its hostages, lay down its arms, and allow Israelis and Palestinians alike a chance at peace.

The fight against anti-Semitism is a fight for all of us. As we remember the victims of October 7th, we must recommit ourselves to the work of eradicating hate, here at home and abroad. Only then can we hope for a future in which all people – Jewish or not – can live in peace, security and dignity.

Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, a Democrat, is a former state senator and candidate for the 38th state Senate District.

This article originally appeared on the Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Opinion: We must fight anti-Semitism