A Call to Remember: American Victims of Hamas Terror and the Need for National Outrage
The passage of time should not diminish the sting of injustice, nor should it allow the memory of tragedy to fade into the background of our national consciousness. It has been over a year since the horrific events of October 7, 2023, unfolded, leaving an indelible scar on the global landscape and forever altering the lives of countless individuals. On that day, Hamas, an organization designated as a terrorist entity by the U.S. Department of State, unleashed a wave of terror that resulted in the murder, rape, torture, and kidnapping of over 1,400 innocent victims.
The pain inflicted by Hamas on October 7th reverberated far beyond the borders of Israel, touching the hearts of people in thirty-nine countries who mourned the loss of their loved ones. Among those who suffered were American citizens, whose lives were tragically cut short or irrevocably disrupted by the brutal acts of terror. The United States, a nation that has historically stood against injustice and oppression, cannot afford to forget the suffering endured by its own citizens at the hands of Hamas.
As an FBI agent who served in Israel from 2020 to 2024, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact of the October 7th tragedy on American families. The FBI, designated as the lead agency for investigating the deaths, injuries, and kidnappings of Americans in terrorist attacks abroad, has been working tirelessly to gather intelligence, seek justice for the victims, and provide support to their families.
The events of October 7th resulted in the murder of 45 American citizens and the kidnapping of 12 others. While some hostages have been released in subsequent deals, the fate of others remains unknown, and the bodies of several deceased Americans are still being held by Hamas. The fact that the remains of these individuals have not been returned to their families for proper burial is a stark reminder of the cruelty and inhumanity of Hamas.
One of the most concerning aspects of this situation is the lack of awareness among the American public regarding the extent of the suffering endured by our citizens at the hands of Hamas. Many Americans are unaware of the details of the October 7th massacre, the number of American victims, and the ongoing hostage crisis. This lack of awareness is deeply troubling, as it suggests a collective failure to recognize and address the pain and suffering of our fellow citizens.
Furthermore, it is alarming that many Americans are unaware of the presence of Hamas networks within the United States. Internal Hamas documents and FBI wiretaps have revealed the existence of a nationwide network engaged in fundraising, lobbying, education, and propaganda dissemination dating back to the 1980s. The fact that an organization with a charter calling for the destruction of a country and a people has been allowed to operate within our borders for decades is a serious indictment of our national security apparatus.
The presence of pro-Hamas student and faculty organizations on American college campuses is another cause for concern. These groups openly express their support for Hamas, wave Hamas flags, and chant slogans that advocate for the destruction of Israel. Such activities are not only deeply offensive to the victims of Hamas terror but also undermine the values of freedom, tolerance, and respect that are supposed to be the bedrock of our academic institutions.
While freedom of speech is a fundamental right in America, it should not be used to justify the celebration of terror or the trampling of the memory of innocent victims. There is a clear distinction between peacefully protesting policies with which one disagrees and celebrating the suffering of those who have been targeted by violence and hatred.
America must awaken to the reality of the threat posed by Hamas and its supporters, both at home and abroad. We must remember the 45 Americans murdered by Hamas on October 7, 2023. We must not forget American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was murdered in the tunnels of Gaza. We must demand the return of the bodies of Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, Gad Haggai and Judi Weinstein, all deceased Americans being held in Hamas captivity. And of urgent importance, we must do everything in our power to secure the release of Edan Alexander, the American hostage believed to be alive and still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
The time for complacency is over. We must demand accountability from those who perpetrate and support terrorism. We must stand in solidarity with the victims of terror and their families. We must reaffirm our commitment to the values of freedom, justice, and human dignity.
America, I ask you again: Where is your outrage? It is time to channel our collective grief and anger into a force for positive change. Let us honor the memory of those who have been lost by working tirelessly to prevent future tragedies and by standing up for the principles that make our nation great. Let our outrage be a catalyst for action, a testament to our unwavering commitment to justice and a beacon of hope for a world free from terror. The echoes of October 7th should resonate not only as a reminder of a past horror but also as a call to ensure a future where such atrocities never happen again, especially to our own citizens. Our silence will only embolden those who seek to inflict harm and undermine the values we hold dear.
