The loudest fringes, amplified far beyond their size or influence, do not define Jewish mainstream or its future. The defense of Israel is not a partisan cause. It is a moral one.
As I write these words, the surviving hostages are returning home. The images coming from Israel show parents embracing children, communities gathering in prayer, and soldiers standing at attention. It is a moment of profound relief, gratitude, and unity.
A handwritten memo by the late Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, recovered in a tunnel associated with his late brother Muhammad Sinwar, instructed militants to carry out acts of violence intended to shock and destabilize Israel on October 7. The goal was not only to kill and terrorize but to break Israel’s spirit and demoralize Jews everywhere.
They failed.
Israel and the Jews stand strong
Two years later, Israel stands strong. So do the Jewish people.
What Hamas sought to destroy instead revealed our greatest source of strength: our unity. Through anguish and loss, through nearly two years of war, Israel and world Jewry emerged not weakened, but bound together in faith, purpose, and resilience.
That unity is not theoretical. Forty-nine of the 50 member organizations of the Conference of Presidents, representing the full diversity of American Jewish life, signed a single unity statement on the day of the hostage release. It expresses the gratitude, strength, and moral clarity of a people who refuse to be divided.
The loudest fringes, amplified far beyond their size or influence, do not define Jewish mainstream or its future. The defense of Israel is not a partisan cause. It is a moral one, rooted in the conviction that democracies must stand together against terror.
Unity beyond politics
This unity extends beyond politics and into the heart of Jewish life. Across Israel, the scenes of families reunited with their loved ones have carried echoes of a single blessing, “Shehecheyanu,” the prayer of gratitude for reaching this moment.
In those tears and embraces, the Jewish world has experienced a collective Shehecheyanu of its own. From Jerusalem to New York, from synagogues to campuses, Jews everywhere have thanked God for sustaining us and enabling us to reach this day.
We express profound gratitude to the Almighty for bringing us to this day of relief and renewal. We are deeply grateful to President Donald Trump and his administration for the leadership and determination that helped achieve this historic breakthrough.
US diplomatic skill and strength
The success of the hostage-release agreement reflects not only diplomatic skill but also the enduring strength of the United States-Israel relationship, an alliance grounded in shared values, common interests, and mutual trust. Members of Congress from both parties stood firmly with Israel throughout this war, ensuring that America’s support remained ironclad.
As Israel and its allies look to the future, full implementation of the agreement must be verified and accountability ensured.
Israel must retain the ability to defend itself and deter aggression, including against the threat of ballistic missiles and terror infrastructure. Hostage-taking must never again be tolerated or used as a tool of negotiation. Hamas must be fully disarmed and removed from power.
This moment must also mark a turning point for Palestinian leadership: to renounce terror, end the “pay-for-slay” system, and begin the difficult work of building a society grounded in peace, accountability, and cooperation.
For the people of Gaza, who have suffered under Hamas’s brutal rule and two years of war, the path to hope begins with liberation from that tyranny. As aid begins to flow under the terms of the agreement, the challenge now is to ensure that it serves life, not destruction.
Not against the people of Gaza
Israel’s fight was never against the people of Gaza. It was, and remains, against those who made Gaza a fortress of terror and used its civilians as shields. The world must understand this distinction if genuine peace is ever to take root.
This is a moment to give thanks, to draw strength from our unity, and to look forward with faith and determination.
We pray that God grant peace to Israel and to all who seek peace and security.
And we recommit ourselves as individuals, as communities, and as a people to building a future rooted in courage, partnership, and enduring hope.
At times, our community has spoken with many voices. Today, we speak with one; united in gratitude; strengthened by resolve.
The writer is CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the recognized central coordinating body representing 50 diverse national Jewish organizations on issues of national and international concern. Follow him on X at @daroff. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of his 50 member organizations.
This piece was published in the Jerusalem Post on October 16, 2025. To view the original, click here.
