Launched hostage Man Gilboa-Dalal, who was kidnapped in the course of the lethal October 7, 2023 assault by Hamas and brought to Gaza, reacts upon arrival at Rabin Medical Heart-Beilinson Hospital, amid a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Petah Tikva, Israel October 13, 2025.
REUTERS/Itai Ron
Joyously, we’ve got eliminated the ribbon of the Israeli flag with the headline “Bring the Hostages Home” from our entrance covers. We’re blissful to have fun the return of all hostages, though the our bodies of a few of the deceased have but to be returned.
Ever for the reason that terrorist assault of Oct. 7, we’ve got prayed for the secure return of all of the harmless hostages and the cessation of violence within the Center East. Over the previous two years, we’ve got acquired many constructive and reassuring messages for having the ribbon on our covers. Solely a few notes questioned why we might run the ribbon, whereas struggle was raging in Gaza and each combatants and civilians have been dying.
We had two foremost causes for working the ribbon: First, the assault and taking of hostages was barbaric, and their speedy return ought to have been demanded by all. Second, the cessation of violence was solely potential with the return of the hostages.
The Oct. 8, 2025, concern of New York News with the “Bring the Hostages Home” banner within the higher proper hand nook.New York News
We additionally have to remind all that supported Hamas or felt any a part of taking people hostage was acceptable, that a number of of the hostages weren’t Israeli and even Jewish. One hostage simply launched was on a piece Visa from the Philippines. He was in Israel for just a few days earlier than he was taken and held hostage for over two years!
As we will now all have fun, the struggle got here to an instantaneous finish as soon as all the hostages have been agreed to be launched. We are able to solely hope that violence within the Center East might be completely resolved.
We additionally sought to lift consciousness in regards to the Oct. 7 assaults. Too many misconceptions, lies, and purposeful propaganda have been disseminated largely throughout social media — and, sadly, on the streets of our metropolis.
We want to take this second to handle all the protestors and even elected officers (one working for mayor) right here in New York Metropolis who known as for Israel to not be a Jewish state, Palestine to be “from the river to the sea,” confirmed maps with out Israel, and even held up Hamas and Hezbollah flags.
They need to acknowledge that supporting terrorists or calling for the destruction of the Jewish state will solely incite violence. That features violence by the use of hate crimes right here in New York Metropolis, in addition to finally by no means permitting for peace overseas.
As quickly as all of Israel’s neighbors acknowledge the Jewish state, because it was granted by the United Nations, and the Palestinians have a governing physique that may shield and permit their folks to prosper, will there be lasting peace within the Center East.
Anybody who doesn’t acknowledge that Israel is a free society defending all of their residents (Jewish, Arab, homosexual or straight) ought to go to Israel and see for themselves earlier than taking a stand. As well as, they need to go to a few of the international locations that decision for Israel’s destruction. As soon as they’ve, we all know they may come to actually acknowledge the distinction between free and oppressed societies.
We hope that the protestors who so fervently got here out in assist of Palestinians will proceed to advocate for them by embracing peace and respect for all (together with Jews and Israelis).