Donald Trump resonated with Israel's supporters when he posted on his social media platform TRUTH Social Tuesday: "Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire world, in the Middle East – but it's all talk, and no action! If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against humanity."

After a year of political, social, and military struggle to bring the hostages home, the president-elect has once again brought global attention to this burning issue, which has not received adequate media coverage worldwide. What lies behind this threat? Does Trump's statement have concrete strategic backing, or does the incoming president believe that words alone can create deterrence?

"From our experience with the president, it starts with a post and then develops into strategy," explains Rotem Oreg, an American politics expert and director of the LIBRAEL foundation, in an interview with Makor Rishon. "This characterized his first administration, but now we're seeing him come more organized and prepared. This is particularly evident in how he's appointing people around him – importantly, people with more developed worldviews. The main challenge is actually finding effective pressure points, as it's clear to everyone that Americans won't directly intervene in Gaza. If anyone has such fantasies, they should abandon them."

Regarding realistic scenarios, Oreg suggests that "Trump might give Israel more operational freedom, but then the question becomes what haven't we already done that could help. His threat might also translate into support for specific Israeli actions against Hamas that could potentially change the dynamics."

This isn't the first time the president-elect has raised the hostage issue. Throughout his White House campaign, Trump repeatedly called for their release. However, his latest statement appears considerably more forceful than previous ones. "There's a process aimed at helping Trump understand that he has an opportunity here to make history and get credit," Oreg explains. "When I met with advisers to senior officials in the new administration, I told them his way to brand this mission is to succeed where Biden failed. Biden spent more than a year trying to bring the hostages home without success, and Trump might actually accomplish it.

"The question is whether the incoming president is pursuing this because he sees potential for credit, which is what interests him, or if, like with North Korea, he'll hit a wall and back off. Trump needs to see that the hostage struggle benefits him somehow. As long as figures in Israel and the United States keep telling him that working for their release is important, as long as they continue to thank him for his involvement, Trump will keep participating in the mission."

How will the incoming president's post actually influence the terrorist organization? According to Oreg, "Hamas is less affected by American threats because they've already taken enough hits. The more someone is beaten, the less they have to lose, and this applies to terrorist organizations too. State actors like Iran are usually more sensitive to such threats because they have more assets to lose." This offers little encouragement to those who believed the American president's words would transform the Middle East.

Alternatively, journalist and Middle East researcher Edy Cohen told Makor Rishon that "Trump's threats aren't new; he's said these things before and is now naturally escalating the tone. However, I don't buy them. Actually, Hezbollah's defeat, the split battlefronts, the expulsion of Hamas leaders from Qatar, the Democrats' loss, Trump's rise, the elimination of Nasrallah and Sinwar, the ceasefire agreement – all these constitute a mortal blow to Hamas."

The researcher argues that the possibility of Hamas releasing the 101 hostages isn't far-fetched. "The organization is losing legitimacy even in Arab countries that previously supported it, and this plays much more in our favor than Trump's post. It's no coincidence that Hamas is now releasing more hostage videos – they want movement. They want to end the war."

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In a poignant testimony, 12-year-old Erez Kalderon, kidnapped from his home in Nir Oz during the Oct. 7 onslaught, has shared his harrowing story of captivity in the Gaza Strip. Erez, whose father Ofer remains in Hamas captivity, bravely opened up about his traumatic experience, saying, "It's difficult for me to speak on camera, but if this reaches my dad – it's worth everything."

Erez recounted the terrifying moments when attackers breached their home, "They simply broke the handle and entered. My dad quickly ran to the safe room, yelled at my sister Sahar to open the window, and I jumped out first." 

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In a desperate attempt to escape, Erez was caught by an attacker who took him away on a motorcycle. "I glanced to the side and saw my dad on his knees while they were beating him – that was the last time I saw him," he recalled painfully. 

"Picture how I felt when they separated us. Dad was covered in blood from the beatings. That moment haunts me. I can't shake off the fear. All I wanted was to scream 'Dad, save me!' but I couldn't even do that."

The young boy described the terror and isolation he experienced, "When we arrived in Gaza, I found myself alone in an unfamiliar place, and fear began to overwhelm me. I was scared I would die, that they would mistreat me, that there wouldn't be food or water, and that something terrible might happen to my family. While there, I heard my mom crying on the radio, expressing how much she missed me. I wanted to cry but wasn't allowed to. Her voice gave me a glimmer of strength to carry on, to know that I hadn't been forgotten."

Upon his release as part of a hostage-prisoner exchange deal in November, Erez learned that his father was still being held captive. He shared painfully, "I celebrated my 12th birthday in Gaza, and my bar mitzvah is in two months. How can I celebrate becoming a man when my dad is still there? I can't stop thinking about him. Is he alone, like I was? Does he know we're fighting for him every day? My dream is for dad to stand beside me and embrace me. I can't fathom a life without him."

Erez concluded his testimony with an impassioned plea, "Please share my story and spread this post and video. Maybe it will reach my dad, just as my mom's voice reached me when I was in captivity. I'm just a child who wants his father by his side. I'm not asking for much - just for dad to come back. I have one clear purpose in life now – to see him return. Help rescue my dad from Hamas captivity."

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Relatives of American hostages held by the Hamas terror group are urging the White House to seriously consider a unilateral agreement with the organization to secure the release of their loved ones, according to NBC. Sources familiar with the matter say that the Biden administration is currently examining the option.

In a meeting held Sunday with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan – following the murder of six hostages, including American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin – family members of the remaining American captives appealed to the administration to explore options that do not involve Israel. Administration officials told the families they would consider "all options," but sources indicate that an agreement with Hamas that includes Israel is still viewed as the best approach.

Discussions about a unilateral deal are taking place as family members and some administration officials increasingly believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not commit to a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza in exchange for the hostages' release.

Currently, four American hostages are still being held by Hamas, and US officials believe they are alive. Additionally, the administration is working to retrieve the remains of three others presumed dead.

President Joe Biden previously expressed outrage over the murder of the hostages, vowing that Hamas would "pay for their crimes."

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Oct. 7 altered Israeli society's expectations of its military's performance fundamentally. Prior to the massacre, the measure of success for any round of fighting between Israel and terrorist organizations was the quality and duration of the ensuing quiet. If the calm was prolonged and substantial, the operation was deemed successful. If not, it was considered a failure.

Post-Oct. 7, the metric has shifted. A violent engagement is no longer gauged by the peace it generates but by the initiative it enables. A successful military operation is one that enhances the IDF's freedom of action and allows for more effective engagement with the enemy.

The IDF's massive ground operation didn't eradicate Hamas, but it did fracture the terror organization. It transformed a hierarchical, coordinated, and organized army into a collection of uncoordinated and disorganized terrorist cells. As a result, the Gaza Strip hasn't become a Hamas-free zone but rather an area accessible to the IDF.

The model for Operation Iron Swords mirrors the successful model of Operation Defensive Shield from about 20 years ago: boldly maneuvering into the terrorist organizations' centers of gravity, destabilizing their equilibrium, and gaining operational freedom throughout the entire area. Subsequently, in the second phase, this operational freedom is used to repeatedly raid the territory, damage the enemy's capabilities, and ultimately lead to its attrition, dilution, and neutralization. The first phase is inherently more massive but shorter, while the second phase requires fewer forces but extends over a longer period. Unlike the maneuver that broke Hamas's army and took about a year, the hunt for its cells will continue for many more years.

Had a hostage deal been achieved before the entry into Khan Younis or before the maneuver in Rafah, it could have jeopardized the completion of phase one, preventing the transformation of the entire Gaza Strip into an accessible area for the military. At that time, a large-scale deal could have led to the realization of one war objective – freeing the hostages – at the expense of another - defeating Hamas. However, today, when a deal would not halt the maneuver, as it has already been completed, the strategic cost of the deal is much lower. The price is a slowdown and delay in the long and difficult phase of eroding and diluting the remaining capabilities. At this juncture, a deal allows for the achievement of all war objectives.

The path to healing

The war has an additional goal, not recorded in the Cabinet decision protocols, but etched in the hearts of reserve soldiers, bereaved families, and wounded IDF personnel: to heal the rifts tearing Israeli society apart from within. The path to healing is long and difficult, but it cannot be embarked upon without the knowledge that the State of Israel has done everything to bring its sons and daughters back from Hamas's hell.

If the collective memory is tainted by the knowledge that our brothers and sisters did not return home due to Israeli refusal, we will not be able to rebuild trust and promote internal reconciliation in society.

The two war objectives can be translated into two moral and Jewish aspirations: to dismantle Hamas and to unite Israel. Without the maneuver, we would not have succeeded in shattering Hamas into isolated cells, but without a deal and the return of the hostages, we will not be able to reconnect the painful pieces that make up Israeli society.

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Families of hostages announced Sunday morning the deaths of six captives in the Gaza Strip, hours after the IDF said it had found several bodies during operational activity in the Gaza Strip. They were named as Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Alexander Lobanov and Almog Sarusi – all taken on Oct. 7 by Hamas terrorists.

According to the military, the hostages were most likely killed several days earlier by Hamas terrorists. IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the extraction of the hostages from a tunnel in Southern Gaza was not part of a failed rescue mission and that they were found about a mile from where Qaid Farhan-Alkadi, a bedouin from southern Israel, was found alive several days earlier.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was 23 at the time of his abduction, is an American-Israeli citizen. He attended the Nova music festival with his close friend Aner Shapira, who did not survive. The two sought shelter in a fortified structure that came to be known as the "death shelter," from which Goldberg-Polin was kidnapped. His hand was severed during the attack on the shelter.

On April 2, 2024, Hamas released a video of Goldberg-Polin in captivity, which was the first proof of life his family had received. About two months ago, his family permitted the publication of footage of his abduction along with hostages Or Levy and Eliya Cohen.

As mentioned, at the end of April, Hamas released the first proof of life from him after 201 days. The video, lasting several minutes, shows him addressing his family and reveals his injury and a severed hand.

Following the video's release, his father, Jon, said, "Seeing and hearing him strengthened our hope, but we have reasons to be concerned about his health."

Since his abduction, his parents have led a cross-continental campaign. They even met with US President Joe Biden during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United States, stating, "Any side that thinks they will gain politically by delaying the deal is mistaken."

Ori Danino was 24 years old when he was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7. Ori , who had already managed to escape from the festival area in Re'im, turned back to help rescue friends he knew from the party: Maya and Itai Regev, and Omer Shem-Tov. On their way, they were shot at by terrorists and abducted.

Danino was taken separately by the terrorists, and his fate remained unclear. His disappearance remained a mystery for months. "I open my eyes, and I don't see anyone in the driver's seat," Itai Regev described the moments of the abduction.

Danino came from an ultra-Orthodox family. His parents, Einav and Elchanan, have been actively working for his release both in Israel and abroad. "He simply decided to take action, and that's Uri," his mother, Einav, said. "He's all about giving, and that's his heroism."

Before he was kidnapped, Uri had planned to move in with his girlfriend Liel and start his undergraduate studies. "We talked up until a minute before the kidnapping. He told me on the phone, 'I can't talk to you, someone was shot in the head and I'm hiding in the forest,'" Liel recounted.

Eden Yerushalmi marked her 24th birthday on her first Saturday in captivity. She was supposed to fly to Greece but was kidnapped to Gaza from the party in Re'im (Nova). When the attack on the party began on Saturday morning, Eden called her mother Shirit at 7:20 a.m, screaming, "They're shooting at us." Her sister Shani took charge, and for four hours, while Eden was on the run, the two were on the phone.

The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces with the news of the murder of Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lonanov, Almog Sarusi, and Eden Yerushalmi, whose bodies were brought back from Gaza in a military operation.

On behalf of the State of…

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) September 1, 2024

Shani recounted in an interview with Israel Hayom: "I heard everything – the gunshots, the screams, the shouts of 'Allahu Akbar,' Eden's fearful panting and whispers." She added, "I managed to keep her on the line for four hours, keeping her calm. She was very scared. After an hour and a half, the call was disconnected because her battery died, so she took a phone from a friend who had been killed, and we continued talking. At one point, she said she was injured because her entire arm was covered in blood. I asked her to feel her arm carefully, and she couldn't find any wound. It was her friend's blood. There was a stage where she only whispered because she was hiding, and later she pretended to be dead."

In recordings later released by the family, Eden can be heard telling her sister, "Shani, they caught me, they caught me," and the haunting words, "Find me. Okay?" Her sister recounted, "He [the terrorist] is calling her to come, not shooting at her. Shani managed to send us her exact location. They later sent scouts there but didn't find her and didn't find any signs of blood. That's why we believe she's in captivity. I really feel it strongly. She's alive and she's scared," Shani said at the time.

Carmel Gat marked her 40th birthday in Hamas captivity after being abducted from her parents' home in Be'eri, as her father watched helplessly, having survived the Oct. 7 attack. Carmel, a student pursuing a degree in occupational therapy, had returned from a three-month trip to India just days earlier.

On Oct. 7., her mother, Kinneret, was killed, and Carmel was taken hostage. Her brother Alon, sister-in-law Yarden, and their daughter Gefen were also kidnapped. However, Alon and Gefen managed to escape, while Yarden was later released in a hostage deal.

Carmel's family received proof of life through various released hostages who returned from Hamas captivity. According to testimonies from those who returned, Carmel led yoga and meditation sessions in captivity to calm and comfort her fellow hostages.

Her cousin, Gil Dickman, shared in an Israel Hayom project, "Even when Carmel was a child, she cared for us in a motherly way. She loves children very much. She grew up in Be'eri but left relatively early. She's an independent person, and her personal freedom is very important to her. Those who were with her in captivity reported that she took care of the children, made sure they kept track of the days to maintain a connection with reality, and led guided imagery, meditation, and yoga sessions for them – that's Carmel, always caring for others, attentive to their needs, a beacon of light for those around her."

Alex Lobanov, 32 at the time of his abduction, leaves behind a wife and two sons: Tom, the eldest, and Kai, the younger one, who was born after his father was taken hostage.

Alex worked as a bar manager at the Nova Music Festival. In his last conversation with his wife Michal, he told her he was fleeing from terrorists' gunfire. Contact with him was lost after that. Alex and Michal met 10 years ago. He worked as a chef in a restaurant in Ashkelon, and she worked there as a waitress. Alex was a nature enthusiast who loved the sea, was an avid jeep tour enthusiast, and volunteered with the Yedidim association.

Less than two weeks ago, his wife Michal tearfully told a Knesset committee, "We have two children. Kai, the baby, never got to meet his father. This was a birth that happened without a father and husband. I want to tell you that it's not easy for me to sit here. I need to take medication to stay sane. I breathe to maintain my family, who needs me. I have two parents without whom I am nothing. My parents work around the clock, so there's food at home to support me and my children. They take care of me mentally and physically and are not considered immediate family."

Last May, the couple celebrated their wedding anniversary. Michal wrote in a column in Israel Hayom, "Alex was kidnapped from the party in Re'im after working there as a bar manager. He went there to provide for our family, left home, and didn't return. Tom, our eldest son, is only two and a half years old. It's hard to explain to a child that age where dad disappeared to because he doesn't really understand yet. They were very close and he feels his absence. He looks for him at home, which can catch me in unexpected moments when he suddenly remembers Alex. He points at a picture or runs to his jeep. Every time Tom remembers Alex, I try to emphasize that his dad loves him, but he's not here. We don't give up on the thought that he will return to us. The days go by, and it's already too long. In recent months, we cling to hope and believe that Alex is surviving and strong and that he will return to us. Happy anniversary, my love. The boys and I are waiting for you at home and praying every moment."

Almog Sarusi, 27, was kidnapped from the music festival in Re'im, which he attended with his friend Shahar. On Oct. 7, when terrorists attacked the festival and explosions began, Almog and Shahar tried to escape in a car with other friends. Shahar was critically wounded by gunfire, and Almog stayed by her side, attempting to save her. He was unable to save her and was taken captive to Gaza.

Almog's family and friends described him after his abduction as a brilliant, funny guy who was everyone's friend.

"Full of life, he was a nature and people lover who traveled across the country in his white jeep with his guitar. Almog works in lighting and sound. His captivating smile, intelligence, and level-headed voice made everyone who worked alongside him understand that if Almog was on site, everything would be fine. They spoke of a young man who "has an amazing ability to draw everyone to him."

Almog leaves behind his parents and brother. At a press conference held shortly after his and many others' abduction, Yigal Sarusi, Almog's father, said, "We face a cruel enemy. A deal of everyone for everyone is acceptable, and we hope it will materialize soon."

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In a move to bridge cultural divides and foster understanding, Israeli actress Mai Tzuriely is set to embark on a unique theatrical journey to Germany. Her mission: to perform "Ma Achshav?" ("What Now?"), a gripping play that emerged from the crucible of one of the darkest days of Israeli history. The production, penned by Roee Lahav Feinmesser amidst the chaos of his reserve duty call-up following the Oct. 7 Hamas onslaught, promises to offer German youth a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the Israeli psyche during times of crisis.

The play, which premiered two months into the war, centers on two high school students trapped in a shelter during a missile barrage. Their confinement becomes a backdrop for exploring how young people cope with sudden, drastic changes in their world. Directed by Alon Getzovich and featuring Tzuriely alongside Liron Noah, the Mishkafayim Theater production faces the challenge of translating complex local experiences for an international audience.

For Tzuriely, the performance carries personal weight. Her husband Assaf's family in Kibbutz Re'im lived through the Oct. 7 attack. "I'm married to Assaf, who was born and raised in Kibbutz Re'im. His parents and sisters still live there, and for me, it's another home," Tzuriely explained. She recounted the tense hours as family members sheltered in safe rooms, some facing direct threats.

"On the morning of Oct. 7, although we were in Tel Aviv, our entire family in the kibbutz entered their safe rooms, each in their own home, and we felt as if we were with them," she said. "His older sister was with us in Tel Aviv while her husband, a member of the local security team, was in the kibbutz with their children. He himself neutralized a terrorist who tried to break into their home. His younger sister remained in the safe room without electricity for 22 hours, and we only had contact with his parents when they opened the safe room door due to poor reception. When we realized the extent of the damage to the kibbutz, which houses were burned, and where the terrorists had been, we grasped how fortunate our family was to have survived this terrible event," Tzuriely recounted.

The actress hopes her connection to events will add depth to the performance, but acknowledges the difficulties in conveying such experiences to a foreign audience. The production includes post-performance discussions, aiming to provide context often missing from international news coverage.

When asked about the significance of performing for non-Jewish youth in Leipzig, Tzuriely emphasized, "We're going to perform for young people in various schools in Leipzig, Germany. It's an important trip precisely because we're dealing with non-Jewish youth who have no connection to Israel or Judaism."

Reflecting on the play's potential impact, Tzuriely elaborated, "The play illustrates the inconceivable situation we've been living in for almost a year, not to mention past wars and operations. Its strength lies in speaking from the perspective of the youth living here, who are facing conscription, dealing with the same fears adults have but don't always know how to express. Our ability to convey to youth in foreign countries the same feelings every Israeli knows can raise awareness, empathy, and hopefully, a true understanding that in the end, we all want to live our lives in peace and without fear."

Addressing theater's role in public diplomacy, Tzuriely expressed measured optimism. "I believe the play has genuine explanatory power because it provides an authentic perspective of people in times of crisis and war, and a basic desire for security," she said. "It touches on difficult questions that will hopefully prompt the audience to seek answers rather than continue to be influenced by social media trends."

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There isn't a soul who doesn't want to see our hostages back home. For this reason, the negotiation teams leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to reach a deal with Hamas deserve immense appreciation for their dedication.

However, the Israeli public needs to understand that announcements of "cautious optimism regarding the possibility of progress toward a deal" do not in any way mean that an agreement is about to be signed. In truth, despite the progress made in Doha over the weekend, there are still many reasons to believe that a deal is less likely to be achieved.

Why? First and foremost, because the progress was made with mediators, not with Hamas directly. In other words, we still don't know how the psychopath hiding in the tunnels will react to what Qatar and Egypt have agreed to on his behalf. For instance, it's highly unlikely that he'll give up his demand for IDF forces to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rightly stands firm on this issue. It's incomprehensible how the rest of the defense establishment leaders – those responsible for the Oct. 7 catastrophe – are not insisting as he does, or even more strongly, on keeping IDF forces in this vital area as a non-negotiable condition. Every child understands that withdrawing from Philadelphi while Hamas is still functioning means reviving the monster. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, IDF intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, Shin Bet security service head Ronen Bar, and Mossad chief David Barnea should be the first to warn against this.

Philadelphi is not the only obstacle to a deal. Hamas has yet to agree to a mechanism for screening those returning to northern Gaza. Hamas Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar doesn't want screening so he can rebuild his military capabilities. This is precisely the kind of rebuilding that Israel cannot agree to. It's hard to see how these gaps will be bridged.

Moreover, there's disturbing uncertainty about the number of hostages who will actually be released. Unfortunately, a psychological warfare apparatus is being employed against the Israeli public, creating exaggerated expectations for the release of 33 hostages in the first phase. The reality is different. We're talking about 18 living hostages, and even that is not guaranteed. Each hostage is a world unto themselves, and each one who returns home is a victory. However, Israel must carefully consider the price it will be required to pay against the return we will receive. The question is: Will the Israeli public agree to such significant concessions for a number of hostages that may be smaller than expected, knowing that each life is priceless?

Netanyahu rightly insists that Israel will be able to resume fighting Hamas after exhausting the deal, and continues to demand a written American agreement to this principle. The prime minister is committed to the goal set by the government at the beginning of the war, which is the destruction of Hamas' military and civilian rule. However, stopping the war is exactly what the murderous organization is unwilling to accept, and there's another deep gap for you.

So for all these reasons and others, we must be very careful about nurturing the illusion that the deal is close. We've heard hundreds of times from the Americans, security officials, and various other players that "the deal is closer than ever." This might be true, but even if it's "closer than ever," the deal may still be far off.

What's certain is that a deal in the current contours follows the path of surrender that Hamas planned from the start. Sinwar ordered the kidnapping of our people on the morning of Oct. 7 to use them as bargaining chips to end the war. Instead of following the path that the mass murderer planned for us, Israel should have set the rules of the game itself.

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In a landmark effort to counter rising antisemitism and present Israel's narrative on the global stage, the Combat Antisemitism Movement has launched the largest-ever global influencer summit in New York City. Bringing together more than 300 social media influencers, celebrities, and thought leaders, the event aims to address the surge in antisemitism and combat misinformation about Israel in the digital age.

The "Voices for Truth: Influencers United Against Antisemitism" summit, held Sunday at The Glasshouse in New York City, marked the first day of this groundbreaking initiative. Hosted in partnership with the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the event featured prominent figures, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Bravo Host and Producer Andy Cohen, and social media influencer Montana Tucker.

Sacha Roytman, CEO of CAM, emphasized the urgency of the moment: "This is our chance to make a difference. To stand up for Jewish people and our values and the protection of minorities. To stand by is not an option anymore. Bring back activism and community leadership as a way of life."

The summit comes at a critical time when many Jewish influencers have faced increased hate and lost brand deals for defending Jews and supporting Israel in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas onslaught, in which terrorists killed over 1,2000 Israelis, mostly civilians, and took over 250 hostage. The event provided a platform for these voices to unite, share experiences, and strategize on effectively using their platforms to counter antisemitism.

Israeli Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis addressed the complex narrative landscape: "We live in a world in which lies become truth, truth becomes a lie, victims become aggressors and aggressors become victims. But know this: Those who started this war will be defeated. We will not be victims of violence anymore. Enough. Enough."

Adams highlighted the power of digital platforms in shaping public opinion, "You are now on the precipice to decide which direction we go in. You only have to pick up your device to change the course of history. This is your moment to use your platforms to change the course of what we're experiencing across the globe. There's no room for hate in our city or on our globe. We can turn this around."

Cohen emphasized the importance of Jewish pride and visibility, "Be proud of being Jewish and don't shy away from showing it publicly. And sometimes the simplest displays or gestures are the strongest and most effective. Many of you have large social media platforms, and that simply by representing Jewish culture with pride to your followers, you will have more of a far-reaching impact than you may even realize."

Tucker, recipient of the CAM Impactful Activism Award, spoke about the challenges and determination of Jewish advocates, "Jews today have a voice, we are strong, we are powerful, and we are resilient. We are fortunate to have social media to use our platforms to reach people all the around the world. We have experienced brand deals fall through, death threats, but we'll continue to fight every single day, and we will not give up."

The summit also featured Grammy-nominated artist Matisyahu in a thought-provoking fireside chat about modern-day antisemitism, followed by a live musical performance.

Natalie Sanandaji, a survivor of the Nova Music Festival massacre and CAM public affairs officer, shared her powerful story: "For me and many others, Oct. 7 represents the loss of freedom and belonging, the loss of safety. When I saw the news broke out, I was devastated, and I was determined for the world to put a human face behind this tragedy, putting a name and a face to the startling statistics."

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Former IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus pushed back against a suggestion by BBC news anchor Helena Humphrey Sunday after she said the Israeli military should have given Palestinians advance warning on Saturday's hostage rescue operation.

"Of course, we cannot anticipate Israel to be warning ahead of a raid to extract or to save hostages because then what the terrorists would do is to kill the hostages, and that would defeat the purpose," Conricus rebuffed.

I was asked at @bbc whether the @idf should have warned Palestinians before launching the rescue operation today. What do you think? pic.twitter.com/9zjh2Gp6Zo

— Jonathan Conricus (@jconricus) June 9, 2024

The covert operation saw the release of four hostages – Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv – who were abducted from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7. They were held hostage for nearly eight months in harrowing conditions.

Conricus acknowledged the civilian toll was regrettable but said an investigation was required into the role Palestinian civilians may have played in being "complicit" by allowing the hostages to be held captive in residential areas for months. "According to the reports that I have gotten...the Israeli hostages were held and jailed by Palestinian civilians in a Palestinian civilian area. As regrettable as any loss of life is, I think that we would have to investigate really who were the people who jailed these Israeli civilians for eight months," he said.

He added that "there was a significant firefight" between the IDF and Hamas terrorists during the operation.

"According to testimonies of Israeli soldiers, there were RPG rockets, heavy machine gun fire, and grenades being thrown. And I think we cannot rule out that at least some of the alleged Palestinian casualties were the result of a reckless Palestinian fire. They may have been the result of Israeli fire, we don't know. But the bottom line ... that again, just like we saw in Rafah about three months ago, Israeli civilians were held hostage by Palestinian civilians," he said.

When Humphrey suggested that the raid could jeopardize ceasefire talks with Hamas, Conricus stressed, "The ceasefire is not an aim to aspire to, but victory is what Israel aspires to. Victory in order to defend Israeli civilians back home. Victory in order to get the hostages back. And the ceasefire, in my humble opinion, is defeat for Israel and a victory for Hamas."

The BBC has a history of anti-Israel sentiment, with its reporters often accused of being slanted toward Hamas.

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