Jewish leaders in metro Phoenix reflected on the past year as Monday marked the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel that left roughly 1,200 dead and more than 250 people taken hostage.
The brutal attack sparked numerous counterattacks by Israel, with the conflict ultimately escalating to full-on war that has led to an estimated 40,000 dead in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health.
The conflict sparked numerous protests across the United States, with some supporting Israel’s military action as part of its right to defend itself and others condemning Israel’s counterattacks for killing non-combatants, including journalists and aid workers.
Alan Zeichick, board chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix, said the conflict had significant repercussions for American Jews.
“Imagine what we Americans were like on the anniversary of September 11 th ,” Zeichick said. “Although what happened in Israel didn’t happen here, still, it had tremendous effects on the Jewish community here just because what happens in Israel often is conflated with Judaism.”