Christmas and Hanukkah, two of the holidays celebrated at this time of year, have two intersecting themes: The desire for “peace on earth, goodwill toward men,” and for the light of hope and life to triumph over the darkness of evil and death.
This season is normally a time of celebration. For too many families with connections to the Middle East, however, it is a time of great despair.
The majority of those seized in the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel remain separated from their families, who are desperate for the deliverance of their loved ones from the evil people imprisoning them.
This is why the covers of our papers this week have a ribbon bearing the Israeli flag. We support the hostages’ families, and join in their hope that they be reunited with their loved ones soon. It’s time to bring them home.
The Israel-Hamas war, launched when the terrorist organization based in Gaza committed a murderous rampage in Israel that claimed more than 1,400 people’s lives, is approaching its third month. There is no end in sight to the conflict, nor is there an anticipated end for the suffering of those caught in the middle of the maelstrom.
For nearly three months now, hundreds of people whom Hamas took hostage on that day of infamy have been held captive. Dozens were fortunately freed through negotiation; a few have died in captivity, either at the hands of their captors or errantly by Israeli forces who sought to rescue them.
These hostages are civilians, not prisoners of war. They need not be caught in the middle of this conflict any longer. They should be returned to their families at once. And Hamas should stop using them as pawns in their deadly game, let the hostages live, and set them free.
And here at home, that should be our call this holiday season. Merely protesting in the streets demanding a ceasefire and calling for Israel to drop their weapons is misguided and wrong. It also ignores the plight of the hostages in Hamas’ control.
Let’s not forget: Hamas could free the hostages today. They have no reason to keep them from their loved ones any longer. But the terrorists choose not to because they see the hostages not as people, but as collateral — a way to buy time to regroup and freedom for associates imprisoned under the rule of law, not the bullet.
We wonder if those protesting in the streets demanding ceasefire, and disparaging Israel as a state allegedly committing “genocide,” truly understand Hamas’ lack of humanity — not only when it comes to the hostages, but also the people of Gaza whom they also suppress.
It need not be this way. Hamas can do the right thing today and let the hostages live in peace and freedom. We know that if they don’t, Israel will do whatever they can to rescue the hostages by force while working to eradicate Hamas in Gaza.
Those of us who believe in peace and humanity triumphing over evil must stand for and demand the immediate release of the Israeli hostages. It’s time to bring them home in peace, safety and goodwill.
