A Student’s Perspective on the One-Year Anniversary of October 7

October 7, 2023, marked a pivotal moment for the Jewish community. On that day, Hamas terrorists infiltrated southern Israel, unleashing unspeakable brutality on Israeli children, women, and men.

In the aftermath of the massacre, the world witnessed a profound outpouring of grief and solidarity from some, along with a deeply unsettling reaction from others.

I first saw this unsettling shift on October 8, 2023, when Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at the University of Georgia held a rally celebrating Hamas’ murder, rape, and hostage-taking.

SJP claimed that “the Palestinian people, yesterday, fought back successfully,” and tried to tell uniformed college students that these terrorist acts were actually “resistance.”

Immediately after the October 7th massacre, National SJP (NSJP) released a  “toolkit” for their national “Day of Resistance,” which took place on October 12th.

The toolkit referred to the massacre as a “historic win,” and taught its readers to justify the murder of innocent Israeli civilians (including small children) by calling them settlers.

Fast forward to this year, when NSJP is using their social media to announce a “week of rage” taking place Oct. 7-11, commemorating “one year of genocide.”

If NSJP claims their intent is to mourn innocent Palestinians — many of whom have died because Hamas only fights among the civilian population — many would share that sentiment. However, NSJP and their local chapters claim that October 7th — which they celebrated previously and before any Israeli ground response — was the beginning of a genocide against Palestinians.

The label of genocide carries immense weight, and in this context, is completely false.

To wield that word without acknowledging that the claim is false — and without acknowledging the specific contexts of both Jewish and Palestinian suffering — is irresponsible. This appropriation of Jewish pain is not just tone-deaf; it is a troubling manipulation of trauma. It reveals a disturbing trend in which pain is weaponized, where the suffering of one group is overshadowed by the narratives of others, and where solidarity is selectively given.

Hamas is the one who acted on their genocidal intentions, specifically intending to dehumanize and then kill as many Jews as possible. Its charter calls for the eradication of Israel, and all Jews living in it.

The problem of spreading this false claim is especially destructive on college campuses, where many students are uninformed on the issues, and want to stop genocide where it is actually happening.

We need to reject Hamas propaganda and focus on pressuring Hamas to lay down their arms, end their continued attack on Israeli civilians, and stop using their people as human shields.

As Jews in the Diaspora, we worry every day for the safety of our family and friends in Israel. Unfortunately, some of our worries materialize and we must mourn the loss of our loved ones taken without apology. 

NSJP’s actions reflect a broader pattern of erasing Jewish experiences. Despite Hamas’ use of human shields, experts have determined that Israel has maintained the lowest civilian-to-combatant casualty ratio ever recorded in modern urban warfare.

In a world where conflict often breeds division, it is essential to foster spaces of genuine dialogue rather than exploitation. Mourning should not be a competition; it should be a pathway to understanding and healing. The glorification of violence and the trivialization of suffering only serve to deepen existing wounds and perpetuate cycles of hatred.

It is crucial for organizations like National SJP to reflect on the implications of their rhetoric and to acknowledge the profound impact their words can have. And if groups like SJP and NSJP won’t do that reflection — it is time for colleges to step in and stop them from incitement and hate speech.

The struggle for justice and peace is not a zero-sum game; it thrives in environments of empathy.

On the anniversary of October 7th, we must unite as a community — both at UGA and across American campuses — to honor the memory of those who lost their lives and to recognize the profound impact terrorism has on the Jewish community and those around the world.

We must acknowledge our pain without allowing it to be co-opted or misrepresented by others. We must stand firm in our commitment to education, empathy, and solidarity, ensuring our grief is respected and our stories are told authentically.

For us, the war on terror is not halfway across the world, but something we must fight in our backyards. Let us create space where we can finally heal. Let us advocate for understanding, respect, and a true remembrance of the October 7th tragedy.

As a senior at the University of Georgia studying journalism and social entrepreneurship, Gabriela Lefkovits’ commitment to advocating for Israel stems from personal experiences with antisemitism on her campus. Since then, she has collaborated with several national Israel advocacy organizations, and strives to create spaces for conflicting beliefs while fostering empathy for all.

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