As Israel welcomes the twin observances of Shabbat and Passover, the nation stands at a crossroads between ancient tradition and present-day survival. The collective greeting—”Shabbat Shalom וסופ”ש שקט לכולם. שנזכה לבשורות טובות. חג חירות שמח!”—reflects a deep yearning for peace, freedom, and good tidings, emanating from a society that continues to confront violence orchestrated by Iran’s regional terror network.
The backdrop to these holidays is stark. On October 7, 2023, Hamas, a designated terrorist organization supported and directed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, launched a cross-border attack from Gaza into southern Israel. The incursion resulted in the loss of over 1,200 Israeli lives and the abduction of more than 250 hostages—the bloodiest day for Jews since the Holocaust. This act triggered a broader confrontation now known as the Iron Swords War, which has brought conflict to multiple fronts, including Lebanon, the West Bank, and the Red Sea via Yemen’s Houthi insurgents.
Over the ensuing months, Israel’s defense posture has been defined by the necessity of countering not only the local threat from Hamas and other Gaza-based factions but also the strategic entrenchment of Iranian influence throughout the region. The list of adversaries now encompasses Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shi’ite militias in Syria and Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen. Each group has received weapons, training, and ideological direction from Iranian actors, creating a contiguous ring of hostility against the Jewish state.
Despite these dangers, Israelis gather this weekend for Shabbat and for Passover—known as the festival of freedom, commemorating the ancient exodus from bondage in Egypt. Across the country, Seder tables are set with an empty chair for each of the hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. The fate of these hostages—including elderly women, infants, and foreign nationals—remains a national trauma, shaping public discourse and fueling international efforts to secure their release. Israeli officials have repeatedly stressed that ongoing hostage negotiations are hampered by Hamas’s demands for the release of hundreds of convicted terrorists, a stark reminder of the asymmetric moral costs imposed by such exchanges.
Israel’s military remains engaged on several fronts. In Gaza, IDF forces continue operations to dismantle Hamas’s command structure, revealing extensive tunnel systems embedded beneath civilian infrastructure—a clear breach of the laws of war that amplifies humanitarian risks to the residents of Gaza. The northern border is under sustained threat from Hezbollah, whose rocket and drone attacks have forced tens of thousands of Israeli civilians from their homes. Skirmishes along the Lebanese border and frequent exchanges of fire with Iran-backed militias in Syria underscore the multi-faceted nature of the conflict.
Amid the trials of war, Israel’s civil society endures. Volunteers organize supplies for displaced families and soldiers; synagogues and community centers open their doors to the bereaved and to those made refugees by violence. The health system, tested by repeated missile barrages, has demonstrated remarkable adaptability, with emergency drills and mobile clinics reinforcing civilian security. Educational institutions adapt to ongoing threats by offering online classes and supporting affected children.
On the home front, the Iron Dome and other Israeli air defense systems have proved pivotal, intercepting barrages launched by both Hamas and Hezbollah. Military intelligence, enhanced by technological innovation—a hallmark of the Israeli economy—continues to uncover and foil plots aimed at undermining national security. Despite economic setbacks due to the war, Israel’s high-tech and defense sectors have maintained stability, enabling the country to cope with the ongoing crisis.
Diplomatic pressure has intensified. While the United States and European partners publicly affirm Israel’s right to self-defense, Western capitals continue to debate the proportionality of Israel’s military response and urge greater humanitarian aid access to Gaza. Israeli officials counter these criticisms by highlighting the record of documented war crimes by Hamas—including the deliberate targeting of civilians, the use of human shields, and the ongoing abuse of hostages. New intelligence provided to the UN Security Council this week further underscored Iran’s direct operational role in fueling conflict on multiple fronts.
Socially and culturally, the spirit of Passover—a festival centering on freedom from oppression—carries renewed meaning. Public ceremonies and prayer gatherings for the hostages are widely observed. Leading rabbis and civic leaders emphasize the necessity of unity, charity, and collective action. National mood surveys reveal that while anxiety about the war’s trajectory remains high, a vast majority of Israelis express confidence in the resilience of the state and the justice of its cause.
As families gather around the Seder table, the prayers for peace are infused with the knowledge that Israel’s enemies remain intent on its destruction. Yet, the simple blessing for a quiet weekend—“סופ”ש שקט”—carries within it an extraordinary defiance: a commitment to life, dignity, and freedom even in the shadow of existential danger. The closing days of Passover, commemorating deliverance from ancient tyranny, serve as a reminder that the struggle for liberation and security is ongoing.
Israel’s message to the world this weekend is clear: the nation’s resolve remains unbroken, its efforts to return hostages are relentless, and its fight against Iranian-orchestrated terror is justified and necessary. Amid war, ritual and hope provide cohesion. As darkness threatens, the lights of Shabbat and Passover—symbols of survival and freedom—shine with undiminished strength.
