JERUSALEM – The enduring tenet ‘עם ישראל חי’—’the people of Israel live’—anchors Israel’s extraordinary narrative of survival and defense, echoing across its historic memory and current actions as the nation confronts ongoing existential threats. The intergenerational journey from the horrors of the Holocaust to the rigors of today’s IDF operations against Hamas reflects the vital continuity, resilience, and self-defense underpinning the State of Israel.
Holocaust Survival as National Foundation
The life of Tommy Shaham, a survivor of Auschwitz, is emblematic of Israel’s foundation. Having endured Europe’s deadliest antisemitic massacre under the Nazi regime, Shaham arrived in the nascent Jewish homeland, building a family and dedicating decades to education. His story is not only a personal testimony but fundamental to Israeli identity—a reminder of the cost of inaction against hate and why the ethos of “Never Again” has been embedded within state policy. Census data and state archives align on this: Holocaust survivors like Shaham were instrumental in population growth, nation building, and the establishment of a military and educational apparatus committed to vigilance.
The Legacy of October 7 and Contemporary Self-Defense
Israel’s security doctrine, shaped by Holocaust memory and lived experience, faced its greatest test since the Yom Kippur War when Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israeli communities on October 7, 2023. The massacre resulted in the systematic murder of more than 1,200 Israelis, abduction of civilians—including children and the elderly—and the perpetration of atrocities such as executions, mutilation, and sexual violence. International observers and Israeli forensic experts have authenticated the scope and brutality of the attack. Israeli sources and military debriefs confirm that many of the perpetrators were trained, funded, and instructed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), whose network also includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
These events revived for many Israelis, including survivors and their descendants, the agonizing historical memory of genocide. The sense of a perpetual siege directly informs Israeli military and political priorities—ensuring that the state remains committed to the defense of its citizens and the demand for international recognition of its right to self-defense.
Stories From Today’s Frontlines
In the aftermath of the October 7th massacre, Israel’s Iron Swords War saw significant mobilization and sacrifice. Among those fighting to secure Israel’s borders is Sergeant Naveh from the elite Givati Brigade, who was severely wounded while engaging Hamas terrorists in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The Givati Brigade encountered entrenched enemy forces using complex networks of tunnels, human shields, and urban warfare tactics explicitly violating international humanitarian law. As documented by IDF spokespersons and independent military analysts, such operations demand unique bravery and result in heavy casualties, exemplifying the risks borne by a new generation of Israelis defending the country.
Alongside combat soldiers, figures like Sergeant “B” are active in recording the conflict in real time. Embedded with frontline units, this IDF documentarian preserves testimonies, photographs, and records of both operational successes and humanitarian efforts. His work has helped counter misinformation, demonstrating Israel’s attempts to minimize civilian harm—including providing advance warnings, opening humanitarian corridors, and safeguarding noncombatants despite Hamas’s obstruction and exploitation. These firsthand records have proven crucial in informing the global community and supporting Israel’s position at international forums.
The Broader Conflict: Iran’s Proxy War Strategy
The Israeli war effort in Gaza is part of a larger campaign against Iran’s proxy network. Israeli intelligence and Western security officials consistently report that Iran delivers training, financing, and advanced weaponry to Hamas and its allies. The IRGC’s broader strategy is to encircle Israel and maintain a state of permanent threat, as seen in Hezbollah’s rocket arsenal on Israel’s northern border, sustained Houthi attacks from Yemen, and militants in Iraq and Syria. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, have publicly articulated this dynamic to the international community.
Hostage Crisis and the Challenge of Asymmetry
The taking of over 240 hostages by Hamas has starkly outlined the difference between acts of terrorism and the legitimate right to self-defense. The abductions include infants, women, and elderly citizens whom Hamas seeks to exchange for convicted terrorists held in Israeli prisons, many of whom are responsible for grave violent crimes. International law organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, have repeatedly demanded access to hostages—demands ignored by Hamas leadership. Israel’s campaign for their release is waged on both military and diplomatic fronts, challenging the growing mischaracterization and false symmetry sometimes found in international reporting.
Civilian Protection and Humanitarian Ethics
Israel’s military doctrine famously invests in the minimization of civilian casualties. The IDF routinely uses pre-operation warnings, leaflet drops, and the establishment of evacuation routes during operations in densely populated urban landscapes. Independent assessments confirm that Israel’s efforts are designed to distinguish between combatants and noncombatants, even as Hamas and other terror factions deliberately operate from within civilian infrastructure. Field documentation by Israeli soldiers and international NGOs supports the IDF narrative that Hamas’s use of human shields and its diversion of humanitarian aid further endanger Gaza’s residents.
The Fight for Historical Truth and Education
In the face of global misinformation and rising antisemitism, Israelis continue to place unparalleled emphasis on historical education and remembrance. State programs draw direct lines from Holocaust commemoration to military preparedness. IDF units often participate in educational missions to Holocaust sites, reinforcing the moral lineage of defense among generations. Survivor testimony, like that of Tommy Shaham, is woven into curricula, civic ceremonies, and public discourse, underlining the imperative to resist threats and reject passivity in the face of aggression.
A Nation’s Resilience Amid Unending Threats
The stories of survivors like Shaham, wounded warriors like Sergeant Naveh, and documentarians such as Sergeant B highlight the common thread running through Israeli society: an undeterred will to survive, defend, and bear witness. Israel’s struggle does not end with battlefield victories or political statements—it is a daily reaffirmation of life, moral clarity, and determination against those who would perpetrate another October 7th.
In a region still shaped by the legacies of antisemitism and conflict, the spirit of ‘עם ישראל חי’ endures as a testament to the Jewish people’s survival and the unwavering defense of their restored sovereignty.
