For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, the families of the hostages can finally breathe again. After nearly two years of waiting, praying and fighting for their return, all of the living hostages are back in the embrace of their loved ones. As members of Tufts Friends of Israel, we are deeply relieved and grateful to witness these reunions. No community — on campus or elsewhere — should overlook the suffering these families have endured and the human lives at the center of this tragedy.
The hostages were taken on Simchat Torah in 2023, a day that should have been defined by singing and dancing. For two years, that day carried grief instead of joy. This year, with hostages finally home and fighting ceased, Simchat Torah can once again be marked by hope rather than sorrow.
The war that followed was a direct response to an unprecedented attack on civilians, including mass murder, rape and abductions that shocked the world. Israel acted to protect its citizens and secure the release of those taken. At the same time, we must acknowledge the Palestinian civilians who lost their lives over the course of the war. Recognizing their suffering does not weaken support for Israel’s right to defend itself; it reflects a commitment to both compassion and moral clarity.
It is striking that many who spent two years advocating for a ceasefire remain silent now that a real deal has achieved one. The time has come to see if they are genuine supporters of peace.
With the hostages home and a deal now in place to end the war, we are grateful to all who helped make this possible — Israeli, American and international forces alike. For Israelis, it is a moment to begin looking ahead after the devastating attack two years ago. For Palestinians in Gaza, it could signal the start of a future free from Hamas’ oppression and violence, one that holds the hope of rebuilding and peace. For all of us, it is a reminder that peace and hope require both courage and realism. Both sides must now uphold the terms of the agreement, which in the immediate term means protecting the ceasefire and ensuring the return of the bodies of the 21 murdered hostages still being held, including two Americans: Itay Chen and Omer Neutra.
Here on campus, we must choose dialogue over contempt. We do not all have to agree, but we must engage like the people we claim to be — curious, serious and willing to listen. Tufts should be a place where hard conversations happen without shouting matches or litmus tests. That is the spirit behind our programming this semester, including a briefing and Q&A with Professor Alon Burstein on Friday at 1 p.m. in Rm. 104 of Barnum Hall, open to anyone who wants to understand the situation more deeply, whether or not they share our perspective.
A few days ago, on the anniversary of Oct. 7, we painted the cannon with the words “Bring Them Home” and the title of Israel’s national anthem, Hatikvah, “The Hope.” At the time, it was a call into the unknown, a reminder that hope was all we could hold onto. Now, with the hostages home, we can finally say, “welcome home,” and that hope feels real.
We at Tufts Friends of Israel remain hopeful — hopeful that the hostages’ return is not just the closing of a nightmare but the restoration of lives. Hopeful that mourning and relief can exist side by side. Hopeful that, even amid the current devastation, Gaza can rebuild and its people can live in peace. Hopeful that this campus can respond to the moment with seriousness, empathy and respect.
The joy of reunion does not cancel out the grief of loss, but it offers something rare after so much pain: a reason to look ahead.
With תקווה — hope — for a better future,
Tufts Friends of Israel
