By Micah Q. Jones
On Monday, October 13, President Donald J. Trump delivered historic remarks to the Knesset. His speech shortly followed the release of all 20 remaining, living, hostages who had endured unspeakable horrors over the past two years at the hands of the murderous terrorist organization, Hamas. The timing could not have been more significant as although just over two years had passed since October 7, 2023—the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust—the release of the hostages just before Simchat Torah was truly divine. Although the tremendousness of the moment, and the news timeline, has continued to move at an unprecedented speed—including whether Hamas will continue to adhere to the deal—it is important to briefly pause and reflect on why October 13, 2025, will be remembered as a historic day for Israel, America, and the West.
There are no words to describe how important this day was for Israel and the Jewish people. After two years of devastating war following the October 7 atrocities, Israel and diaspora Jews the world over could finally brief a collective sigh of relief. The past two years had been truly biblical in their significance—from Israel rising from the ashes of October 7 to fight a multi-front war, too much of its population in the north of the country being required to leave their homes for well over a year, to Israel being subjected to the worst blood libels by an ever-growing online army of antisemites. Throughout these unbelievable assaults, Israel stood firm and, in many ways, particularly as to its security situation, grew stronger. But the cost has been immeasurable. Over 1,100 IDF soldiers fell in battle. Thousands more were wounded. Homes were torn apart by stress and fatigue. IDF reservists and their families, in particular, paid the heaviest price as they placed their lives and careers on hold to pick up arms to defend the Jewish state. Most of all, the entire nation of Israel endured the collective trauma of the hostage families, as every Israeli continued to pray for the safety and security of the remaining hostages.
But with the release of the 20 living hostages on October 13, the entire country has every reason to celebrate. Despite all of the tribulations, Israel has, in fact, become stronger. Physically, Israel is the strongest Army in the Middle East. Much of the Iranian regime’s diabolical “ring of fire” axis of Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, has been destroyed or degraded to a point that few thought previously possible. Moreover, the Iranian nuclear program has also been set back by decades thanks to the successful Israeli and US strikes in June of this year. And, as a nation, Israel has much to be hopeful for. This is Israel’s greatest generation. Every Israeli citizen who took up the call to arms or service has sacrificed so much and has made his or her nation stronger for it. Israel can look forward to many years of success because of the investment and hard work of this current generation who answered the call and who met the forces that would destroy the Jewish state in the breach.
October 13 is also a historic day for America. Thanks to the incredible efforts by President Trump and his team, the terrible war has ended. President Trump did what no other US President could have dreamed of doing by bringing all necessary, but disparate, parties to the table to agree to his plan. President Trump did this by eschewing the failed policy of the past and embracing heterodox strategy that only he could have achieved. President Trump never wavered in his support for Israel or Prime Minister Netanyahu. President Trump simultaneously understood the pressure points and dealings of the Middle East by working directly with the Arab states and Turkey who could put pressure on Hamas. Finally, President Trump threatened Hamas directly and, as shown in his decisive call to strike the Iranian nuclear program in June, that he was not afraid to back rhetoric with action. As President Trump demonstrated in his speech at the Knesset, America and Israel are strongest when they stand together. This is sharp rebuke to Jew haters the world over, and, particularly, in America where a horseshoe of nefarious forces on both the American Left and Right have sought to routinely undermine the American-Israeli relationship, as well as the fundamental Judeo-Christian alliance. President Trump’s remarks and deeds have made clear that those extremists on both the Left and Right are clearly in the minority and do not represent the millions of American patriots who support Israel and who, by electing President Trump, have ensured that America is at the center of a potential Renaissance in the Middle East.
Finally, October 13 will be remembered as an important day for the collective West and freedom loving people around the world. Through Israel’s resolve and America’s support, it has been clearly demonstrated that liberal democracies can, in-fact, take decisive action to stop existential threats that would threaten the safety and security of their citizens. It is also a testament that cultural decline is a choice, and, as demonstrated by the countless young Israelis who have given their all to defend their country, that the future can be bright when young people understand the history of their country and feel vested in its future. Most of all, and as demonstrated in the actual release of the 20 living hostages, it is a testament that those people who love and yearn for freedom will eventually be rewarded through their perseverance and love for life.
Am Yisrael Chai! The people of Israel live!
Photo Credit: The White House
