Two Years After Hamas's Terrorist Attacks on Israel, Museum Calls for Immediate Release of All Hostages and Reiterates the Urgent Need to Confront the Dangerous Global Surge of Antisemitism

WASHINGTON, DC – On the second anniversary of the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum mourns the victims of October 7. We must never forget the brutal murder, assault, and sexual violence that targeted men, women, and children of all ages. The Museum urgently calls for Hamas to immediately release all of the remaining hostages, and for governments, organizations, and individuals worldwide to strongly confront the virulent antisemitism that has erupted in the wake of the attacks.

“That Hamas terrorists continue to hold innocent civilians hostage for two years shocks the conscience and must be universally condemned,” said Museum Chairman Stuart E. Eizenstat. “We remain outraged that many voices in the streets, on campuses, and online, downplay, ignore, or outright celebrate these horrific actions. This widespread antisemitic rhetoric has led to violence—often deadly violence—in many places, including here in the United States in ways unprecedented in American history. We must never forget that the Holocaust teaches us that hate started with the Jews but did not end with the Jews. It infected all of society. Each of us has a stake in confronting antisemitism swiftly and strongly.”

A nonpartisan federal, educational institution, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is America’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, dedicated to ensuring the permanence of Holocaust memory, understanding, and relevance. The power of Holocaust history challenges leaders and individuals worldwide to think critically about their role in society and to confront antisemitism and other forms of hate, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity.