Talking Points and Other Resources: Speak Up to Defend Israel
The Focus Project, a joint initiative of a broad coalition of US Jewish community organizations, has provided talking points to help you explain that the Hamas attacks were pure evil - NO ifs, ands, or buts.
Talking Points
You will hear, watch and read many lies, misrepresentations, what-ifs, what-about-isms and both-sidisms of reality over the coming days and weeks. Here is how you respond:
- No ‘yeah-buts’, no ‘what-about’-isms and no excuses justify these horrendous crimes.
Whether you are a woman, man, or simply a human being, you must be outraged by the brutal rape and slaughter of innocent civilians. If not, then what values do we have as a society? The premeditated Hamas attacks intentionally targeted innocent Jews in their homes celebrating a Jewish holiday and the weekly sabbath. No matter where you are from, what tribe you belong to or what you believe in, these barbaric acts can never be tolerated, let alone supported.
- Hamas terrorists are inhumane monsters who committed crimes against humanity.
Hamas is not a freedom fighting resistance movement. It is a radical, misogynistic terror organization, committing rape, torture and genocide with only one goal – the extermination of the Jewish state. In fact, Hamas causes just as much harm to the Palestinian people they govern. The horrific violations of international humanitarian law prove a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life and the principles that underpin a civilized society.
- There is no moral equivalence between Israelis and Palestinian terrorists.
Israel is a democratic nation committed to the protection of human rights. Iran’s radical Islamist leaders and its proxies are dedicated to the extermination of all Israelis – especially Jews. Democratic societies uphold the principles of due process, justice and proportionality in their efforts to safeguard citizens. In stark contrast, Hamas barbarians’ blatant disregard of these principles by deliberately targeting innocent civilians, launching rockets from densely populated areas and using human shields as part of their strategy. Such actions are fundamentally immoral and run counter to the most basic values of humanity. Intentionally harming civilians is morally indefensible.
- Iran and Hamas are to blame for the savage attacks, not Israel.
Opponents of Israel are placing blame for the murders, kidnappings and rocket barrages on the Jewish state and its victims. There is NO justification for beheading babies, slaughtering 260 Israelis at a music festival, kidnapping Holocaust survivors and butchering families in their homes. Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, including its proxies, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran's longstanding support – financially and militarily – has emboldened terrorists to carry out these brutal attacks, undermining regional stability and demonstrating an utter disregard for the sanctity of human life. Blaming Israel for defending its citizens against such savagery is a perverse denial of the truth.
- Palestinian terrorists intentionally target civilians, the Israeli military does not.
Hamas terrorists do not wear military uniforms; they blend in with civilians. These evildoers build bases, store bombs and launch rockets from civilian neighborhoods. On the other hand, Israel is recognized by world military leaders for being exemplary in the care taken to avoid civilian casualties. The IDF notifies Palestinians before taking out Hamas sites in Gaza. Hamas did not provide any warning before butchering Israelis celebrating outside and sleeping inside. There is no defense for the crimes against humanity committed by Hamas and its allies.
- Talking to Teens About the Israel-Hamas War, JCRC of Greater Washington
- The Glu, With Eric Fingerhut, “Now What? Restoring the Promise of Never Again,” October 27, 2023
- Dramatic Increase in U.S. Antisemitic Incidents Following October 7 Hamas Massacre, ADL
- How to Talk to Children About What’s Going On, PJ Library
- Frequently Asked Questions, Stand With Us
- Key Facts, Stand With Us
- Experiencing Antisemitism on Campus? File an electronic complaint form with the Office for Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Education
Additional Resources for Children
- Here’s How to Talk to Your Kids About the Violence in Israel and Gaza (Kveller.com)
- What do my children understand – and what should I tell them – about the Israeli-Palestinian violence? (The Forward)
- Talking to Children About War (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network - NCTSN)
- How to Talk to Kids About What’s Happening in Israel Right Now (Kveller.com)
- Your kids’ questions on Israel, Hamas and Gaza, answered (The Forward)
Additional Resources for Educators:
- Unpacked for Educators can provide everything you need to teach about this moment—webinars, current event and historical videos, podcasts, lesson plans, and articles—all featured on their UED site.
- The Jewish Education Project also has a collection of resources for teaching about Israel in crisis.
- Words Can Make a Difference! is a collection of educator resources from the National Library of Israel