What Can We Expect on October 7th?

This article first appeared in Times of Israel Blogs.

 This coming October 7th will mark the one-year anniversary of the October 7th massacres committed by Hamas against innocent Israelis. Since that dark day, the supporters of Hamas in the West, rather than taking a hard look in the mirror at what they were supporting, have doubled down. On European, Canadian, and US streets and university campuses, the protests and demonstrations against Israel have only become more ugly and more anti-Semitic. Not only that, but many Western police and intelligence services are fearing that this coming October 7th will feature not only vandalism, disruptions, and assaults against Jews and their institutions, but acts of terror directed against them as well.

One case in point is Italy. Recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations in large cities like Rome and Milan have led authorities to fear what may happen this October 7th, particularly in Jewish communities. As a result, vigilance is at an all-time high in those cities, as well as in Venice, the site of Italy’s oldest Jewish community. Just days ago in Milan, pro-Palestinian protesters were seen with signs accusing a female senator and the country’s defense minister of being “Zionist agents”, which authorities are interpreting as an open suggestion to assassinate them.

On a personal note, I lived in Italy from 1982-1987. The Italian people are not anti-Semitic, but as with other Western European countries, the country is teeming with migrants from places in the Middle East and Africa who do not share their tolerance. Coupled with extremist elements within Italian society, particularly on the left, as well as Israel's recent military successes, including the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, there is ample reason for concern.

In my view, October 7th represents a test for all of us in the West. Hopefully, Italy’s European neighbors will follow their lead and do everything to ensure the safety of their Jewish citizens. If the threat is that great in Italy, imagine what it is in France, Sweden, and Germany just to name a few. If God forbid, something horrible takes place October 7th by the forces of evil to “commemorate” the date, and we did not take all possible precautions, the shame will lie with us.

Here in America, most people are sick and tired of all the pro-Palestinian, pro-Hamas outrages occurring on our streets and campuses. A few universities are starting to get the message. The idea that anyone would abuse our freedom of expression to celebrate that dark day is beyond disgusting. Our government and our people should make it loud and clear that we will not tolerate any attacks against our Jewish citizens on October 7th-or any other day. But make no mistake: We all need to be vigilant this coming October 7th.