The war in Gaza, according to Israel’s United Nations ambassador, cannot come to an end until Hamas is eradicated and the approximately 120 hostages they are holding since the October terrorist attacks are released. Gilad Erdan spoke at a Hadassah conference on the Strip, an organization that prides itself on being the largest and most influential women’s Zionist organization globally.
Erdan expressed his views on the war, Iranian proxies, Israel’s diplomatic positions, antisemitism, and U.S. campus protests to hundreds of Hadassah members. He emphasized that Hamas is not fighting for freedom but to murder all Jews, not just in Israel, but worldwide.
The ambassador, who announced his resignation in late May, stressed the importance of eradicating Hamas to prevent radical jihadists from gaining confidence. Hamas-led terrorists killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in Israel on October 7 and took approximately 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched an offensive in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 39,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
Erdan’s remarks came shortly after a rocket attack from Lebanon killed 12 children in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. He blamed the Hezbollah militant group, which Israel considers a terrorist organization, for the strike and called for a full-scale war against Hezbollah.
The ambassador highlighted the need for American collaboration to pressure Iran into a regime change, citing attacks by Iranian-backed militias against U.S. interests in Iraq. He criticized the UN for failing to hold Hamas accountable and allowing Hezbollah to accumulate weapons, questioning the organization’s legitimacy and relevance.
Erdan also addressed the rise of anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses, advocating for action against professors who allow Jewish students to be harassed. He referenced a recent lawsuit by a Jewish student against UNLV and called for divestment from universities that fail to address antisemitism.
In conclusion, Erdan emphasized the power to demand action against antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment, urging supporters to stop donating to universities that do not protect Jewish students. His strong stance against terrorism and advocacy for Jewish rights resonated with the audience at the Hadassah conference.
