“How can anyone stand by and not be moved?”

Tuesday 10 October 2023

Members of the local community have shared their sadness and horror over the loss of life in the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, with some fearing for friends and family in the region.

At the time of writing, assaults by Hamas militants have left more than 900 Israelis dead – including 260 bodies which were recovered from the site of a music festival massacre in southern Israel – while retaliatory air strikes have killed over 700 people in Gaza, flattening buildings and injuring thousands.

Hamas has also taken over 100 Israelis hostage, while Israel's military this week ordered the "complete siege" of Gaza, cutting off fuel, electricity and water supplies to 2.3 million people.

Among those to have shared their pain at the unfolding situation was Education Minister Inna Gardiner.

"All I can do is get on with my day and try not to cry"

Describing herself as "devastated" and "afraid" on X (previously known as Twitter), the British-Israeli politician said on Sunday that she was "praying for friends and family in Israel".

"In 24 hours: 300 killed, 1,800 injured, dozens taken hostage children, women and elderly civilians. Thousands of rockets fired from Gaza. And all I can do is get on with my day and try not to cry," she said.

This says it all. ????Thank you to everyone who has reached out to support in these difficult days. ???? pic.twitter.com/u048fbbO5V

— Inna Gardiner, Minister for Children and Education (@innagardiner) October 9, 2023

Pictured: Deputy Gardiner later thanked islanders for their support and urged them to speak up about the horror.

President of the island's Jewish congregation, Stephen Regal, spoke of the impact the crisis was having on his family and the wider Jewish community.

"We Jews throughout the world have been so impacted by the current crisis in Israel. Many of us have friends and family there," he told Express.

"Impossible to communicate the fear and tension we feel"

"My wife and I returned only last month from a family wedding in Jerusalem when my 25-year-old great niece was married there. She has been called back into the army this weekend to assist. Two of her younger siblings are awaiting their turn to be called back to arms.

"Unfortunately, it is impossible to adequately communicate the fear and tension that we feel."

Pictured: President of Jersey's Jewish Congregation, Stephen Regal, said his great-niece had been called into the army.

Speaking of the "massacre" launched against unarmed civilians by Hamas – "gunning down young people, teens and low twenties enjoying themselves at a music festival, breaking into houses and snatching 80-year-old grandmothers, shooting at all and sundry, snatching four year olds as hostages from their dying mothers" – he asked: "How can anyone stand by and not be moved by this outrage?"

"We will do all we can to support"

Chief Minister Kristina Moore said she was "shocked and saddened by the Hamas terror attacks on Israel and Israelis", adding that the Government "fully condemns this appalling violence".

"We have colleagues in Government and the public service who are praying for the safety and security of their family and friends in Israel. My heart goes out to families who have lost loved ones," she said.

"We will do all we can to support any islanders who are affected."

We have colleagues in Government and the public service who are praying for the safety and security of their family and friends in Israel. My heart goes out to families who have lost loved ones. We will do all we can to support any Islanders who are affected. 2/2

— Chief Minister of Jersey (@ChiefMinJSY) October 8, 2023

A Jersey Overseas Aid spokesperson said: "We are appalled by the loss of life following the shocking recent attacks.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the thousands of innocent civilians caught up in the violence."