A Renewed Call for Peace: NCJW Reflects on Two Years of Terror, War, Destruction, and Displacement

WASHINGTON, DC — Tomorrow, October 7, 2025, marks two years since the brutal Hamas attacks on Israel — leading to the largest mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust, the captivity of 251 hostages, and the beginning of a two-year war in Gaza. Despite agreeing to a settlement framework that holds the world in hope of peace, Hamas continues to keep 48 people in captivity as of today.

National Council of Jewish Women — the nation’s leading Jewish feminist civil rights organization representing 250,000 changemakers from across the United States and Israel — released the following call for peace, diplomacy, and the return of those held illegally from their families:

“Two years on, Israelis, Palestinians, and millions of members of Jewish and Palestinian diaspora communities around the world continue to feel the pain caused by Hamas’ destructive actions on October 7, 2023. We remember every one of the 1,200 lives taken by Hamas terrorists on October 7th, and reiterate our demand that Hamas release the hostages they continue to hold without any preconditions.

“We stand firm that Hamas face justice for the torture, mutilation, rape, and murder of Israelis on that day. In particular, we remain steadfast in the belief that the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war is never justified. These acts of violence must be recognized for what they were — undeniable and horrific violations of human dignity — and must be prosecuted by international authorities to every possible extent.

“We join so many around the globe as we yearn for a future beyond war. For two years, Palestinian and Israeli families — especially women and children — have endured unimaginable suffering, loss, and uncertainty. Many Palestinians continue to flee, and many fear the threats of forced removal from Gaza as outlined by some in the international community. Every individual deserves the dignity of choosing where they live — the right to heal and rebuild their homeland if they so wish.

“This October 7th falls during Sukkot, when millions of Jews will ask that the Divine ‘spread over us a shelter of peace.’ In this moment, the Hashkiveinu prayer extends to all people affected by the evils of war. The only lasting future is one of peace: where no woman, child, or family lives in constant terror. A future where the daily reminder of a missing family member is no longer. A future where peace is not just a fleeting moment but a lasting reality. We must redouble our efforts to forge a lasting future where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in security, dignity, and peace. National Council of Jewish Women will always work toward securing that future, and we pray that the settlement talks beginning today in Egypt bring this war to an end.

“This October 7th, we reiterate our plea: May all the hostages come home, and may we all soon live in the shelter of peace.”

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a 133-year-old Jewish feminist civil rights organization working for equity and justice for women, children, and families in the United States and Israel. Through the efforts of our 250,000 grassroots advocates and 48 local sections, NCJW combines education, direct service, and advocacy to effect lasting social change at the local, state, and national levels. We approach our work through the intersections of gender, economic, and racial justice to center those most impacted in a uniquely Jewish way. Learn more at NCJW.org and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.