Jeff Halper's October 2025 update - Commemorating the second anniversary of October 7th

Photo: “Intense” Israeli bombardment in Gaza continue. UNHCR

As the second anniversary of the Hamas attack is marked and the subsequent genocide that it generated, Jeff evaluates where we are in the political struggle.

This situation is filled with complexities and emotions, and we recognize the human element of suffering which is very important in our work. Nevertheless, Jeff explains why it is still crucial to keep a political focus.

Jeff begins by dissecting what happened in October 2023. Initially Jeff admired the ability by Hamas to break out of Gaza based on the right under international law for there to be military resistance to the 130 years of settler colonialism, the occupation since 1967 and Gazans living under siege for 15 years. However, discipline was not maintained, and it soon became chaotic with Israeli civilians killed.  Hamas breaking out of Gaza was identified as a massacre, a war crime and an act of terrorism.  But Israel’s retaliation has resulted in a genocide against the Palestinians thus what Hamas did on October 7th has become counterproductive. Nevertheless, we cannot allow Gaza to be an issue on its own and let Israel return to all that it is doing in the West Bank after Gaza dies down.

From 11.10 – 28.28 minutes, Jeff reviews the five political processes that are happening today:

The Gaza Peace Plan – but with the Palestinians sidelined.
Trump’s vision for peace – resulting in two-state apartheid.
The Abraham Accords - leading to “normalization” with Israel, the colonial power, left in control.
The UN’s recognition of the Palestinian state – what kind of state and where are the borders?
Israel becoming the co-hegemon of the Middle East with Saudi Arabia – with no pushback from the BRIC countries.

During the last four minutes of the update, Jeff speaks of ICAHD’s support for the Global Sumud Flotilla, encourages internationals to participate in our forthcoming November study tour to engage with Palestinians and critical Israelis, and to meet him while he is in the UK for the public events at the end of October and at the ICAHD UK conference on 1st November.

View this video update here

— ICAHD (icahd.org)
/news/jeff-halpers-october-2025-update