I write these lines from Jerusalem, after spending time with the families of some of the 240 people kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7. The hostages now held in Gaza include Jewish Israelis, Muslim Israelis and foreign citizens of different ethnicities. In all my years of public life, the meetings with these families were the most difficult and fraught I’ve ever held. Tragedy is part of Israeli life, and I knew it would be part of my time as president. Just like ISIS and Al Qaeda, the Hamas terrorists who attacked Israeli homes and families had no qualms about burning babies.

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Persons: I’ve, Europe we’ve, Israel “ Locations: Jerusalem, Gaza, Jewish, Israel, Al Qaeda, Europe