The powerful new film October 8 does something profoundly important: it vividly captures the jarring immediacy and raw trauma of what happened after October 7th—not only the unprecedented attack itself but the equally unprecedented global backlash against Israel that erupted within hours, long before any Israeli response.
Watching this film, I was reminded how swiftly the narrative shifted. As Israelis and Jews worldwide grappled with horror, grief, and disbelief, we found ourselves abruptly defending Israel against accusations and criticisms that came almost immediately—accusations that seemed entirely disconnected from the reality of the brutal assault just endured.
The speed at which this narrative twisted was breathtaking. Even before the dust settled, even before Israel had a chance to respond, much of the world had already moved to condemn—not the attackers, not Hamas, but Israel itself.
What October 8 makes painfully clear is the readiness of the world to pivot, to recast Israel as aggressor, regardless of the facts on the ground. This film is not just an important documentation of historical truth; it’s a stark reflection of the vulnerability Israel and the Jewish community still face in global discourse. It reveals the depth of bias we confront—where the victimhood of Jews is dismissed or swiftly forgotten, and the complexity of the Israeli situation is reduced to simplistic narratives that ignore context, history, and humanity.
This film compels us to question deeply: why is it so easy, so acceptable, to turn against Israel, even in moments when it has been undeniably victimized? Why does empathy fade so rapidly when the victims are Israeli and Jewish?
In addressing these questions, October 8 doesn’t just revisit trauma—it challenges viewers, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, to confront uncomfortable truths about how quickly antisemitic tropes and simplistic criticisms reemerge, even in the immediate shadow of tragedy.
As a rabbi, as a Jew, and as a member of this broader human community, I urge everyone to watch this film not simply to relive what occurred, but to understand how swiftly justice can be perverted and how important it is that we remain vigilant, vocal, and clear-eyed in our pursuit of truth.