ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – Offering his unbiased perspective on how the world had changed for the Jewish people since the October 7, 2023 massacre that left 1,200 people dead and many more since, former U.S. Ambassador Dennis B. Ross served as the keynote speaker at the Temple Beth El in Ormond Beach, on Monday, October 7th during the community commemoration ceremony.
Attended by regional dignitaries and leaders including Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington, Ormond Beach City Commissioner Susan Persis, and Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey, Temple leaders Rabbi James Simon of the Temple Bethe El in Ormond Beach, Rabbi Karen Tashman of the Temple Beth Shalom in Palm Coast, and Rabbi S. David Kane, Congregation B’nai Torah, Ormond Beach, alongside The Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties paid their respects to the lives lost during the massacre, the men and women still being held hostage, and those fighting for the protection of Israel through music, song and prayer.
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington presented a proclamation on behalf of the City of Ormond Beach in support of the area’s Jewish community.
“We have a very strong Jewish community in Ormond Beach. I think it’s important we stand behind and support them. They are a vibrant, critical contributor to our city and we appreciate them,” said Partington.
“I just want them to know, by showing my presence on behalf of the city, how much they mean to us and that we understand what they’re going through. We can’t actually experience it the same way they do but we certainly have empathy for what they’re going through,” he said.
Members of The Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties voted to adopt a brigade of the Israeli Defense Force, selecting the Iron Dome Brigade, through the Friends of the Israel Defense Force announced JFVC President Marvin Miller.
“Now more than ever, Israel needs our support. The IDF is now engaged in Israel’s longest war that will require a strong military presence even if there is a cease-fire. We raised $100,000 to adopt the Air Force Brigade, known as the Iron Dome Brigade,” Miller shared, proudly to applause.
“Their work, dedication and responsibility for protecting Israel’s cities from incoming missiles and rockets is 24-7. Most of all, the morale lift will be incredible for these Israeli troops knowing that their fellow Jews in America and our Christian friends are standing with them,” he said before the ambassador took the podium.
Drilling Down into the Details
Walking attendees through the timeline, Ambassador Ross explained in detail, the why, who and how of that tragic day. Serving as an expert in Middle Eastern affairs under four United States Presidents and six Israeli Prime Ministers, Ross’ unparalleled understanding of the regional dynamics left no stone unturned during his speech.
It was his conclusion, the what’s next as a result of the weakened Hamas – only seven percent of Gazans say they want Hamas to remain in power, and destabilized Hezbollah, that would begin to come to fruition the very next day. Ross clearly laid out a ‘logical and moral’ strategy to produce a political outcome under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s administration, as the world awaits Israel’s response to the most recent attack.
“The whole purpose is to try to deter a war,” said Ross of the United States’ support.
“Israel will respond to those 200 missiles shot at them. They will. The question is, what will they choose to hit. I can tell you, what would make sense for the Israelis is to carry out a strike that would signal to the Iranians how much they have to lose if they respond,” he said, targeting missile factories, which are also supplying the Russian army, and nuclear facilities in unpopulated areas.
“That would send a signal to the regime in Iran how much they have to lose.”
With the expectation of a collaborative deal with Saudi Arabia still viable, Ross shared the possibilities for the region’s future.
“What I was hoping to impart was a sense of real possibility. The Israeli military achievements make it possible to produce an outcome. Israel needs to focus on the political outcome, it needs to focus on how it’s able to end the war. We need to help them in terms of coming to an understanding to allow them with their success to say, ok, we’re here to end the war provided the hostages are released,” said Ross.
“For one thing there will be a Palestinian dimension to it so you’ll be able to deal with the Palestinian issue at least in part, not to resolve it but at least to a greater pathway, two, most of the countries in the region, most of the Muslim countries are in support of this, so that would change the character of the conflict, even reduce the religious element and create a coalition of those in the region that want a future. Not a coalition of those that basically want to oppress everybody and deny them a future.”
As for what comes next politically, Ross sees more possibilities for the next generation of Israelis to step up and lead.
“I can’t say. There isn’t anybody right now who you can look to and say you know they’ll succeed him. But you probably have a class of people who’ve never run before, a lot of the high-tech people in Israel who were never political before and now I think they’re ready to be political because they understand the consequences of them not having been politically active previously.”
