For some, October 7th is a day of remembrance and of unimaginable loss, grief, and fear. It brings back memories of violence and trauma that changed lives forever.

For others, the pain and uncertainty did not begin or end on that day. The past two years have been filled with ongoing fear, devastation and suffering, which is a daily struggle that has never fully eased.
 

What we want to say, two years on

Two years have passed, and yet the suffering has not lessened. The violence and devastation in the region have been relentless, and at the same time, here in the UK we have seen antisemitism and Islamophobia rise to record levels, resulting most recently in the abhorrent, violent attack on Manchester’s Jewish community and the awful arson attack on Brighton’s Muslim community. Communities feel increasingly vulnerable and afraid, mistrust is growing, and young people in particular are caught in the crossfire of division.

There are ongoing discussions about possible political solutions, but any solution—whoever brings it to the table—must be grounded in justice, equality, and dignity for both peoples, and must be created with their full investment and involvement. Anything less will not bring lasting peace.
 

What SNS has been doing

In these last two years, we at SNS have been propelled into action more than ever before. For us, this has not been a time to retreat, but to choose courage over despair—to choose to stand firm in the struggle for peace and shared dignity.

We have worked to expand our educational programming, to support young people in navigating difficult conversations, and to ensure that they have safe, brave spaces to learn, reflect, and build empathy. We have also taken some of our Israeli and Palestinian speakers to Northern Ireland, where they learned from those who once faced seemingly impossible divisions, and found inspiration in the progress that has been made towards peace there.

These years have tested us all, but they have also strengthened our determination to keep working for a better future.
 

The courage of our speakers

What inspires us most are the voices of those who continue to speak out despite their own pain. Our speakers have faced fear, loss, and danger—and yet they choose dialogue and education over hatred and revenge.

I think of Magen, whose parents were killed at a kibbutz on October 7th.

I think of Hamze, who feared for his son’s safety as soldiers pointed guns at them near Ramallah.

I think of Dina, who sat in an SNS session via video call with her child, only to run to a shelter mid-conversation as bomb sirens sounded in her town.

I think of Khader, who has lost family members in Gaza.

I think of Reem, who gave birth while fearing attacks from extreme settlers on her village.

I think of Sara, who came on a tour just months after losing a close friend at the Nova Festival.

Each of them carries unimaginable pain, and yet each of them translates that pain into change—standing before young people in the UK and modelling what courage, empathy, and hope look like in practice.
 

Our principles remain unchanged

On October 8th, 2023, the day after the Hamas attacks, we issued a statement that outlined our principles. The second slide of that post carried words that resonated widely, and they remain the bedrock of our work two years on:

• No to the celebration of violence against human beings.
   
• No to the promotion of hatred towards human beings.
   
• No to calls for the destruction of either Palestine or Israel—this land is the homeland of both nations.
   

These are not just statements; they are commitments. They have guided our work for 15 years, and they remain as true today as they were two years ago.

Today, we acknowledge the grief, honour the courage, and recommit ourselves to a vision where Israelis and Palestinians can live in safety and dignity—and where young people in the UK are empowered to resist division and build a fairer, more compassionate society.