One year after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, cases of Islamophobia are on the rise

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Almost a year after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, the impact of the massacre, which left more than 1,400 people dead, is still being felt.

“Every life is a holy life,” said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Los Angeles Council on American-Islamic Relations. “Whether it’s Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish, Muslim or Christian.”

On October 7, 2023, Hamas stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip into nearby Israeli towns, killing dozens and kidnapping others in an unprecedented surprise attack. Since the war between Israel and Hamas began, cases of Islamophobia have increased dramatically.

“We previously received about 30 reported cases in Southern California of people experiencing bullying, discrimination, hate speech and hate threats,” Ayloush said. “Now the number is closer to 100, 120 per month.”

Jewish leaders believe both sides can live side by side in harmony, but tough conversations need to be had.

“No person, no matter what walk of life, no religion should ever be attacked, should ever be afraid, should never be hurt,” said Jim Berk, CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

“To achieve this, we must all agree on some common principles,” he added. “We don’t kill each other. We don’t murder each other. We live in peace.”

Ayloush said the main cause of the conflict was the occupation of Palestine.

“It’s time to end this occupation so we don’t have to have another October 7, 6 or 5 where innocent Palestinians or Israelis die,” he said.

Ayloush said peace is possible, but not without solving this key problem.

“We need freedom and justice for the Palestinian people,” Ayloush said. “Every people, Israelis, Palestinians, everyone in the world deserves this.”

CAIR-LA plans to hold vigils at mosques across Southern California on October 7 to pray for peace.