“Echoes of October 7: American Jewish Leader Compares Pahalgam Attack to Hamas Atrocities”

The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, has shocked the world and drawn a powerful comparison from an influential voice in the global Jewish community. Jason Isaacson, the Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer of the American Jewish Committee, described the incident as "brutal" and "horrific," likening it to the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel—a day that left deep scars in global memory.

On October 7, Hamas militants launched a coordinated and deadly assault on Southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages. Drawing a parallel, Isaacson said the Pahalgam incident, where terrorists opened fire on tourists at the peaceful Baisaran meadow, bore "echoes" of that same kind of horror. Twenty-six lives were lost in the Kashmir attack, including one Nepali citizen, while many others were seriously injured.

Isaacson spoke out passionately, stating that what unfolded in Pahalgam was not just an attack on people enjoying a vacation—it was a targeted act of violence, singling out Hindus. He emphasized that this kind of religiously motivated terrorism is tragically familiar, and resonates with what Jewish communities around the world have endured from groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

He said, “That attack [October 7] echoes in my mind as I see what has happened in Jammu & Kashmir. It has shaken India to the core and horrified people worldwide.”

Isaacson drew a disturbing but important connection between the methods and ideologies of Hamas and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the group suspected to be behind the Pahalgam attack. He explained that both outfits thrive on the idea of demonizing others purely based on their religious identity, portraying them as enemies to be eliminated.

He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s determination to eradicate terrorism from Indian soil and assured that the global community, including the United States, stands firmly with India in this fight. “PM Modi has pledged to root out these terrorists, and he has the full support of my country and other friends of India around the world,” he added.

Isaacson also hinted strongly at possible involvement from across the border. Without directly accusing, he pointed to the likelihood of logistical, financial, or ideological support for such attacks from elements within Pakistan’s military, intelligence services, or broader society. He remarked, “It doesn't take too large a stretch of imagination to think there may be some Pakistani involvement.”

The Pahalgam tragedy is being seen as the most devastating attack in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama blast, where 40 CRPF personnel were killed. The brutality of the Pahalgam assault, especially its targeting of civilians based on religious identity, has sparked outrage and sorrow across India and beyond.

Isaacson’s comparison with the October 7 Hamas attack is a reminder that terrorism, no matter where it strikes, speaks a common language of hate and division. His words also underline a growing sense of global solidarity against such acts, as countries and communities begin to recognize the shared pain and collective responsibility in standing against terror.