The Truman community does not shy away from difficult conversations, particularly on anniversaries as painful as today’s. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists attacked and killed 1,400 Israelis and abducted hundreds more, detonating intercommunal violence between Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel, and a ruinous conflict that has caused immense suffering and death and now threatens to expand into a wider conflict that would have devastating consequences for the region and the world.

We at Truman understand that national security isn’t just about power. It is — as President Biden says — about the “power of our example,” human lives lost in conflict and that even now hang in the balance. Our national leaders now face difficult truths that must be confronted head-on, and choices that must be taken to forge a lasting peace. Truman’s veterans, diplomats, frontline civilians, and expert members have served on the front lines of defense, diplomacy, security, and humanitarian efforts. We know firsthand the devastating toll of violence. As we mark today’s difficult anniversary, we take time to reflect on the significant loss, ongoing struggles, and the work still to be done.

So now as leaders Truman will confront difficult truths head-on. We take the decision to share member reflections as part of a series. We encourage leaders and communities to take a moment to listen to the stories of those who have lived through these horrific moments. In times of conflict, we cannot allow ourselves to be so wounded that we lose sight of our humanity. We cannot be so hurt that we fail to see another’s pain. The only way to win is to stop the bloodshed, return the hostages, and commit to real and enduring peace.

There are many strands of perspective that knit the Truman community together. These strands are diverse. Sometimes we agree, and sometimes we don’t. Like a rope knit together with different fibers that make the whole stronger, Truman’s diverse perspectives — even under tension — pull us together into a stronger community, precisely because we can have difficult conversations, differing perspectives, and disagreements mindfully and respectfully in tension. But together, we are always in pursuit of a better way.

The following highlights offer a glimpse into these stories. We hope you will click to read these powerful essays and commit to building solutions instead of tearing down lives. Your fellow members in their own words:

"We can hold two truths simultaneously: what was done by Hamas on October 7th was a war crime and horrific and in need of justice for the victims, and the priority must be to bring the hostages back home. Simultaneously we must acknowledge that what the Israeli State has done in response to this horrific act is also a war crime, with victims who now describe Gaza as 'hell on earth’.”

“If any of the hundreds of missiles launched near our home in the past week alone hit us, we would be another statistic.”

“As an American military veteran who has been on combat missions to target terrorists, I understand why Israel acted as it did. But then, the stories of civilian deaths began to flood in.”

“Innocent Palestinian civilians are no more synonymous with Hamas than innocent Israeli citizens are synonymous with the Israeli government.”

“I was sickened that our children are being pushed into a world that makes them choose one - Israel or Palestine - versus both.”

As President Harry Truman said, “If we do not want to die together in war, we must learn to live together in peace.”

No one wins in war. We must work together for peace.

L’Shalom and Nahw al-Salaam.

Essay 1  |  Essay 2  |  Essay 3  |  Essay 4  |  Essay 5