Three years after October 7, and at great sacrifice, Israel has, thank G-d, defeated its enemies on the battlefield. But they have not given up. Now they are using the blood libel of genocide in a relentless attempt to finish what Hamas started: the destruction of Israel.

This is a call to action for the Jewish world. Here is my speech delivered at the SAZF October 7 memorial service.

Our guest that evening was Chaya Hexter, who travelled from far to be with us, carrying the story of her son Yakir, of blessed memory, and his chavruta David, who fell for Am Yisrael.

Over these three years the Israeli people have shown a bravery that words cannot do justice to. A civilian army, serving on miluim for months on end. Tens of thousands of wounded whose lives will never be the same. Bereaved families who carry that ache and still continue. The Mishnah asks us to be gibor ka'ari, brave as a lion, and Israel has truly risen like a lion to defend itself. Its victories on seven fronts are a partnership between G-d and people.

This anniversary leaves no room for complacency. What our enemies could not achieve with missiles and knives, they are now trying to achieve politically, through the genocide libel. That changes who is being called on for courage.

Israel's soldiers rose like lions. The question now is whether Jewish communities around the world will do the same.

• "As members of the South African Jewish community, we can only bow in silent humility at the awesome courage of the Israeli people."

• "A true partnership between God and people."

• "What our enemies could not achieve on the battlefields with guns and missiles and bullets and knives and savagery, they are now trying to do politically."

• "Jewish communities around the world have to summon the courage to match the courage of our brothers and sisters in Israel, who fought like lions."

• "We have to rise up like lions and not be afraid, and not cower. We are fighting because we are one people, like one people with one heart."