OPINION: A new chapter begins for Israel and the Jewish people
With the final hostages home, Israel faces a new chapter of healing, reflection and rebuilding national unity
In the past 24 hours, the return of the 20 living hostages has been completed, and their families can finally hold them again and bring them home. All Am Yisrael feel this moment together—we have waited for this day for too long. At the same time, we must also ensure that the bodies of the remaining 28 hostages murdered by Hamas will be brought back to Israel so their families can finally bury them with dignity and honour.
736 days of nightmare—two years of agony for the hostages, their families, and the entire nation of Israel.
But we need to realise that their return is not the end. It is the beginning.
For the hostages and their families, it is the beginning of a long return to life—physical and emotional healing from hell no human being should ever endure. Their resilience is beyond human.
For Israel, it is the beginning of a time when we can truly reflect—on our fallen, on our wounded, on our displaced communities, on the soldiers and reservists who sacrificed everything, on the civilians who stood up as heroes, on those who prayed, donated, volunteered, and carried this nation through fire. It is the beginning of understanding what we have survived—and who we are.
For the Jewish Diaspora, this is also a beginning. The last two years exposed a terrible truth. Much of what called itself “pro-Palestinian activism” was nothing more than a modern mask for ancient antisemitism.
The silence today—the lack of celebration for the return of innocent Jewish hostages—reveals what we always suspected. Some of the world did not oppose war; they opposed Jews. Still, there are good and decent people around the world—and with them, we build.
But beyond all of this, what happens now is the beginning of something even more powerful:
A real chance for a secure Israel.
For the first time in decades, there is a framework that does not reward terror, does not empower Hamas, does not rely on corrupt Palestinian leadership, and does not hand over our future to the failed UN and weak international institutions.
I am talking about the Trump Plan.
It is easy to be cynical. Hamas cannot be trusted under any circumstance. The next phases are risky. Nothing is guaranteed. Many Israelis are rightfully sceptical after years of political failure. And yet—this plan is a game changer.
Not just because President Donald J. Trump achieved something the world said was impossible—the release of the hostages in one deal—but because his doctrine is peace through strength, and he means it.
Although maybe unpopular to say, I think much credit for the new reality must also be given to Bibi’s leadership and the courage of many of his decisions in this war. But he was the PM on 7 October, and he could not extend that leadership as a unifying message to the country. President Trump did.
For the first time, the future of Gaza will not be left to chaos or to those who used it as a terror factory. The governance and reconstruction of Gaza will be overseen by a Peace Board headed by the United States together with key Arab partners who share a strategic interest: no return of Hamas, no Iranian control, and no terror future. And this time, if commitments are broken, someone will enforce consequences.
For years, everyone repeated empty political slogans—“two-state solution”, “international peace forces”, “confidence-building measures”—while Israelis and Jews were attacked, vilified and died. Europe repeated speeches: Trump produced results, and he may deliver something even greater: a structure that has the chance to force responsibility, accountability and deterrence.
This is leadership. This is clarity. And this is why this moment matters.
Yes, maybe I am a dreamer, but I am pretty sure I am not the only one.
It truly is a new beginning.
The last hostages are home.
Families can finally mourn in peace.
Israel will begin rebuilding.
And we now have a partner in the United States who has the courage to stand with us and see this through.
The future is in our hands. Let us build a future that honours our fallen, heals our injured, protects our children, and unites our people. The road ahead will not be easy. Nothing worth building ever is. But Israel does not fear challenges—we overcome them.
We have not had many happy days in recent years. But today, a door opens. A new beginning can become a great future—if we have the strength to walk through it together.
The victims and heroes of 7 October deserve nothing less.
Am Yisrael Chai.
- Edward Misrahi is a businessman, philanthropist and former chair of BICOM (Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre)
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