Acts of terror are often wrongly linked to religion, when in fact they stem from extremist ideology and systematic indoctrination. The attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney is not about faith but about how hatred corrupts belief systems and turns them into weapons against innocent people. Recognizing this distinction is crucial if we want to fight antisemitism without giving in to dangerous ideas and generalizations.

The deadly attack on the Hanukkah celebration in Sydney this weekend — carried out by a father and son against innocent civilians — serves as a painful reminder that extremism, not religion, is the true enemy of peace. As Jewish families gathered by the sea to celebrate light, tradition, and survival, hatred once again arrived armed, calculated, and merciless.

The tragedy stirred a deeply personal memory for me. In 2003, while preparing to move to the United States, I was taking English classes to pass the TOEFL and compiling my university transcripts for assessment upon arrival. My English grammar teacher at the........

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