Gad Partok: Surviving the Holocaust and the Horror of Oct. 7
In the Shadow of the Holocaust
ASHKELON, Israel (AP) — Gad Partok was 10 years old in 1942 when Nazis stormed his street in the coastal Tunisian town of Nabeul. He witnessed the brutal and senseless violence they unleashed upon his neighbors, as they were shot, killed, and their homes burnt to the ground. Partok, like many other Jewish survivors, believed that Israel would be the safe haven they desperately needed after the war.
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Striving for Security
However, the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict serves as a stark reminder that safety and security can come at a heavy cost. The conflict has persisted for decades, and for Partok, the belief in Israel as a safe haven was shattered on Oct. 7, 2023, the day Hamas committed the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
The Day That Changed Everything
From the comfort of his living room in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, the now 93-year-old Gad Partok witnessed the rampage of Hamas. He watched in horror as militants tore through communities, just a few kilometers away from his own home. The rockets fired from Gaza resounded in the background, as the militants killed, pillaged, and even took hostages.
“I thought — what, is this the same period of those Nazis? It can’t be,” Partok said, clenching his fists as he recounted the traumatic experience.
The day of this unimaginable horror coincides with International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27, when the world remembers the 6 million Jews and countless others who perished at the hands of the Nazis. In Israel, with roughly half of the world’s Holocaust survivors residing there, this day bears even greater significance, layered with the recent trauma of Oct. 7.
A Hidden Chapter of the Holocaust
Tunisia’s Jewish community and its plight during the Holocaust remains a lesser-known chapter. Over six months of occupation, nearly 5,000 Tunisian Jews were sent to labor camps, where many perished due to labor, disease, and Allied bombing. Partok’s own family escaped this horrific fate, owing to his father’s Arabic fluency and his ability to hide their Jewish identity. They made their way to Israel in 1947, a year before the country achieved independence.
A Life in Ashkelon
Ashkelon, where Partok has made his home, lies less than 24 kilometers away from the volatile Gaza border. Living in this proximity, he is constantly reminded of the war that surrounds him. The sound of Israel’s relentless bombings on Gaza and the regular launching of Hamas rockets into Israel is a haunting presence in his daily life.
Trauma Echoes
Tensions between Israel and Hamas have resulted in a high Palestinian death toll, with health officials in Gaza estimating more than 26,000 lives lost. The international community has responded with criticism and calls for a cease-fire, while the South African government has even brought forth charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Yet, despite the scale of destruction in Gaza, Israelis remain fixated on the events of Oct. 7.
Israeli news channels choose to focus on the humanitarian crisis faced by more than 100 hostages still held captive by Hamas, rather than providing extensive coverage of the devastating situation in Gaza. For Partok, the echoes of the Holocaust and the trauma of Oct. 7 are interwoven, creating feelings of disbelief, fear, and anguished memories.
Continuing the Fight for Survival
While the world strives to find a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, 93-year-old Gad Partok finds solace in his home, surrounded by cherished memories captured in faded photographs on his walls. With grandchildren and great-grandchildren spread across Israel, he absorbs the news of the ongoing war, unwilling to believe the haunting reality he witnesses.
Remembering the Past, Hoping for a Better Future
As the world marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the experiences of individuals like Gad Partok remind us of the horrors endured and the ongoing impacts of conflict. His story serves as a testament to the resilience and strength displayed by Holocaust survivors, as they continue to confront the shadows of the past while striving for a more secure and peaceful future.
