Lifelong Learning Presents David Zimmermann: October 7, Its Aftermath and the Resulting Rise of Antisemitism

A Personal Perspective from an FBI Agent on the Ground

Since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, communities worldwide have seen a rise in the extremist radicalization and experienced a surge in antisemitic rhetoric and violence. This presentation offers an in-depth overview of that global event told from the perspective of an FBI agent who was living and working in Israel at the time and examines the growing trend of antisemitism that has emerged in its aftermath.

David Zimmermann recently retired from the FBI after working 25+ years in the counterterrorism arena, both domestically and abroad. Zimmermann’s last tour was in Tel Aviv as a Supervisory Special Agent from 2020 to 2024. After the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre, Zimmermann led the FBI’s Israel-based wartime efforts to seek the release/return of over 250 innocent cent hostages held by Hamas terrorists. In January 2025, Zimmermann joined George Washington University’s Program on Extremism as a Senior Research Fellow.

This program is free. Registration is required.