Amazon backpedals, permits Israeli book on October 7 testimonies

Amazon has reversed its initial decision to reject a book featuring testimonies from survivors and first responders of the October 7 attack in southern Israel by Hamas, according to Israel Hayom.

The book, "Testimonies Without Boundaries, Israel: October 7th 2023," written by 23-year-old Alon Penzel, a former spokesman for Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, was initially declined by Amazon for violating content guidelines, according to The Jewish Insider. However, following an inquiry from the publication, Amazon listed the book on its site. Amazon did not respond to requests for comment.

The book contains graphic testimonies from ZAKA (a humanitarian assistance NGO) volunteers who gathered human remains, survivors of the Nova Festival massacre, and staff from Israel's Forensic Medicine Institute. Penzel also included evidence he personally observed.

"I wanted to take the initiative to memorialize the events so no one could deny or forget them. I am the grandson of a Holocaust survivor," Penzel told The Jewish Insider. He stated that the book "is uncensored and not delicate about what happened," and it includes many previously unpublished accounts, including instances of sexual abuse.