Autor fotografie: Editorial Team SM|Popisek: Protest showing solidarity with Israel in New York, US
REPORT: Over a year has passed since Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 2023 and beginning of the war in Gaza. Many individuals involved in peace initiatives organized memorial events around the world early last week, calling for the release of hostages and an end to the war.
On Monday, October 7, 2024, the world remembered the horrific attack carried out by the terrorist organization Hamas on October 7, 2023. This tragic event, meticulously planned for years, resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israeli citizens in a single day. Victims included residents of southern Israeli kibbutzim, agricultural workers, and attendees of the Nova desert music festival. Thousands more were injured. Memorial events were held in hundreds of cities worldwide, including in Hungary, Italy, Germany, the UK, Canada, Australia, across the US, and notably, in Prague.
A memorial event titled "Never Forget: Together and Stronger", organized by the Federation of Jewish Communities and the JCC Prague, drew hundreds of attendees to capital’s Old Town Square. This gathering marked the second major public show of support for Israel since the war began. The event began with the reading of the victims’ names and concluded with church bells from several Prague churches ringing in honor of the murdered, hostages, and innocent victims of the war. This act symbolized solidarity between Czech Christians and the people of Israel and Gaza.
Global Memorials Commemorate October 7 Massacre
The largest memorial events took place at dozens of locations across Israel. One of the most significant gatherings occurred in Tel Aviv, where families of hostages and victims called on the government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take responsibility for the inadequate response on October 7. Among the most powerful events was the gathering of family members and friends of the victims and abducted Israelis at the site of the Nova music festival, where hundreds of Israeli civilians were killed, sexually assaulted, and tortured.
One of many memorial events worldwide also took place on Monday evening in Tenafly, New Jersey, US. Members of our editorial team were present at the event. The gathering began at 7 p.m., with its primary purpose being to express solidarity with the people of Israel, survivors, and the families of the deceased, as well as to support the hostages and their loved ones, who remain held captive by the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza. Among the speakers were American Jewish community leaders, politicians, and 17-year-old October 7 survivor Inbal Rahaf.
Survivor Testimony of October 7 Massacre: Inbal Rahaf
Inbal shared her harrowing experience of October 7. On that fateful morning, she was on a cycling training session when, around 7 a.m., the sound of rockets send to Israel from Gaza triggered Israel's air defense system. Initially dismissing the danger as routine, her group sought shelter in a nearby bunker but eventually decided to move to the Sa'ad kibbutz. This critical decision made by head of the bycicle group saved their lives, as Sa'ad was one of the few kibbutzim able to repel the onslaught of armed terrorists.
Amid the ongoing conflict, marked by both pro-Palestinian demonstrations and support for Israel, it remains essential to recognize the attack's origins and Hamas’s actions. While the high Palestinian civilian toll, in which the majority are women and children, fuels global debate, it is vital to scrutinize Hamas’s role in the suffering of Gaza’s residents, whom they claim to protect. In such a multifaceted conflict, understanding various perspectives is crucial. Relying on diverse, credible sources can help navigate the challenges of discerning the truth in this deeply polarized narrative.