Heartbreaking memorials from Tel Aviv to Central Park for Oct. 7 victims: ‘One unending day of terror’
Heart-wrenching memorials honoring the victims of Oct. 7 were held across the globe from Tel Aviv to Central Park on Monday.
The somber day was filled with tears, comforting words and somber gestures in remembrance of the roughly 1,200 Israelis killed and the 250 kidnapped during the shocking display of depravity last year that sparked the current destructive conflict in Gaza.
Ceremonies in Israel started around 6:29 a.m. local time to mark the hour when Hamas launched rockets into the Jewish state at the start of their attack.
Family and friends of victims gathered for a ceremony on the grounds of the Nova Festival, where hundreds of innocent music revelers were killed. The event got under way to the sounds of the final track that was played at the fest last year.
“We will remember always who kidnapped, who murdered, who raped, who slaughtered,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said. “At the same time, we have also seen extraordinary fortitude. We have a wonderful people and on this day we strengthen it and call for unity.”
Other ceremonies occurred in kibbutz villages and towns near Israel’s border throughout the day.
“The memory of our citizens who were killed in the terrorist attack and the memory of all the fallen heroes from the IDF and security forces will be cherished forever,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in videotaped message.
“On October 7th, we were all hurled into a critical battle, but we were not defeated. On the contrary, it is we who are acting to defeat and deter our enemies.”
Outside the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem, about 300 people led by loved ones of the hostages held up photos of the captives and observed a minute of silence for the fallen as an air siren sounded.
“We’re still stuck in Oct. 7, 2023, in one unending day of terror, of fear, of anger, of despair,” said Yuval Baron, whose father-in-law Keith Siegel was abducted.
“We wanted to start this day together to remind ourselves, our prime minister, the public of Israel that even though it is a day of grief, there is still a holy mission to bring back the hostages,” Baron said.
During a ceremony in Tel Aviv, Nitza Korngold, who had seven relatives that were kidnapped, delivered a message to her son Tal Shoham, who is still a hostage, the New York Times reported.
“My dear Tal, if you can see or hear me, we all miss you so much,” she said. “We are doing everything to bring you and all the hostages home soon. We will not give up on you.”
A large ceremony organized by UJA-Federation of New York at Central Park was held Monday evening and included a speech by a Nova survivor, Natalie Sanandaji.
“Our community, in Israel, in New York — around the world — will never forget the hundreds murdered, the hundreds kidnapped and taken hostage. The rape. The unspeakable acts of violence against mothers and fathers, children and babies. So many ordinary people,” the victim said.
A woman who did want to be named told The Post, “We’re really, really injured and hurting and sad and shocked and depressed. It’s just a very, very difficult time.”
The Manhattan gathering also drew hordes of politicians — everyone from Gov. Kathy Hochul to Mayor Eric Adams to Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.
Adams drew cheers from the crowd, but did not appear to interact with any of his fellow Democrats on stage during the somber ceremony.
Adams directed all city flags be lowered to half-staff, while City Hall and five additional government buildings were lit yellow Monday evening in honor of the hostages.
“One year ago today, people of all faiths and creeds gathered at the Nova Music Festival in Israel to sing songs of peace and coexistence,” Adams said in a statement.
“With the brutal murder of more than 1,200 innocent men, women, and children by cowardly terrorists, a part of all of us died that day. Hundreds more were taken hostage in the aftermath, and many still remain in captivity today.
“And as we see the devastation wrought on innocent people in the Middle East in the aftermath of this unprovoked attack, the thought of peace becomes even more distant,” Hizzoner said.
“But that is exactly why we must continue to strive for peace — for the safe return of all of the hostages, for the defeat of Hamas, and for an end to this deadly conflict.”
President Biden stood next to first lady Jill Biden while lighting a yahrzeit candle in DC and observing a moment of silence after Rabbi Aaron Alexander of Washington’s Adas Israel Congregation read the Jewish prayer for Oct. 7 victims at the White House.
Earlier in the day, Biden and Israeli President Herzog spoke, according to the White House.
Candidates running to succeed Biden — Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump — also marked the solemn day.
Trump paid a visit to the gravesite of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who was the leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement of Orthodox Judaism from 1951 until his death in 1994, in Queens. Video showed the Republican nominee wearing a black yarmulke as he unfolded and read a piece of paper.
He also took a moment of silence and placed a small rock on the rabbi’s tombstone before he left, which is a traditional Jewish custom.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who accompanied Trump during his visit to the grave of the late Lubavitcher leader, told The Post he wished “everyone could see this side of President Trump.”
“He was kind, compassionate,” Blakeman said of the former president.
During the visit to the Ohel, Blakeman said Trump spoke to the parents of one of the hostages in Gaza captured by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack in Israel, believed to be American-Israeli Edan Alexander.
“Trump spent a lot of time with them,” the Republican Nassau County executive told The Post.
“It was very moving for Trump to come to the Ohel during the anniversary of one of the worst tragedies of the Jewish people,” said Blakeman, who is Jewish.
The 45th president was accompanied by his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, who chairs the Republican National Committee.
Trump was later expected to fly down to Florida to host an event with Jewish community leaders at his resort in Doral, the Times reported.
Harris, the Democratic nominee, called Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 assault “an act of pure evil” and cited the Kaddish, a Jewish prayer in mourning, to talk about “our enduring belief in God, even in our darkest moments.”
She and second gentleman Doug Emhoff planted a pomegranate tree at their official residence in memory of the victims, the Times of Israel reported.
The ceremonies came as thousands of protesters both in support and against Israel took to the streets throughout the day Monday.
The one-year mark also comes as the Middle East faces the threat of a larger regional conflict.
Additional reporting by Dorian Geiger, Carl Campanile and Post Wires
