Israeli families boycott state event, hold alternative October 7 memorial in Tel Aviv
Families of victims of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks gathered at Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park on Wednesday for an alternative memorial marking the third anniversary of the attacks.
Attendees embraced, held photographs of loved ones and watched musical performances during the emotional ceremony, organised separately from Israel's official state commemorations.
Some attendees questioned the government's responsibility for the security failures surrounding the attacks. “I don't think the army or the police have the whole responsibility,” said Elad, who also expressed concern about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu potentially remaining in power after the upcoming election.
Avi Shamriz, whose son Alon escaped Hamas captivity but was mistakenly killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza, called for unity beyond political divisions.
“There is no right, no left; there is only bereavement, and we want to respect everyone's families,” he said, praising his son Yonatan for organising the ceremony.
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The memorial comes ahead of Israel's October 27 parliamentary election, with Netanyahu facing a challenge from former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.
About 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage in the October 7 attacks. Israel's subsequent military offensive in Gaza has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
