October 7: Thousands gather for ‘pain of wounded humanity’
Thousands of people gathered over the weekend for the first emotional commemorations marking the anniversary of Palestinian militant group Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Thousands of people gathered over the weekend for the first emotional commemorations marking the anniversary of Palestinian militant group Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday paid tribute to the victims as the first candlelight vigils, memorials and marches to mark the anniversary were held in cities ranging from Tel Aviv to London, Paris and Berlin.
“The pain remains, as vivid as it was a year ago. The pain of the Israeli people. Ours. The pain of wounded humanity,” he wrote on X, adding that he was sending “fraternal thoughts” to the victims, their families and the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip a year on.
In Paris, thousands of people gathered on Sunday to remember the victims of the attack.
We’re here in support of Israel, the Israeli people, in memory of those who were killed and for those who were kidnapped” that day, Robert Zbili, the president of the National Jewish Fund, told AFP.
In Tel Aviv, friends and relatives of the 370 people killed in the massacre at the Nova dance festival held a candlelight vigil on Sunday evening at a concert hall.
Against a backdrop of neon lights and music, they lit candles for their loved ones and embraced.
In London, thousands gathered in Hyde Park, waving Israeli flags and “bring them home” placards with faces of the hostages still held by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. Photos of those killed on October 7 were shown on a big screen as attendees lit candles in their honour – as supporters did in Manchester and other UK cities.
In a statement late on Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “One year on from these horrific attacks we must unequivocally stand with the Jewish community and unite as a country.
“We must never look the other way in the face of hate.”
He also called for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, and for a free flow of aid into Gaza.
“We must also not look the other way as civilians bear the ongoing dire consequences of this conflict,” he said.
More memorials are planned for Monday night, including an expected outpouring of emotion in Israel itself.
In Berlin, around 650 people attended a commemoration on Sunday. Police said they had detained 26 people who shouted insults at participants.
In Geneva, 300 people gathered on Sunday evening in front of the UN offices there for a tribute.
But in a video message and a post on X, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Daniel Meron, denounced the organisation for having failed to “pass a resolution holding Hamas and its supporters responsible”.
In the US, where the events of October 7 have been swept up in the divisive race for next month’s elections, Republican nominee Donald Trump was due to mark the anniversary at a “Remembrance Event” in Miami organised by Jewish community leaders. There will also be a vigil outside the White House for the hostages.
AFP
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