Brighton 7 October memorial to relocate after council public works announcement
In the 21 months it has been in Palmeira Square, the memorial has been attacked on more than 50 occasions, having been entirely destroyed - and lovingly rebuilt - five times
A memorial in Brighton to those murdered and taken hostage on 7 October is to be relocated after 21 months in a public square, after the local council announced plans for the area to “undergo re-landscaping and a re-planting scheme.”
The 7 October memorial in Palmeira Square was set up a month after the massacre in which 1,200 people were murdered – including 18 UK citizens. Since then, the memorial site has featured a nightly service and delivered more than 550 dedications. Visitors to the site have included Chief Rabbi Mirvis, Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg, and CO-CEOs of Progressive Judaism Rabbis Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy.
The memorial has been vandalised more than 50 times, including being completely destroyed on five occasions – it has been lovingly rebuilt each time. Incidents include the memorial book being slashed as well as faeces smeared across it. Antisemitic leaflets have also been left in the vicinity, and mourners have at times been aggressively harassed. Four arrests have been made associated with crimes committed there.
However, other local residents have left flowers, stones, toys and candles for the victims. Many have taken a protective role and defended the memorial when it has come under attack.
The memorial was created by a team of volunteers, including Adam Ma’anit and Heidi Bachram; Adam’s cousin, Ma’ayan Idan, was murdered on 7 October by Hamas terrorists – her father Tsachi was taken hostage and later killed by the group.
Adam said: “The way that members of the community have come together to support us, attend events, look after and protect the memorial, campaign for the hostages, and show real, genuine warmth and solidarity to victims’ families and loved ones is what has made it so special.
“At our time of greatest tragedy and despair, extraordinary humans turned out and showed us that we are not alone. It has also brought our tiny Brighton & Hove Jewish community together and strengthened us in deeply profound and lasting ways. Together, we have built something special that truly honours and cares for all the victims of that terrorist atrocity.”
Heidi described how “it was so important for us to grieve publicly and unapologetically. The victims have been so dehumanised and made to be invisible. We wanted to tell their stories, make them whole again.
“The memorial has brought out the best and worst of humanity. We have learned there is a terrifying streak of hatred that runs through our city but also a comforting show of love. That keeps us going.”
Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet member for Sports, Recreation and Libraries at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “We are aware of how important this part of Palmeira Square has become to members of our local Jewish community as a place for collective and individual commemoration and reflection.
“We have been in regular contact with representatives of the group behind the memorial to those killed in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and have discussed the need to close the square from 1 September and understand that they plan to relocate the memorial to private land.
“This area does need to be closed off to the public in order for work to safely take place and I would like to thank people for their understanding in advance of that closure.”
A final event in Palmeira Square will take place on 31 August, with a special service being held, which will include all the names of the murdered being read out. After the final service, organisers will transport the memorial to its new home outside the Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue on Palmeira Avenue.
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