OPINION: Gather with us this Sunday to remember 7 October
Two years on, British Jews are urged to come to gather to remember those who were killed and stand up for those who remain in captivity
It is now two years since 7 October 2023 – a day of tragedy, heartbreak, unspeakable violence and suffering for Israel. It was also a day which shook the foundations of Jewish life here in the UK and all over the world.
This Sunday we will gather in London, at an event organised across the whole Jewish community, to remember those who were murdered, the families which were torn apart and the hostages taken from their homes to Gaza on that fateful day and who remain in Hamas captivity more than 700 days later.
It was a day when we were jolted by the cruelty and inhumanity of the acts perpetrated but also a day when incredible acts of heroism and staggering bravery were undertaken by people who were prepared to risk their lives to save others. Many throughout our country and across the world seem to have forgotten the events of 7 October. It is our duty to remind them, and ourselves, of the horrors of that day.
This Sunday, we will hear from those directly affected by the murderous Hamas attacks on peaceful communities waking up to celebrate the festival of Shemini Atzeret. The speakers at Sunday’s event will include former hostages, family members of hostages and a survivor of the Nova Festival massacre.
In the days and weeks following the attacks, life changed for us here in the UK. Suddenly, Jewish schoolchildren faced abuse on their way to class, graffiti was scrawled on communal buildings, families felt unsafe in their own neighbourhoods, and synagogues were forced to heighten their security. However, resilience is part of the Jewish DNA. We have coped with antisemitism before and the Jewish community in the UK has shown incredible strength and spirit in standing up to the haters and also reaching out to Israelis and others who suffered terrible loss on 7 October .
We will light candles for those who died and those who are still missing and we will pray for peace. The enduring tragedy of 7 October and the subsequent conflict has claimed thousands of innocent lives on both sides. We all long for the suffering and the starvation to end and for reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. This starts with the release of all the hostages, the massive flow of aid into Gaza, and the end of Hamas’s reign of terror in the enclave. After all this suffering, it is time for concerted efforts towards lasting peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider Middle East
This Sunday, we will gather as we did last year, to remember the victims, to honour the survivors, to thank the heroes. It will be a solemn day. But it will also be a statement of defiance and hope. Terror will not define us. Hatred will not diminish us. We will stand together and look forward to a better future.
We would like as many of you as possible to join us to show the strength and the solidarity of our community. You can find more details about the event here:
More information about the location and speakers will be available closer to the day.
Henry Grunwald is Chair of the October 7th Commemorative event committee.
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