One Year After October 7 – Talk and Commemoration Event
One year after Hamas' terrorist attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, Israeli society is characterized by a simultaneous state of emergency and return to normality. More than 100 hostages are still in the hands of Hamas, while the war in the Gaza Strip continues. Israel is constantly under attack on many fronts – from Iran, from the Houthi rebels in Yemen, from terrorists in the West Bank and from the terrorist militia Hezbollah in Lebanon. Around 120,000 people from the north and south of the country are still being housed elsewhere as internally displaced persons. The people of Israel are facing an uncertain future.
To mark the anniversary of 7 October, ConAct invited German partner organizations to come together digitally on this day, share snapshots from Israel, commemorate those killed and remember those abducted.
In conversation with Uriel Kashi. On the occasion of 7 October, a discussion with tour guide and historian Uriel Kashi from Jerusalem took place for German partner organizations in German-Israeli youth exchange as part of the discussion series “Israel after 7 October – Voices from youth work and society”. What thoughts and feelings do people in Israel have about October 7 and the past year? What public and private forms of commemoration take place? What does the anniversary and the current war situation mean for the young generation? Uriel Kashi tried to find answers to these and other questions. He impressively outlined the fact that Israeli society has been in a permanent state of emergency since October 7, 2023.
For Kashi and many other Israelis, the day began early – at 6:29 a.m. – the time when the Hamas massacre began on October 7, 2023. Demonstrators gathered in front of the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They demanded the immediate return of the hostages and joined together to commemorate those murdered and kidnapped. With regard to the country's young people, Kashi emphasized how much the impressions of 7 October and the war that followed had shaped an entire young generation. It could be assumed that the very different worlds and experiences of Israeli and German young people would also have an impact on future exchange projects and encounters.
In remembrance of October 7, 2023. Following the discussion, a joint commemoration was held in memory of those abducted and murdered on October 7. The joint commemoration began with the song “Shibulim” by the artist Adar Gold, which is dedicated to the events of October 7.
Testimonies. In pre-recorded testimonies, Na'ama Gal and Aya Meydan told how they survived the attacks. Na'ama Gal's survival account describes how she survived the attack at the Nova Festival wounded, while many people around her were murdered and two of her friends were kidnapped, among many others. The account was read out and recorded as part of the launch event for the “WE ARE CONNECTED.” initiative.
The testimony of Aya Meydan, who was rescued together with a Bedouin kibbutz worker by his relatives, impressively shows that October 7 affected all social groups regardless of their religious or cultural affiliation.
Yizkor. Employees of the ConAct team took turns to say a prayer of remembrance. The “Yizkor” is a special prayer of remembrance written by members of the Israeli youth movements after October 7, 2023.
WE ARE CONNECTED. Afterwards, ConAct director Christine Mähler read out a statement affirming the bond between young people in Germany and Israel as well as the bond between the partners in the German-Israeli Youth Exchange.
WE ARE CONNECTED. That is a statement. An assurance. A commitment. An affirmation of the deep and diverse connections between young people and people of all generations from Germany and Israel.
Finally, the song “May it be – לו יהי” was played, a piece that tells of the hope for better, more peaceful times.