Two years after the Hamas terrorist attack, on October 7, 2023, the Central Israelite Council of Greece (KISE), the Embassy of Israel in Greece and the I.K. of Athens honored the memory of the Israeli citizens and soldiers who lost their lives with a memorial service held on October 19, 2025, at the Athens Synagogue. The ceremony was attended by the Ministers of Health Adonis Georgiadis, Immigration and Asylum Thanos Plevris, and Shipping Vassilis Kikilias, the Deputy Minister of Labor Costas Karagounis, the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defense Antonis Economou, the Secretary General of Hellenes Abroad Maira Myrogianni, the Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chrysoula Aliferi, as well as a multitude of parliamentarians, diplomats, journalists, personalities from the academic community and co-religionists.
The President of KISE, David Saltiel, in his speech he referred to the new page that is opening in the history of the Middle East, following the peace agreement, pointing out that we can envision a world where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side — in security, justice and freedom.
The Ambassador of Israel, Noam Katz, spoke of the deep wounds left by the attack on Israeli society, underlining that Israel recently felt deep relief after the release of all the living hostages. He stressed, however, that full healing will only come when the bodies of the dead are returned so that their families can say goodbye.
The President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce referred to the peace agreement between the State of Israel and Hamas, Albert Tarabulous, pointing out that this marks the beginning of the end of fear and that only through peace can hope be reborn and a future free from hatred, anti-Semitism and violence be built.
The main speaker of the event was reporter Makis Provatas, who emphasized, among other things, that the attack of October 7, 2023 is a turning point for the West, as Israel is fighting not only for its security, but for the defense of truth, freedom and the fundamental values of humanity against barbarity and fanaticism.
The memorial service in memory of the victims was performed by the Rabbi of Athens, Gabriel Negrin.
During the ceremony, videos of the events of October 7 were shown, as well as footage of the hostages' return to their families.
The event was accompanied musically by the internationally acclaimed violinist Ashi Matathias, who performed Ernst Bloch's Nigun, and by educator Rita Sassoon, who performed the song "My God, I Wanted You to Know / Elohim Sheli Ratziti She'teda".
The master of ceremonies for the event was Sam Namias.