In an emotional atmosphere, a memorial service was held on Monday 7.10.2024, at the Beth Shalom Synagogue in Athens, in memory of the Israeli citizens and soldiers who died in the terrorist attack by Hamas, exactly one year ago, on 7 October 2023.
The event was co-organized by KIS, the Jewish Community of Athens and the Embassy of Israel in Greece.
Ο Ambassaor of Israel to Greece Noam Katz, said characteristically: "Today marks one year since the darkest day for the people of Israel. Hamas terrorists attacked by raping, kidnapping, inhumanely and brutally killing 1.200 people, while 101 people remain captives. We are here today for the memorial service, while the trauma still remains deep, an open wound that continues to bleed. But we cannot let sadness and despair overwhelm us, but instead we must turn our grief into strength. We will come out stronger, as always, the Jewish people have proven it in history. I hope and wish that all the captives will soon return to their homes and that peace will prevail."
Ο President of the Central Board of Jewish Commumities in Greece, David Saltiel, pointed out: “And yet, a year has passed since the pogrom of October 7, 2023, and the world seems to have chosen to forget that day. But we don't, we count the days, 367. We share the pain of the relatives of the victims and the anguish of the relatives of the hostages. For them, every day that dawns is a new October 7th. It was a quiet autumn morning in Israel, a day of celebration turned into a day of mourning. It was the day of unparalleled and raging hatred of the Hamas terrorists. It was manifested with beheadings of children, executions of families, rapes, kidnappings, cold shootings of young people, who were singing and dancing. 1.200 people were massacred in the most inhuman ways and 250 were kidnapped and held hostage in the dark tunnels of Gaza. It is estimated that today 101 hostages may still be alive. It was the day terrorism struck the West and continues to do so. Today we remember and remind the world how Israel's war on terror began and wonder what state would let such an attack go unanswered. We are not indifferent to the devastating humanitarian crisis that the war has brought to Gaza. The people of Gaza are suffering and - to the extent that they do not support Hamas - they are suffering doubly: from the war, but also from the dictators to whom they are captive, from the terrorists who use the innocent as human shields, who hide weapons and ammunition in schools and playgrounds. Today we make one more appeal for the release of the hostages and one more prayer for the end of the war and the prevalence of peace. Here I would like to highlight the strong stance of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the government in favor of the just struggle of the people of Israel."
Ο President of the Jewish Community of Athens, Albertos Taramboulous, during his speech he said among other things: “I wish we didn't have to be all here today. A year now, full of grief and anguish. 101 hostages have not yet returned home. They are unjustly detained and tortured by the terrorist organization Hamas. Over 1.200 victims, thousands injured, over 70.000 have left their homes. A year when we hear descriptions of rapes, beheadings, kidnappings of innocent citizens. We hurt and shudder at the thought, at the sight of unimaginable images, at the war sirens sounding in the year 2024. The battle is fierce and unequal. In this particular conflict, the struggle of the civilized world defending itself against terrorist organizations and regimes that challenge democracy, equality, freedom and the autonomy of a state is symbolized. The rise of terrorism does not start or stop in Israeli lands. It is a threat to human civilization and global cohesion. Today we remember the lost victims, we pray for the release of the hostages. In the dark times we are experiencing, however, we do not lose hope. The wounds are many, the gaps difficult to fill, but by agreeing on common bases, we can write a new chapter of peace and harmonious coexistence, definitively and irrevocably leaving behind us the blackest pages of history".
During the ceremony a video was shown edited by the embassy of Israel, which presented the pain and hope of the people of Israel, through difficulties and losses.
A special moment of the event was the description of the October 7, 2023 attack by two young Israelis, Ben and Zlil, who survived the terrorist attack at the 'Nova' music festival and shared their own story with the attendees. Living examples of courage and endurance, they captivated those present with their testimonies: “As bullets whizzed past our heads, we had to make a quick decision and run. Without knowing where to move, only with our instinct and following the rising sun. After 4,5 hours of walking and 24 kilometers, without water, without food and with a lack of sleep for many hours, we arrived safely at a point. Unfortunately, our friends didn't make it. In the days following the murderous attack, we were trying to come to terms with what we had been through and how we had managed to survive while others had not," said Ben.
There followed a memorial prayer by the Rabbi of Athens Gabriel Negrin, who prayed, among other things, for "true, just and lasting peace," and the event continued with two symbolic songs - "October Rain", by Eden Golan and "Gibor shel ima" - performed by Solly Johanna accompanied by Danny Tzafoos on the piano.
Closing the event, which was presented by the president of the Jewish Youth of Greece, Solomon Kampelis, the national anthems of Greece and Israel were played and a minute's silence was observed. Those present, during their exit to the courtyard of the Synagogue, lit candles for the victims, as a sign of collective memory and sadness.
The event was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and representative of the Prime Minister and the Greek Government Giorgos Gerapetritis, the Ministers of State Makis Voridis, Labor Niki Kerameus, Health Adonis Georgiadis, the Deputy Ministers of Development Zoi Rapti, Defense Yiannis Kefalogiannis, Labor Kostas Karagounis, Education Zetta Makris, Digital Governance Konstantinos Kyranakis, G.G. Giorgos Kalantzis of Religion, G.G. Defense Antonis Oikonomou, the special envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on anti-Semitism, Ambassador Chrysoula Aliferi, the Deputy Mayor of Athens Giorgos Giannaros, as well as many MPs, ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic corps and the media.
With data from ATHENS - MACEDONIAN NEWS AGENCY, 7.10.2024