Major London Memorial Assembly to Mark One-Year Anniversary of October 7th
On Sunday, October 6th, over 20,000 members of the UK Jewish community and allies, assembled at Hyde Park to commemorate the first anniversary of October 7th. The gathering marks a year since Hamas brutally murdered over 1,200 people and kidnapped hundreds, 101 of whom remain in captivity. The past year has also seen unprecedented levels of antisemitism here in the UK.
Together, we showed our unity and resilience in the face of hate. We showed our support for the hostages still in Hamas captivity, and we showed that our hope lives on. "We will remain resilient, determined, optimistic and brave", said Keith Black, Chair of the JLC.
Attendees heard from hostage family members, including Mandy Damari, the mother of British hostage Emily Damari (age 28) who is still being held hostage. The event was hosted by Tracy-Ann Oberman, with readings of poetry by Sir Simon Schama, a prayer from Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, a hostage prayer was said by the co-leads of Progressive Judaism and a moving testimony was given by Barak Deri, one of the first soldiers sent to Kibbutz Be'eri after the attack.
Along with the Board of Deputies of British Jews, UJIA, Hostages and Missing Families Forum (UK), 7/10 Human Chain Project, and and working with the Embassy of Israel in London, we felt it was important to bring the UK Jewish community together to show our solidarity with the people of Israel, our support for the plight of the hostages still held in Hamas captivity, and our resilience and unity despite rising antisemitism.
Speaking at the event, Mandy Damari, the mother of British hostage Emily Damari (age 28) who is still being held captive, said: " Imagine, for a moment if Emily was your daughter. Try to picture what she is going through. Since the 7th of October last year, she has been held a hostage by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza terror tunnels, 20 meters or more underground, kept in captivity, tortured, isolated, unable to eat, speak or even move without someone else's permission. Stripped of every human right. It is almost impossible to comprehend her pain. Yet it is the reality she is living every single day."
23 candles were lit during the ceremony for each of the communities attacked on that day. There was loud applause from the crowd when Ada Sagi, a released hostage, lit a candle together with her son Noam.
Moderating the event, Tracy-Ann Oberman said: "you will not forget [October 7th] because we will not let you forget." Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis told the assembly: "Today we weep, we weep for the main innocent civilians in Israel, in Lebanon, and Gaza… but at the same time we have tikvah. We have hope. Regardless of what happens to the Jewish people, we will live on in hope."
Barak Deri, one of the first soldiers sent to Kibbutz Be'eri after the attack, shared his heartbreaking story concluding that: "Unity comes first."
