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The Jerusalem Post

Hostage and Missing Families Forum, kibbutzim join boycott of gov't's Oct. 7 memorial ceremony

 
 Demonstrators protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the current Israeli government and for the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip outside Hakirya Base in Tel Aviv, August 10, 2024.  (photo credit: MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90)
Demonstrators protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the current Israeli government and for the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip outside Hakirya Base in Tel Aviv, August 10, 2024.
(photo credit: MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90)

Families of October 7 victims, in collaboration with the Kumu movement, have decided to organize the main memorial event on October 7, 2024, independently through crowdfunding.

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum will not participate in the government's Transportation Minister Miri Regev-led October 7 memorial ceremony event to mark one year since the terror attack, the Forum announced Wednesday.

"The resounding failure of the current Israeli government to bring back the hostages prevents it from trying to achieve closure while the situation remains unchanged since October 7. The consequences of that day are still felt daily by the families of the evacuees, whose communities were destroyed and homes demolished," the forum said in a statement, explaining why they will not attend the event. 

The forum stated that it would instead join the communities in the Gaza border area in commemorating October 7 outside of the government's event. 

Earlier, Kibbutzim Kfar Aza, Nahal Oz, Yad Mordechai, and Nir Yitzhak joined Kibbutzim Nirim, Nir Oz, and Re'im in boycotting the event as well, KAN News reported.

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A ceremony organized by families of October 7 victims

Families of October 7 victims, in collaboration with the Kumu movement, have decided to organize the main memorial event on October 7, 2024, independently through crowdfunding and will not participate in the government's Regev-led event, the Kumu movement announced on Monday.

 Homes are destroyed, following the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip, in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, southern Israel November 2, 2023 (credit:  REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)
Homes are destroyed, following the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip, in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, southern Israel November 2, 2023 (credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)

"We will ensure that October 7 is commemorated honestly and humanely, without disguises or distortions. Together, we will remember the loss, the heroism, and the failures," families of October 7 victims said in a statement following the announcement that Regev will be leading the October 7 memorial ceremony.

According to the organizers, the content of the main ceremony will be shaped by representatives of families directly impacted by October 7, and will include public participation. 

The event organizers invited all interested family members to participate in shaping the ceremony and to contact them via email through Yonatan Shamriz.

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