Herzog proposes unity-focused October 7 ceremony at President's residence amid controversy

President Isaac Herzog proposed to hold the State October 7 Memorial Ceremony at the President's Residence in a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday.

"The ceremony, which will be coordinated by the President's Residence, in continuous and attentive communication with the relevant state and social-community entities, will be respectful, unifying, modest, and of course, without political symbols,” Herzog wrote in the letter.

He immediately added, “The ceremony will include traditional state elements, such as lowering the flag to half-mast and reciting the Kaddish, Yizkor, and El Maleh Rachamim prayers, along with additional content to be determined in coordination and partnership, as mentioned.”

“Representatives of the government and representatives from all the communities, settlements, and groups whose worlds were shattered by the massacre on October 7 will be invited to the ceremony," Herzog further wrote to Netanyahu.”

President Herzog then requested the proposal be considered by the Prime Minister and brought for discussion in the Ministerial Committee for Symbols and Ceremonies. The President also emphasized that "Great responsibility lies with public representatives at this time. The citizens of Israel look to their representatives and expect that the upcoming memorial days will be a source of comfort, healing, mending, growth, faith, building, and hope; not days of division, polarization, and discord."

Regev defends Oct. 7 ceremony

Amid the criticism, Minister Miri Regev held a press conference on Thursday to address the controversy concerning the State October 7 Memorial Ceremony. "We are in complex and difficult times. I see great responsibility in leading the ceremony as it brings something different that is adapted to the current reality,” Regev said during the press conference.

“I have shed tears and embraced the families, and I understand the criticism and disappointment. However, we have one country, and one army, and with God's help, we will prevail. We will bring back the hostages, eliminate Hamas, and neutralize the threats from the south and north," she added.

Following her statement, ceremony director, Minister Ran Tzachor, added, “No script was handed to me, and nothing was dictated to me. We prepared something and presented it to the committee, which was approved without anything being changed.”

Kalderon family against the ceremony

In a letter sent on Friday, the family of hostage Ofer Kalderon informed the ceremony organizers they refuse to have any of the Kalderon family members mentioned or portrayed during the state ceremony.

In their letter, the Kalderon family stated, "We, Ofer Kalderon's family, who is still held hostage by Hamas for nearly 11 months, profusely refuse any use of the name, images, or story of Ofer and his two sons Sahar and Erez who were kidnapped with him from their home in [kibbutz] Nir Oz."

משפחתו של החטוף עופר קלדרון נגד הטקס הממלכתי: "מסרבים בתוקף לשימוש בשמם, תמונותיהם, וסיפורם של עופר ושני ילדיו סהר וארז שנחטפו איתו. לא יתכן כי מי שהובילו לשבר התהומי - יהיו אלה שינהלו את הטקס הממלכתי וישתמשו בנו כניצבים"@ShaIsrael2 pic.twitter.com/nMHC1CRvMe

— גלצ (@GLZRadio) August 23, 2024

They further criticized the government for "dealing with ceremonies," instead of taking responsibility for "the biggest failure since the foundation of Israel." They further urged the government to "invest their efforts in returning the hostages," as well as "find the appropriate way to apologize to us for the horrible massacre we have experienced."

"It is unacceptable that those who led to the massive breach of trust in the government will be the ones to manage the state ceremony and use us as mere extras," the Kalderon family emphasized. They reiterated their refusal, stating, "We cannot allow the cynical use of an Israeli citizen's name, whose country has abandoned, neglected, and sacrificed his freedom for nearly a year."

The Kalderon family concluded their letter by emphasizing, "When Ofer returns, healthy and safe as his daughter saw him in the Hamas tunnels, along with all the hostages - living for rehabilitation and the deceased for burial - we will decide together with him whether to participate in the state ceremony."