Tens of thousands expected to attend alternative Oct. 7 memorial ceremony not organized by government

Channel 12 reports that tens of thousands of Israelis are expected to attend an alternative ceremony marking the first anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 onslaught that is being organized by the victims of the attack who do not want to participate in the official event being organized by the government.

Families of hostages and other victims of October 7 have fumed at the government’s decision to charge Transportation Minister Miri Regev with organizing the state event.

Several Gaza border communities have accused the government of using the official ceremony to avoid responsibility for the role it played in failing to prevent Hamas terror assault, and for failing the communities in the aftermath of the massacre.

Regev dismissed the criticism as “noise,” further intensifying criticism from the families of the victims and the hostages, who accused her of dismissing their concerns and ignoring their pain. She also said that others were welcome to hold tribute ceremonies of their own, but compared this idea to a contentious annual joint Israeli-Palestinian memorial ceremony, which is demonized by the Israeli right.

The alternative October 7 memorial ceremony will be held at Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park and will be co-emceed by Hanoch Daum and Rotem Sela, Channel 12 says.