Israel Marks 25 Years Since 9/11 Attacks at Jerusalem Memorial

Jerusalem hosted a memorial ceremony on Thursday, September 10, 2026, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The event took place at the "Twin Towers Memorial" in the Jerusalem forest, the only memorial outside the United States bearing the names of all victims of the 2001 attacks.

The ceremony, organized by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) USA, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL), and the U.S. Embassy in Israel, underscored the enduring bond between the two nations, built on shared democratic values and a united front against terrorism.

Attendees included U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Harkey, JNF USA CEO Russell Robinson, KKL Chairman Eyal Ostrovsky, and Patricia Heaton, an Emmy Award-winning American actress. Also present were Israeli Fire and Rescue Commissioner Eyal Caspi and U.S. Army Attaché Major Jeffrey Johnson. The ceremony featured a performance by the "Art of Nova" ensemble, comprised of survivors of the October 7th Nova music festival massacre, and included the laying of wreaths by various representatives, escorted by U.S. Marines and Israeli firefighters.

The memorial, inaugurated in 2009, features a 30-meter bronze sculpture resembling a flame and the U.S. flag, created by artist Eliezer Wishnoff. A piece of steel from the World Trade Center ruins is incorporated at its base. Speakers emphasized that the memorial serves as a testament to the deep connection between Israel and the U.S., a commitment to fighting terrorism, and a symbol of hope for future generations.

Ambassador Harkey stated the joint mourning was "testimony to the ongoing solidarity between the two countries" and their shared resolve to combat terrorism. KKL Chairman Ostrovsky highlighted the memorial as a symbol of the partnership between Israel and the U.S., based on freedom, democracy, and solidarity.