Nova Festival Site Hosts Celebrations Amidst Fierce Public Debate

Hundreds of people, including hostage survivors Bar Kupferstein and Avithar David, participated in Hakafot Shniyot (second hakafot, a Simchat Torah ritual) held at the Nova music festival site in Re'im. They joined families of the fallen, soldiers, and residents of the Gaza border region, with Kupferstein and David being lifted onto participants' shoulders during the dancing. The event occurred against a backdrop of intense public controversy over holding Simchat Torah celebrations at the memorial site.

Earlier on Saturday, dancing was filmed near the poppy installation at the site, sparking sharp protests from bereaved parents. Yoram Yehudai, father of Ron, who was murdered at Nova, protested while tending to his son's memorial. Eran Litman, father of Uriah Litman Ricardo, overturned a refreshment table. Earlier, the Jewish National Fund (JNF) had announced it would not permit organized activities at the site not related to remembrance.

The events and ensuing controversy generated strong reactions on social media. Shikma Bressler, a leader of the Kaplan protest movement, sharply criticized the celebrants, writing on X that "The celebrants at the Nova site, the rioters in Judea and Samaria, the group of 'won't enlist and won't be drafted', they are all the same: the ugly face, the sick head, and the corrupted heart of the 'massacre government'." Other critical comments included activist Nava Rozilio stating participants were "dancing on the blood of the murdered," and media personality Ilan Lokaach calling them "death eaters."

Conversely, some defended the celebrations, citing perceived discrimination against religious events. Media personality Yinon Magal argued it was discrimination against traditional events, contrasting it with a past event featuring DJ Skazi. He stated, "When Skazi brought a sound system and broadcast from Nova, there was no problem, but here when it's religious ceremonies they object, and the JNF didn't allow it, and there was a general outcry from families not to hold the ceremonies."

Simchat Torah events at Re'im have been held for three years. Among the organizers is Kobi Smarno, father of Yonatan Smarno, who was murdered and abducted to Gaza. While some families oppose the celebrations, others view them as an expression of continuity, revival, and victory. Smarno explained before the event, "Where the music stopped, we continue with singing, prayer, and hakafot."