Israel Honors Oct. 7 Victims and Rescuers at Mount Herzl Ceremony

Israel held an official ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on Monday to commemorate the victims and heroes of the October 7, 2023 attacks. The event, which followed the national commemoration, was attended by President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Singers Noam Bettan and Yuval Raphael performed at the ceremony. The leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, did not attend. Lapid explained his absence by stating he refuses to participate in commemorations alongside officials he believes are not taking responsibility for the massacre, are blaming IDF commanders, and are refusing to establish an inquiry commission. He indicated he prefers ceremonies organized by victims' families. President Herzog's speech focused on Route 232, a road near the Gaza Strip that became a site of both escape and massacre on October 7. He contrasted the terror experienced by survivors fleeing the Nova festival with the courage of those who drove towards the danger to rescue victims. Civilians, soldiers, police, and rescue teams rushed into combat, some to save strangers. Herzog highlighted that these rescuers did not inquire about the origin, religious beliefs, or political preferences of those they aided. He stated that Route 232 embodies both the failures with terrible consequences and the solidarity shown in response. While acknowledging the bloodshed on the road, Herzog urged it also be recognized as "the road of heroism." With legislative elections approaching on October 27, the president called on Israelis to preserve their mutual responsibility and remember their common bonds despite political disagreements. He concluded by reaffirming the commitment to preserving the memory of the victims and devastated communities, promising "We will forever remember what happened that day."