Father Recounts Agonizing Week of Uncertainty After Daughter's Nova Party Murder
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Muriel Zagdon, father of a Nova party massacre victim, described the agonizing week of uncertainty about his daughter's fate and the ongoing struggle to process the trauma three years later. He expressed disappointment with the unchanged political landscape and hopes for new leadership, while cherishing the memory of simple, everyday moments with his daughter.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Father misses simple, everyday moments with daughter murdered at Nova party.
- Family endured a week of uncertainty about daughter's fate after October 7th.
- Possibility of kidnapping arose when victim's phone was found in Gaza.
- Father disappointed by unchanged political figures in upcoming elections.
- He hopes for new, collaborative leadership to emerge from national trauma.
Three years after her murder at the Nova music festival, Muriel Zagdon, father of Rinat Hodaya "Rini" Zagdon, shared his enduring grief, focusing on the small, everyday moments he misses most. "Simple moments, nothing special," he stated, longing for her presence at home, the scent of his daughter, and the sound of her bare feet. The Zagdon family is still grappling with the aftermath of October 7th, with Muriel describing their ongoing struggle to process the event, stating, "We haven't landed yet, we don't fully understand. We wake up and deal with it anew every day."
The family emphasized the importance of attending the state memorial for the victims of October 7th and the ensuing war, believing it crucial for the nation to collectively remember the tragedy. However, before the official recognition, they endured a week of agonizing uncertainty about Rinat's fate. Initial confusion on October 7th gave way to fragmented rumors by midday, leading to a week-long search. The possibility of her being kidnapped arose when her phone was located in Gaza, intensifying their fear and hope.
Only on the night between Thursday and Friday did a delegation deliver the news of Rinat's death. Muriel reflected on the two weeks of not knowing, followed by knowing, as an incredibly difficult period. Despite the passage of three years and the continuation of the war, he finds it hard to gain broad perspective, describing his view as "very close to the event."
Looking towards the future, Zagdon expressed disappointment that the political landscape appears unchanged since the disaster, with the same figures involved in upcoming elections. He hopes for a new generation of leadership from all political spectrums, capable of working together and understanding the national trauma. Ultimately, however, his deepest longing remains for the simple, personal moments with his daughter, the quiet presence of her in their home.