Israel Marks 3 Years Since Oct. 7 Attacks with Vigils in US

Israeli missions in the United States held official commemoration ceremonies in New York and Washington to mark three years since the October 7th attacks. Hundreds of diplomats, US government representatives, and community leaders attended the events.

In New York, Consul General Ofir Akunis issued a sharp public invitation to the city's mayor, urging him to watch a "horrors film" from October 7th, scheduled to be screened in the city within 48 hours. Akunis stated, "I invite Mr. Zohran Mamdani, the mayor, to come and watch the film. He will be able to see for the first time what the people he supports truly did, and perhaps he will stop his incessant incitement, hatred, and blood libels against the State of Israel. Anyone who watches the film and has a human heart will understand who the real enemy is."

Akunis directly addressed world leaders criticizing Israel's policies, asking what they would do if similar attackers invaded their countries and brutally murdered innocent civilians, or if their own family members were burned alive. He asserted that Israel was finished listening to "empty criticism" and was unimpressed by "cowardly actions, colorfulness, and weakness" aimed at appeasing new political bases.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Embassy in Washington held its own ceremony at the Washington Hebrew Congregation. Michael Needham, Assistant to the US President and Deputy National Security Advisor, spoke about the severe injury of Neriah Leiter, son of Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, in a recent attack. Needham quoted Yechiel Leiter saying, "They choose death; we choose life," calling it the dividing line between civilization and barbarism. He added that for the past three years, Israel has chosen life, fighting and sacrificing for it, and that civilization will prevail with heroes like Yechiel, Moshe, and Neriah.

Nevo Bar-Haddad, Deputy Ambassador to Washington, highlighted the nation's resilience, stating that while October 7th inflicted heavy losses, enemies could not break Israel's determination, courage, and resourcefulness. The Washington event included the lighting of a memorial candle by ATF Director Robert Zeckda and a multimedia presentation by the "Heroes" project, honoring civilians who saved lives during the attack. Both ceremonies concluded with the singing of the Israeli and American national anthems.