World Leaders Mark October 7 Anniversary with Solemn Tributes

Leaders and representatives from France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the EU marked the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks with commemorations and statements condemning terrorism and antisemitism. French President Emmanuel Macron recalled the "barbaric terrorist attacks by Hamas" that killed over 1,200 people, including 51 French nationals, and stated France's commitment to fighting antisemitism and terrorism and working for peace. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the Hamas attack as a "deep rift" and emphasized the need to confront antisemitism with greater resolve, ensuring Jewish people can live without fear. EU Foreign Minister Kaya Kallas called the October 7 attack a "barbaric act of terrorism," expressing solidarity with Israel and condemning all forms of antisemitism, stressing that Jewish communities must be able to live openly and safely. Scotland's First Minister John Swinney remembered the victims of the "horrific terrorist attack," noting it was the largest loss of Jewish lives in a single event since the Holocaust, and vowed to condemn terrorism and hatred in all its forms.

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands acknowledged that nearly 1,200 innocent people lost their lives and over 250 were taken hostage in the Hamas attack. He also noted the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians since the attack, stating that no goal justifies such violence. In response, Geert Wilders, a political opponent of the Dutch Prime Minister, accused him of betraying Israel and the Jewish people, criticizing his policies and open borders.

Global commemorations included the dedication of a walkway named after victims in Paris, a special film screening about October 7 in New York, and an art installation of a thousand chairs in Berlin. Brandenburg Gate was illuminated with the Israeli flag. Survivors of the attacks and bereaved family members are sharing their testimonies at events worldwide, including in New York, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Germany, and Russia. Film screenings and photo exhibitions documenting the events are also being held in India, Spain, London, and Beijing. Permanent tributes include educational centers named after Israeli communities in the Philippines and a planned memorial in Nepal for 11 Nepali students killed in the attack.