Nova Festival Survivors Honored at 'Friends of Israel' Summit

On the third anniversary of the October 7th Hamas attacks, approximately 1,000 Christian leaders and community influencers from around the world gathered at the site of the Nova music festival in Re'im. The visit was part of the "Ambassadors' Conference of Friends of Israel." Attendees met with survivors of the massacre, former hostages, and bereaved families, hearing their personal accounts.

During the event, Dr. Mike Evans, President and Founder of Friends of Israel, presented the "Hineni" (Here I Am) award to four Israelis whose stories have become symbols of October 7th. These included hostage survivors Noa Argamani, Romy Gonen, and Elkana Bohbot, as well as Hila Avir, sister of Lotan Avir, who was murdered at the festival. For Argamani, this marked her first return to the festival grounds since her abduction on October 7th. She expressed gratitude for the leaders' presence and support, stating, "Thank you for everything you do and for all your love and support."

Evans addressed Argamani, saying, "You know how much love and how many friends you have in the world? We are here to show you that you are not alone. You are beautiful. You are a great light to the world. I see you are here with great pain, and I am here to tell you that your pain will become your strength."

Gonen, also a recipient of the award, spoke about her friend Gaia, who was killed at the festival, and Ben Shimoni, who saved her and 12 others before being killed. She also mentioned Ofir Tzarfati, who was abducted with her and did not survive, and Emily Damari, who endured 431 days in captivity with her. Gonen emphasized the responsibility to remember Gaia not just for her death, but for her life.

Bohbot thanked Evans and the visiting leaders, stating their support provides strength even in dark times. He expressed gratitude for his return home and honored the memory of those murdered at the site. The visit to the Nova festival site is part of the "Ambassadors' Conference of Friends of Israel," now in its second year, held in Jerusalem in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Evans stated the conference aims to remember the deceased, stand with survivors, and ensure their stories are heard globally.