Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
On the evening of October 7, 2024, the Israeli Embassy organized a poignant memorial ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia, Cyprus. This somber gathering brought together various Cypriot officials, local ambassadors, and distinguished guests to honor the victims of the horrific Hamas attack that had shaken Israel exactly a year earlier. The event, laced with grief and remembrance, offered a powerful reminder of the tragic events of "Black Saturday" and the immense human loss that followed.
The ceremony began with soft melodies, setting a solemn tone for the evening. The audience was taken back to the devastation of October 7, 2023, through heart-wrenching photos by renowned Israeli photojournalist Ziv Koren, who had documented the horrors of that day. His images—raw and vivid—painted a painful picture of the massacre that had claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives, marking the deadliest single-day killing of Jews since the Holocaust. The imagery, projected behind the speakers, served as a stark visual testimony to the brutal nature of the attack.
Oren Anolik, the Ambassador of Israel to Cyprus, addressed the audience with powerful words that echoed the grief shared by many. “Words fail,” he began, acknowledging the overwhelming horror and loss that Israel and the world continue to grapple with. He spoke of the systematic brutality of the attack, recalling the chilling atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists, from the murders at the Nova Music Festival to the kidnapping of innocent children and families. He recounted the cruel fate of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, young toddlers who were torn from their homes and thrown into captivity in Gaza, highlighting the cruelty endured by the most vulnerable.
The Ambassador also reminded the audience that the massacre was not only an attack on Israel but an assault on the values of humanity itself. "The threat is not directed only towards Israel," he warned, emphasizing that this was a broader conflict between democracy and terror. His speech underscored Israel’s determination to prevent another massacre while urging the world to stand together against extremism.
Rotem Segev, Deputy Ambassador of Israel to Cyprus, echoed these sentiments, underlining the need to remember not just the tragic loss but also the courage and resilience of the survivors. Their stories, Segev noted, are a testament to human strength and determination in the face of unspeakable violence.
The evening took a deeply emotional turn when Gal Dalal, a survivor of the Nova Music Festival, spoke. Gal, whose brother was among those kidnapped by Hamas and remains in captivity, tearfully shared his story. He described the Nova Festival as a gathering of peace-loving people who harbored no ill will toward Palestinians, emphasizing that the festival-goers were not just victims but individuals who deeply believed in coexistence. His plea for the return of his brother and other hostages moved many in the audience to tears.
In response, Cypriot Minister of Energy, George Papanastasiou, who represented Cyprus at the event, offered his condolences and expressed solidarity with Israel. His words reinforced the long-standing friendship between the two nations, emphasizing the need for unity in the face of terror. Papanastasiou’s speech was a reminder that Cyprus and Israel share a common desire for peace and security in a region too often scarred by violence.
The ceremony also featured a prayer led by Chief Rabbi of Cyprus, Arie Ze'ev Raskin, invoking the "El Maleh Rachamim," a traditional Jewish prayer for the departed. The somber tones of the prayer resonated deeply with the audience, reminding all present of the sanctity of life and the grief of those left behind.
The night concluded with a moving rendition of "Forever Young" as photos of the victims were projected onto the screen, including scenes from the Nova Festival where so many lost their lives. This final tribute was a poignant reminder of the young lives cut short and the enduring hope for peace that they represented.
