Today, exactly one year since the horrific October 7 Massacre, we gathered at a special event to commemorate the more than 1,200 Israeli men, women, and children murdered, alongside the families of the victims and hostages.
On October 7, 2023, Israel was brutally attacked by Hamas terrorists who barbarically killed innocent Israeli citizens. Over 300 people were kidnapped and taken to Hamas tunnels, some of whom died in prison, some were freed, 101 are still prisoners of their captors.
Exactly one year later, at the Shoah Foundation Museum, we wanted to commemorate this day of mourning for Israel. October 7 was nothing less than a pogrom in our own land.
The event was held in the presence of many illustrious guests including the Secretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher, members of the curia, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Jewish community, and friends who wanted to express their closeness to us on a day of mourning.
It was a moving event that began with a minute of silence and a message from the President of Israel, Isaac Herzogh.
Ambassador Yaron Sideman gave a speech and then left the stage to Mrs. Ella Mor who spoke about her experience as the aunt of Abigail, a little girl who was kidnapped, and then released, by Hamas. Abigail and her siblings now live with their aunt because their parents were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023.
In memory of the victims, Monsignor Gallagher, Ella Mor, Mario Venezia and Ambassador Sideman, in the silence of the room, lit 4 candles in memory of that fateful day.
The event ended with the hatikvah sung by Maurizio Di Veroli.
May the memory of the victims be a blessing