Global Vigils and Protests Mark One Year Since Hamas Attack on Israel

 Monday marked the first anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of over 200 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the surprise attack started a protracted conflict in which Israel’s military response resulted in at least 41,900 Palestinian deaths and more than 97,300 injuries. Over the past year, the war has escalated across the region, with Hezbollah launching rockets from Lebanon and Israeli airstrikes continuing into Lebanon, killing more than 2,000 people.

Stacy M. Brown | NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

 Monday marked the first anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of over 200 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the surprise attack started a protracted conflict in which Israel’s military response resulted in at least 41,900 Palestinian deaths and more than 97,300 injuries. Over the past year, the war has escalated across the region, with Hezbollah launching rockets from Lebanon and Israeli airstrikes continuing into Lebanon, killing more than 2,000 people.

The conflict has displaced millions, with the United Nations estimating that over 1 million people in Lebanon alone have been forced from their homes, including tens of thousands who fled across the border into Syria. As the conflict persists, global vigils and protests took place Monday to remember the victims of the October 7 attack and to call for an end to the ongoing violence.

Global Commemorations and Protests

Candlelight vigils spanned the globe, from Tel Aviv to Paris to New York, as communities gathered to honor the lives lost. In the U.S., the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville hosted an event featuring audio-visual presentations of the destruction and stories of hope and heroism. The program included musical performances and speeches from community leaders. The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, StandWithUs, and the Israeli American Council organized a similar commemoration in Los Angeles called L.A. Remembers at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. Among the notable attendees were actress Mayim Bialik, Israeli performer Raviv Kaner, and U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif.

In Houston, the Jewish Federation hosted a vigil at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, drawing together more than 40 Jewish organizations. New Orleans held a similar event at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center on Sunday night, where Robert French, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, spoke. “To those still living, we pray for their safe return. And to those murdered by terrorists, we pray that they will be returned for a dignified burial,” French said.

NNPA President Headlines Memorial in New York

The World Values Network organized a significant gathering in Times Square to mark the anniversary. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), headlined the event, which drew large crowds to commemorate the victims of the Hamas attack. Chavis, a prominent civil rights leader, spoke about the importance of solidarity and remembrance.

“We gather today not only to remember the lives lost but to stand firm in our commitment to peace, justice, and the security of Israel,” Chavis said. Medal of Honor recipient Captain Florent Groberg also addressed the crowd, and performances by Kosha Dillz and Biana Pinchuk added to the emotional resonance of the event. The ceremony also featured a candle-lighting ceremony and speeches from relatives of hostages still held in Gaza.

Student Protests and Rising Tensions on U.S. Campuses

In Colorado, student groups organized protests and vigils across university campuses. Daniel Bennet, statewide director of Hillel of Colorado, reflected on the challenging year Jewish students have faced, citing rising instances of anti-Zionism and antisemitism. “It’s been a difficult year, with students feeling targeted for their beliefs,” Bennet told reporters. He noted a record number of Jewish students seeking community and solidarity amid these tensions.

Pro-Palestinian protests also took place on campuses, with students emphasizing that their opposition is not against Jewish people but against the policies of Israeli occupation. Khalid Hamu, a student leader with Students for a Democratic Society at the University of Colorado Denver, said, “Our opposition is the university administrations that invest in the occupation. Our enemy is not the Jewish people.”

International Observances Across Europe

In Europe, home to significant Jewish and Muslim populations, governments worked to manage both rising antisemitic and anti-Muslim sentiments. In Germany, the names of those killed and kidnapped in the October 7 attack were read aloud in front of the Brandenburg Gate, starting at 5:29 a.m., the time the attack began a year ago. The German chancellery was adorned with a yellow ribbon symbolizing solidarity with the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, approximately 100 of whom remain in captivity.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addressed an inter-religious service in Berlin later in the day, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz attended a memorial event at a synagogue in Hamburg. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni visited the main synagogue in Rome to mark the anniversary, expressing strong support for Israel while also calling for restraint in Gaza. “The Palestinians in Gaza have been victims twice over: first of Hamas’ cynicism and then of Israeli military operations,” Meloni stated.

U.S. Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Israel

In the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff hosted a tree-planting ceremony at the Naval Observatory residence to honor those killed in the October 7 attacks. Harris, in an interview airing Monday on 60 Minutes, reiterated the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security while underscoring the need for humanitarian aid and a ceasefire in Gaza.

President Joe Biden also marked the anniversary, describing the Hamas assault as “unspeakable brutality” and reaffirming his administration’s support for Israel. “Our commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad, and we will continue to stand against threats from Iran and its proxies,” Biden said. He also expressed concern for civilians affected by the conflict, calling for a diplomatic solution and a ceasefire.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on the eve of the anniversary, emphasizing the U.S. military’s readiness to defend Israel. “We remain committed to Israel’s security and to deterring any threats from Iran or its proxies,” Austin said, adding that a diplomatic resolution is key to ending the violence.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also offered his reflections.

“We continue to mourn those taken from us, stand with those recovering from unthinkable violence, and pray that the remaining hostages are returned home soon,” Jeffries stated.