Commemorating Oct. 7

MARY REICHARD, HOST: It’s Tuesday the 8th of October.

We’re so glad you’ve joined us today for The World and Everything in It. Good morning, I’m Mary Reichard.

NICK EICHER, HOST: And I’m Nick Eicher.

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Memorial services across the world honored the memory of the 1,200 people who died in the massacre and also those who are still being held hostage by Hamas.

REICHARD: WORLD’s Jill Nelson is here with an overview of commemorative events around the world.

SOUND: AIR RAID SIRENS

JILL NELSON: Sirens blared across Israel on the anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attacks. Some were in honor of the lives lost exactly one year ago. But others were a current warning to take shelter…as Israel’s enemies fired more than 130 missiles into the country.

The Israeli government limited gatherings to 2,000 people due to threats of an attack.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot attended a memorial service at the site of the Nova music festival where hundreds were killed. He voiced his country’s support for Israel as it faces enemies on multiple fronts.

BARROT: France will always work for this tragedy to never happen again.

SOUND: [SINGING FROM ROME]

In Rome, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni commemorated the anniversary by visiting the city’s main synagogue.

She expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself. And she condemned the wave of anti-Semitism that has plagued Italy in recent months. That includes pro-Palestinian protests over the weekend, some of which turned violent.

SOUND: [ITALIAN PROTESTS]

In Jordan, protestors chanted words of solidarity with Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen. In the days leading up to the anniversary, crowds in Amman displayed posters of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Haniyeh died in July in an attack widely attributed to Israel. He was in Tehran during the strike.

SOUND: [NY PROTESTS]

Hundreds of protesters gathered in New York City’s Central Park to demand the return of hostages. New York is home to the world’s second largest Jewish community, although many in attendance were from Israel.

The protesters displayed pictures of the nearly 100 hostages still in captivity. It’s unknown how many are still alive.

SOUND: [WHITE HOUSE PRAYER VIGIL]

At the White House, President Joe Biden took part in a candle lighting ceremony in remembrance of the October 7th victims. Local Rabbi Aaron Alexander recited a prayer used at Jewish burial and memorial services.

Several Americans are among the hostages remaining in Gaza. And 46 of the 1,200 people who died on October 7th were U.S. citizens.

Across Pennsylvania avenue, on the grounds near the Washington Monument, Jews and Christians from various denominations rallied to remember what happened on October 7th.

GIRIEN SALAZAR: Over the past year, I got to see really, Jews experience a very existential threat…

Girien Salazar attended the rally with his wife and two children. He works with the Philos Project, the organization putting on the rally. He told WORLD that Christians ought to be the first to stand in support.

SALAZAR: …And we're just here to say they're not, they're not they're not alone. They're not abandoned. If they need somebody to stand next to them, Christians are going to stand next to them.

In Australia…

SOUND: [MELBOURNE VIGIL]

…thousands attended a vigil in Melbourne. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined members of the Jewish community for the commemorative event. Albanese said his government condemned Hamas’ actions.

SOUND: [JORDAN RALLY]

Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian protests swept across the continent’s cities. Hundreds gathered in Sydney as local law enforcement stationed units nearby to maintain crowd control. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claims more than 40,000 Palestinians have died during Israeli bombardments of Gaza this past year. This number does not distinguish between civilians and soldiers.

In Berlin, the German chancellery was adorned with a giant yellow ribbon in memory of those still in captivity.

SOUND: [BERLIN SERVICE]

Synagogues across the country hosted memorial services throughout the day.

A survivor of the Oct. 7 assault attended one of those services in Berlin. Alon Gat barely escaped the Hamas attack. Both his mother and sister died, and Hamas took his wife hostage. She was released last year.

Gat urged attendees not to forget those who remain in captivity.

GAT: The terror in Israel is still happening. Hostages are still in the tunnels after one year. I'm begging you- keep fighting for those people. They will get back to Israel with your help. We can do it together.

The international community has urged Israel and Hamas to negotiate a cease-fire that includes the release of all hostages. But disagreements over security corridors in Gaza have prevented the two sides from reaching an agreement.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Jill Nelson.

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